A December morning paints the lava fields gold along the Kohala coast, sunscreen and coffee drift through the air, and close to the resort lagoons someone strums a Christmas song on a ukulele in a key that feels a lot like summer. Palm trees wear strings of lights, and a spout out past the surf may be a humpback whale. December in Waikoloa is a warm, dry, sunny holiday month for beach days, whale watching and long dinners outside.
What is the weather like in Waikoloa in December?
December is warm, sunny and mostly dry in Waikoloa, with a little less heat than the fall and only a few passing showers. On the Big Island’s leeward shore, the coast is protected from the damp trade-wind conditions that drench Hilo, which means clear blue skies usually prevail.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 85.8 | 72.8 | 1.1 | 80.5 |
| December | 83.9 | 70.2 | 1.7 | 79.1 |
| January | 82.2 | 68.3 | 2.2 | 78.1 |
Mornings start soft and bright, pleasant enough for coffee on a lanai in a T-shirt. By midday the sun on black lava rock feels strong even with the cooler season, so sunscreen and a hat matter as much as they do in July. Afternoons stay comfortable for the pool, the beach or a walk along the shoreline trails.
Rain, when it comes, is a brief shower that drifts over from the mountain slopes, often at night or in the early morning, and the sun is usually back within the hour. Over the month only a couple of days bring any real rain, and a heavy downpour is rare. Hilo, on the windward side, gets several times more rain, so a gray forecast for the island does not necessarily describe the Kohala coast.
Evenings are mild enough to eat outside, though a light layer feels good once the breeze picks up after dark. Daylight is a little shorter than in summer, so sunset arrives early in the evening and the sky often glows orange over the water. The sea is still comfortable, only a shade cooler than in the fall.
Can you swim in Waikoloa in December?
Sure, you can take a long swim or snorkel since the ocean is warm, and with the water in the upper 70s, most people find it comfortable without a wetsuit.
Winter brings bigger surf to north and west shores of the islands, and the Kohala coast can see swells arrive at some beaches even under a clear sky. Some beaches here are sheltered coves and lagoons that are often gentle, while others open to the swell and can have shore break and currents. The beaches near Waikoloa include Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay), with its calm-looking stretch of sand and palm trees, and Hapuna and Kauna’oa, wide and golden strands that can see real waves in winter.
At the beach, the water tends to stay gentle with little surf, but that can shift, which is why skilled swimmers and bodyboarders seek out spots where the surf picks up. Look at the beach signs and flags, ask the lifeguard before going in, and keep your distance from sea turtles and monk seals if they are resting on the sand. A rash guard and a snorkel mask in the bag make a spontaneous swim easy.
What to do in Waikoloa in December
December on the Big Island means humpback whale season, and the Kohala coast is a good vantage point. From the shoreline, from a boat or from a lanai with binoculars, you may see tails, breaches or the spray of a blow out beyond the surf. Sightings are a chance, never a promise, and calm mornings give the best odds of spotting something.
The holiday mood is gentle and a little sandy. Resorts string lights, put up trees beside the pools and hold tree lightings, carolers and hula shows. Shave ice carts and poolside bars serve their usual treats, while restaurants add holiday menus with local fish, slow-roasted pork and macadamia nut desserts. Dinner on a terrace with the sound of the surf is the season’s signature.
Beach days at Hapuna and Anaehoomalu Bay
Hapuna is a broad, white-sand beach with a long, gently sloping shore, a favorite for sunbathing, picnics and bodyboarding when the waves are friendly. Anaehoomalu Bay, known as A-Bay, is lined with palms and fishponds that once supplied Hawaiian royalty, and its sand slopes to a calm-looking bay good for paddleboards and snorkeling.
Go in the morning, when the sand is cool and the water is clear, and leave the afternoon for shade, shave ice or a long lunch. In December the swell can build, so check the signs and the lifeguard before the first dip. Bring water, a hat and a beach umbrella, because shade is scarce on the sand.
Petroglyphs and the lava coast
The Kohala coast is a landscape of black lava and bright sea, and the ancient trails that cross it are a good way to experience it. Near Waikoloa, the petroglyph fields carve images of figures, canoes and symbols into the rock, and walking among them is quiet and moving. Show respect for this sacred place, keep to the trail, and leave the carvings untouched by hand or foot.
Early morning or late afternoon are the cooler hours for a walk on the lava, and the low light makes the carvings easier to see. Wear closed shoes, since the rock is rough, and carry water, because there is little shade.
