Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Hawaii cruises in December
December brings the holiday peak, with Christmas and New Year sailings priced highest and booked early. Humpbacks arrive in growing numbers, Honolulu lights up for its City Lights celebration, and December 7 remembrance ceremonies at Pearl Harbor draw visitors. Expect more showers, especially in Hilo.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 69°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii in December: Good time to go
December brings the holiday peak, with Christmas and New Year sailings priced highest and booked early. Humpbacks arrive in growing numbers, Honolulu lights up for its City Lights celebration, and December 7 remembrance ceremonies at Pearl Harbor draw visitors. Expect more showers, especially in Hilo.
Across Hawaii cruise ports, December brings average highs around 69°F (21°C) and lows near 62°F, with about 4.6 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Year-round; humpback whales December to April. Best weather-and-value months April to May and September to October.
- Average high / low
- 69°F / 62°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.6 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights inter-island from Honolulu; 14 to 17 nights from the West Coast
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Good time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Hawaii weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6920 | 6920 | 7021 | 7222 | 7424 | 7825 | 8027 | 8127 | 8027 | 7826 | 7323 | 6921 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6217 | 6116 | 6217 | 6418 | 6619 | 6820 | 7122 | 7222 | 7122 | 6921 | 6619 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.1103 | 3.793 | 4.3110 | 3.075 | 2.255 | 1.539 | 1.334 | 1.947 | 2.152 | 2.974 | 3.897 | 4.6116 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 79°F | 74°F | 4.1 in | 11 h |
| Kahului (Maui) | 78°F | 75°F | 3.1 in | 11 h |
| Hilo | 79°F | 73°F | 5.5 in | 11 h |
| Kona (Kailua-Kona) | 79°F | 77°F | 3.8 in | 11 h |
| Nawiliwili (Kauai) | 78°F | 75°F | 3.1 in | 11 h |
| Los Angeles | 65°F | 57°F | 3.0 in | 10 h |
| San Diego | 70°F | 53°F | 2.0 in | 10 h |
| San Francisco | 58°F | 46°F | 4.4 in | 10 h |
| Vancouver | 40°F | 33°F | 12.1 in | 8 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Hawaii in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Hawaii?
Yes, it's a good month. December brings the holiday peak, with Christmas and New Year sailings priced highest and booked early. Humpbacks arrive in growing numbers, Honolulu lights up for its City Lights celebration, and December 7 remembrance ceremonies at Pearl Harbor draw visitors. Expect more showers, especially in Hilo.
What is the weather like on a Hawaii cruise in December?
Across Hawaii cruise ports, December brings average highs around 69°F (21°C) and lows near 62°F, with about 4.6 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Hawaii cruise in December?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Hawaii?
Year-round; humpback whales December to April. Best weather-and-value months April to May and September to October.. The best months are usually January, February, March, May, September.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.