Conditions at Il Porto in December
December: Peak Season in the Mediterranean - Bigger, Cleaner, Colder
December is the statistical peak of the surf year at Il Porto. Average swell height hits 1.0m (3.3ft), the highest of any month, while average period of 5.2s ties with November for the top mark. The direction tables reinforce the winter pattern: SW (12.8%), WSW (11.2%), SSE (10.8%), S (8.6%) and SSW (7.2%) all contribute. WSW shows 1.3% in the 2-2.5m (6-8ft) class and 0.1% over 2.5m (8ft+), with SW close behind. For a beach that usually scrapes for size, that is meaningful.
December also has the best wind profile of the year. The offshore quadrant (N, NNE, NE, ENE) totals over 38%, led by NE (13.9%) and NNE (12.4%). This is the prime setup: relatively higher-period SW swell running under a fresh northeasterly offshore breeze, groomed and glassy. Ideal surf wind reaches 13%. Air temperatures average 11.1°C, water temperatures drop to 15.9°C, and rain is frequent at 2.87 mm/day. December is when all the meteorological ingredients align - stormy lows, cold-air outbreaks and the highest wave energy of the year. It may not be a world-class point break, but it is the best chance Il Porto offers for a proper surf session.
Average Spot conditions at Il Porto in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Il Porto 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 Il Porto for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Il Porto 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 Il Porto.