Badoc Island Lefts • Statistics for December

December: The Peak of the Northeastern Monsoon

December is the statistical apex of the surf year. The average swell height peaks at 2.2m, and the average period reaches 8.0s, the highest of any month. Although the favorable-direction share of 69% is slightly lower than in other winter months, the size is what sets December apart: NNE delivers 11% at 1.5-2m, 11% at 2-2.5m and close to 2% at XL size above 2.5m, while NE adds another 14% combined in the 1.5-2.5m range. These are powerful, grinding winter waves generated by repeated northeast monsoon surges and cold fronts pushing down from the North Pacific.

December is also the most blown-out month on paper, with ideal surf wind only 4% of the time. NE at 40% and ENE at 31% dominate the wind rose almost completely, so the default condition is severely onshore and lumpy. Yet the occasional passing low-pressure system can trigger a southerly or southwesterly flow, and on those rare days the payoff is enormous: clean 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) lefts reeling down the reef in 26.0°C water and 24.2°C air. Rain is relatively low at 2.51mm/day, but the challenge is patience. December gives you the waves, but it makes you wait for the wind.