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Conditions at Turtle Head in December
December: The Monster Pulses of the Northeast Monsoon
December brings the biggest average swell of the year at 2.2m (7.2ft), and the wave period reaches its annual peak of 8.0 seconds. The swell rose is dominated by NNE (38.0 percent) and NE (27.4 percent), with a notably heavy presence in the larger size classes: 11.4 percent for both 1.5-2m and 2-2.5m, plus 1.8 percent caught in the over 2.5m XL bracket. This is the classic late-year surge caused by strong cold fronts and high pressure over Asia driving powerful trade winds across thousands of kilometres of open ocean. Some of these pulses are raw and building, and they arrive at Turtle Head as powerful, walled-up waves.
Surfing conditions are still good thanks to persistent offshore winds - ENE (31.3 percent) and NE (40.0 percent) - but the ideal wind frequency is slightly lower at 47 percent, as the wind tends to blow stronger, sometimes exceeding the surfing sweet spot. The cooler air (24.2°C) and fresh water temperature of 26.0°C require a light wetsuit. Rainfall is low at 2.51 mm/day. For the experienced surfer, December is the crown jewel when a proper NE to N storm swell lines up with that offshore flow: expect heavy waves, big paddle sessions, and the occasional long-period gem if the system develops extra fetch. It is big, it is clean, and it is the way to end the year.
Average Spot conditions at Turtle Head in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Turtle Head 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 Turtle Head for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Turtle Head 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 Turtle Head.