What the weather is like in December
December is the wettest month in Honolulu (72mm) and the shortest on sunshine (9.6 hours). It is also the most expensive: from roughly December 20 to January 5, hotel rates commonly run double, and Maui resorts sell out months ahead. Whale season begins.
Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Honolulu; other parts of Hawaii vary. Full sources below.
What to pack for Hawaii in December
- Light layers for warm days
- A light jacket for the evenings
What's on in December
- Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (North Shore, Oʻahu) — Pro surfing on the North Shore's winter swells; Pipeline is the finale. Traffic on Kamehameha Highway is heavy on contest days.
- Honolulu Marathon (Honolulu) — Second Sunday of December; 20,000+ runners, heavy Japanese visitor demand for that week.
Is December the right month?
Hawaii's best month is May; the toughest is September. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for February. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Hawaii.
Where to stay in December
December is shoulder season in Hawaii: good conditions, at lower prices than the peak.
- Waikīkī, Oʻahu$$First-timers, walkability, nightlife
Dense, lively, and dry year-round on the leeward side. The best base if you want to skip a rental car.
See Waikīkī, Oʻahu hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Kāʻanapali / Wailea, Maui$$$Resort beaches, whale watching, couples
Leeward Maui's resort strips: reliably sunny, calm winter water on the south shore. Book far ahead for December–March.
See Kāʻanapali / Wailea, Maui hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Kona coast, Big Island$$Snorkelling, volcano day trips, value
The driest resort coast in the state. Ninety minutes from Volcanoes National Park; avoid Ironman week in mid-October unless you are racing.
See Kona coast, Big Island hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026
Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Dec 2026; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Hawaii?
December scores 87/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Exceptional" — which blends weather with crowds and price. December sits outside Hawaii's May peak on the calendar, but it is not a cheap month — see the cost note below before you book.
How warm is Hawaii in December?
Expect daytime highs around 26°C (79°F) and overnight lows near 21°C (70°F), with about 9.6 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Hawaii in December?
December sees roughly 72mm of rain — moderate rainfall; a packable rain layer helps.
What should I pack for Hawaii in December?
For December, pack: Light layers for warm days; A light jacket for the evenings.
Sources
Every claim on this page is backed by an authoritative source. Atlas Ranger synthesizes data from multiple references so you can see exactly where each fact came from.
- Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority — GoHawaiiUsed for: Official visitor information, festival dates, island guidance
- Open-Meteo Historical Climate Data (ERA5)Used for: Monthly temperature, rainfall, sunshine averages (5-year)
- NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane CenterUsed for: Central Pacific hurricane season climatology and active-storm tracking
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources — Ocean SafetyUsed for: Seasonal surf and rip-current guidance
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