Asia Sri Lanka
Hiriketiya
A horseshoe bay in the palms.
BEST WAVES THIS MONTH
Where to surf in December.
December suits winter-sun trips. The Canaries, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Central America offer warm land and reliable swell. Hawaii is at full strength for experts, and Australia and New Zealand head into beach-holiday summer with smaller surf and warmer water.
46 of our 108 destinations list December in their suggested season; 20 of those usually have water at 25°C or warmer.
BEGINNER
Refine this list ↗Learning in December.
Size ranges a learner can use, and a season that suits it.
Asia 
Americas Nayarit, Mexico
Sayulita
Colourful streets. Friendly waves.
Americas Costa Rica
Santa Teresa
Jungle, sunsets and consistent peaks.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiriketiya | 1.1 m · 11 s · S | 28°C | Boardshorts | 17 km/h NE |
| Sayulita | 0.9 m · 14 s · W | 27°C | Boardshorts | 11 km/h N |
| Santa Teresa | 1.1 m · 13 s · SW | 28°C | Boardshorts | 8 km/h NE |
| Nosara | 1.2 m · 13 s · SW | 28°C | Boardshorts | 21 km/h NE |
| Rincón | 1.0 m · 8 s · E | 28°C | Boardshorts | 19 km/h E |
| Hikkaduwa | 1.2 m · 13 s · S | 29°C | Boardshorts | 10 km/h NW |
INTERMEDIATE
Refine this list ↗Progressing in December.
More days with real size, without constantly being over your head.
Africa Senegal
Dakar
City surf at the westernmost tip of Africa.
Americas Piura, Peru
Máncora
Warm water and a lively beach town in Peru's north.
Americas British Columbia, Canada
Tofino
Rainforest, storms and cold-water surf.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakar | 1.7 m · 12 s · N | 24°C | Rash vest or 1 mm top | 21 km/h NE |
| Máncora | 1.6 m · 14 s · SW | 23°C | Rash vest or 1 mm top | 20 km/h S |
| Tofino | 1.8 m · 12 s · W | 9°C | 6/5 mm, boots, hood, gloves | 18 km/h E |
| Arrifana | 1.7 m · 13 s · NW | 17°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 15 km/h SE |
| Bathsheba | 2.1 m · 9 s · NE | 28°C | Boardshorts | 30 km/h E |
| Gran Canaria | 1.7 m · 13 s · N | 21°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 15 km/h NE |
ADVANCED
Refine this list ↗Charging in December.
The most days with size and long-period swell.
Americas Oahu, Hawaii, USA
North Shore, Oahu
Seven miles of the world's most famous waves.
Europe Portugal
Madeira
Boulder rights under green cliffs.
Europe Portugal
São Miguel, Azores
Atlantic swell, volcanic green.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore, Oahu | 2.7 m · 13 s · N | 25°C | Boardshorts | 26 km/h E |
| Madeira | 2.4 m · 12 s · NW | 19°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 16 km/h S |
| São Miguel, Azores | 2.5 m · 12 s · W | 18°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 26 km/h S |
| Maui | 2.4 m · 14 s · N | 25°C | Boardshorts | 25 km/h E |
| Fuerteventura | 2.2 m · 13 s · N | 21°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 23 km/h NE |
| Lanzarote | 2.0 m · 13 s · N | 21°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 24 km/h SE |
Rankings combine ERA5 open-ocean data (2015–2024) with our suggested seasons. They describe typical months, not this year's surf, and sheltered spots can be much smaller than the figures here. How this works.