The Best Places to Surf in December – By Region and Skill Level
December can be brutal, at least for us Northern Hemisphere folk. Short days, shit weather. For me, it’s the perfect excuse to start looking around for something in the tropics. Especially since Sri Lanka’s awesome south coast is coming into its own.
But you don’t have to leave North America or Europe to get good surf at this time of year. Swell channels in the Atlantic and Pacific are firing in December – NW pulses come down and light up some of the best breaks we have, from Rincon to the Algarve.
Meanwhile, there are some places that are right in the heigth of thier perfect surf season – Morocco, we’re looking at you.
Europe
Canary Islands, Spain
Beginners
Expect sun, consistent swell, and the most beginner-friendly waves in Europe during winter
The Canaries are Europe’s passport to winter sun and surf. December lands in the heart of the archipelago’s surf season, with consistent NW swells, warm weather (I’m talking like 22–25°C and suncream worthy most days), and water still hovering around 20°C.
Beginner surfers will find their stride on Fuerteventura’s El Cotillo or Corralejo Bay, where sandy-bottomed breaks offer long, manageable walls. Tenerife’s Playa de Las Americas also delivers softer peelers at La Izquierda and El Medio, especially on smaller days. Personally, though, Caleta de Famara in Lanzarote takes the biscuit.
While the north shores are known for heavy reef setups like El Confital or La Santa, the east and south coasts remain beginner friendly in winter. There are loads of surf camps tuned into mellow breaks, and conditions are often glassy in the early mornings.
Where to stay? Lanzasurf are one of our top picks for surf camps in the whole of Spain. They’ve just got it right and have a location dead on Caleta beach.
El Palmar, Spain
Beginner to intermediate
Wetsuit probably required, but fairy regular sunshine and good vibes are basically guaranteed
El Palmar is one of the few places in mainland Europe where you can still surf in thin rubber around Christmas – if you’re lucky. Down on the Costa de la Luz, this Cadiz coast town comes alive with a blend of low-key surf travellers and local riders hunting winter swell.
December sees consistent west and northwest pulses from the Atlantic. They light up the long beach break in front of town, with soft, crumbling peaks perfect for beginners on smaller days, and more rippable, punchy walls for intermediates when the swell builds.
The atmosphere in winter is chilled – think tapas, off-season prices, and uncrowded midweek lineups.It’s very much up and coming, has long had a local crew, but now offers some good surf camps to boot.
Where to stay? A-Frame Surf & Yoga camp. Great surf teaching and a little splash pool right on the beach. Yes please!
Hossegor, France
Advanced
Not for the faint-hearted, but a barrel hunter’s dream.
December is heavy-wave season in Hossegor. It’s to score powerful barrels in the company of other surfers who know what they’re doing.
The Atlantic sends long-period swells to the Bay of Biscay, and while sandbanks shift a lot this time of year, there’s always a punchy peak at La Graviere (the most famous wave in town) or Les Estagnots. It’s raw, cold, and often windy, but the reward is thick, hollow surf with proper winter juice.
Crowds thin drastically come early December as most French leave for the winter resorts in the Alps. Only locals and hardened chargers tend to paddle out, so you can snag some unforgettable rides if you know where to be and when.
Tides are critical. The vibe in town is quiet, almost eerie compared to summer.
Where to stay? JO&JOE HOSSEGOR – Very cool surf hostel with an outdoor bar and food court.
Africa
Tamraght, Morocco
Beginners
iStock.com / Khalid ElkharratA solid pick for beginners chasing real progression in the Moroccan sun
Tamraght is winter’s answer for beginners craving a dose of sun and consistent waves. December is one of the best times to be here – you get daily swell, dry weather with temps in the mid-20s, and spicy tagines after long days in the water.
The beaches at Banana Point and Devil’s Rock serve up slow, spilling right-handers with long shoulders and friendly walls. Tamraght’s main beach is basically tailor-made for learners and low-intermediates. Most surf camps are dialled into the tides and swell direction, offering daily transfers to find the best conditions between Taghazout and Tamraght.
There’s a buzzing surf school scene, tons of rental shops, and mellow lineups compared to comparable beginner places like Weligama or Sayulita.
Where to stay? Wave Gypsy Surf & Yoga is for rooftop tagines, morning yoga sessions, and fantastic surf tuition, all without a mega price tag.
Cape Town, South Africa
Beginner to intermediate
Surf sheletered bays or womping reefs on two oceans
Cape Town’s in December is about choice. On one side you’ve got Muizenberg, the warm, sandy bay with gentle, rolling waves and surf schools galore. On the other, the Atlantic side serves up punchy summer wind swells and the odd solid set at Llandudno or Noordhoek.
December is high summer here, meaning long, sunny days, warm air, and water that can still be chilly (expect 14–18°C depending on the beach and currents). The wind kicks in by midday, so dawn patrols are golden.
Beginners should head straight to Muizenberg, where the vibe is cruisy and the waves are forgiving. Intermediates will be better with a rental car and moving around.
Cape Town itself adds a huge bonus: after your surf, there’s Table Mountain, vineyards, and wild penguin beaches right on your doorstep.
Where to stay? THE PLACE Muizenberg – A stylish beach hotel right on the Muizenberg surf strip.
