December in Maui is considered one of the finest Hawaiian islands to explore, owing to the pleasant climate, abundant sunshine, and the commencement of the whale season. Notwithstanding the expenses and the fact that December is among the rainiest months for Maui, you might still feel reluctant to plan a trip to Maui during this time.
We’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Maui in December, including some of the best things to do and the holiday festivities. Also, we’ll discuss the cost, the crowds, and the weather.
A December vacation can become expensive. The price is the main disadvantage of Maui. The globe and the Hawaiian islands in December are among the finest. The climate in Maui during December offers a wonderful opportunity to escape the winter.
To ensure early booking, it is necessary to exchange some of the cash for local currency. Hotel and car rental rates reach their peak in December. Maui is already known as the most expensive Hawaiian island to visit during the year.
Maui offers you the opportunity to witness humpback whales flying during the holiday season, unlike any other island. The weather in December is excellent, which marks the beginning of the whale season. Besides, this does not mean that you should exclude Maui from your vacation list.
Maui in December: Reasons to Go
✅ Enjoyable tropical climate, not as scorching as the summer period.
✅ Beginning of the whale season!
✅ The sea is an ideal 77 degrees for swimming.
✅ Christmas in Maui features beautifully adorned palm trees, Santa Claus, and a strong sense of aloha spirit.
✅ In December, Maui receives more hours of sunshine compared to any other Hawaiian island.
✅ Not overly crowded. December ranks as the fourth busiest month for Maui.
Maui in December: Reasons to Find Another Hawaiian island
❌ Costly. Accommodations in Maui become even pricier in December.
❌ December and January are the most rainy months on Maui.
❌ Rental vehicle prices are the most expensive among all the Hawaiian islands in Maui during the month of December.
Get The Maui Itinerary
Your time is restricted, regardless of the extent of its limitation, you will receive six meticulously organized days for outings that will assist you in visiting the must-see destinations. Dining establishments, snorkeling locations, coastlines, and attractions, the detailed schedule guides you to all the finest options.
Obtain all the particulars about our travel plan and download it for an unforgettable and conveniently organized journey to Maui.
Maui for Christmas
I absolutely adore December in Maui. The reason why I love it so much is because of its unique charm. During this time, my son and I spend our days running around on the grass, next to the tank on top of the hill. The palm trees are beautifully decorated and twinkling, creating a magical atmosphere. On Christmas day, we even go surfing, which is such a special experience. And of course, we can’t miss the Christmas parade in Lahaina. These moments create such warm and cherished memories in my mind, flooding my thoughts with the beauty of Maui during Christmas time.
Christmas on Maui is far different than the white Christmases I grew up with in Northern Michigan, as it combines the spirit of aloha with traditional customs.
I don’t feel obligated to go overboard and get a taste of Mele Kalikimaka, as the whole month of December is filled with Christmas activities. The festive and joyful atmosphere of Maui creates a small-town Christmas vibe all year round.
December in Maui for prepare to vacation Christmas Hawaii a plan to tips 19 and Christmas during in do to things Explore.
Maui Weather in December: What’s Maui Like
December in Maui is truly marvelous. In the westside (Lahaina and Ka’anapali area), I struggle to cope with the Maui warmth during the summer when temperatures reach the 90s and it becomes humid.
Get The Maui Itinerary
Your time is restricted, regardless of the extent of its limitation, you will receive six meticulously organized days for outings that will assist you in visiting the must-see destinations. Dining establishments, snorkeling locations, coastlines, and attractions, the detailed schedule guides you to all the finest options.
Obtain all the particulars about our travel plan and download it for an unforgettable and conveniently organized journey to Maui.
It’s a clear and sunny period. Typically, you can anticipate more than 7 hours of sunlight per day. The sea will have a pleasant temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and upon arrival in Maui, you will be welcomed by a refreshing breeze and temperatures in the mid-70s.
Staying in Wailea, Ka’anapali, or Hana in December guarantees pleasant climate.
In December, it is best to consider staying in the area that has the least chance of rain, which is Kihei and Wailea in South Maui. December is the driest month in this area. The only downside of December weather is that there is a higher chance of rain compared to other months.
December in Maui fares favorably when compared to the other Hawaiian islands. During December, Maui enjoys higher temperatures and experiences less precipitation, except for the Kailua-Kona region on the island of Hawai’i.
Is Maui Expensive in December?
Ouch. The average rate in the luxurious Wailea resort area was $890. The annual average is 36% lower compared to the $540 average daily hotel rate in December 2019. December stands out as the priciest month of the year if you’re in search of a hotel room. It’s definitely not affordable. (Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority).
