Month guide · Kauaʻi · United States
Kauaʻi in December
What December is really like in Kauaʻi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Allerton and McBryde Gardens, Kauaʻi · Photo: Daderot., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 16 rainy days and roughly 10.8 hours of daylight. Wet and busy over the holidays, with the year's highest prices and the first humpbacks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 16
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Plan a trip to Kauaʻi
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in December
December is the 9th-warmest month in Kauaʻi: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 16 of its 31 days. Compared with November (28°C (82°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:10
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:57
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm seas and fewer visitors in September and October, with rain and winter surf returning in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas and New Year holidays
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Beach · Hanalei
Hanalei Bay
A wide crescent of sand about 3 km long, backed by mountains streaked with waterfalls after rain.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Kōkeʻe
Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout
Clouds often roll in by late morning; if the lookout is fogged in, wait 15 minutes, as it can clear quickly.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
Viewpoint · Princeville
Hanalei Valley Lookout
Just past Princeville, this roadside lookout faces a patchwork of wetland taro fields in the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, with the river winding through and steep green mountains behind.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Nature
Beach · Poʻipū and Kōloa
Poʻipū Beach Park
Give resting monk seals plenty of space and follow any roped-off area set up by volunteers.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Kauaʻi.
What to pack
For highs near 27°C (81°F), lows near 20°C (68°F) and 16 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Kauaʻi?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Kauaʻi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Kauaʻi in December?
At about 17:57 local time in mid-December, with sunrise at about 07:10: roughly 10.8 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Kauaʻi in December?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kauaʻi in December?
Expect rain on about 16 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.