Winter is one of the best times to chase surf. From December through February, the Northern Hemisphere's storm season pumps consistent, powerful swell into some of the most reliable surf spots on the planet, while tropical spots offer warm water for riders willing to fly further. Whether you're planning a week in Morocco or a month-long mission to Hawaii, this guide breaks down where to go, what to expect, and what to wear in the water.
Why Winter Produces the Best Surf of the Year
December to February marks the peak of North Atlantic and North Pacific storm activity. These storms generate long-period swell that travels thousands of kilometers before wrapping around coastlines that have been waiting all year for this energy. The result: consistent, powerful, well-organized waves at spots from Portugal to Hawaii.
For European surfers, winter means proximity to quality surf without a long-haul flight. For North American riders, it means Hawaii and Central America are firing. And for anyone willing to fly to the tropics, spots like Bali and Barbados offer warm water and reliable conditions while home breaks are either flat or freezing.
Best Time to Ride aggregates 3+ years of hourly weather data per spot across 495 spots in 79 countries, analyzing 13 weather models and cross-checking seasonal ratings against local knowledge. What follows is drawn from that data, not guesswork.
December: Atlantic Storm Season Peaks, Tropical Spots Warm Up
Ericeira, Portugal
December falls in the heart of Ericeira's swell season, which runs from about November to March. The town sits on a stretch of coast exposed to North Atlantic groundswells, and by December those swells are firing regularly. Expect waves in the 2–4 meter range on bigger days, with head-high surf on calmer windows. Water is about 16°C (61°F) in December, so pack a 4/3mm wetsuit minimum. Ericeira suits intermediate to advanced surfers, the main breaks like Ribeira d'Ilhas are powerful and fast, with enough variation across the reef to find your level.
Canary Islands, Spain
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are Atlantic swell magnets in December. La Santa on Lanzarote and El Cotillo on Fuerteventura receive consistent northwest swell throughout the month. Water is about 21°C (70°F) in December, so a 3/2mm wetsuit is enough. Wave size typically ranges from 1–3 meters, with occasional bigger swells. The variety of breaks across the islands means beginners can find sheltered beach breaks while experienced surfers chase the reef.
Costa Rica (Guanacaste)
December marks the start of Costa Rica's dry season, and Guanacaste's Pacific coast starts to clean up as the offshore winds set in. Northwest swells from the North Pacific are smaller than the south swells of the rainy season, but the water is warm, and the holidays bring the start of the busy tourist season. Tamarindo and Playa Avellanas are accessible for intermediates; Witch's Rock rewards experienced surfers willing to take a boat (Ollie's Point needs the south swells of the rainy season). No wetsuit needed.
January: Peak Northern Hemisphere Swell Season
Hawaii North Shore, Oahu
January is when the North Shore is at its most powerful. Spots like Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay receive the full force of North Pacific groundswells, producing waves from 3 meters to well overhead on the biggest days. Water temperature holds around 24–25°C (75–77°F), a shorty or boardshorts work fine. This is not a beginner stretch of coastline. Haleiwa offers more forgiving conditions, but the North Shore in January demands solid experience, strong paddling, and an honest read of your own ability. For experienced surfers who are ready, it's one of the most exciting places on earth to be in the water.
Morocco (Taghazout)
Taghazout sees its most consistent swell from January onward. Anchor Point, Killer Point, and Hash Point fire on the right North Atlantic groundswells, producing long right-hand point break waves that can run for hundreds of meters. Water temperature is 17–18°C (63–64°F), a 4/3mm wetsuit is the safe choice. January draws experienced riders from across Europe chasing these setups, but Taghazout's surf camp culture means there are beginner-friendly beach breaks nearby too. Crowds at the main points can be heavy on the best days.
Barbados
Barbados doesn't often appear at the top of winter surf lists, but it should. The east coast's Soup Bowl, near Bathsheba, is a powerful right-hand reef break that works best from December through February when North Atlantic swells wrap around the island. January is consistent. Water temperature is about 27°C (81°F) in January, no wetsuit required. The Soup Bowl is a step up from beginner-friendly, but Barbados's south coast has gentler breaks for surfers still building confidence. It's also genuinely uncrowded compared to Canary Islands or Morocco peaks.
February: Late-Season Consistency with Warming Trends
Bali (East Coast: Nusa Dua, Keramas)
Bali's wet season runs November through March, when the wind swings to the west and northwest and blows onshore more often at well-known west-coast spots like Uluwatu. The swells are smaller than in the dry season, but the same wind blows offshore on the east coast. Nusa Dua and Keramas can produce excellent conditions in February, with water at 29–30°C (84–86°F). No wetsuit needed. Waves average about 1 meter, bigger on the best swells. Nusa Dua's outer reef is a powerful break best suited to experienced surfers; the beach breaks around the area offer more forgiving entry points.
