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Conditions at Wilderness in December
December: Peak Size, Peak Frustration, Peak Potential
December is the largest swell month of the year at Wilderness, averaging around 5ft (1.6m) with a 10.0s period. The wave rose shows a powerful NNE (24%) and NE (43%) presence, but importantly, N (4.6%) and NNW (3.0%) also appear. While those percentages look small, in December they represent the biggest, longest-period waves of the year. When a N/NNW groundswell arrives with 10s+ energy, Wilderness can produce solid, lined-up, potentially head-high-plus waves.
Wind is the main limiting factor. Ideal surf conditions are at their lowest, just 37%, as ENE (47%) and E (20%) winds blow hard. W/NW winds remain rare, so the issue is not usually onshore wind; it is the strength of the offshore flow. Water temp drops to 27.3°C, air temp 25.5°C. The best days come when a cold front sweeps through, the pressure gradient eases, and morning E/ESE flow turns light while a NNW swell peaks. December is the time for patience, because the payoff can be excellent.
Average Spot conditions at Wilderness in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Wilderness 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 Wilderness for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Wilderness 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 Wilderness.