Monarch Butterflies in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see monarch butterflies in Hawaii. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 238 of the 1,837 sightings logged across the year (13%), 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 monarch butterflies in Hawaii
13%
of yearly sightings
238
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
1,837
verified records a year
November 6.4%, December 13%, January 20.4%. Busiest month is January at 20.4%.
1,837 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
January
375 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 375 | 20.4% |
| Februarypeak | 243 | 13.2% |
| March | 215 | 11.7% |
| April | 160 | 8.7% |
| May | 151 | 8.2% |
| June | 106 | 5.8% |
| July | 60 | 3.3% |
| August | 63 | 3.4% |
| September | 48 | 2.6% |
| October | 61 | 3.3% |
| November | 117 | 6.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 238 | 13% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 1,837 |
In Hawaii, December carries 13% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 4.7 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 (6.4%) into December, and it heads toward January (20.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Hawaii are Monarch. 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 monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch1,837 records
Plan your monarch butterfly 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.
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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 monarch butterfly viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see monarch butterflies in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 238 of the 1,837 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 13% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see monarch butterflies in Hawaii?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, February and December.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Hawaii?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, February and December, based on 1,837 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii