Spending your winter in Hawaii this year? While it may seem like there isn’t much to do in Hawaii during the winter, rest assured, there is plenty to do!
You may also be thinking, “What is the weather like in Hawaii during the winter months?” Well, we’ve done the research for you! Below is everything you need to know about visiting Hawaii this winter with Sundance Vacations!
Island of O’ahu
Average temperatures during the winter months:
Month: High / Low (°F)
January: 78° / 64°
February: 78° / 63°
March: 78° / 64°
October: 84° / 69°
November: 81° / 68°
December: 79° / 66°
Things to do:
Every year the city of Honolulu hosts a City Lights event in celebration of Christmas. This is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting the city and county of Honolulu through fundraising and coordination while maintaining the continuity of the annual free month-long December celebration. This event has been taking place for years and is loved and celebrated by Hawaii residents as well as visitors every year.
Christmas at the Polynesia Cultural Center is a fun filled experience for you and your family! They have live music, entertainment, selfies with Santa, a tour of his workshop, and more! Did we mention these activities are FREE?
Have you ever wanted to see a Hawaiian Christmas tree? When visiting Hawaii around the holiday you can! Helemano Farms is a family business that grows and sells Christmas trees on the lovely island of Oahu. The most popular and unique tree that is grown on this farm is the Norfolk Pine Christmas tree. These trees can reach over 200 feet tall! The trees from Helemano Farms are safe for the local environment in Hawaii as imported trees have brought harmful invasive species to Hawaii.
While the warm waters of Hawaii attract out of state visitors, they also attract migrating whales. Humpback whales can be spotted throughout the year but between January and March, they can be spotted in shallow waters during their annual migration. The best spot to see these whales are from the Makapuu Lighthouse on the island of O’ahu.
Where to Stay?
When visiting the Island of O’ahu Sundance Vacations offers a location directly in Honolulu called The Modern. The Modern stands at the center between the world-renowned Hawaiian experience of Waikiki Beach, the blossoming Kakaako arts district, and Honolulu downtown cosmopolitan scene. The closest beach to this location is the Kahanamoku Beach which is just ½ a mile away! This location is also less than 2 miles away from other fun activities and sights such as the International Market Place and the Honolulu Zoo!
Island of Maui
Average temperatures during the winter months:
Month: High / Low (°F)
January: 71° / 55°
February: 70° / 55°
March: 71° / 55°
October: 77° / 60°
November: 74° / 58°
December: 72° / 56°
Things to do:
When visiting Maui this December, the Annual Lahaina Banyan Tree Lighting is something that you must see! Lahaina lights up for the holiday season with thousands of colorful lights on the Lahaina Banyan Tree throughout the entire month of December. This free event as well as several others in the area are coordinated by Lahaina Restoration Foundation with support for the Lahaina Ice Company and the county of Maui.
When visiting Hawaii in the winter, you and your family can have the opportunity to take photos with a snowman. You read it right, a snowman in Hawaii! This snowman is 6 feet tall and will be located at Campbell Park in Lahaina. This is a great photo op for you and your family. Make sure to catch him before he disappears!
If you’re visiting Maui to ring in the new year, we definitely recommend watching the Annual Fireworks show in Wailea. The Grand Wailea Resort puts on an amazing show every year. This show is not highly advertised as there is limited parking nearby, luckily for you Sundance Vacations offers the Maui Schooner Resort which is just 6.8 miles away from where the fireworks are, so getting a form of public transportation or even a pickup/drop off service such as Uber or Lyft would be a great option!
Where to Stay?
When visiting the Island of Maui, Sundance Vacations offers two destinations: our Maui Schooner Resort and our Ka’anapali Beach Club. Our Maui Schooner Resort offers both 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom accommodations and is located just 6.8 miles away from the nearest beach! The Ka’anapali Beach Club offers 1 bedroom accommodations and is less than a mile away from Ka’anapali Beach!
Island of Hawai’i
Average temperatures during the winter months:
Month: High / Low(°F)
January: 81° / 66°
February: 81° / 66°
March: 82° / 68°
October: 86° / 72°
November: 84° / 70°
December: 82° / 67°
Things to do:
Mauna Kea Star Gazing is located on the Mauna Kea Mountain, and it is Hawaii’s tallest mountain. It located on the Big Island of Hawaii, and it is the perfect place to go star gazing during the winter. If you are lucky, you may even see some snow on the mountain’s peak!
Have you ever wanted to go ziplining over a beautiful waterfall in Hawaii? Today is your lucky day! Hawaii Zipline Tours offers a 7-line tour that provide you with the opportunity to look over some amazing view. You’ll see things such as beautiful waterfalls, and if you’re lucky you may even spot some wild pigs!
The winter months are the best time to go whale watching in Hawaii. Body Glove Hawaii offers an amazing experience for you and your family. With this location being only 1.1 miles away from a Sundance Vacations property makes this activity easy to access!
Where to Stay?
When travelling to the Big Island of Hawaii, Sundance Vacations offers an amazing property located directly on the coast! Kona Reef offers 1 bedroom accommodations, and the closest beach is Honl’s Beach which is only 413 feet from the property!
Island of Kauai
Average temperatures during the winter months:
Month: High / Low (°F)
January: 72° / 54°
February: 72° / 54°
March: 72° / 56°
October: 76° / 60°
November: 74° / 58°
December: 72° / 55°
Things to do:
One of the best things to do while in Kauai during the winter is go snorkeling at the beach. Kauai’s north shore may display dangerous waters during the winter, but the south side beaches are a lot calmer during the winter months. The must-visit south shore beach is the Poipu Beach, it is most famous for its gentle flowing water. (Not to mention, it is within walking distance to Sundance Vacations’ property!)
Surfing is one of Kauai’s most popular activities during the winter. If you love to surf, take part in the fun while in Hawaii! However, we understand that not everyone knows how to surf but sitting back on the beach and relaxing while brave surfers ride the large waves is just as fun!
Looking to learn about the history of the Kauai Island? There are plenty of museums nearby where you can do just that, such as the Kauai Museum, the Grove Farm Homestead and Sugar Plantation Museum, and the Kokee Natural History Museum.
Where to Stay?
When visiting the Island of Kauai Sundance vacations offers two locations directly on the South side of the Island. The Point at Poipu is in Koloa, Hawaii and offers 2 bedroom accommodations. The two closest beaches to this property are within walking distance! The other property that is offered here is also in Koloa, Hawaii and is called the Lawai Beach Resort. This location offers 1 bedroom accommodations, and the closest beach is the Lawa’i Beach which is located directly on site! Several other beaches are in the area as well.
While throughout this blog we have gone over some awesome activities you can take part in on your next winter getaway to Hawaii, we have found an article from Makana Charters and Tours that out lines what you should be aware of when travelling to Hawaii during the winter months:
- Avoid the beautiful, yet dangerous places like the Queen’s Bath as there have been many unfortunate drownings in such places.
- If you’re on the beach, avoid walking on wet rocks as they are slippery. Do not have your back against the waves unless you want to get dragged into the ocean.
- While snorkeling, it’s always better to have a buddy by your side.
- Always swim/snorkel in areas within the visibility of the lifeguards.
- In any case, do check the surf report and surrounding conditions before plunging into the water. If you find the waves harsh and scary, it’s safe to stay out of the water.
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