As the saying goes, there’s never a bad time to go to Hawaii. Now let’s get down to business: when is the best time to go to Hawaii? Warm weather and sunny beaches make the Hawaiian Islands beautiful all year long. This makes the state one of the most popular vacation spots for Americans and many people from other countries. Not all months have rain, though, and it changes from island to island. Throughout the year, the number of people on the islands also changes.
Take Hawaii in November: it’s likely to have the fewest tourists of any month, but it’s also one of the rainiest. Planning to go in June? Averages from the past show that it won’t rain much, but there will be more people around because families are taking their kids on trips now that school is out.
Climate Guide for Hawaii
There are lava deserts, tropical forests, snow-capped mountains, cliffs that drop straight into the ocean, and many other types of scenery on the Hawaiian Islands.
In other words, the weather on one island could be very different on the same day. Change islands? There are times when the weather is very different. Not often does it get below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit? Hawaii has rain every month, but the winter months tend to have more rain, with the most in December. In general, Hawaii’s hurricane season lasts from June to November.
Keep in mind that the weather and temperature on each island will be a little different. This is what you can usually expect during the different seasons if you want to find Hawaii’s best weather.
Visiting Hawaii During the Spring
In the spring, the weather could be great. Hawaii’s average high temperature from March to May is in the low to mid-eighties. Most nights, it’s around 70 degrees. In March, it rains an average of 3 1/2 inches, which is the most in the spring. By May, it only rains an average of 1 1/2 inches.
The months of April and May, after spring break, are great times to visit Hawaii because there are fewer people there and prices at hotels and resorts are lower. Plus, the weather is great.
Going to Hawaii During the Summer
These are Hawaii’s hottest and driest months. High temperatures in Hawaii rise a bit from June to August, reaching the high 80s and low 90s. Most nights, it’s between 72 and 75 degrees. It rains the least in the summer, an average of only 1 3/4 inches per month.
Hawaii has its second busiest tourist season in the summer. This is because more families travel during this time. After all, the kids are on summer break.
Trip to Hawaii during the Fall
In the past, high temperatures in September through November have been in the low 90s to high 80s. The lowest temperatures are usually in the low 70s. In November, the normal amount of rain is between 2 1/2 inches and just under 5 inches. Hawaiians get the most rain in November, followed by December.
So, if you want to avoid the crowds and save money on hotels, November is one of the best times to visit the islands. Remember to bring a jacket.
Trip to Hawaii During a Winter
From December to February, the temperature is between 80 and 85 degrees centigrade. The lowest temperatures are usually in the mid-60s. Winter is when it rains the most, with about 3.5 inches of rain falling each month.
Also, Hawaii’s busiest travel time is from mid-December to March. You can still get away from the winter in Hawaii at this time, but hotels and resorts will charge more and there will be more people there.
What is Hawaii’s best month to visit?
Hawaii trip in January
People like to visit Hawaii in January more than any other month. Plan if you want to go in January because camps and hotels will be full. January is a busy month for tourists, and every year the PGA holds tournaments on several islands in January.
The average high temperature in January is 81 degrees, and the average low temperature is 64 degrees. It rains three inches during the month.
Hawaii trip in February
People also like to go to Hawaii in February. The average high temperature is 81 degrees, and the average low temperature is 66 degrees. It rains 3 1/2 inches during the month.
February is one of Hawaii’s rainier months. Also, a lot of people go there to get away from the cold and rainy weather on the island.
March trip to Hawaii
Everywhere will be busy in March because of spring break, and Hawaii is no different. The average high temperature in March is 82 degrees, and the average low temperature is 68 degrees. It rains 3 1/2 inches during the month.
People tend to come out in larger numbers during a few events in March, such as the yearly Honolulu Festival and the Kona Brewers Festival.
Hawaii trip in April
April is the beginning of the slow season for tourists, except for the long Easter weekend. In general, it gets 84 degrees high and 70 degrees low. The normal amount of rain that falls in April is only 2 inches, so now is a great time to plan your trip to Hawaii.
Hawaii trip in May
After May, Hawaii’s dry season begins. Only 1 1/2 inches of rainfall on average over the month. It’s also nice outside; the high is usually 86 degrees and the low is usually 70 degrees.
Hawaii’s hotel and resort prices should be cheaper in May because it is one of the less busy months for tourists.
