Pikinini • Statistics for December

December: Monsoon Peak, Bigger Swell, Tougher Conditions

December marks the full return of the northwest monsoon. Wind statistics are brutal for a west-facing beach: W (16.1%), WNW (15.0%), WSW (13.1%), and NW (10.9%) combine to dominate the wind rose, leaving only 26% ideal offshore conditions. The good news is that the swell is at its most powerful of the year, with an average height around 4ft (1.2m) and the longest average period of the year at 10.5s. The bad news is that this swell arrives mainly from NNE (50.8%) and NE (22.6%), directions that are heavily shadowed on the west-facing coast, while the wind is mostly onshore. Expect bumpy, lumpy, and closed-out conditions on many days. Still, when a strong monsoon surge or a passing tropical low generates a northwest swell component, Pikinini's reefs can light up for rare, firing sessions. Water temp is 30.0C and rainfall is back up to 7.1 mm/day, so stay flexible and pounce on the clean windows.