Conditions at Sopelana in December
December: Heavy Water and Holiday Swells
December closes out the year with winter in full force. The average swell height sits at 2.0m (6.5ft) with a 12.4s average period - easily among the most powerful months at Sopelana. The swell direction is more varied than peak winter, but the NW/WNW combination still accounts for exactly half of all wave energy, plus NNW/N contributions that favor the exposed NW-facing beach. The offshore wind signal is strong from the S/SSW, with a combined 28.7% of the wind distribution, though ideal surf winds hover around 31%. This is a month of serious, heavy water: the larger NW swells often exceed 2.5m (8ft) and can become XL on the biggest days. Air temps drop to 10.8°C while water temps hold at 14°C; with 3.66mm/day of rain, you will need a warm hood, gloves and a solid wetsuit. For the experienced surfer, December is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.
Average Spot conditions at Sopelana in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Sopelana during December. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Sopelana for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Sopelana for December. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Sopelana.