SeasonMapHilton Head Island weather in December
United States
December in Hilton Head Island: nice, rainy, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#12 of 12 months in Hilton Head Island · #969 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 59/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Hilton Head Island in December
Other months in Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head's forum calls late May the sweet spot — warm enough for the beach and pool, genuinely rare to get as hot as July or August, roughly one day in four or five bringing rain, usually late afternoon or evening. Regulars note the ocean is swimmable but not warm, and that May stays noticeably quieter than the June-through-August rush since most schools are still in session.
Add your own note from Hilton Head Island's card on the map.
Hilton Head Island climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 17°C / 63°F | 😎 nice |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 9°C / 49°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 16°C / 61°F | |
| Sea temperature | 14°C / 57°F | 🥶 cold sea |
| Rainfall | 108 mm / 4.2 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 8 days | |
| Humidity | 77% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 9°C / 48°F | |
| Sunshine | 6.8 h/day | |
| Daylight | 10.1 h | |
| Wind | 21 km/h / 13 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 32 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Hilton Head Island in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyWinter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Hilton Head Island's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherHilton Head Island's best weather comes in April, May and October — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Hilton Head Island — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Hilton Head Island?
Hilton Head Island in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Hilton Head Island?
- December in Hilton Head Island: nice, rainy, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Hilton Head Island on SeasonMap's comfort score (59/100).
- What is the weather like in Hilton Head Island in December?
- In December, Hilton Head Island averages a daily high of 17°C and a low of 9.2°C, with about 107.5 mm of rain over roughly 7.8 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Hilton Head Island in December?
- Hilton Head Island has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 32 in December.
Other months in Hilton Head Island
Compare Hilton Head Island in December
Warmer or cooler than Hilton Head Island in December
Similar destinations in North America — December
Within 300 km: Savannah's Holiday season on the squares on 25 Nov – 31 Dec, and St. Augustine's Nights of Lights around 21 Nov – 31 Jan.