On a December morning in Wailea, the sun comes up over Haleakala and lights the lava rock edges of the coastal path, while early walkers pass hotel lobbies strung with wreaths and plumeria garlands. Beyond the breakers, a humpback might strike the sea with its tail, and the entire coast appears to pause and watch. This is a sunny, mild stretch of leeward Maui in the whale season’s first full month, with the holiday spirit settling over the resorts. It suits travelers who want warm beach days without the heavy heat of summer, and a few cool evenings that call for a light layer over dinner.
What is the weather like in Wailea in December?
Wailea in December brings warmth, sunshine, and little rain, so you can spend afternoons at the beach and enjoy evenings that grow nicely cool.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 83.4 | 66.9 | 2.1 | 79.6 |
| December | 81.2 | 64.8 | 2.6 | 78.5 |
| January | 80.1 | 63.5 | 3.2 | 77.5 |
On Maui, Wailea occupies the dry leeward flank, sheltered by Haleakala’s rain shadow. That is why a month that soaks the windward coast around Hana and the Hana Highway barely touches the resort strip. If showers do arrive, they tend to pass through fast, typically overnight or in the morning, and then the sky clears, with a rainbow over the ocean at times. Days with real, steady rain are rare.
Mornings are fresh and bright, good for a walk on the shoreline path before breakfast. Midday brings sun intense enough to make sunscreen and a hat worthwhile, yet the trade winds keep things comfortable instead of sticky. Once the sun goes down, temperatures drop to the point where a thin jacket or light sweater could come in handy on a restaurant terrace, particularly when the breeze strengthens.
Days are at their shortest, with a bit under eleven hours of daylight in mid-December. The light is soft and golden early and late, which makes for lovely photographs on the beach and a long, slow sunset over Molokini and the neighboring island of Kahoolawe. The sea stays pleasantly warm, though a shade cooler than in the fall.
Can you swim in Wailea in December?
Sure, the water is warm enough that you can swim for a long, comfortable stretch, and most folks linger in it far longer than a quick dip.
Because Wailea’s beaches look toward the south and west, the big winter swells that hammer Maui’s north shores this time of year typically leave them protected. For families and relaxed swimmers, the calm waters at Wailea Beach and Ulua Beach are usually ideal, while the rocky points on both ends draw snorkelers hoping to spot reef fish and, now and then, a green sea turtle. Down at the southern tip, Polo Beach often has more going on, while up north Keawakapu stretches out as a long, peaceful ribbon of sand perfect for a morning stroll.
Still, winter swells can wrap around to the south shore on some days, bringing shore break and stronger currents even here. Conditions change from day to day and from beach to beach, so read the signs and flags at the access point and follow the lifeguards, especially with children.
If your skin burns easily, pack a rash guard, and if renting isn’t your preference, bring your own mask and snorkel. During the whale season, keep your distance from any whale you spot, no closer than 100 yards.
What to do in Wailea in December
The big draw of the month is on the water. Humpback whales return to Maui’s shallow channel from November through April, and December is the early part of that season, with sightings building toward the peak of January through March.
From the shoreline path, a hotel lanai or a resort lawn, you may spot spouts, tail slaps and the occasional breach. If you happen to own binoculars, take them along, then scan the horizon for a patch of white water.
The holiday mood is part of the fun. Resorts put up tall trees, light the courtyards in the evening and hold tree-lighting evenings with hula and live Hawaiian music. Shaka Santa shows up in an outrigger canoe in some places, a very Maui twist on the season. Restaurants offer special holiday menus, and shops in the Shops at Wailea decorate with garlands and lights.
Whale watching from shore and by boat
Many visitors never leave the beach to see whales. The Wailea Beach Path, which runs along the shore between the resorts, has plenty of benches and lava rock points where you can stop and scan the channel. Early morning, before the afternoon wind roughens the surface, is usually best, when the water is flat and a spout is easy to pick out.
Boat tours depart out of Maalaea and Lahaina, while a few operators launch right from the sand in front of the resorts. Being out on the water puts you at eye level with a whale, and often you will hear them singing through the hull. The boats must keep their distance, so sightings can still be a little way off. If you get seasick, choose a morning departure and take a remedy beforehand.
The coastal path and the beaches
The walk along the shoreline path is the signature Wailea outing, a paved trail that links the beaches and resorts past lava rock, native plantings and wide ocean views. With a smooth, simple grade, it works well for parents pushing strollers or those seeking a calm start to the day. Go early for cooler air and fewer people, and bring water, because shade is patchy.
At the Grand Wailea end, you will pass Wailea Beach, a wide golden crescent where you can rent a chair or paddle a kayak. At the other, Polo Beach and Palauea beyond it are quieter, with long stretches of sand and a more local feel. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it, and stay until the sun drops toward the horizon.
Shopping, dining and an evening out
The Shops at Wailea gather designer boutiques, local art galleries and open-air restaurants around a central courtyard. In December it is a pleasant place for an after-dinner stroll under strings of lights, and there is often live music. Galleries sell Maui-made jewelry, prints and koa wood pieces that make good gifts.
