Gulf Islands National Seashore in December
December at Gulf Islands National Seashore averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 45°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 45°F
- Average high
- 64°F
Range across the year: 42°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- 10.1 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 339,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 64/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 54°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% of annual visitors, choosing December instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 10.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 7,576,923 recreation visits, down 2.9% from 7,801,176 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 54.2%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 70°F / 49°F | 0.7× Quiet | 71 Good |
| December | 64°F / 45°F | 0.7× Quiet | 64 Good |
| January | 61°F / 42°F | 0.6× Quiet | 64 Good |
All twelve months at Gulf Islands, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Gulf Islands in December
The National Park Service tags 10 Gulf Islands activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Go Waterfowl Hunting · 1-4 hours
- Fishing at Gulf Islands · 1-6 hours
- Florida National Scenic Trail · 2-5 days
- Get Your Passport Stamped at Gulf Islands · 5-15 minutes
- Go for a Hike at Gulf Islands · 30-120 minutes
- Ride your Bike at Gulf Islands · 30-180 minutes
- View the Night Sky at Gulf Islands · 30-90 minutes
- Visit the Gulf Islands Park Store · 5-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 45°F at Gulf Islands National Seashore, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Gulf Islands National Seashore (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 64/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 339,000 recreation visits at Gulf Islands National Seashore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Gulf Islands in December
Booking a December trip to Gulf Islands National Seashore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gulf Islands
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Gulf Islands in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Gulf Islands by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.