On a December morning in Lahaina and Kihei, the first humpback tails slap the water off the coast while the smell of coffee drifts from the harbor and Christmas lights go up on palm trunks. Santa shows up in an outrigger canoe and the shave ice stands stay open. Maui in December is warm, green and festive, a good month for whale watching, beach days and slow drives.
What is the weather like in Maui in December?
December is warm and mostly sunny on the dry coasts, with a little more rain and a little less heat than in the fall. Showers come in, pass, and leave rainbows behind.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain (in) | Rain days | Sea (°F) | Daylight on the 15th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 85.8 | 68.4 | 1.81 | 3.0 | 78.6 | 11 hours 10 minutes |
| December | 83.3 | 65.9 | 2.80 | 4.2 | 78.1 | 10 hours 55 minutes |
| January | 82.2 | 63.6 | 2.42 | 4.0 | 77.6 | 11 hours 3 minutes |
Mornings are soft and pleasant, ideal for a walk on the beach or a coffee on the lanai. By midday the leeward resorts of Wailea, Kaanapali and Kihei are comfortable in a swimsuit, and evenings cool enough that you will want a light layer at an outdoor dinner.
The rain depends on the side of the island. Passing showers land on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains and the windward coast near Hana, while the road to Hana stays green and wet much of the time. Wailea and Kihei stay far drier, and a heavy downpour is rare. When a gray day comes, the dry side is usually the place to head.
Days are short, with a little under eleven hours of daylight in mid-December, so the sun sets early and the golden light comes in low and warm. At the summit of Haleakala, you will find a completely different climate, and it is far colder there than it is at the beach.
Can you swim in Maui in December?
That water is so warm you can stay in for ages, and the majority of people enter it with no wetsuit at all.
Winter is the season of bigger surf on north and west-facing shores. Honolua Bay and the beaches of the north coast, such as Ho’okipa, can have powerful waves and strong currents, and they suit experienced surfers more than casual swimmers. South-facing beaches in Wailea and Kihei are usually the gentler choice, and Kamaole beaches are popular with families, though conditions change from day to day.
Snorkelers do well at Molokini trips and in the calm mornings along the south shore, when you may hear whale song underwater. Bring reef-friendly sunscreen and a rash guard for long sessions. Check the beach signs and flags first, and follow the lifeguards’ instructions, because they decide if the water is safe for swimming that day.
What to do in Maui in December
Whale watching is the signature of the month. Humpbacks are usually seen in Hawaii between November and April, and the sanctuary takes in the Maui Nui waters that lie among Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. December is early in the season, so sightings are good and getting better, with the peak still to come in the new year.
You can watch from shore at the lookouts along the Honoapiilani Highway or from a boat leaving Lahaina or Maalaea. Stay more than 100 yards away from any whale, and expect boat captains to follow the same rule.
Whale watching from the south and west coasts
The calm waters between Maui and Lanai are where mothers and calves rest. From a boat you see blows, breaches and tail slaps, and a naturalist usually explains the behavior. Morning departures often have lighter wind and smoother water.
From the beach, bring binoculars and look for a white puff on the horizon. Wailea’s coastal path and the shore at Kaanapali are comfortable places to scan with a cold drink. It suits families, couples and anyone who likes nature without effort. A light hat helps with the glare off the water.
Haleakala at dawn and the upcountry
The volcano is a different world in December, cold and often windy at the summit, with a sea of clouds below that turns pink at sunrise. Dress as if for a mountain, not a beach. Afterward the slopes of Kula and Makawao feel like green countryside, with cafés, bakeries and paniolo-style small towns.
Plan the rest of the day gently. Lavender fields, farm stands and a long lunch in upcountry towns suit the cool air. It is a good outing for adults and older kids who can handle an early start.
The road to Hana in the winter green
The winding coast road is greenest in the wetter season, with waterfalls running full and banana bread stands along the way. Showers are common, so the day is about the stops rather than a perfect forecast. Short walks to waterfalls, black sand at Waianapanapa and a roadside lunch fill the hours.
It is a full day behind the wheel with many curves, best for travelers who like the journey itself. Leave early, pack a rain jacket and keep the evening free, since the drive back takes real attention.
In town, December brings holiday lights, craft fairs and Christmas events in Lahaina’s surviving neighborhoods and in Paia, Wailuku and Kihei. Local food of the season includes plate lunches, poke, kalua pork, malasadas and, of course, shave ice on a warm afternoon. Many families gather for potlucks and beach picnics, so the mood is friendly and relaxed.