For dinner, the resort restaurants lean on fresh island fish such as mahi-mahi, ono and ahi, often served with local greens and tropical fruit. Poke bowls from a market counter are the casual alternative, good for a beach picnic.
Look for a table by the water at sunset, and a mai tai or a cold local beer to go with it. A short drive takes you to Kihei, which has a looser, more affordable mix of cafes, food trucks and shave ice stands.
A cool evening is a good excuse to try a luau, with its imu-roasted pork, poi, lomi salmon and the swirl of hula and fire dancing. Several resorts run them on a regular schedule. Rainy hours, rare as they are, suit a spa, a cooking class or a gallery visit instead.
A two-day itinerary for Wailea in December
Day 1 starts early, with a walk on the coastal path at sunrise, when the air is cool and the channel is flat enough to pick out whale spouts. Have breakfast at a resort cafe or a bakery counter, then settle on Wailea Beach for the late morning, swimming and snorkeling along the rocks at the edge while the sea is usually as inviting as it gets.
Take lunch at a beachside grill, then rest through the strongest sun of the day by the pool or in the shade. A wander through the Shops at Wailea fits nicely in the mid-afternoon, followed by a drink on a terrace while the light goes gold. Stay for sunset, which comes early in December, and finish with dinner and live music, then a slow walk past the lit courtyards.
Day 2 begins with a morning whale watching cruise, when the water is calm and the wind is down. Back on land, drive up the coast to Keawakapu for a quiet swim or a walk, then lunch in Kihei, with fish tacos, a poke bowl or a plate lunch from a casual stand.
Spend the afternoon at Polo Beach or Ulua, whichever has calmer water that day, with a snorkel if the conditions are good. If a shower rolls through, duck into a spa, a gallery or a cooking class. Save the evening for a luau or a long dinner by the water, and watch the stars come out over the ocean.
Is Wailea busy in December?
Yes, especially in the second half of the month, when the Christmas and New Year holiday weeks fill the resorts with families and couples escaping winter on the mainland.
Early December is noticeably calmer, with easier tables at restaurants and a little more room on the beach. From the week before Christmas through the first days of January, rooms are in strong demand, rental cars get scarce, and popular dinner spots book out. The beaches are busy but rarely crowded, thanks to the generous stretches of sand.
Book rooms and rental cars early for the holiday weeks, well in advance if you want a particular resort or an oceanfront view. For the quieter first half of the month, you can plan later and still find good choices.
Reserve luaus, whale watching cruises and special dinners as soon as your dates are set, since the best slots go first around the holidays. When you compare rates, keep in mind that resort stays include Hawaii’s 11% state transient accommodations tax and Maui County’s 3%.
What to pack for Wailea in December
Think summer clothes with one or two layers for the evening, and gear for the water.
- A light sweater or jacket, for breezy dinners on open terraces
- Mineral sunscreen and a hat, since the sun is strong even in winter
- A rash guard, for long snorkeling sessions
- Binoculars, to pick out whales from the shore
- Comfortable sandals or walking shoes for the coastal path
- A light rain shell, for a short passing shower
Good to know before you go
December falls just after the Central Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, so the month sits outside the official season. For getting to beaches, restaurants and Kihei, nothing beats a rental car, but plenty of resort guests just walk the path. Book holiday-week rooms, cars and tours first.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Guests at resorts in Wailea |
| Maui County transient accommodations tax | 3% | Guests at resorts in Wailea |
Wailea in December vs November and January
Moving the trip to November brings slightly warmer air and sea, a little less rain and a calmer pace before the holiday rush. The whale season is just beginning, so sightings are fewer and less frequent. It suits travelers who put beach time first and do not mind that the whales are still arriving.
January is a bit cooler and showers become a little more frequent, though Wailea stays mostly sunny. Whale watching improves steadily as the peak months arrive, and the holiday crowds thin out after the first week. Winter swells on the north shore grow bigger, so the south side beaches may see more surf too.
Choose December if you want the festive atmosphere and the first whale sightings with the warmest sea of the winter months. Shift to November for quiet and a warmer swim, or to January if the whales are the main reason you are going.
Is December a good time to visit Wailea?
Yes, for travelers who want warm beach days, a festive mood and the start of whale season, with dry weather on the leeward side of Maui.
It will not suit anyone hoping for a quiet, bargain-hunting week around Christmas, since the resorts are full and tables fill up. If you can travel in the first half of the month, you get much of the same sunshine with a calmer pace.
On arrival, walk the coastal path to get your bearings, choose your favorite beach and book the whale cruise and luau you want. What makes December in Wailea its own is the mix of sun on the sand, wreaths on the lobby doors and a humpback breaking the surface in the channel just as the light turns gold.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00515842, 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
- NOAA, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Announcement 2025-03 ; County of Maui, TAT Announcement 2021-01, checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026