VeabirdBeach

The Big Island in December

December is a good month for the Big Island: a typical day grades A-, the 6th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 81°F, water around 77°F and about a 24% chance of rain on a given day. Beaches are typically very busy (Christmas & holiday break).

Typical dayA-6th of 12 months
Highs / water81°FSea 77°F
Rain chance24%on a given day
Waves–typical
CrowdsVery busyChristmas & holiday break
Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

The Big Island month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

November: A · December: A- · January: A-. The best months are usually September, October and November, and the weakest are March and July.

Best beaches in the Big Island in December

Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.

BeachTypical DecThis week
Four Seasons Resort HualalaiASatA-SunA-MonA-TueAWedA
Fairmont OrchidASatASunAMonATueAWedA
SCP HotelASatB-SunB-MonB-TueA-WedA-
PACIFIC 19 KonaASatA-SunA-MonA-TueA-WedA
Kona By The SeaASatA-SunA-MonA-TueA-WedA
Kalani Retreat CenterASatB-SunB-MonB-TueA-WedA-
Ocean ClubASatA-SunA-MonA-TueAWedA
Hilton Waikoloa VillageASatA-SunA-MonATueAWedA

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

How it compares

The Big Island is among the best-graded beach destinations in December. Every destination in December.

Questions

Is December a good time to visit the Big Island?
December is a good month for the Big Island: a typical day grades A-, the 6th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 81°F, water around 77°F and about a 24% chance of rain on a given day. Beaches are typically very busy (Christmas & holiday break).
How warm is the Big Island in December?
Typical highs are about 81°F and the sea is about 77°F. Most swimmers find it comfortable.
Is December hurricane season in the Big Island?
No. Storm risk is very low in December.
How crowded is the Big Island in December?
Typically very busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 21 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.

Coordinates approximate; forecasts are estimates, not safety guidance.