Whale watching and sunsets on the water
Boat trips from nearby harbors go looking for humpbacks in the channel, and December falls in the season when the whales are around. Mornings are usually calmer on the water, and a boat that cruises slowly at sunset adds orange light and a cooler breeze. Whales are wild animals, so some trips are quiet and others are full of splashes, and boats keep respectful distances.
On land, the resort shores and the lava points are good spots for sunset, with the sky often turning pink and gold behind the palms. Bring a light layer, because the breeze is cooler once the sun goes down. For a lazy afternoon, the shopping villages near the resorts have galleries, boutiques and open-air restaurants, and the golf courses carved into the lava are a signature of the area.
A two-day itinerary for Waikoloa in December
Day 1 begins at the beach. Arrive at Hapuna early, while the sand is cool and the light is soft, and swim or bodyboard if the waves are gentle. Break for a late breakfast at a beachside cafe, then head back for a pool break during the hottest hours.
In the afternoon, walk the petroglyph trail once the sun lowers and the lava rock cools. Finish the day at a restaurant terrace for fresh fish and a sunset. If rain comes in, which is rare, a spa or a gallery in the shopping village fills the hours.
Day 2 starts with a whale-watching trip, since mornings are usually calmer on the water and the best time for sightings. Return for lunch at a poke counter or a plate-lunch stand, then spend the afternoon at Anaehoomalu Bay, paddling, snorkeling or walking the fishponds.
Spend the evening at a resort lawn with live music, a luau or a holiday tree lighting, depending on the week. Sunset comes early in December, so plan dinner around it and keep a light layer for the walk back.
Is Waikoloa busy in December?
Yes, especially around Christmas and New Year, when families and winter-escape travelers fill the resorts and beaches.
The early part of the month is calmer, with easier restaurant tables and more room on the sand, while the holiday weeks are the busiest. Rooms, rental cars and popular dinner tables disappear early for those dates, so book well ahead if you plan to be here over the holidays, and a little later if you choose the quieter first weeks.
Beaches like Hapuna fill by late morning in peak weeks, so arrive early for parking and a good spot. Whale-watching boats and luaus also sell out around the holidays, so reserve them as soon as your dates are set. Quiet corners remain, like the lava trails and the early morning shore, when most visitors are still at breakfast.
What to pack for Waikoloa in December
Bring sunscreen and swimwear, plus something warm for chillier nights and the occasional rain shower.
- Mineral sunscreen and a hat, because the sun on the lava coast is strong all year.
- A rash guard and snorkel gear for easy swims and snorkeling.
- Sturdy footwear is a must on the lava trails, since the rock there is rugged.
- For cool, windy nights on a balcony, bring a thin sweater or shawl.
- A compact rain jacket for the occasional passing shower.
- Binoculars for spotting whales from the shore.
Good to know before you go
December falls just after the Central Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The holiday weeks are the busiest, so reserve rooms, cars and popular tours first. Renting a car makes the simplest option for getting to the coast’s beaches and trails.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State Transient Accommodations Tax | 11.00% | Guests of hotels and short-term rentals |
| County of Hawaii Transient Accommodations Tax | 3% | Guests of hotels and short-term rentals |
Waikoloa in December vs November and January
Moving the trip to November gives you warmer air and sea, fewer crowds and even drier days, though the whales have barely arrived and the holiday glow has not begun. It is a good choice for beach lovers who want quiet sand and an easy pace.
January runs a little cooler, bringing somewhat more rain and a marginally chillier ocean, yet whales are at their peak and the holiday throngs have eased once the month’s opening days pass. The surf on the north and west shores can be bigger, so the beaches can be more lively. Choose November for the warmest water and the calmest feel, December for holiday lights and the start of whale season, and January for quieter beaches and a longer whale-watching window.
Is December a good time to visit Waikoloa?
If you’re a traveler craving sunshine, balmy water and holiday cheer minus oppressive heat, December fits the bill nicely.
Couples, families, and anyone craving a beach getaway complete with whales just off the coast and festive lights across the lawns will find it a perfect fit. Travelers who dislike crowds around Christmas, or who want the roughest surf for watching, might choose another month. Those who prefer a quiet beach should aim for the first weeks of the month.
On arrival, settle into the beach first, then book the whale-watching trip and a dinner with a sunset view. What is special about December here is the mix of tropical warmth, humpbacks offshore and palm trees strung with Christmas lights.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00518422, 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 USW00021510
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00021504
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026