Conditions at Hondarribia in December
December: Winter Solstice Swell
December finishes the year as one of the strongest months. The average swell sits at 2.0m (6.6ft) with a 12.4s period, so size and power are both high. North Atlantic lows are in full swing, sending consistent WNW/NW groundswell trains into northern Spain. The wave rose has NW at 28%, WNW at 24%, and NNW at 9%, and the 1.5m to 2.5m (5-8ft) bands are heavily represented. Combine that with the long nights and winter weather, and you will see why Basque surfers dream of this month all year.
Winds turn even more southerly in December. S (15%) and SSW (11%) are the most frequent directions, with W at 9% and WSW at 5%. The ideal wind percentage sits at 30%, but the quality of the offshore flow is often excellent-those south/southwest winds can leave the face glassy while cold, dry air streams over the water. On the flip side, a strong WNW/NW wind is the quickest way to ruin a session.
Air temp cools to 9.9°C, water temp drops to 14.0°C, and precipitation is frequent at 3.69 mm/day. It is full winter at Hondarribia: hood, boots, and a thick wetsuit. December delivers some of the most memorable, heaviest surf of the year.
Average Spot conditions at Hondarribia in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Hondarribia 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 Hondarribia for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Hondarribia 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 Hondarribia.