Map
Reef - surf spot statistics
Reef seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic winter machine is in full swing from October through March, delivering consistent, powerful swell to this west-facing reef. Average wave heights range from 2.0 to 2.6m with periods often exceeding 12 seconds, providing the long-period, pumping surf this spot is known for. While wind conditions are not always perfect, the percentage of ideal offshore flow from the WNW, W, WSW, and SW quadrants climbs above 20%, with December peaking at 25%. When a strong low-pressure system spins up in the North Atlantic and we get a clean breeze from these directions, the reef absolutely fires.
Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)
Transition months bring a mix of leftover winter energy and the first hints of summer. Swell heights average between 1.6 and 2.0m, with periods dropping to the 10-11 second range. The wind becomes less reliable, with ideal conditions occurring only 10-14% of the time. Still, occasional groundswell from late-season storms can light up the spot, especially in September when the Atlantic starts to stir again.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
Summer settles in with a marked drop in swell energy. Average heights hover around 1.4-1.5m, periods in the 8-9 second range, and ideal wind conditions drop to a meager 3-6% of the time. Dominant north/northwest winds keep the spot often choppy and onshore. However, if you catch a rare WNW or W breeze during a small northwest swell, the waves can clean up for some rippable summer fun.
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Conditions at Reef in December
December: Consistent Fire
December brings the highest average swell height of any month at 2.5m and a period of 12.7s, ensuring the reef is often in the pumping, heavy or massive range. The dominant swell directions are NW (21.2%), WNW (15.2%), and W (6.1%), all wrapping perfectly into the west-facing setup. Wind conditions are the most favorable of the year at 25% ideal, with a good spread of light offshore breezes from the west quadrants. The southwesterly and westerly winds (SW 5.0%, WSW 4.8%, W 3.9%, WNW 4.7%) often coincide with the arrival of long-period groundswell. This is the month to charge: expect XXL swells and heavy barreling waves when the wind aligns. The North Atlantic provides and the reef delivers.
Average Spot conditions at Reef in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Reef 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 Reef for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Reef 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 Reef.