Jellyfishes in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see jellyfishes in Hawaii. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 22 of the 215 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Peak month for jellyfishes in Hawaii
10.2%
of yearly sightings
22
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
215
verified records a year
November 8.8%, December 10.2%, January 14%. Busiest month is January at 14%.
215 verified observations of jellyfishes in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When jellyfishes are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
January
30 records (14% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 30 | 14% |
| February | 17 | 7.9% |
| March | 20 | 9.3% |
| April | 20 | 9.3% |
| May | 11 | 5.1% |
| June | 11 | 5.1% |
| Julypeak | 23 | 10.7% |
| August | 14 | 6.5% |
| September | 19 | 8.8% |
| October | 9 | 4.2% |
| November | 19 | 8.8% |
| Decemberpeak | 22 | 10.2% |
Jellyfishes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly | 90 |
| Aurelia malayensis | 11 |
| Cauliflower Jelly | 5 |
| Asian moon jellyfish | 5 |
| Pelagic Purple Jelly | 5 |
| Golden Jellies | 3 |
| Anomalorhiza shawi | 3 |
| South Pacific Mauve Stinger | 2 |
In Hawaii, December carries 10.2% of the year's jellyfishes sightings, about 1.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (8.8%) into December, and it heads toward January (14%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The jellyfishes most often recorded in Hawaii are Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly, Aurelia malayensis and Cauliflower Jelly. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which jellyfishes you are most likely to see
- Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly90 records
- Aurelia malayensis11 records
- Cauliflower Jelly5 records
- Asian moon jellyfish5 records
- Pelagic Purple Jelly5 records
- Golden Jellies3 records
Plan your jellyfish trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main jellyfish viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best jellyfish viewing area in Hawaii.
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Broader backupBook a jellyfish tour in Hawaii
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see jellyfishes in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 22 of the 215 verified jellyfishes sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see jellyfishes in Hawaii?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, July and December.
What month is best for jellyfishes in Hawaii?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, July and December, based on 215 verified observations.
Which jellyfishes are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly, Aurelia malayensis and Cauliflower Jelly, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See jellyfishes in Hawaii in other months
More places to see jellyfishes
More wildlife in Hawaii