On a December morning at Ehukai Beach, the first thing you notice is the sound: a deep thud as a set breaks on the reef, then a long hiss of white water running up the sand. Photographers line up along the shore, surfers study the horizon from the beach, and a truck on the roadside is already frying garlic shrimp. December is the month when the North Shore of Oahu’s famous waves roll in and the whole coast turns to watching them.
What is the weather like in the North Shore in December?
December on the North Shore is warm but softer than the summer months, with comfortable days, mild nights and a fair number of passing showers.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 81.4 | 66.8 | 12.1 | 78.8 |
| December | 78.8 | 64.7 | 11.3 | 77.8 |
| January | 78.1 | 62.4 | 8.5 | 77.0 |
Mornings are fresh and bright, pleasant for a walk on the sand before the sun climbs. Around noon the temperature rises enough to wear shorts and a hat, and later in the day the light grows golden and sinks low, making the beaches particularly lovely for taking pictures. Daylight lasts nearly eleven hours, so the sun sets fairly early and evenings arrive cool.
On this coast, the trade winds usually deliver rain in brief bursts that move through fast, frequently clearing within minutes and arching a rainbow above the Waianae or Koolau ridges. Some days are grayer, with a few hours of steady drizzle, and a handful of days bring a real downpour. Showers can hit at any hour, so plan outdoor stops with a flexible mind.
Pack a light rain jacket and a sweater for the evening, since nights feel cooler once the sun drops, especially with a breeze off the ocean. Sandals and quick-drying clothes are the right choice for most days.
Can you swim in the North Shore in December?
You can swim for a long time in water this warm, yet the surf matters more, since December sits at the peak of big-wave season and most beaches along here are meant for watching, not swimming.
Standing on the sand and watching the sets is a pleasure in itself.
If you want to get in the water, the sea usually looks calmest in the summer months, and December is the opposite. Nervous swimmers and families with small children will be happiest wading at the edge of a sheltered spot, or choosing another part of Oahu, where south-facing beaches are often gentler in winter. Bring a rash guard, water shoes and a towel, and keep your eyes on the waves rather than your back to them.
What to do in the North Shore in December
December is surf month, and the whole coast organizes itself around it. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing takes place at the major breaks in November and December, and even when no contest is scheduled, crowds still come together on the sand at first light to watch the world’s best surfers paddle into towering walls of water. Along Kamehameha Highway, spirits run both celebratory and quietly still, the way an arena feels just before kickoff.
Watching the waves at Waimea, Pipeline and Sunset
The three famous breaks sit along a short stretch of coast, so you can see all of them in one outing. Start at Ehukai Beach for the view of Pipeline, where the wave hollows out and throws over a shallow reef. Surfers here are often in the water from early morning, and the morning light is softer for photographs.
Waimea Bay draws a different crowd, with a big rock where people sit and watch, and when the surf is huge the bay is a spectacle. Sunset Beach has a long, wide shoreline that makes a good place to walk, with the sets rolling in across a broad stretch of water. Come with sunscreen, a hat and patience, because parking fills quickly on big days and you may walk a little from the car.
Stay well back from the water line, since a surprise wave can run far up the sand. This outing suits everyone, including those who do not swim, and it costs nothing but time.
Haleiwa town and the shrimp trucks
Browse the surf shops, pick up a local-made souvenir, and cool off with a shave ice.
Garlic shrimp plates are the coast’s signature roadside lunch, and trucks sell them in and around Haleiwa and Kahuku. Served hot and typically alongside rice, these plates get enjoyed at a picnic table beneath the truck’s awning. Every truck has its fans, so ask the person next to you in line which they prefer.
The drive from Waikiki to Haleiwa takes about an hour, traffic permitting, and Waimea Bay and Turtle Bay Resort are about an hour and a quarter. Go early in the day to beat the traffic on the way in, and give yourself time on the return, when the road often slows at sunset.
Slower days along the coast
Not every hour needs to be about the surf. At the northern end, Turtle Bay Resort is somewhere to linger over a long lunch by the beach or take a stroll beside the water. Between showers, the roadside stands sell fruit and cold drinks, and the small beaches off the main road are pleasant for a quiet look at the sea.
If you see a sea turtle resting on the sand, keep your distance and let it be, since they are protected. Keep off the reef too, which is alive and easily damaged. Pack a light picnic and take your time, because the coast rewards those who stop often.
