Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Waikiki in December
Waikiki edges cooler than November, with highs of 78°F (25°C), lows of 73°F (23°C) and about 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain.
Its comfort score of 80/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 78°F (25°C)
- Avg low
- 73°F (23°C)
- Rain
- 3.7 in (93 mm)
- Humidity
- 77%
- Cloud cover
- 54%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 43 min
- Comfort score
- 80/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs settle around 78°F (25°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Nights stay warm too, with lows averaging 73°F (23°C).
With 77% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Some rain is likely, about 3.7 in (93 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.1 m/s) at ground level.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are January and April – August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Shortest days of the year, about 10 h 43 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (81 → 80/100).
- Our Honolulu New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 78°F
- Quick-dry fabrics77% average humidity
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.7 in of rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Waikiki in December
December is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Helena's Hawaiian Food
Family-run Hawaiian lunch spot open since 1946, known for pipikaula short ribs and kalua pig.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best lunch Dec 30.
Leonard's Bakery
Kapahulu bakery open since 1952 that made the Portuguese malasada a Honolulu staple.
House Without a Key
Open-air bar at the Halekulani under a kiawe tree, with Hawaiian music and hula at sunset.
Waikiki Beach fireworks
Midnight fireworks launched from a barge off Waikiki, free to watch from the sand along Duke Kahanamoku Beach.
Why now December scores 80/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Nearby in December
- Kailua & Lanikai in December~11 mi · highs 77°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Oahu in December~15 mi · highs 76°F, 3.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Maui in December~103 mi · highs 69°F, 2.8 in rain · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, drier
- Big Island in December~185 mi · highs 51°F, 6.7 in rain · 15°C (27°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Waikiki in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Waikiki?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 80/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are January and April – August. Expect highs of 78°F (25°C) and 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain.
How hot is Waikiki in December?
Average highs are 78°F (25°C) and average lows 73°F (23°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Waikiki in December?
Some: about 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 30.4 in (771 mm).
What should I pack for Waikiki in December?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 78°F), quick-dry fabrics (77% average humidity), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.7 in of rain), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Honolulu New Year's Eve Dec 30 – Jan 1
Planning Waikiki in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.