United States, North America

Hawaii in December

First two weeks are lovely and reasonable; Christmas through New Year's is the most expensive stretch of the Hawaiian year by a wide margin.

Think twiceWarm, highs near 80F (27C), winter rain pattern

Na Pali Coast cliffs, Kauai, Hawaii — HawaiiPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

December is a month to think twice about visiting Hawaii. First two weeks are lovely and reasonable; Christmas through New Year's is the most expensive stretch of the Hawaiian year by a wide margin.

Weather: Warm, highs near 80F (27C), winter rain pattern
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Hawaii

December is warm, with highs near 80F (27C), but the winter rain pattern starts. The first two weeks are lovely and fairly priced. From Christmas through New Year's, Hawaii has its most expensive stretch of the year by a wide margin. Whales start arriving, and big surf returns to the north shores.

We suggest avoiding the holiday weeks unless you book very early and accept top prices. The first two weeks of December are fine for couples and families. For much better value, go in May or September, when the weather is drier and the beaches are quieter.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Hawaii this month.

Early whale season

The first humpbacks arrive in Hawaiian waters.

North Shore surf

Huge winter waves draw surfers and spectators. It is look-only water for visitors.

Early December deals

Before the holidays, prices are reasonable and the islands are calm.

What to pack for December

A light rain jacket
Reef-safe sunscreen
Binoculars for whales
A warm layer for Haleakala sunrise

Our timing tip

Book early December rather than the holiday weeks; you get the same warm weather at a fraction of the cost.

Book Hawaii for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Hawaii
Opens a hotel search for Hawaii in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Hawaii
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Hawaii
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Hawaii for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Humpback Whale Season in Maui

Roughly December to April, with the peak from January to March

Thousands of humpbacks come to Hawaii to breed and calve, and the channels off West Maui are the best place to see them.

Humpback whale season

December through April, peaking January through March

Thousands of humpbacks winter in Hawaiian waters, with the Maui channels the epicenter. Morning whale-watch sails run daily in season.

North Shore big-wave season

November through February

When the biggest swells arrive, surf contests run on short notice and traffic on Kamehameha Highway crawls. Go early in the day.

Things to do in Hawaii

Full guide

Snorkel a leeward reef

Morning is the calm, clear window nearly everywhere. Book protected spots like Hanauma Bay or a Molokini boat trip ahead; both cap daily visitors.

Tickets and tours →

Haleakala sunrise or sunset

Sunrise entry requires an advance reservation with the park. Sunset needs no reservation and is nearly as good, with a fraction of the alarm-clock pain.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Road to Hana

Leave by 7am, pick five stops instead of twenty, and consider staying a night in Hana to have the coast after the day-trippers leave.

Tickets and tours →

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Whether lava is visibly flowing varies month to month and year to year. The crater rim, steam vents, and lava tube deliver regardless; check park alerts for current activity.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Pearl Harbor

Reserve USS Arizona Memorial tickets ahead; walk-up availability is limited. Give it a half day and go early.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Watch winter surf on the North Shore

From roughly November through February, giant swells hit Oahu's north side and the world's best surfers follow. Free, unforgettable, and strictly a spectator sport for visitors.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Travel in May or September through October. These months move the needle more than any tactic inside a peak-season trip can.
Do famous spots at dawn: Hanauma Bay, Lanikai, the Pipeline overlooks, and Haleakala all belong to early risers, and Hawaii's early sunsets make dawn starts easier than they sound.
Reserve the capped attractions the moment your dates are set: Hanauma Bay, Haena State Park and the Kalalau day hike, Haleakala sunrise, and Pearl Harbor all limit daily entries.
Stay leeward, day-trip windward. The dry-side resorts deliver reliable pool-and-beach days, and the lush sides are best visited early, before tour buses and afternoon showers.

Know before you go

Hawaii has no closed season: hotels, restaurants, beaches, and parks run all year. Seasonality here shows up in prices and ocean conditions, not shutters.
Winter surf effectively closes north- and west-facing beaches to swimming from roughly November through March. Lifeguarded south-shore beaches stay swimmable; obey posted warnings, because the ocean here is genuinely dangerous when it is up.
Several marquee natural sites require advance reservations with limited daily slots: Haleakala sunrise, Haena State Park on Kauai, Hanauma Bay on Oahu, and Diamond Head for non-residents. Book these before you book dinner.
Volcano viewing is never guaranteed. Eruptions at Kilauea start and stop; the national park remains open and spectacular either way, but plan the trip around the park, not around seeing lava.

Hawaii in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Hawaii?

December is a month to think twice about visiting Hawaii. First two weeks are lovely and reasonable; Christmas through New Year's is the most expensive stretch of the Hawaiian year by a wide margin.

What is the weather like in Hawaii in December?

Warm, highs near 80F (27C), winter rain pattern.

Is Hawaii crowded in December?

December is peak crowd season in Hawaii; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Hawaii in December?

Humpback whale season (december through april, peaking january through march); North Shore big-wave season (november through february).