A two-day itinerary for the North Shore in December
Day 1 is for the waves. Leave Waikiki early so you reach Ehukai Beach in the soft morning light, when the surfers are out and the crowds are thin. Watch Pipeline for an hour, then drive on to Waimea Bay for the view from the rock, and stop at a roadside truck around midday for garlic shrimp.
After lunch, continue to Sunset Beach for a long walk on the sand while the afternoon light turns golden. Stay for the sunset, which comes fairly early in December, then head back with the traffic or have dinner in Haleiwa. If rain sets in, the surf shops and restaurants of town give you shelter.
Day 2 is for the slower side of the coast. Start with coffee in Haleiwa, then wander the shops and galleries before the day warms up. Drive north to Turtle Bay Resort for a long lunch by the water and a walk along the shore, with a sweater in the bag for the breeze.
In the afternoon, take a drive around the northern tip, stopping at small beaches and fruit stands as the mood strikes. Finish with a shave ice in Haleiwa before the road home. On a gray day, stretch out lunch, browse the town’s shops and let the showers pass.
Is the North Shore busy in December?
Yes, December is one of the busiest months on the North Shore, because the big waves, surf contests and winter holidays all arrive together.
Spectators fill the beach parking lots, and on days with a contest or a giant swell the coast road slows to a crawl. Visitors from the mainland come for the winter break, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year are the fullest. Restaurants in Haleiwa can have lines at lunch, and the shrimp trucks are rarely empty.
For the holiday weeks, locking in a room and a rental car goes most smoothly when you plan far in advance, so reserve early if Christmas and New Year fall within your travel dates. Earlier in the month the coast is calmer, and arrangements can be made later. Dinner tables in popular spots are worth reserving ahead on weekends.
To avoid the crush, arrive at the beaches at dawn, when parking is easy and the light is best. Midweek days are quieter than weekends, and the stretch past Waimea toward Turtle Bay is usually less crowded than the famous breaks.
What to pack for the North Shore in December
Pack for warm days, cool evenings and sudden showers, with an eye on the sun and the surf.
- A light rain jacket, for short showers that pass quickly.
- A sweater or light layer, because evenings and breezy mornings feel cool.
- Sandals and water shoes, for sandy beaches and rocky edges.
- A hat and sunglasses, since the glare off the water is strong.
- Mineral sunscreen, for long hours watching the waves.
- A small towel and dry bag, for wet sand and surprise spray.
Good to know before you go
December falls outside the official hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, but the main thing to plan around is the surf. The coast road is the only way along the shore and gets slow on big days, so leave early and keep your plans flexible. Parking at the famous beaches fills fast.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Guests staying in lodging |
| Oahu county tax | 3% | Guests staying in lodging |
The North Shore in December vs November and January
Moving the trip to November gives you slightly warmer days and a sea a touch warmer, with a little more rain. The big-wave season is just starting, and the Triple Crown is under way, so the coast has the same energy as December with a bit less holiday crowding.
January is a little cooler and noticeably drier, with fewer showery days. The big waves continue, and the holiday rush has faded, so rooms and roadside parking can be easier to find. The contests of late autumn are over, but the swell still comes.
If you want the contests and the festive mood, choose December or November. If you prefer a drier week and fewer people, January is the better pick. Travelers who care most about swimming should look to the summer months instead, when the water is calmer.
Is December a good time to visit the North Shore?
If you’re drawn to the North Shore when it feels most dramatic, December works well, particularly for surf fans, photographers and those who relish a lively coast.
It is less suited to families who hope to swim and snorkel at the beach, or to travelers who dislike crowds and traffic. Those people will be happier in the calmer summer months, or on a south shore beach.
On arrival, head first to the water line at Ehukai or Waimea and simply watch for a while. Then book your holiday-week lunches and the garlic shrimp can wait for a truck on the roadside. What is special about December here is the sight itself: waves the size of buildings breaking on a warm, green coast, with a crowd quietly watching them.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00519603, 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 Tourism Authority, Go Hawaii, North Shore Oahu (gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/north-shore), checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Tourism Authority, Go Hawaii ; HVCB, map Driving Times from Waikiki (edition 2010), checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Announcement 2025-03 ; City and County of Honolulu, OTAT FAQ, checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026
To plan your stay
- Best Time to Visit the North Shore: Winter Surf, Summer Swimming and Weather by Month
- The North Shore in January: Big Waves, Garlic Shrimp and Winter Weather
- The North Shore in November: Big Waves, Garlic Shrimp and Winter Surf Season
- The North Shore in February: Big Surf, Garlic Shrimp, Haleiwa and Weather