Surf is bigger on the north shore, which makes Ho’okipa a good place to watch skilled surfers and windsurfers from the cliff. Sea turtles often rest on the sand at beaches near Paia. Keep your distance and let them be, as they are protected.
A two-day itinerary for Maui in December
Day 1 starts before dawn with the drive up Haleakala, dressed in layers for the cold summit. Watch the sunrise, then come down to Kula for a bakery breakfast and a walk among the farms. By midday, drop to the south coast for a swim at a Kihei beach, when the sun is high and the water is inviting.
In the afternoon, rest in Wailea and walk the coastal path, scanning the horizon for whale blows. Dinner is a casual place near the water, timed for sunset, which comes early in December. If clouds roll in, the Maui Ocean Center or a coffee and a bookshop in Wailuku are good indoor cards.
Day 2 begins with a morning whale watching boat from Maalaea, when the wind is lightest. Back on shore, eat a plate lunch at a local counter, then head north to Paia for its shops and a look at the surf at Ho’okipa.
Late afternoon is for a slow stroll along Kaanapali Beach, with the light turning gold on Lanai across the channel. End with a luau or a seafood dinner on the west side. If it rains, browse galleries and craft stores in Paia or settle into a long meal.
Is Maui busy in December?
Yes, especially in the second half, when the winter holidays bring families and travelers escaping the cold on the mainland.
The first weeks of the month are calmer, with more room on the beaches and easier restaurant tables. From the days before Christmas through New Year’s, hotels, condos and rental cars fill up, and popular dinner spots book out. Wailea, Kaanapali and Kihei are the busiest areas, while Hana and the upcountry stay quieter.
For the holiday weeks, reserve your lodging and rental car well in advance, while for the first days of the month, a few weeks ahead generally works. Reserve dinners and boat trips ahead as well, especially whale watching departures on busy days. Check the state parks notices for any reservation requirement at places like Waianapanapa before you plan the Hana day.
Haleakala sunrise also needs a reservation, so secure it as soon as your dates are set. Quiet corners remain, like the far side of Makena or a morning beach before nine, when the crowds have not yet arrived.
What to pack for Maui in December
Pack for warm beach days, cool evenings and a freezing summit, with a light rain layer for the passing showers.
- A warm fleece or jacket, because Haleakala at sunrise is far colder than the coast.
- For the wet weather that rolls through the Hana area, bring a thin rain shell.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen plus a hat, since the sun hits hard out on the water.
- Pack a rash guard and snorkel set for extended time in the water.
- Binoculars for spotting whale blows from shore.
- Sandals and sturdy shoes for beaches and waterfall trails.
Good to know before you go
December falls outside the official hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, but winter brings bigger surf on north and west shores. Holiday weeks are busy on the roads as well as the beaches, so book a car early. Many shops and restaurants close or shorten hours on Christmas Day. The Hana road and Haleakala both need extra time and care.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Hotel guests |
| Maui County transient accommodations tax | 3% | Hotel guests |
Maui in December vs November and January
Moving earlier to November gives a slightly warmer, drier island and a quieter one, with whales just beginning to arrive. The sea is a touch warmer, and rooms are easier to find before the holidays begin. You trade away the festive lights and the fuller whale season.
January is a bit cooler and brings the whales closer to their peak, so sightings from shore and boats are most frequent. Once the first week has passed, the holiday visitors taper off, yet the north shore keeps its large surf and rain showers are still likely.
Choose November for calm beaches and easy bookings, December for lights and the holiday mood, and January if whales are your priority. Families tied to school breaks will end up in December anyway, and a mid-month trip is a good balance.
Is December a good time to visit Maui?
Yes, for anyone who wants warm beaches, whales and a festive island without leaving the sun behind.
It suits couples, families and nature lovers, and it is less ideal for people who dislike crowds around Christmas or who want guaranteed calm water on every shore. If you come for the holidays, start by reserving the Haleakala sunrise and a whale boat, then leave the rest of the days loose. What makes December special here is the mix: a tail rising off Lahaina in the morning, Christmas lights in a palm-lined street at night, and a sea still warm enough to swim in between the two.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00022516, 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, pages Responsible Recreation and About, checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Announcement 2025-03 ; County of Maui, TAT Announcement 2021-01 (mauicounty.gov/2537), checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026