Are you dreaming of a white (sands) Christmas? Yeah. Spending the festive season on the Big Island is pretty special.
If you’re ready to ditch the snowman for a sandcastle, check out my tips on how to enjoy the holidays in Hawaii.
Last-Minute Shopping
There’s no way around it. Mid-December marks the beginning of Hawaii’s peak tourism season.
Hopefully, you’ve already booked your accommodation, airfare, and rental car. I would also recommend booking dinner reservations as soon as possible – especially for holiday dinners. Same goes for adventure or sightseeing tours.
Save your last-minute rushing for stocking stuffers. The more planning you do in advance, the more you can relax when you’re actually here!
Baby It’s (Not That) Cold Outside
If you’re traveling to Hawaii from the Mainland, chances are you’re looking to escape dreary December temperatures. But before you show up to Chicago O'Hare in flip flops, pack wisely.
Here’s the good news: temperatures tend to stay very pleasant in the 70s to low 80s. In other words, temps that give you the perfect excuse to leave that ugly sweater behind.
The bad news? December tends to be Hawaii’s rainiest month. Remember to pack a rain jacket and have a rainy day activity plan.
For the best weather, stay in Kona – the leeward side of the Big Island. This position will be less windy and less wet than other parts of the island.
The average ocean temperature off the coast of Kona this time of year is in the upper 70s – not too hot for watersports, not too chilly for a leisurely dip.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Forget the office Christmas party. When you’re in Hawaii, you have much better things to do. Here are my top three picks for the month of December:
1. Watch some whales! Mid-December marks the beginning of whale watching season. Humpback whales have swum 3000+ miles from Alaska just to enjoy our balmy waters. (So what’s your excuse for not grabbing that 6-hour flight from LAX?)
You can sometimes spot whales from the shore. I’d recommend trying your luck at the
North Kona and Kohala coasts. But for a truly unforgettable experience, book a tour to
see them by sea.
2. Attend a Christmas Parade! On December 10th, enjoy the 36th annual Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade. This festive community event promises the songs of Christmas, island style.
After the parade ends, you can finish up your holiday shopping in Downtown Kona. Or,
put it off a little bit longer and grab some food and drinks at Kona’s best restaurants.
3. Tour a new property! What do you get someone who has everything? A new home in the tropics, of course! But seriously. It’s not too late to purchase the perfect holiday getaway.
When you own a house in Hawaii, there’s literally no reason it can’t be Christmas everyday.
New Year, New House?
The holidays are an incredibly busy time of year. So I won’t take it personally if you don’t find time to tour the Big Island’s newest luxury properties. But if your New Year’s Resolution is becoming a Hawaiian homeowner, give me a call. I’ll help you find a gift that keeps on giving.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.