Hawaii in December is a dream escape: warm waters, lush hikes, beach sunsets—and yes, some holiday crowds. December marks the start of the wet season, so while it’s mostly warm and sunny, be prepared for occasional rain showers, especially on the windward (eastern) sides of the islands. The weather is tropical, not hot like the mainland summer, but comfortably warm day and night.
Whether you’re headed to Maui’s beaches, Oahu’s surf towns, or the Big Island’s volcanoes, your packing list should include light clothing, swim gear, and some rain protection. Festive December evenings call for breezy yet polished outfits too!
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Hawaii in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Honolulu (Oahu): 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 81°F)
- Lihue (Kauai): 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 79°F)
- Kona (Big Island): 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F)
- Maui: 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 81°F)
- Warm, humid & breezy with occasional rain showers 🌴🌧️
What to Pack for Hawaii in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Lightweight suitcase – easy island travel 🧳
- Beach tote – roomy & sand-friendly 🏖️
- Daypack – hikes, drives, and island tours 🎒
- Packing cubes – keep swim vs casual sorted 📦
- Wet bag – for swimsuits and snorkel gear 💦
- Toiletry kit – leakproof, tropical safe 🧴
- Document holder – flights, ID, hotel check-ins 💼
- Foldable laundry bag – beachwear gets sandy fast 🧺
- Neck pillow – long flight comfort 🛌
- Sleep mask – early sun rises 😎
👗 Clothes
- T-shirts & tanks (4–6) – breathable island wear 👕
- Shorts (2–4) – cotton or linen 🩳
- Sundresses (2–3) – great for dinner or beach 👗
- Swimsuits (2–3) – essential for daily dips 👙
- Rash guard – for snorkeling or sun protection 🏄
- Lightweight rain jacket – quick tropical showers ☔
- Light sweater or cardigan – for breezy nights 🌬️
- Casual pants or leggings (1–2) – evening or hikes 👖
- Workout outfit – for yoga, hikes, or walks 🧘
- Cover-up or sarong – beach to lunch 🧣
- Sleepwear – breathable fabrics 🛌
- Undergarments & bras (5–7) 👙
- Light socks – for sneakers or hikes 🧦
💆 Skincare
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 30+ – required on many beaches 🌞
- Aloe vera gel – soothe any sun exposure 🌿
- Facial mist – refresh in humidity 💧
- Moisturizer – hydrate after sun 🧴
- Lip balm with SPF – tropical wind protection 💋
- Bug spray – helpful for jungle or waterfall spots 🦟
💄 Makeup
- BB cream with SPF – light and tropical-safe 💄
- Waterproof mascara – for beach & sweat 👁️
- Cream blush or bronzer – warm island glow 🌸
- Setting spray – hold through humidity 💦
- Lip tint or balm – easy to refresh 💋
💇 Hair Care
- Wide-tooth comb – post-swim essential 💇
- Hair ties & scrunchies – tropical-proof 🌀
- Shampoo & conditioner – sulfate-free preferred 🚿
- Leave-in conditioner – salt & sun repair 💁
- Dry shampoo – quick refresh 🌬️
- Anti-frizz serum – beach weather solution ✨
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Flip-flops – must-have for beach 🩴
- Water shoes – ideal for waterfalls or rocky beaches 🛶
- Hiking sandals or trail shoes – for volcano or forest hikes 🥾
- Casual sandals – great for evenings 👡
- Wide-brim hat or cap – strong sun 🌞
- Sunglasses – polarized ideal 🕶️
- Light scarf or shawl – evening wrap or sun cover 🧣
- Crossbody bag – explore hands-free 👜
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Photo ID – domestic U.S. travel 🛂
- Flight & hotel confirmations 📲
- Health insurance card 📋
- Credit card & small cash 💳
- Park permits if visiting volcano parks 🗺️
🚑 First Aid
- Motion sickness tablets – for boat tours 🚤
- Band-aids – beach cuts or hike blisters 🩹
- Electrolyte packets – beach dehydration fix 💧
- Antiseptic cream – for scrapes or bites 🌿
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush & toothpaste 🪥
- Deodorant – stay fresh in humidity 🧼
- Hand sanitizer – great for food trucks 🧴
- Feminine care – pack your favorites 🩸
- Wet wipes – for hikes or beach 🧻
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger 📱
- Waterproof phone pouch – for beaches & snorkeling 💦
- Camera or GoPro – island memories 📸
- Portable charger – for long days out 🔋
🎧 Entertainment
- Kindle or paperback – beach reading 📚
- Music or playlists – road trips 🎧
- Notebook – trip journaling or planning 📝
🎁 Extras
- Snorkel gear – optional but fun 🤿
- Reusable water bottle – hydrate sustainably 💧
- Quick-dry towel – beach to car 🏖️
- Dry bag – protect electronics on water days 💼
🌍 Travel Tips
- Check for park permit needs 🏞️
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen 🌊
- Book tours early – December is busy 📆
- Rain is common—don’t let it stop you! ☔
🛂 Visa Tips
- Hawaii is part of the U.S. – no visa for U.S. citizens 🛂
- International travelers: check ESTA or visa needs 🌐
⭐ Must-Haves
- Swimsuits 👙
- Reef-safe sunscreen 🌞
- Flip-flops 🩴
- Waterproof pouch 💦
- Bug spray 🦟
- Rain jacket ☔
👍 Good-to-Have
- Water shoes 🛶
- Snorkel mask 🤿
- Quick-dry towel 🏖️
- Travel umbrella ☔
- Notebook 📝
