Conditions at Arish in December
December: Peak of the Desert Winter
December is the crown jewel of the Arish calendar. The average swell height climbs to 1.6m (5-6ft), the period sits at a powerful 11.9s, and the ideal wind percentage peaks at 50%, the highest of the entire year. The wave rose shows NNW (37%) and NW (26%) doing most of the work, with N and NNE each adding 13% and WNW chipping in 5%-the most westerly energy of any month. This compares favourably to the dead summer months and gives Arish more exposed, better-aligned swell. The wind pattern is also beautifully balanced: NE (21%), ENE (20%), E (14%) and NNE (15%) create a consistent offshore flow, but the trade winds are not nearly as violent as they are in summer.
The result is genuinely good surf: clean, powerful, long-period waves in the 4-7ft (1.2-2.1m) range, often with light offshore winds and cold desert mornings. Water temperature drops to 18.5°C, air averages 18.2°C, and rain is still scarce. This is the month to plan for if you want the full Arish experience.
Average Spot conditions at Arish in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Arish 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 Arish for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Arish 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 Arish.