Senoritas • Statistics for December

December: Summer Slumber Begins

December wraps up the year with smaller, softer swell and the wind lock firmly in place. Average wave height eases to 1.5m (5ft) with an average period of 12.8 seconds - still more powerful than many other spots, but a step down from the winter giants. The direction remains favorable: SSW supplies 88 percent of the swell and SW another 10 percent, so the WSW-facing beach still sees plenty of southern Pacific energy. Nearly half of the waves fall in the fun, rippable 1-1.5m (3-5ft) class, with 34 percent in the 1.5-2m (5-7ft) range. The main issue is the wind. Ideal offshore frequency remains at 1 percent, and directly onshore SSW/SW winds make up over 64 percent of observations, with S filling in much of the rest. The sea-breeze cycle is strong in the summer warmth, so surf tends to be cleanest at first light before the ocean bumps up. Water temp climbs back to 17.4°C (63°F), and air temps reach 25°C - a pleasant signal that the best season is just around the corner.