Hawaii Weather in December
December in Hawaii looks nothing like December anywhere else in the United States. While much of the country deals with snow and freezing wind, the islands stay warm enough for swimming, hiking ridgelines, and eating dinner outside in the evening. That said, winter does change the islands. December sits squarely in Hawaii’s wet season, the ocean runs cooler and rougher, and daylight shrinks to its shortest stretch of the year.
None of this ruins a trip. Daytime highs still reach the upper 70s and low 80s most days, rain usually arrives in passing showers rather than all-day washouts, and December delivers two of the islands’ great seasonal spectacles: enormous surf on the north-facing shores and the first humpback whales of the season. Below is the full picture, island by island, so you can plan around the rain, pick the right coast, and pack properly.
December Temperature Averages by Island
Hawaii has no real winter cold at sea level. December daytime highs typically land between 77Β°F and 82Β°F depending on the island and coast, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s. The trade winds that cool the islands through summer weaken in winter, so calm days can feel warm and humid even though the thermometer reads a few degrees lower than August.
The figures below are long-term climate normals from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the main airport stations. Local conditions vary a lot with elevation and which side of each island you are on, so treat these as baselines for the lowland resort areas.
| Location | Average High | Average Low | Average December Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, OΚ»ahu | 82Β°F | 69Β°F | 2.5 inches |
| LΔ«huΚ»e, KauaΚ»i | 79Β°F | 69Β°F | Around 4 inches |
| Kahului, Maui | 81Β°F | 65Β°F | 3.2 inches |
| Hilo, Big Island | 79Β°F | 65Β°F | 11.6 inches |
| Kailua-Kona, Big Island | 80Β°F | 66Β°F | Around 2 inches |
OΚ»ahu
Honolulu and WaikΔ«kΔ« run warm and relatively dry for a December destination. Highs near 82Β°F and lows around 69Β°F mean you will still live in shorts and a t-shirt during the day, with a light layer for breezy evenings. December is one of the wetter months on OΚ»ahu, but most rain falls as brief trade-wind showers, often overnight or in the morning, and WaikΔ«kΔ«’s leeward position keeps it drier than the windward side.
KauaΚ»i
LΔ«huΚ»e averages a high of 79Β°F and a low of 69Β°F in December, very close to OΚ»ahu. KauaΚ»i earns its nickname as the Garden Isle because it catches more rain than the other islands, and December is a genuinely wet month, especially along the north shore around Hanalei and Princeville. The south shore around PoΚ»ipΕ« stays noticeably drier and sunnier, which is worth knowing when you choose where to stay.
Maui
Kahului on Maui’s central valley floor averages highs around 81Β°F with lows near 65Β°F. The resort coasts at KΔΚ»anapali, Wailea, and KΔ«hei run a touch warmer and drier than the airport station suggests. Upcountry Maui around Kula and HaleakalΔ is a different story: temperatures drop with elevation, and the summit of HaleakalΔ can dip near freezing after dark in December, so check conditions before a sunrise trip.
Big Island
The Big Island shows the widest range. Hilo, on the windward east side, averages 79Β°F for a high and 65Β°F for a low, and December is one of its wettest months with around 11.6 inches of rain. The Kona coast on the dry west side flips the script: highs near 80Β°F, lows in the mid 60s, and only a couple of inches of rain. Kohala’s resort coast is similarly dry. If you want the warmest, driest December weather on the Big Island, stay west.
How Much Does It Rain in December?
December falls in the middle of Hawaii’s wet season, which runs roughly from November through March. Winter storms called Kona lows can bring several days of heavy rain to the whole island chain, and cold fronts trailing down from the north add passing showers. But “wet season” in Hawaii is relative. Even in December, most rain arrives as brief, intense showers that pass within an hour, and sunshine usually returns the same day.
Where you stay matters more than the month. Windward coasts (the east and north-facing sides) catch the trade-wind rain and can see double or triple the rainfall of leeward coasts on the same island. On every island, the leeward west and south shores are the drier bets in December: WaikΔ«kΔ« and Ko Olina on OΚ»ahu, PoΚ»ipΕ« on KauaΚ»i, KΔΚ»anapali and Wailea on Maui, and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the Big Island. Mountain areas and the windward sides get the rain that keeps the waterfalls flowing, which is part of why December is one of the best months to see the islands’ waterfalls at full volume.
Ocean Conditions: Water Temperature and Surf
Can you swim in Hawaii in December?
Yes. The ocean averages around 77Β°F in December, which most visitors find perfectly comfortable without a wetsuit. It is a few degrees cooler than the August peak, and early mornings can feel brisk when you first get in, but by midday the water feels warm. Snorkeling, stand-up paddling, and swimming are all on the table every day of the month.
The bigger variable is surf, not temperature. Winter swells generated by storms in the North Pacific slam into the north-facing shores of every island from November through February. On OΚ»ahu’s North Shore, famous breaks like Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay regularly see waves of 25 to 40 feet or more in December. These beaches are for watching world-class surfers, not for casual swimming. If you want calm water in December, stick to the south shores: WaikΔ«kΔ«, PoΚ»ipΕ«, KΔΚ»anapali, and the Kona coast stay sheltered and swimmable while the north shores thunder.
December is also peak season for professional surfing. The Triple Crown of Surfing runs on OΚ»ahu’s North Shore in November and December, drawing the best surfers on the planet to HaleΚ»iwa, Sunset Beach, and Pipeline. Even if you never touch a board, watching a big swell roll in at Waimea Bay is one of the great free spectacles in Hawaii.
