Things to Do in Funafuti in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Funafuti
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
88°F (31°C)
High Temp
78°F (25°C)
Low Temp
13.1 inches (333 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden 20-minute cloudbursts can flood the only paved road ankle-deep - wear sandals that grip
⚠ Runway coral rubble from northwest swell can close the airport with half-day delays - build a buffer into onward flights
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Trade winds pick up in December, cooling the lagoon and making afternoon snorkeling sessions feel almost refreshing
- + Christmas week brings the only reliably scheduled cultural dance performances of the year at Fetu Ao Lima Church, open to visitors
- + Mackerel and tuna runs peak mid-month - you'll see locals stringing 1 m (3.3 ft) wahoo from outrigger canoes at dawn
- + Accommodation rates hover in shoulder-season territory. The guesthouse owners still answer their phonesers personally
Considerations
- − Northwest swell wraps around the atoll and can dump coral rubble on the airport runway, grounding flights for half-days at a time
- − Afternoon convection cells mean sudden 20-minute deluges that turn the single paved road into a mirror of warm ankle-deep water
- − Mosquito numbers spike right after those showers - dusk anywhere near Tausoa Beach means repellent or dinner for the insects
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Lag-edge snorkeling from the airstrip causeway
December's clearer flood-tide water pushes reef fish right against the runway seawall. You'll drift over purple Acropora while Twin Otters land 50 m (164 ft) away. Mid-morning slack tides give 2 hours of slack-current, bathtub-warm water before the trades chop the surface.
Booking Tip: No operators needed - walk the causeway 30 minutes either side of high tide. Bring reef booties for the coral rubble entry. For boat access to outer sites, see current licensed operators in the booking widget below.
Island-hopping day trips to Motuloa islets
The government ferry runs twice weekly when swell stays under 1 m (3.3 ft), which happens most December mornings. You'll beach-walk entire uninhabited motus, find red-footed booby nests in beach-heliotrope, and eat sashimi the crew pulls in on handlines during the 45-minute crossing.
Booking Tip: Secure a spot at the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel reception desk 48 hours ahead. Space is first-come, limited to 12 passengers and one cooler of ice. Licensed skiffs also available - check the booking section for current listings.
Hand-line fishing at dusk off Teone Wharf
December dusks calm the lagoon to sheet metal. Reef squid rise and trevally hunt in the floodlights. Locals share bait squid chopped from empty plastic Coke bottles and will show you the wrist-flick that keeps hooks off the coral heads.
Booking Tip: No licence needed for visitors. But bring 40 lb (18 kg) handline and size 4/0 hooks from the Taiwanese store by the post office. Sunset bite peaks 18:00-19:00; watch for sudden rain squalls that slick the concrete wharf.
Community weaving workshop at Fetu Ao Lima hall
December evenings, women gather to braid palm fronds into Christmas decorations. Visitors are quietly handed a half-finished pandanus mat and expected to mimic the twist. Laughter when you tangle is genuine, never mocking.
Booking Tip: Drop-ins welcome 19:00-21:00 Monday-Thursday; bring a small bag of loose tobacco or fabric off-cuts as informal thanks. No bookings needed, donations to the church fund are appreciated.
Outer reef scuba drift dives
Incoming December tides flush clear ocean water through the passes, pushing viz past 30 m (98 ft). Grey reef sharks patrol the drop-off at 25 m (82 ft) while spinner dolphins occasionally shadow the dive skiff.
Booking Tip: Only two operators run tank fills. Book 10 days ahead for Christmas week when visiting Kiwi divemasters reserve space. Check current providers and availability in the booking widget below.
Where to Stay in Funafuti in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late December
Fetu Ao Lima Church Christmas Choir Night
Harmonies in Tuvaluan and Samoan echo under the open rafters from 20:00 until the breeze drops. Visitors sit on woven mats, asked only to remove shoes and keep phones dark.
Mid December
National Canoe Race Day
All eight islands enter carved outriggers for 4 km (2.5 mile) lagoon laps. Spectators wade chest-deep near the finish off Vaiaku Lagi to cheer and pass around green coconuts.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Funafuti Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Power cuts hit 2-3 evenings per week. Download offline maps and bring a battery pack if you rely on a phone for photos.
The Taiwanese grocery restocks on Thursday mornings - arrive before 09:00 for fresh lettuce and apples that disappear by noon.
Locals take 'island time' seriously; if the ferry captain says 'maybe half past,' plan for an hour later and enjoy the wait.
Friday evening volleyball at the airstrip is the social equaliser - join a team even if you've never played. Shirts vs. skins tradition is honoured.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking onward flights too tight - swell or runway debris can delay departures by a full day with no alternative transport
Assuming guesthouses supply towels. Most don't, and the salty air means yours won't dry overnight without a fan
Walking the lagoon flats at low tide barefoot - stonefish bury in the silt and antivenom is 1,000 km (620 miles) away in Fiji
Relying on card payments. The single terminal is often offline, and island ferries accept only coins and small notes
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