On a December evening, the crowd along Kalakaua Avenue slows down to look at the lights wound around the palm trunks, and somewhere near the beach a ukulele is playing a Christmas song in the trade-wind air. Santa shows up in an outrigger canoe, the surf is up on the far shores, and the days stay warm enough for the beach. Waikiki in December is a month of holiday lights, winter swells and easy sunshine, for travelers who want a Christmas week in shorts.
What is the weather like in Waikiki in December?
December in Waikiki is warm and mostly sunny, a little cooler than the fall, with short passing showers rather than long gray spells.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 83.8 | 71.5 | 4.5 | 79.0 |
| December | 81.6 | 68.8 | 4.5 | 78.1 |
| January | 80.5 | 66.0 | 4.2 | 77.3 |
Days with a real downpour are rare, and a heavy day tends to clear within hours.
Mornings are soft and pleasant for a run or a walk to the beach, and the afternoon sun is strong enough to burn, even with the steady trade winds. Evenings turn cooler and breezy, so a light layer is welcome on a restaurant lanai or a late stroll. Daylight runs to about eleven hours, which means sunset comes early and the lights along the avenue switch on while you are still finishing dinner.
The sea stays warm, not quite the bathwater feel of early fall, but comfortable for most people once they are in. Shorts, T-shirts and sandals cover most days.
Can you swim in Waikiki in December?
Sure, you can take a long swim in that warm water, since the sea off Waikiki sits at about 78°F on average, but that first minute feels a bit brisk to most people.
In December, the large swells that winter brings hit Oahu’s north and west shores, but the south shore, home to Waikiki, tends to be the calmer side this time of year. The beaches along the strip, from Kuhio Beach with its sheltered pool behind a stone wall to the long sand in front of the big hotels, are often mild, but waves can still roll in after a distant swell. Surf schools take beginners out on the long, slow breaks off Waikiki, and the sight of boards and outrigger canoes riding the same wave is part of the scene.
Treat the lifeguard towers and the beach signs as the final word on the day. The Waikiki Aquarium takes those estimated dates and makes them a calendar, marking when box jellyfish show up on Oahu’s south shore.
They can show up on any day, so obey the warnings that are posted and get in the water only at spots where lifeguards are on duty. Pack a mask for checking out the fish by the rocks, plus a rash guard or light shirt for the sun, and stay off the reef.
What to do in Waikiki in December
The month belongs to the holidays. Hotels and shopping centers put up giant trees, the lobbies fill with wreaths of tropical flowers, and the island version of Christmas is played out in aloha shirts. Shopping malls along Kalakaua keep evening hours that stretch into the night, and street performers turn the sidewalks into a lively parade. Locals say Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas greeting, and you will see it on cards, banners and cookies.
December is also the month of the Honolulu Marathon, when thousands of runners fill the roads at dawn and the finish line party spills across the park near Kapiolani. Even if you are not running, the streets feel festive, with cheering crowds and banners. The marathon weekend is a good time to expect busy sidewalks and full restaurants.
Holiday lights, hula and evening on the avenue
After sunset, the best entertainment is simply walking Kalakaua Avenue. The banyan tree courtyards glow, the shop windows are decorated, and live music drifts from open-air bars. Many hotels run hula shows and torch lightings on their lawns, and the sound of slack key guitar is common in the evening.
At dusk, head for the beach and watch the sky go orange behind the surfers, then stroll back for a plate of poke or some shave ice. Families and couples both suit this slow rhythm, and it costs nothing beyond what you decide to eat or buy.
Winter waves and whales from the shore
Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaiian waters, and December is the early part of that season. From a boat or a high lookout you may see spouts or a tail, though sightings are never guaranteed. Several companies run whale-watching trips from Honolulu harbor, and calm mornings are often the best time to spot them.
The big surf of the North Shore is the other winter spectacle. Waikiki is on the opposite side of the island, so the waves here are far smaller, but a day trip across Oahu lets you watch giant swells break at places like Waimea Bay. Watch from the sand, and keep well back from the water, because winter waves there are powerful.
Diamond Head, Waikiki Aquarium and the zoo
Diamond Head is the classic morning outing, a hike up the crater rim to a view across the whole coastline. The cooler air of December makes the climb more comfortable than in summer, and early in the day is still the best time. Reservations matter at Diamond Head, so plan for that before you set out.
At the far end of the beach, the Waikiki Aquarium is a good rainy-day or midday shade stop, with Hawaiian reef fish, jellies and monk seals to see. The Honolulu Zoo sits on the edge of Kapiolani Park and suits families with younger children. Between them, they fill the stretch of day when the sun beats down and the sand feels warmest.