Trip to Hawaii in June
From June on, Hawaii gets hotter. Most June days are 88 degrees, and most June nights are 72 degrees. Over the month, it rains less than 1 3/4 inches on average. The other side is that in June, tourists start coming back in droves, mostly families on summer break.
In June, numerous events and gatherings happen on all the islands. The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival in Maui and the King Kamehameha Celebration, which is held on all the islands, are two of the most important events.
On June 11, King Kamehameha Day was made to honor Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became the first King of Hawaii. There is traditional Hawaiian dance, music, chant, practices, arts and crafts, and “ono” (delicious) food at the Kamehameha events.
Hawaii trip in July
By July, it’s raining again in Hawaii. Most days in July are 88 degrees, and most nights are 73 degrees. Over 2 1/4 inches of rain falls on average over the month.
With help from the Moanalua Gardens Foundation, the Prince Lot Hula Competition happens every year on the island of Ohahu on the third weekend of July. Keeping Hawaii’s natural and cultural treasures safe has been the goal of the Moanalua Gardens Foundation since 1970.
Hawaii trip in August
Want to feel the heat? Hawaii most often has the hottest weather in August. Most of the time, it’s 90 degrees outside and 75 degrees inside. Just above 1 1/4 inches of rainfall on average over the month.
People aren’t as busy in August as they are in June and July, but it’s still busy. Just make sure you don’t mind the heat! It might be a good time to plan a summer trip.
Hawaii trip in September
Once the kids go back to school in September, Hawaii tourism slows down for a few months. Hawaii has an average high temperature of 90 degrees in September and an average low temperature of 73 degrees. In September, the state gets an average of 2 1/2 inches of rain, which is much less than the rainier months that are coming up in the fall.
Hawaii trip in October
In Hawaii, October is a busy month. On their different islands, the Hawaii International Film Festival, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, the Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival, and the Eo E Emalani I Alakai Festival all happen.
The Hawaiian Islands get an average high of 88 degrees in October and an average low of 73 degrees. But it also starts to rain more on the islands. On average, it rains about 3 1/4 inches in October.
Hawaii trip in November
As always, Hawaii has nice weather if you want to go to the Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on the Big Island. Hawaii does get rain, though, in November.
Hawaii gets almost 5 inches of rain every November, making it one of the wettest months on the island. November’s average high temperature is 84 degrees and its average low temperature is 72 degrees.
Hawaii trip in December
The average high temperature in December is 82 degrees, and the average low temperature is 66 degrees. This makes it a great month for running the Honolulu Marathon, which happens every year in December.
Also, it can rain a lot in December—about 3 1/2 inches on average—though some years the islands will get a lot more rain in December.
When to Visit Hawaii to See Whales
Hawaii’s whale watching season runs from November to May. When this happens, Pacific humpback whales come back to the warm seas near the Islands to mate, give birth, and nurse their young.
Best Times to Go Whale Watching in Hawaii
Almost every island in Hawaii is a good place to watch whales, but Maui is the best. One great place to see whales is in the Auau Channel, which is between Maui, Molokai, and Lani. In the town of Lahaina on the western coast of Maui, there are a lot of whale-watching tour companies. Also, Lahaina has great shops and restaurants right on the ocean.
Going surfing in Hawaii
Hawaii is where surfing got its start, and it’s still very popular there.
Any island lets you learn how to surf or watch the pros do it.
Time of Day or Night to Surf in Hawaii
Hawaiians can surf all year long. But there are some times of the year and places that are better than others if you want to test your skills against the biggest waves. These are the biggest and strongest waves on Oahu from November to February.
Not great at surfing? Learn from this! Most islands have surfing classes for small groups or one-on-one. Use Airbnb Experiences to find a local teacher.
Every year, from November to February, the big wave season takes place. Anyone can watch surfers on any island, but Oahu is where the big events take place. The North Shore of Oahu is the best place to see professionals compete in famous surf events.
When can you go to Hawaii for the least amount of money?
Hawaii’s low season is from mid-April to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-December. This means that you can find deals. Cheaper trips and hotels and resorts are common. This is also a good time to find cheap flights to Hawaii because fewer people are going there.
Finding and booking cheap flights is possible at any time, but the fall is usually when you can find the cheapest trips to Hawaii.