On a December morning in Kona, the coffee shops along Alii Drive open to a light that comes in low and gold over the water, and the first outrigger paddlers are already past the pier. Wreaths hang on porches under palm trees, and the shaved ice stands do steady business in the afternoon. December brings warm days to the Big Island’s dry side, where the holiday season unfolds at an easy island rhythm.
What is the weather like in Kona in December?
Kona in December is warm, sunny and mostly dry, with pleasant afternoons and evenings that call for a light layer. If you stay on the dry leeward coast, December in Kona feels like the island’s sunny side.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 84.4 | 72.4 | 1.1 | 80.7 |
| December | 82.3 | 70.0 | 1.6 | 79.3 |
| January | 81.4 | 68.6 | 1.8 | 78.1 |
Mornings start soft and comfortable, good for a walk along the sea wall in Kailua Village or a drive up the slopes before the clouds build. Around noon the sunshine comes on strong, so the later part of the day is perfect for the shore or lunch in the shade. Shorts and a t-shirt are the uniform until sunset.
Rain is rare on the coast and usually comes as a short passing shower, often in the evening or overnight. The wetter side of the island is a different story: Hilo and the windward slopes stay far rainier, and the cool crater rim at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can be damp and chilly. If you head uphill from Kona, bring a jacket and expect clouds.
Evenings are mild enough for dinner outside with a light sweater or long sleeves. Daylight lasts a little under eleven hours in mid-December, so the sun sets early by summer standards, and the sunset glow over the water becomes the nightly gathering moment on the seawall.
Can you swim in Kona in December?
Yes, the sea is comfortably warm for a long swim, a touch cooler than in autumn but still easy to enter without flinching. Many people swim and snorkel in just a swimsuit, while those who get chilled in the water may like a thin rash guard.
Winter swells bring big surf to the north and west shores of the islands, and Kona’s west-facing coast can see bigger waves too, so the water is not always flat. Snorkelers frequently visit spots like Kahaluu Beach Park, where the water near the shore is typically gentler, since sheltered bays and coves are usually calmer than exposed sections of coastline. It suits families and first-timers, but conditions change from day to day.
Always read the beach signs and flags and ask the lifeguard before going in. Bring a mask and snorkel, a towel, and mineral sunscreen. Keep your distance from sea turtles and other wildlife, and stay off the reef, which is alive and easily damaged.
What to do in Kona in December
December in Kona is about the holiday mood layered over the usual island pleasures. Lights go up in Kailua Village, holiday markets and craft fairs pop up around town, and the Ironman crowds of October are long gone, leaving the roads and the pier more relaxed. Winter is also humpback whale season in Hawaiian waters, so a boat trip or even a long look from the shore may bring a spout or a breach, though sightings are a chance and never a promise.
Kailua Village and Alii Drive
The heart of Kona is a walkable stretch of seaside road, with shops, galleries, open-air restaurants and the old Hulihee Palace facing the water. Start in the morning, when the sun is gentler, and stroll the sea wall past the pier where fishing boats and canoes come and go. You can browse craft stalls, sample shave ice or a local pastry, and stop at the small church of Mokuaikaua, one of the oldest on the islands.
In December the village is decorated, and evenings are the best time for a long dinner on a lanai with the sound of the water below. It suits almost everyone, from families to couples, and it is easy to combine with a swim at a nearby beach in the afternoon.
Kona coffee country
Up the slopes above town, small farms grow the famous Kona coffee, and many welcome visitors for a tasting and a look at how the beans are picked and dried. The climate is cooler and cloudier up there than at the shore, which makes it a pleasant outing for a warm afternoon. Bring a light layer and keep an eye out for roadside stands and little cafes on the way.
A farm visit pairs well with a drive through the small towns of the upland belt, where you find bakeries, galleries and lookouts over the coast. It suits curious travelers and anyone who likes a slow day, and it works well when the beaches are rough with winter swell.
Whales, snorkeling and the water
Boat trips leave from the harbors along the coast, and winter is the season when humpback whales visit these waters, so a morning outing may bring a sighting. Calm mornings are often the best time on the water, before the wind picks up. You can also join manta ray and snorkel trips, and the water stays warm enough that you can spend plenty of time in it.
If you prefer to stay on land, a coastal drive with stops at pullouts can still give you a look at spouts offshore. Sunscreen, a hat and a light cover-up are useful, since the sun reflects off the water.
