I have been trying forever to use some NWA (northworst) miles to the Caribbean for a fall vacation, and nothing is available!
So, we decided to do a trip we've talked about for a few years: Go to the North Shore of Oahu during the Van's triple crown of surfing and watch the dude's ride the big waves! We want to split the time and watch the women surf in Maui. I found airline FF seats available for Dec. 12-22 and booked it.

Now, I have been wondering if I just booked a rainy vacation?? The Weather channel says that December is the wettest month for Oahu! Geez.

I was thinking of a Priceline stay in Maui at the Hyatt/Westin or Sheraton, and not sure about Honolulu yet.

Has anyone else traveled to the islands during this time that can tell me if we will be washed out? I hate to waste the miles and money to be stuck inside...

I might be able to put the trip on "hold" without redepositing the miles.

My husband wanted to sun on a beach and have rum and cokes after watching the surfing...since he earned the miles I want him to enjoy the trip!!

thanks

It does rain more in the winter in Hawaii on all islands.

But, the resort/hotel areas are fairly dry, so no need to worry about some rain.

When it does rain, it is mostly mountains and windward sides of the islands.

You make it sound like rain is a bad thing!! shame on you! Rain renews the environment, makes things anew again, washes away.

Theres nothing like the sweet smell of tropical breeze right after a rainstorm. I live in Seattle, it rains all the time up here, we love it! Snow and ice arent bad things either.

It would be a pretty boring place to me if every place was just nice and sunny all the time. I could become a snowbird and live in fear of inclement weather and escape til the end of my days, but I just prefer to be happy with whatever weather comes my way, less to worry about in life.

ok, seattlescuba, I like rain TOO,
but we are going on a beach vacation.

We aren't the hiking in the rainforest
types...It's MY vacation and if I prefer to spend my days in the sun, that's my preference. It is after all my time off from work and my hard earned $$ for hotel and food. I don't think you trying to make me feel guilty about wanting to enjoy sunny Maui is very productive or positive.

Don't SHAME me for wanting to enjoy
my vacation.

I would say shame on you, but I hate
finger pointing and wrist slapping on
this board. It's suppose to be fun.

I'd rather chance a little rain in Hawaii than a fall hurricane in the Caribbean.

If seeing the Vans Triple Crown is a big deal for you, then go for it! If it's rainy you could always drive to another area of the island for sun & fun.

I've been on the north shore of Oahu in March for the last 2 years and have been fortunate to have lots of sun and get to see some great surfing. Two years ago it was the Hansen's Energy Pro and last year I watched the first ever women's Pipeline contest which was totally cool. Your chances for sunny weather may be better later in the season, and there is usually still some swell, hence big waves and spectacular surfing. At pipeline I found that watching the local guys after the contest was just as if not more entertaining. Picture the sun setting over a glistening sea....a huge pack of sun tanned sillouttes bobbing up and down, as the bombs roll in. sigh..it's that golden, magic time of day and I can't wait to be there again in a few weeks!

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Yes, December can be a very rainy time on Oahu as it was during the three years I lived there. We just came back from two weeks late December-early January on Oahu and the BI. It rained exactly once and that was only at night.

Sometimes on the windward side of Oahu it will start raining while the sun is still shining.

Bottom line: you will have a great time and your biggest worry will be where to park on the North Shore during the surfing events..go EARLY!

I'm a bit baffled by your response, Seattle. You think it's fine to go on an outdoor or beach vacation and have it rain every day?

Of course I understand that it has to rain sometime and that Seattle and the PNW are so wonderfully green b/c of all the rain. But why would you fault someone for wanting nice weather on their hard-earned, expensive vacation?

With a name like "Seattlescuba" I suspect this person has convinced themselves that rainy and water are good for everyone.

my point was best resounded by kingfisherqueen. things can be worse.

thanks for the backup regarding the rain...we went to Jamaica once for 6 days and it rained for 3.5 days. It was the pits. There was nothing to do at the resort.

In Hawaii, we will have more to do if it rains. Someone here on Fodors post about recently watched the Van's triple surfing. I hope she responds. I will have to dig up that post.

In Maui, we would have better chances of sun at the south resorts. I might look into those!

Thanks for the responses. I am excited!

As a Honolulu resident, I actually think February is the rainiest month of the year. This past winter has been rather wet, but this is after several years of really dry winters.

There's not much you can do to predict the weather, but it is unusual for us to have several days in a row of heavy rain. If it is raining on one part of the island, you can often drive as little as 30 minutes away and find sunshine there.

Thanks for the weather input chepar.
We just need to be flexible.