Conditions at La Selva in December
December: Peak Power
December is statistically one of the most powerful months of the year at La Selva. The average swell height reaches around 5ft (1.6m), tied for the annual high, and the average period is a solid 9.1s. The optimal N/NNE/NE/NNW window contains over 57% of the swell, with NE at 35% and NNE at 17%. The distribution is loaded into the 1-2m range, meaning regular sessions of solid, head-high to slightly overhead waves, with the occasional bigger set when a strong North Atlantic low sends in longer-period energy.
The catch is the wind: ideal offshore conditions occur only 20% of the time, the lowest of the year, as the trades blow hard from the ENE/E. But December is also the month when strong cold fronts and high-pressure systems can create classic offshore S/SW flow. When those days line up, La Selva can be heavy, fast and truly world-class. Water temperatures are still warm at 27.1°C, making December a perfect tropical winter surf destination.
Average Spot conditions at La Selva in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at La Selva 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 La Selva for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at La Selva 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 La Selva.