Here is everything you should know about the weather in Maui in December and what you can do there.
If you’re looking for beach vacation weather in the middle of December, Maui is the place to go. On Maui, it’s still sunny and warm even as North America experiences freezing temperatures and snowstorms. Highs can still reach 81°F and the Pacific Ocean with its now water temperature of 77°F will still allow you to dive in!
In this article, we’ll cover all the essential information you need to know about traveling to Maui in December, including information on the climate, crowds, price, holiday celebrations, and some of the best things you shouldn’t miss.
December Weather in Maui
Daily high temperatures are around 82°F, rarely falling below 78°F or exceeding 86°F. Daily low temperatures decrease by 3°F, from 68°F to 65°F, rarely falling below 60°F or exceeding 73°F.
Clouds
The month of December in Maui experiences decreasing cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy decreasing from 34% to 24%.
The clearest day of the month is December 31, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 76% of the time.
For reference, on October 31, the cloudiest day of the year, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 42%, while on January 18, the clearest day of the year, the chance of clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies is 78%.
Precipitation
A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. In Maui, the chance of a wet day over the course of December is gradually increasing, starting the month at 18% and ending at 21%.
Rainfall
We display the rainfall accumulated over a sliding 31-day period centered around each day in order to highlight variation within the month as opposed to just the monthly average.
The average sliding 31-day rainfall during December in Maui is increasing, starting the month at 1.4 inches, when it rarely exceeds 3.6 inches, and ending the month at 1.9 inches, when it rarely exceeds 5.3 inches or falls below 0.1 inches.
Sun
Over the course of December in Maui, the length of the day is essentially constant. The shortest day of the month is December 21, with 10 hours, and 52 minutes of daylight, and the longest day is December 1, with 10 hours, and 58 minutes of daylight.
Humidity
Higher dew points seem more humid while lower dew points seem dryer. Dew point changes more slowly than temperature, which frequently varies significantly between day and night. As a result, even though the temperature may drop at night, a humid day is frequently followed by a humid night.
The chance that a given day will be muggy in Maui is rapidly decreasing during December, falling from 49% to 35% over the course of the month.
Wind
This section discusses the wide-area hourly average wind vector (speed and direction) at 10 meters above the ground. Instantaneous wind speed and direction vary more widely than hourly averages, and the wind experienced at any given location is highly dependent on the local topography and other factors.
The average hourly wind speed in Maui is rapidly decreasing during December, decreasing from 14.3 miles per hour to 12.0 miles per hour over the course of the month.
Water Temperature
In close proximity to a sizable body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or large lake). This section provides information on the water’s average surface temperature over a large area.
Maui in December: is December a Good Time to Go?
Spending December in Maui is a great way to get away from the winter. Of all the Hawaiian islands and the world, Maui has some of the best weather in December. The price is Maui’s undoing. A December getaway can be expensive.
The cost of visiting Maui during the year is already higher than on any other Hawaiian island. The most expensive month for hotels and rental cars in December. One must plan ahead and be prepared to spend money.
However, that doesn’t mean you should eliminate Maui from your travel plans. December also marks the beginning of whale season in addition to the pleasant weather. For the holidays, Maui is the only island where you can see humpback whales flying.
Reasons to Go to Maui in December:
- Pleasant tropical weather, not as hot as the summer months
- The season for whales has begun!
- The ocean is a perfect 77 degrees for swimming
- Maui Christmas has decorated palm trees, Santa, and the aloha is dialed up
- Maui has more sunshine hours than any other Hawaiian island in December
- December is Maui’s fourth busiest month, so it’s not overly busy.
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Things to Do on Maui in December
On Maui, you can engage in all of the most well-liked activities throughout the year. However, some are extra special in December.
- Whale Watching: The whale season officially begins in mid-December, but whale sightings can begin as early as late October. Join a whale-watching cruise or observe them on your own from the shore.
- PGA Tour Tournament of Champions: The PGA Tour’s first event of the year is held at The Plantation Golf Course in Kapalua, which is in North West Maui. The best golfers in the world will be playing here.
- Annual Chinese New Year’s Festival: An amalgam of the Pacific exists on Maui. A Chinese New Year celebration is being held in Lahaina at the Wo Hing Museum and the Maui Mall. Watch musical performances, dances by dragons, and displays of martial arts.
- Banyan Tree Court: Come see the 16-trunk, 1.8-acre banyan tree in Hawaii that will be decorated with sizable Christmas bulbs. Your face will smile as a result.
- Aloha Christmas Parade: Visit Lahaina to see the yearly Christmas parade down storied Front Street.
- Christmas Hula and Mele Show: Visit the Outlets of Maui in Lahaina, The Cannery Mall in Lahaina, Whalers Village in Ka’anapali, or The Shops at Wailea for free Christmas hula dancing and carol singing. These were the holiday season’s most anticipated shows for us.
- Upcountry Tree Lighting: Visit MauiWine at Ulupalakua Ranch for the lighting of their holiday tree. So that you can continue to the movie under the stars afterward, dress warmly.
Final Thoughts on Maui in December
It’s not without reason that All year long, Maui is among the most popular vacation spots. Any month of the year, Maui has perfect weather because the water and air are both the perfect temperature. It is a destination where you can swim all year round – The Pacific Ocean never drops below 75°F, and daytime air temperatures rarely fall much below the mid-70s F range.
But compared to other months in Maui, you have a higher chance of getting rained on, and your wallet will suffer more. Maui is a great place to visit in December if money isn’t an issue or isn’t as important.