Conditions at Zarautz in December
December: Winter Classic
December closes the year with a bang. The average swell height is 6-7ft (2.0m), the average period is a strong 12.4s, and the NW/WNW direction remains dominant with 28.1% NW and 24.4% WNW. Combined with NNW (8.5%) and W (4.4%), the directional window is perfect for Zarautz, and the size distribution shows consistent 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft) groundswell plus meaningful XXL pulses over 2.5m (8ft). The Atlantic is at its most productive, and the Basque coast is in the firing line.
December also has the highest ideal wind percentage of the year at 45%. S winds blow an impressive 20.9% of the time, SSW another 13.0%, and the N/NW onshore flow is at its seasonal minimum. These are the days when offshore winter light, cold offshore winds and long lined-up NW swell combine to make Zarautz a truly world-class beach break. Water temperature has fallen to 14.2°C and air temps average 9.9°C, but no amount of winter chill can keep surfers out of the water. This is the month to cash in on the Basque winter.
Average Spot conditions at Zarautz in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Zarautz 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 Zarautz for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Zarautz 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 Zarautz.