Month guide · Maui · United States
Maui in December
What December is really like in Maui: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Katie (alaskahokie) from Anchorage, Alaska, USA, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Whales return in numbers and the holiday weeks are the most expensive of the year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Maui: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (29°C (84°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:55
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:47
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm sea and quiet beaches in September and October; rain starts to return in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Humpback whale season begins (from about December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Beach · Wailea
Mākena Big Beach (Oneloa)
In Mākena State Park, Big Beach is about 1 km of undeveloped golden sand backed by kiawe trees, with a cinder cone at its northern end.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Outdoors
Experience · Upcountry (Makawao and Kula)
Upcountry farms and ʻUlupalakua
Combine it with a Haleakalā sunset rather than sunrise, so you drive the farm roads in daylight.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Island · South Maui
Molokini Crater snorkelling
A crescent-shaped, partly sunken volcanic crater about 5 km off the south coast, protected as a marine life conservation district.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Active
Experience · Māʻalaea and South Maui
Humpback whale watching
Look for spouts from McGregor Point lookout on the road between Māʻalaea and the west side; the peak is January to March.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Couples
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Maui.
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 19°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Maui?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Maui in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Maui?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Whales return in numbers and the holiday weeks are the most expensive of the year.
+How warm is Maui in December?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Maui in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.