Best Time To Visit Hawaii
Hawaii’s year round warm weather makes it a good choice any time of year, but depending on what kind of traveler you are, certain months are better than others.
Overall, the best time to visit Hawaii is sometime better April and September when there is the least amount of rain and the weather is warm.
Here’s a great guide on the best times to visit Hawaii in each month and why:
Best Time To Visit Hawaii
Best Time to Visit Hawaii for Great Weather
According to historical weather charts, the least amount of rainfall in Hawaii happens between April and September, although hurricane season lasts from June through November.
The rest of the year is wetter and slightly cooler, particularly at higher altitudes. The western coasts are a bit drier than the east coast.
Hawaii is a tropical island, so sudden storms are a reality of life there, even during the dry season. The great thing about Hawaii is that even when it’s raining, there’s plenty to do!
Overall, Hawaii is a decent destination at any time of year, with nice temperatures ranging from 22°F to 85°F.
Cheapest Time to Visit Hawaii
Like most popular tourist destinations, Hawaii has its peak, slow, and shoulder seasons. To get the best deals you’ll want to come during the slow and shoulder seasons, which are usually in the months of September through November.
There are always deals for Hawaii though, so you’ll want to have some saved searches on travel and airline sites to alert you of price drops.
Something to watch out for is Golden Week, which is a major Japanese holiday from the last week of April through the first week of May. Since Hawaii is very popular with Japanese tourists, they swarm Hawaii those two weeks, spiking prices upwards.
Best Times For Surfing in Hawaii
Visitors and locals alike can surf on Hawaii's popular waves all year round, but there are a few things to bear in mind if you intend on catching some waves.
During the winter months, the waves are typically bigger, particularly on the islands' north-facing shores, making conditions unsuitable for beginner surfers.
However, winter is the perfect time to visit if you want to watch the pros ride some huge waves.
Best Times to Go Whale Watching
Whale watching is a magical experience and something many people travel to Hawaii for.
From December through May you’ll find humpback whales off the islands’ coasts with January through March considered to be peak whale watching season.
For those looking for a thrill, shark cage diving is an unforgettable experience!
If you’re looking for lower prices, fewer people, and good weather (basically shoulder season) - May or September will be your target months.
In fact - you can visit a great Whale Sanctuary in Kihei, Maui. It’s just one of the many things to do in Kihei, Maui.
Hawaii Main Travel Seasons
High Season (December – March) :
July is typically the busiest month but December isn’t far behind. You’ll want to pay special attention to Golden Week in Japan (last week of April and first week of May) when many Japanese tourist flock to Hawaii.
The Christmas and New Year holidays are especially busy as well. Flights, hotels, and rental cars usually jump in price and at times some hotels require longer minimum stays and have stricter cancellation policies around the holidays.
Make sure to plan well ahead during high season as rental cars and hotel rooms tend to sell out.
Low Season (April through early June, September through mid-December) :
Hawaii’s low season occurs during Spring and Fall, from April to early June (except the last week in April and first week of May) and September to mid-December (except for Thanksgiving week).
Flights, hotels, and car rentals are all cheaper while beaches and attractions are less crowded.
Summer (June through August) :
In Hawaii, the family travel season runs from the middle of June to the end of August. Prices are usually lower than during the winter months, but beaches and attractions may be busier. There are fewer deals available during the summer, particularly in August, and those that are available are usually last-minute.
There are also a number of annual events to remember. The PGA Tour in January, the Aloha Festivals in August and September, and the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival in October are all notable yearly events, despite the fact that many of them were canceled this year due to the pandemic.