For food, December is a month for plate lunches, grilled fish, poke bowls, malasadas and a cold drink under an umbrella. Holiday menus appear in the better restaurants, and bakeries sell sweet breads and cookies as gifts. Try a shave ice after a beach afternoon, ideally with a scoop of ice cream at the bottom.
A two-day itinerary for Waikiki in December
Day 1 starts early, with a walk along the sand while the beach is quiet and the light is soft. After a coffee and a loco moco or a bowl of acai, spend the morning in the water at Kuhio Beach, where the sheltered swimming area is gentle and the surf lessons start. Lunch is easy at a plate lunch counter or a food hall on Kalakaua.
In the afternoon, retreat to the Waikiki Aquarium and the shady paths of Kapiolani Park while the sun is strongest. Come back toward the beach for sunset, which arrives early in December, then dine at a restaurant with an open-air lanai. Finish with a slow walk along the avenue to see the lights.
Day 2 begins with the Diamond Head hike at the start of the day, when the air is cool and the views are clearest. Afterward, have a late breakfast in the neighborhood below the crater, at one of the small cafes and bakeries. Then spend a lazy midday at a hotel pool or on the sand at the quieter end of the beach.
In the late afternoon, take a catamaran sail or an outrigger canoe ride off the coast, which gives a good look at the skyline and, with some luck, a whale. Dinner can be a luau or a seafood spot near the water. If the weather turns, switch to the shopping centers, the Honolulu Zoo’s covered areas or a museum in downtown Honolulu, and save the sail for a clearer day.
Is Waikiki busy in December?
Yes, December is one of the busier months in Waikiki, especially around Christmas and New Year, when mainland families and winter escapees fill the hotels.
The first weeks of the month are calmer, then the school break turns the beach and the avenue into a crowd. Marathon weekend adds runners and their families, and restaurants fill early in the evening. Rental cars, hotel rooms and dinner tables are all harder to find over the holiday weeks, and peak-season rates are common.
Book early for the days around Christmas and New Year, ideally months ahead for rooms and cars. For the first part of December, you can plan later and still find choices. Restaurants with ocean views and popular luaus are the first to run out of tables, so reserve those as soon as your dates are set.
Diamond Head requires a reservation, and the same habit applies to other popular outings, such as boat trips. Quiet corners still exist, at the far end of the beach early in the morning or in the park in the late afternoon.
What to pack for Waikiki in December
Pack for warm days, breezy evenings and the odd shower, and leave the heavy clothes at home.
- Swimsuits and a rash guard, for the water and the strong sun.
- Mineral sunscreen and a hat, because the December sun still burns.
- A light rain jacket, for the short showers.
- A sweater or light layer, for breezy evenings on the lanai.
- Sturdy sandals or sneakers, for the Diamond Head trail.
- A small dry bag, to keep a phone safe on a boat or a beach day.
Good to know before you go
December falls outside the official Central Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The bigger practical matters are the holiday crowds, so book rooms, cars and popular outings early, and expect busier traffic and parking near the beach. Hotel bills carry taxes on top of the room rate.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Hotel guests |
| Oahu county tax | 3% | Hotel guests |
Waikiki in December vs November and January
Moving the trip to November gives you a slightly warmer sea and a calmer beach, with fewer crowds before the holiday rush. The lights are not yet fully up in the early weeks, and the marathon and Christmas events are still ahead. Rooms are easier to find and the beaches are more relaxed.
Going in January trades some warmth for a cooler sea and slightly cooler nights, though the sun still shines on most days. The holiday crowds thin after the first week, the whales are well into their season, and the winter surf tends to be at its liveliest on the north shore. Beaches feel quieter and the avenue calms down once the decorations come down.
Choose December if you want the lights, the marathon and the festive mood, and are happy to book early. Pick November for a quieter, warmer trip, and January for whales, easier tables and a more relaxed beach once the holidays are over.
Is December a good time to visit Waikiki?
Yes, December is a very good time for travelers who want warm weather, a festive mood and a beach vacation in the middle of winter.
It suits couples, families on school break and anyone who likes holiday lights with a palm tree overhead. Surfers and whale watchers will find plenty to enjoy, and runners get the marathon. It is less suited to travelers who want empty beaches, quiet streets and easy bookings, who would be happier in a calmer month.
On arrival, reserve Diamond Head and any boat trip first, then book a dinner with an ocean view for the evening you want it most. After that, let the days run slowly, with a morning swim, a long lunch and a walk down the avenue after dark. What stays with you from December in Waikiki is the sight of a Christmas tree on a beachfront lawn, lit against a Pacific sunset.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00519397, 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, Announcement 2025-03 ; City and County of Honolulu, OTAT FAQ, checked September 25, 2026
- Waikiki Aquarium, Box Jellyfish Calendar, checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026