Maui Travel Guide – Hawaiʻi in December
December is a great time to visit Maui. It falls within the shoulder season, meaning you’ll find fewer crowds and potentially lower prices compared to the peak summer months, but still enjoy warm, pleasant weather and calm ocean conditions perfect for snorkeling and other water activities. The weather is typically warm, with daytime temperatures in the mid-80s°F, and the famous trade winds that can make the ocean choppy in the summer start to ease up.
Here’s a more detailed look at what makes December a good time to visit Maui:
Maui Weather in December:
Temperature: Expect highs in the low to mid-80s°F and lows in the mid-60s°F.- Rain: December is the wettest month, but rain showers are typically short and concentrated on the North Shore.
- Sunshine: Maui generally has more sunshine hours than other Hawaiian islands in December.
- Ocean: The ocean temperature is around 77°F (25°C), perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
- Wind: December can be windy, especially on the north shore, with larger waves.
Things to Do on Maui in December:
- Whale Watching: December is the start of whale watching season, with mid-January through March being the peak.
- Beaches: Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding.
- Haleakalā: Visit the Haleakalā crater for stunning views, but be prepared for cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
- Holiday Events: Experience Christmas festivities, including Santa on the beach and unique holiday shopping.
- Outdoor Activities: Hiking, biking, and exploring the island’s natural beauty are great options.
- Luau: Attend a traditional Hawaiian luau for a cultural experience.
- Check out Local Events: At the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
- Take a Guided Tour:View Haleakalā Sunrise or the Road to Hāna
Experience the Famous Haleakalā Sunrise Tour
Checklist for Maui in December
Maui Clothing & Accessories:
Lightweight, breathable clothing: T-shirts, shorts, swimwear, sundresses.- Light jacket or sweater: For cooler evenings or Haleakalā.
- Rain jacket or waterproof layer: Essential for December’s rainy season.
- Comfortable walking shoes/sandals: For exploring trails and beaches.
- Swimsuit(s): For swimming and beach time.
- Sun hat: For sun protection.
- Sunglasses: Essential for bright days.
- Reef-safe sunscreen: Crucial for protecting both you and the coral reefs.
- Beach bag: To carry your essentials to the beach.
- Towel: A quick-drying beach towel is a good idea.
- Snorkel gear (optional): If you plan to snorkel, consider bringing your own or renting.
Personal Items & Gear for Maui:
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated while exploring.
- Small backpack or day bag: For hiking and excursions.
- Insect repellent: To protect against mosquitoes and other bugs, especially if hiking.
- First-aid kit: Include essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.
- Portable charger: For keeping your phone and other devices charged.
- Water shoes: For rocky beaches or getting in and out of the water.
- Travel-sized toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
- Motion sickness medication: If you plan to go on boat tours or drive the Road to Hana.
- Camera: To capture the beauty of Maui.
- Hawaii guidebook: To help you plan your activities.
- Beach blanket or mat: For relaxing on the sand.
What to Consider When Visiting Maui:
- December is the rainiest month in Maui: Be prepared for potential showers, especially on the north shore.
- Haleakalā can be cold: Pack layers and warm clothing if you plan to visit the summit for sunrise.
- Reef-safe sunscreen is a must: Protect the coral reefs by using only reef-safe sunscreen.
- Book accommodations and popular tours in advance: Especially if traveling during the holiday season.
- Respect the local culture and environment: Be mindful of your surroundings and follow local guidelines.
Learn more on the Road to Hāna
Travel Pono
We want to help you do those things “pono” (in the right way).
Our Commitment:
“To impart to our guests a genuine understanding of the aloha spirit and help them to travel pono by fostering care and respect for our community, environment and host culture.”
The Hawaiian culture is all about sharing. Sharing from ancient times through to recent history, they have shared to such an extent that they’ve given almost everything they had, including their lives. We all want Hawaiian culture to grow and thrive again. Simply feeling the aloha and expressing it shows respect for the culture, and helps it grow stronger. A resident shows respect to a visitor by sharing aloha and welcoming the visitor by returning a friendly wave. The honor system is alive and well at most fruit stands across East Maui due to the trust the residents have in the visitors.
A visitor can reciprocate this trust and kindness by learning about a few things that can make life better for the area’s residents. Simple things, like driving according to road conditions and pulling off to let resident drivers go ahead is always a kind gesture. No one wants to have to constantly deal with trespassers, (especially the intentional ones), or badly parked vehicles – and that applies to anywhere in the world. Think about your actions as if it was your backyard. How would you want visitors to act towards you and your property? Now you know what is pono. Simply treat others as you would like to be treated and aloha will rule the day.
Keep in mind that residents need to go places too. Please move off the road if you decide to slow down or stop for a photo op or any other purpose, including, (but not limited to): standing in the road while picture taking; while driving a lot slower just to take a longer look (AKA: being a “looky loo”) or attempting to park. Make sure you’re completely off the road no matter why you’re stopping. Getting run into – or worse, getting run over, on what was supposed to be your “best day on Maui”, can turn even the best vacation into your worst nightmare.
Please don’t ignore any road signs. They are there for a good reason and visitors are asked to follow them for their own safety and the safety of the residents.
Things You Should Remember To Do to Share Your Aloha
Driving & Residents
Driving can be frustrating, no matter where you’re from, but island driving has it’s own challenges. Most roads in Maui were built over 100 years ago, during the heyday of the sugarcane industry, from little more than dirt pathways. Constant upgrades (widening & lane additions) have developed over the years for the main arteries which have resulted in several multi lane highways. Resort areas have experienced improved traffic flow, but there are few alternate routes when traffic gets snarled.
Many rural and residential roads (especially the road to Hana) are narrow with utility poles and vegetation quite close to the road’s edges. Though this seems dangerous (and it can be), residents have been driving these roads for generations and know every twist and bend. When visiting most tourist areas in the world, it can seem like the residents are the crazy drivers, and if they’re frustrated with heavy rental car traffic while trying to get to work or home, that can certainly be the case, but they also know the road well and know where they’re headed, whereas tourists generally don’t. The main thing to keep in mind is to slow down and let resident drivers pass. Be sure to give yourself a little extra time and just enjoy the scenery!
Coral Damage & Reef Safe Sunscreen
Recent research suggests there is ongoing coral bleaching happening all around Maui. Studies have found that harmful chemicals in commercial sunscreens may be contributing to this decline of our reef systems. Another reason reefs are becoming damaged is visitors walking on them. Not only can you become injured and incur nasty staph infections from walking on coral it also causes coral breakage which can take years for the reef to recover from.
E komo mai! We’re thrilled you chose to visit Maui for your vacation.
