Hawaii in December: Big Surf, First Whales and the Coast That Stays Sunny

Hawaii in December is warm, green and dramatic, but it’s not the calm postcard of summer. The North Shore swells turn into some of the biggest surf on earth, humpback whales start arriving from Alaska, and the windward coasts get their wettest weeks of the year. Then, around 20 December, the holiday crowds land and prices hit their annual peak. This guide shows you which island and which coast suit December best, how to stay safe in winter surf and how to time your dates.

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Yes, December is a good time to visit Hawaii. Expect highs around 26–28 °C (79–83 °F), lows around 19–21 °C (66–70 °F) and sea temperatures near 25 °C (77 °F). It’s the wetter season, especially on windward coasts like Hilo and Kauai’s north shore, while leeward Kona and south Maui stay drier. North- and west-facing beaches get big, dangerous surf, whale season is starting, and prices peak from about 20 December to New Year.

Is Hawaii in December Worth It? What Changes in Winter

It’s worth it for almost everyone, as long as you understand that winter in Hawaii means three changes rather than cold weather. First, the trade-wind showers come more often, especially on the windward (north- and east-facing) coasts. Second, the ocean on the north and west shores turns powerful. Third, the humpbacks arrive. Temperatures barely move: daytime highs still sit in the low 80s °F on most coasts.

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Comparing with other warm December escapes? Our round-up of warm-weather destinations in December sets Hawaii beside the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. Thinking of a Pacific trip in a colder key instead? See our guide to Japan in December.

Hawaii Weather in December: Island-by-Island Numbers

The temperature story is simple; the rain story isn’t. Every main airport averages highs between about 26 and 28 °C, but rainfall ranges from barely any in Kona to more than 300 mm in Hilo. The figures below are long-term averages from National Weather Service airport stations.

Don’t panic at the rain-day counts. A “rainy day” here is any day with a hundredth of an inch, and many are short trade-wind showers that pass in twenty minutes, often followed by a rainbow. The real planning rule is to pick your coast: the leeward side, sheltered from the trade winds, is where the sun reliably comes out.

North Shore Surf Season: The Show, and the Danger

December is the heart of big-wave season on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii’s official Ocean Safety surf-season guide describes winter, November through April, as bringing “consistent huge and dangerous swells” to north shores, with high surf wrapping onto west shores too, while south shores are usually flat to small. That’s the whole beach plan for December in one sentence.

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The surf also brings the contests. The Triple Crown of Surfing runs on the North Shore through November and December, with events at Haleʻiwa and Sunset Beach, and finishes with the Pipe Masters at Banzai Pipeline, off ʻEhukai Beach Park, usually in December. These events run inside a holding window and only go ahead on days with the right swell, so check the official schedule rather than planning around a single date. The World Surf League’s championship-tour Pipeline event has in recent seasons been held later, in late January and February.

For swimming and snorkelling, switch coasts: Waikiki and the south shore of Oahu, south and west Maui (Kīhei and Wailea), Poʻipū on Kauai and the Kona coast are usually calmer in winter. Ask the lifeguard about conditions, and about jellyfish or Portuguese man-o’-war, before you go in. If surf is the reason for your trip, our guide to Hawaii’s most famous surf spots explains the breaks.

Whale Season Starts: Where to See Humpbacks in December

Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaii to breed and calve. According to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, they’re generally seen from November through April, with sightings peaking from January through March. They prefer shallow water, and the main areas include the channels between Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe, as well as waters off Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu.

So December is the early part of the season: whales are around, but in smaller numbers than in February. If whales are a priority, put them late in your trip, choose Maui as your base, and book a tour with a cancellation policy for rough weather. You can often spot spouts from shore along west and south Maui on calm mornings, so bring binoculars.

Which Island in December? Oahu, Maui, Big Island or Kauai

Each island handles winter differently. Here’s the short version, then the details.

Maui and Haleakalā

Maui is the strongest all-round December pick: whales offshore, a sheltered sunny coast for swimming, and Haleakalā sunrise above the clouds. To drive up to the summit between 3 and 7 a.m., you need a sunrise reservation, bookable up to 60 days in advance and separate from the park entrance fee. Nothing is sold in the park, so bring food, drink, a full tank and warm layers.

Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai

Oahu gives you the North Shore spectacle by day and Waikiki’s calmer water and holiday atmosphere by night. On the Big Island, stay on the Kona side for sunshine and make the wetter Hilo side a day trip. Kauai is the lushest island and the most weather-dependent in December, so book a south-shore base around Poʻipū and keep hikes flexible. Families planning around school holidays can find more Hawaii logistics in our guide to navigating Hawaii with kids.

Holiday Prices and Crowds: The 20 December Line

December has two price seasons in one. The first weeks are relatively quiet, with hotel rates that start out comparatively low. From around 20 December to the end of the month, crowds arrive, hotel prices climb to their highest of the year and flights tend to cost more too. Islands also decorate for Christmas, and almost every island has a New Year’s Eve fireworks show.

Travelling over the holidays? Lock in lodging, a rental car and any must-do reservations as early as possible, and check holiday opening hours. Our December travel tips to avoid crowds and save money explain the date tactics, the free When to Book Calculator shows how far ahead to buy, and our guide to preparing for flight delays in December helps on busy mainland connections. If New Year’s Eve itself is the plan, compare where to spend New Year’s Eve.

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What to Pack for Hawaii in December

• A light rain jacket: showers are short but frequent on windward coasts.
• A warm fleece or jacket, long trousers and closed shoes: for Haleakalā or Mauna Kea, and breezy evenings.
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard: the sun is strong even in winter.
• Trail shoes with grip: December trails are often muddy, especially on Kauai and the Hilo side.
• Binoculars: for whale spouts from shore and surf watching from a safe distance.

For a full checklist, use our December winter packing list or the free Packing by Season Generator.

A 7-Day Hawaii in December Itinerary: Oahu and Maui

When Not to Go: The December Weeks to Avoid

The week to avoid is about money, not weather. From around 20 December to New Year, Hawaii has its highest hotel rates of the year, busier beaches and pricier flights, so skip it unless you’re tied to school holidays. If swimming on the north and west shores, or reliably dry hiking on Kauai and the Hilo side, is the point of your trip, the calmer, drier summer months suit you better than December. And if whales are your main goal, January to March gives better odds than early December.

Want a second opinion on your dates? Use our free tool to check whether your month is a bad one.

4 Mistakes People Make With Hawaii in December

Hawaii in December: Your Questions Answered

The key to Hawaii in December is choosing the right coast for each part of your day: calm water on the south and west, waves to watch on the north, sunshine on the leeward side. Travel before the holiday rush if you can, and you get warm seas, the first whales and the best surf show of the year at a fair price. For more December ideas, browse our best travel destinations in December and our island travel guides.