Reference: Infrastructure Report from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
December ranks as the third priciest month for vacation rental prices. Opting to reserve a vacation rental during December will yield more favorable bargains. Merely January and February surpass December in terms of costliness, with a rate of $278 per evening for a vacation rental. However, this amount signifies substantial savings in contrast to a hotel accommodation.
Reference: Infrastructure Report from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Rates should still be expected to average higher than pay, while you should still expect higher than average pay. The period from late December to New Year’s is very busy due to the Christmas holiday. Car rental rates also go up in December.
To ensure a guaranteed Christmas reservation, it is advisable to secure your car rental well in advance as rental companies tend to run out of available vehicles during this busy period. Therefore, it is recommended to call and confirm your booking before your departure. A helpful tip is to consider booking with a local car rental company.
The savings were comparable to what the table indicates below. We utilized them throughout our Christmas excursion to the Big Island the previous year, and we consistently opt for Discount Hawaii Car Rental due to the substantial savings we enjoy each time. To determine this expense, I examined three prominent websites for comparing car rental prices.
If you are looking to save money on your vacation to Maui in December, I recommend following these three tips. Additionally, flights across America tend to go up during the December holiday period.
🍍 Make your reservation well in advance, preferably more than 6 months ahead.
🍍 Enroll for discount alerts through Hawaii’s economical airlines: Southwest, Alaskan Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.
🍍 Follow our 5 Insider’s Tricks to Obtaining an Affordable Ticket to Hawaii.
In December, for a family of four staying for 10-days (2020 prices), the total cost for a complete Maui experience will exceed $10,000. The approximate expenses for airfare, hotel, and rental car for a Hawaii vacation in late December are illustrated in the chart provided below. When you factor in meals and various activities, your trip to Maui in December becomes an unforgettable adventure!
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How Busy is Maui in December?
The busiest month on Maui is the 4th month, with an average of 254,000 visitors per month, which is more than 8% higher than the average number of visitors. December is not the busiest time to visit Maui.
If you want to avoid the crowds in December, as the speed picks up and the month starts off quietly, go soon after Thanksgiving.
If you are coming in mid-December, I recommend booking your favorite restaurants and activities before you arrive. The most popular luaus will require reservations in advance, typically 4 to 3 weeks. Waikiki and Maui beaches won’t be crowded, so December isn’t busy.
We feel crowded in December, but Maui is well-equipped to handle a lot of local visitors. As you can see from the data below, December is not the busiest month, but it still has an above-average number of visitors.
Things to Do on Maui in December
In December, there are certain events that are particularly unique. Each month of the year, you have the opportunity to engage in all of the highly sought-after activities on Maui.
For you, the finest excursion to select on Maui, explore our guide to observing whales on Maui. Observe them from the coastline or join a whale watching expedition, as whales can be spotted as early as late October. The official commencement of whale season is in mid-December.
Some golfers come to watch the top players in the world. The PGA Tour’s season opener, the Tournament of Champions, takes place at the Plantation Course Golf in Kapalua, Maui.
The Annual 🍍 Chinese New Year Festival in Maui is a melting pot of Pacific cultures, featuring music, martial arts performances, dragon dances, and art exhibitions at the Hing Wo Museum and Mall in Lahaina.
Christmas Festivities
In December on Maui, there are still numerous alternative activities and attractions to enjoy. Unfortunately, The Polar Express Train (also known as The Sugar Cane Train) will not operate in 2020. Lahaina serves as the casual hub for festive Christmas entertainment.
Brightened with sizable Christmas bulbs, come and witness the biggest banyan tree in Hawaii (consisting of 16 trunks and spanning 1.8 acres) at Banyan Tree Court. It is sure to bring joy to your countenance.
🍍 Aloha Christmas Parade: Explore Lahaina for the yearly Christmas procession along the historic Front Street.
During the festive season, these were the shows we enjoyed attending the most: complimentary Christmas hula performances and caroling at the Shops at Wailea, Whalers Village in Ka’anapali, The Cannery Mall in Lahaina, or Outlets of Maui in Lahaina. To witness the delightful Christmas hula dancing and caroling, make sure to visit the Shops at Wailea, Whalers Village in Ka’anapali, The Cannery Mall in Lahaina, or Outlets of Maui in Lahaina.
You can stay for the movie under the stars, so make sure to head to MauiWine at Ranch Ulupalakua for their annual lighting tree event: Lighting Tree Upcountry.