Food in the season is simple and local: grilled fish, poke, plate lunches, fresh fruit from stands and, of course, Kona coffee. In the cooler evenings, a table by the water is a pleasure, and holiday menus appear in many restaurants through the month.
A two-day itinerary for Kona in December
Day 1 begins in Kailua Village, where the morning light is soft and the sea wall is quiet. Walk the waterfront, see the palace and church, and have breakfast at a small cafe. By late morning the sun is stronger, so move to a sheltered beach for snorkeling and a long swim, and eat a casual lunch nearby.
In the afternoon, rest in the shade or browse the shops and galleries as the heat peaks. Come back to the water for sunset, since the sun goes down relatively early this month, and finish with dinner at an open-air restaurant on Alii Drive.
In the morning, Day 2 climbs into coffee country, where the air stays cool and the views stay clear. Visit a farm for a tasting, stop at a bakery or small cafe in the upland towns, and enjoy lookouts over the coast.
Back at the coast in the afternoon, book a whale-watching or snorkel outing if the sea is cooperative, and have an early dinner of fresh fish. If rain or clouds move in, the galleries, coffee cafes and the palace make good indoor choices.
Is Kona busy in December?
Kona is moderately busy in December, with the heaviest crowds around the Christmas and New Year weeks and a calmer stretch earlier in the month. Winter visitors from the mainland fill the resorts, and families arrive during school breaks.
Early in the month, rooms and rental cars are the easiest to come by, while the holiday weeks make them the hardest, so for those dates book well in advance and for early December a bit less far ahead. Restaurants fill up in the evening, especially on weekends, so a reservation for dinner is a good habit.
Popular boat trips and tours also book up around the holidays. Beaches rarely feel packed, though the pier and the village are livelier at sunset. For anything that needs a reservation, such as a national park timed entry or a tour, check the official booking page ahead of time.
What to pack for Kona in December
Pack for warm days, cool evenings and a trip uphill, with a few items for the water.
- Light layers and a sweater, for evenings and the cool slopes.
- Swimsuit and a rash guard, for snorkeling and long swims.
- Bring mineral sunscreen and a hat, since the midday sun is fierce.
- A light rain jacket, for showers uphill and at Volcanoes.
- Sandals and closed shoes, for the beach and for lava rock trails.
- A small day bag, for coffee farm stops and picnics.
Good to know before you go
December falls just after the Central Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Having your own car opens up both the coast and the uplands far more easily, and during holiday weeks you should reserve rooms and rentals ahead of time. Lodging carries taxes on top of the nightly rate.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State Transient Accommodations Tax | 11.00% | Guests of hotels and rentals |
| County of Hawaii Transient Accommodations Tax | 3% | Guests of hotels and rentals |
Kona in December vs November and January
Moving the trip to November brings slightly warmer air and sea and fewer rain days, with thinner crowds before the holiday rush. The whale season is just beginning, so sightings are less likely than in the heart of winter.
January is a little cooler and a touch wetter, with the whale season in full swing and the holiday crowds thinning out after the first days of the month. Winter surf on exposed shores often hits its peak then. Choose November for the warmest water and quieter streets, December for the festive mood, and January for whales and calmer rooms after the holidays.
Is December a good time to visit Kona?
Yes, December suits travelers who want warm sunny days, a swimmable sea and a festive mood without a heavy chill. It is a fine month for families, couples and anyone who likes to combine a beach with a coffee farm and a whale-watching trip. Those who want the hottest weather or the quietest streets may prefer another month.
On arrival, settle in, take a walk along the sea wall at sunset, and book your boat trip and any tours first, since they fill up around the holidays. What is special about December in Kona is the combination of lights in the village, whales offshore and a golden evening glow over a warm sea.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00021510, checked September 8, 2026
- Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked September 8, 2026
- sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked September 8, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Tax Announcement No. 2025-03 (Transient Accommodations Tax Law Changes from 2025 Legislative Session), files.hawaii.gov/tax/news/announce/ann25-03.pdf, checked September 24, 2026
- County of Hawaii, Department of Finance, Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) page, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/transient-accommodations-tax-tat (live returned HTTP 403 on request, read via Internet Archive Wayback Machine snapshot dated August 14, 2026, same official content), checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, County Surcharge on General Excise and Use Tax page, tax.hawaii.gov/geninfo/countysurcharge/, checked September 25, 2026
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00021504
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00511303
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026