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
February extends the Canary Islands' peak window. Swell consistency remains high, water stays at about 19°C (66°F), and the crowds that peaked in January start to thin. The beach breaks around El Cotillo and Corralejo's Flag Beach on the north and northwest coast give beginners somewhere to start on smaller days. La Pared on the west coast picks up the same northwest swells and suits intermediate surfers. February is arguably the best month to visit for surfers who want consistent conditions without maximum competition in the lineup.
Ericeira, Portugal (Revisited)
February keeps Ericeira's swell season alive, though winds can be more variable than December's reliable northwest groundswells. When it fires, the quality is exceptional. Water temperature drops slightly to around 15°C (59°F), a 4/3mm wetsuit is non-negotiable, and boots are worth considering on colder days. The payoff for tolerating the chill is some of the most consistent, powerful Atlantic surf available within a short flight from most of Europe.
Wetsuit and Water Temperature Quick Reference
Knowing your wetsuit needs before you pack saves real money and comfort:
- Hawaii (North Shore): 24–25°C, boardshorts or a shorty
- Canary Islands: 19–21°C, 3/2mm wetsuit
- Morocco (Taghazout): 17–18°C, 4/3mm wetsuit
- Ericeira, Portugal: 15–16°C, 4/3mm wetsuit, boots optional
- Barbados: 27–28°C, boardshorts or swimwear
- Costa Rica (Guanacaste): 28–29°C, boardshorts
- Bali (East Coast): 29–30°C, boardshorts
Matching Spots to Skill Level
Not every winter surf trip needs to involve double-overhead reef breaks. Here's how the main spots stack up:
Beginner-friendly options in winter: The sheltered beach breaks on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Tamarindo in Costa Rica, and the south coast of Barbados give newer surfers real waves without life-threatening consequences.
Intermediate surfers: Ericeira's varied reef, Taghazout's lower-energy sessions, Nusa Dua in Bali, and February's Canary Islands lineup all offer consistent challenge without demanding elite performance.
Experienced surfers: Hawaii's North Shore in January is the benchmark, but Keramas in Bali, Anchor Point in Morocco, and Ericeira's Ribeira d'Ilhas in December all deliver powerful, technical waves that reward surfers with strong fundamentals and solid experience reading reef breaks.
FAQ
Where is the best surf spot for beginners in December to February? The Canary Islands are the most accessible winter option for beginner surfers from Europe. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote both have sheltered beach breaks with consistent small-to-medium swell, water warm enough for a light wetsuit, and plenty of surf schools operating year-round. Costa Rica's Tamarindo is an excellent choice for North American riders.
Do I need a wetsuit to surf in winter? It depends on where you go. Tropical spots like Barbados, Costa Rica, and Bali require no wetsuit in December to February. The Canary Islands are comfortable in a 3/2mm, Morocco in a 4/3mm. Portugal and other Northern European spots in winter demand a 4/3mm minimum, with boots on colder days. Always check water temperature data before you pack.
When is the North Shore of Hawaii best to surf? December through February is the North Shore's peak season. January typically delivers the most powerful and consistent North Pacific groundswells. This window is for experienced surfers only, wave sizes regularly exceed 3 meters, and many breaks are fast, heavy reef setups.
Is Bali worth visiting for surf in winter (December to February)? Yes, but with nuance. Bali's west-coast spots like Uluwatu still work during the wet season, but offshore winds are less reliable. The east coast, including Keramas and Nusa Dua, gets the offshore wind and can produce excellent conditions in January and February. Water temperature is about 29°C in these months.
How does Best Time to Ride calculate seasonal ratings for surf spots? Best Time to Ride pulls 3+ years of hourly weather data per spot from Open-Meteo, tracks 468 wave buoys and 1,786 wind stations, and runs the data through 13 weather models. Those statistical results are then cross-checked against local knowledge to catch anomalies that raw data can miss. The output is a reliable, data-grounded picture of when each spot is actually pumping, not a marketing description.
Plan Your Winter Surf Trip with Real Data
Most spots in this guide have a dedicated page on Best Time to Ride, where you can check monthly swell consistency scores, wind patterns, water temperature, and skill-level ratings built from years of hourly records. Stop guessing at peak season. Check the data, pick your window, and go surf.
Explore the full list of 495 spots across 79 countries at besttimetoride.com.