Ocean safety deserves extra attention in winter. High surf advisories are common in December, and conditions can change fast. Check the National Weather Service Honolulu surf forecasts before heading to any beach, never turn your back on the ocean, and when in doubt, ask the lifeguards. Hawaii’s lifeguards are famously knowledgeable and happy to point you to the safest spot for the day.
Daylight Hours in December
December has the shortest days of the year in Hawaii. Expect about 10 hours and 55 minutes of daylight, with sunrise around 6:50 AM and sunset near 5:45 PM Hawaii Standard Time. The sun sits lower in the sky, which softens the midday heat and makes for long, golden sunsets.
The shorter days are easy to work around. Start hikes and road trips by 8 AM and you will still have a full day of light. The earlier sunsets are actually a bonus for evening plans: sunset sails, beach walks, and dinner with an ocean view all happen at civilized hours. One caution for photographers and sightseers: mountain roads and trails get dark quickly after sunset, so plan to be back at the trailhead well before dusk.
Whale Season Begins
December marks the beginning of humpback whale season in Hawaii. Thousands of North Pacific humpbacks migrate from Alaska to the warm, shallow waters around the islands to breed and calve, and the first arrivals show up in November and December. The season peaks from January through March, so December visitors catch the early wave, with sightings getting more frequent as the month goes on.
Maui’s Κ»AuΚ»au Channel between Maui, LΔnaΚ»i, and MolokaΚ»i is the single best place to see them, but whales show up off every island. You can spot spouts and breaches from shore at lookouts like the McGregor Point on Maui or the KΔ«lauea Lighthouse on KauaΚ»i, or join a whale watching cruise for a closer look. Federal law requires boats to stay at least 100 yards from humpbacks, so choose operators who respect the distance rules. The humpback whale migration to Hawaii is one of the longest mammal migrations on earth, and seeing a 40-ton animal launch itself clear of the water never gets old, no matter how many times you have seen it.
Crowds, Prices, and the Holiday Season
December in Hawaii has two distinct personalities. The first two and a half weeks are relatively calm: pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and prices that have settled down after Thanksgiving. Then the holiday rush arrives. Roughly from December 20 through the first week of January, Hawaii becomes one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country, and hotel rates, flights, and rental cars spike accordingly.
If you can travel in early to mid-December, you get the best of both worlds: full December weather, the start of whale season, and pre-holiday prices. If you are locked into the Christmas to New Year window, book flights and hotels as early as possible and expect company at the popular beaches and attractions. December sits well outside the cheapest time of year to visit Hawaii, but the early part of the month is far gentler on the wallet than the holiday peak.
The holidays bring their own rewards. Hawaii celebrates Christmas with real enthusiasm and a local twist: Honolulu City Lights decorates downtown with a giant Christmas tree and light displays, each island hosts holiday parades and craft fairs, and “Mele Kalikimaka” (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) is everywhere. Families visiting OΚ»ahu will find plenty of family-friendly Christmas things to do on OΚ»ahu, from light displays to holiday shows. New Year’s Eve fireworks over WaikΔ«kΔ« are a bucket-list way to end the year.
What to Pack for Hawaii in December
Pack like it is late spring with a chance of rain. The core of your suitcase is the same as any Hawaii trip: swimwear, shorts, t-shirts, sandals, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen. December adds a few extras.
- A light rain jacket or packable rain shell, especially if you are staying on a windward coast or visiting KauaΚ»i or Hilo.
- One or two long-sleeve layers or a light sweater for evenings, air-conditioned restaurants, and higher elevations.
- Closed-toe walking shoes or hiking shoes with grip. Trails get muddy after rain, and December is waterfall season.
- A warmer layer if you are visiting HaleakalΔ at sunrise or Maunakea. Temperatures at the summits can approach freezing in December.
- A small dry bag or waterproof phone pouch for boat trips and beach days during passing showers.
The sun is weaker than in summer but still strong enough to burn, particularly on the water and at elevation. Apply reef-safe sunscreen every couple of hours and do not skip it on cloudy days. If you want a full checklist tailored to your trip dates and activities, run through a Hawaii packing list generator before you zip your bag.
Best Islands and Activities in December
Every island works in December, but a few stand out. OΚ»ahu combines the warmest, driest lowland weather with the best holiday events and the North Shore surf spectacle. Maui adds the strongest early whale watching, with the Κ»AuΚ»au Channel already active by mid-December. The Big Island’s Kona and Kohala coasts offer the driest weather in the state, plus the chance to stargaze from Maunakea in crisp winter air. KauaΚ»i is the wettest bet but rewards visitors with roaring waterfalls and lush, empty trails.
As for what to do, December favors a mix of beach time on the sheltered south shores, one whale watching trip, a North Shore surf-watching day on OΚ»ahu, and at least one waterfall hike while the rains have the falls running high. Snorkeling stays excellent on the calm sides of every island, and the cooler hiking weather makes December one of the most comfortable months for ridge trails. If you are still choosing the best island in Hawaii for a first-time visit, December weather rarely changes the answer: pick the island whose activities excite you most, then stay on its drier side.
Is December a Good Time to Visit Hawaii?
For most travelers, yes. December trades a few degrees of warmth and a few hours of daylight for whale season, giant surf, holiday festivities, and waterfalls at their most dramatic. The rain is real but manageable, especially on the leeward coasts, and the ocean stays warm enough to swim every day. Go in the first half of the month for the calmest crowds and best prices, or embrace the holiday energy in the second half and book everything early. Either way, winter in Hawaii remains one of the most pleasant Decembers on the planet.