Asia & Oceana
Varkala, India
Beginners
An undiscovered corner of Asia for surfers
Varkala is one of those Indian surf towns that hasn’t quite hit the mainstream – in a good way. Perched on red cliffs above the Arabian Sea, it offers soft, slow waves on a mellow beach break that’s great for absolute beginners.
December is a perfect time to visit. The monsoon is well and truly gone, the skies are clear, and air temps hover around 30°C. The sea is bathwater warm, and the surf is consistent enough for fun-sized practice sessions each morning. (You get essentially the same swells as Sri Lanka here, but they need to work a little harder to push up and hit India, so mellow is the keyword.)
There are a few surf schools and rentals dotted along the cliff, and the scene is more yoga-meets-surf than hardcore shredder.
Where to stay?
South Sri Lanka
All levels
My personal favorite place to be for surf and just life come December
December kicks off peak surf season on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. It’s the dry season, which means clean morning conditions, offshore winds, and swells running from the south and southeast.
Waves are consistent and cater to every level. Beginners have plenty of options in Weligama, where beach breaks run the length of the bay. Intermediates can hit mellow reef breaks at Plantation or Lazy Left in Midigama. Advanced surfers head to Rams Right or the fast-breaking Mirissa Point, which starts to really work this time of year.
Really, though, Sri Lanka has soft swell for an Asian destination. It’s log, longboard, cruise, and learn territory, with fun surf the name of the game.
Water is warm (28°C), no wetsuit required, and the surf community is buzzing. Towns like Ahangama and Midigama have excellent places to stay, tuk tuks make getting around a breeze, and there are camps, cafes and board rental spots everywhere.
It’s my personal top pick on this list.
Where to stay? We have LOADS of thoughts on this. Check out our guide to the top surf hotels in Sri Lanka and best surf camps in Sri Lanka for some ideas.
East Coast Australia
All levels
This is classic fun-in-the-sun surf season, Aussie-style.
December is early summer on the East Coast of Australia. That, in my humble opinion, makes it prime time for road trips. They’ll be filled with sunshine and classic Aussie surf towns.
You can cruise the whole Gold Coast down to Byron Bay, hit the points of Crescent Head, and get to Sydney, where there are endless urban breaks.
Expect chest- to head-high peaks at The Pass (Byron), Snapper Rocks, or Lennox Head, with warm water, long days, and lifeguarded beaches. Beginners will love the protected sands of Noosa (further north) or Yamba (a NSW gem with beaches that face in all directions).
Accommodation books up over the Christmas holidays, so plan ahead, especially in places like Byron or Crescent Head.
Where to stay? The Surf Yamba is spectacular. Enough said.
Americas
Maui, Hawaii, USA
Intermediate+
Come ready. Maui doesn’t hold back in winter.
December in Maui is a showstopper. The northwest swell window is wide open, bringing powerful winter surf to breaks like Honolua Bay, Hookipa, and Peahi (Jaws) – the latter being one of the heaviest waves on the planet, tow-only on the biggest days. AKA great to watch, not for dying on.
Intermediate surfers can score inside Honolua, where wrapping rights reel around the cliff like a wave machine. Hookipa is the heartbeat of the north shore surf scene, with a tight take-off and reefy sections – it’s not a beginner wave, but it’s a must-watch even from the rocks.
Maui has a magic vibe in December: green hills, tropical rain, surfy cafés, and surf shops. This is Aloha State in December, though, so prices will spike and so will crowds.
Where to stay? The Mauian Hotel. A lovely tropical lodge on the Pacific shores of NW Maui.
Santa Cruz, California
Intermediates+
Chasing rights
The right hand point sof Santa Cruz turn on in winter. December brings consistent northwest swells and crisp offshore mornings, lighting up points like Steamer Lane, Pleasure Point, and The Hook. They’re ideal for confident intermediates ready to level up.
Wetsuits are a must (4/3mm or 5/4mm), but the crowds thin out a little since tourists aren’t around and the waves get real quality. Steamer Lane can get big and competitive, but spots like 26th Avenue offer a more mellow ride.
You can also drive south through Laguna and out to Rincon for more surf.
Where to stay? Dream Inn Santa Cruz is a clifftop hotel just down the line from Steamer Lane’s main paddle out point. Surf themed rooms and access to a lovely beach below are pluses.
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica (all levels)
All levels
A Costa Rican legend with surf for all
Santa Teresa in December is a dream. Nestled on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, this jungle-backed town delivers so many frickin beach breaks. They come in all shapes, from hollow low-tide barrels to cruisy walls at high tide. All levels are catered for.
December is close to the the start of the dry season in Costa Rica, meaning blue skies, offshore mornings, and fun-sized Pacific swell. Playa Carmen is best for beginners and intermediates, while Playa Santa Teresa itself offers faster, more powerful peaks for advanced surfers.
There’s a real surf-town buzz in Santa Teresa, too. Cafes, board rentals, yoga shalas, surf camps, and warm water all year round. Crowds pick up over the holiday period, but you can always walk north or south along the beach to find an emptier peak.
Where to stay? Ohana Villas – highly rated surf stays tucked onto a jungled hillside 300m from the beach. Lovely.
