Best Time to Visit Hawaii: Weather, Crowds, and Travel Tips Explained

To begin with, as far as we’re concerned anytime is the best time to visit Hawaii. It’s one of our favorite destinations in the world. The weather is always warm, the people are always incredibly friendly, and the landscape is always spectacularly scenic. With four primary islands that are each so different from one another, you can return over and over again and feel as if you’re discovering a new destination each time.

But is there a best time to visit Hawaii? When is the best weather? When are the best prices? When is it least crowded? The best time is clearly subjective but let us provide you with some expert information to make an educated decision about when is the best time for YOU to travel to this Pacific paradise.

What Should I Know Before Booking My Trip?

Yes, Hawaii is a chain of tropical islands in the central Pacific Ocean where you may think there’s perfect weather year-round. However, like all destinations, there are certain times of the year that are considered better than others to visit. Hawaii can also get crowded like anywhere else, and that translates into higher hotel and rental car prices, as well as difficulty landing that ‘must-have’ restaurant reservation at the most popular dining spots.

Receiving a heartfelt welcome from the locals is a given, and the year-round beauty of the islands is unmatched, but the time of year you decide to visit still does make a difference. Here’s why.

Avoiding the Peak Season Has Some Benefits

Hawaii’s best weather and busiest time of year unfortunately don’t coincide. The best weather is most likely to be in April, May, June, September, and the first half of October. But the busiest months in terms of visitor arrivals are, predictably, when kids are out of school and families can vacation together, and during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Don’t forget that Hawaii is a melting pot with flights not only coming from the U.S. and Canada, but also from multiple Asian and European countries. This makes late December through March, the 2nd half of June, all of July, and the first half of August, the preferred travel times for the largest number of visitors.

It’s important to know that Hawaii’s rainy season, when mountain showers are more prevalent, runs from mid-October through March. Of course, with climate change wreaking havoc around the world, the rainy season is less predictable than it used to be. The rainiest month is always December, though January has been known to be wet, too. Don’t expect day-long washouts, but instead spotty showers followed by rainbows on the windward side of mountain ranges.

Travelers who are able to plan their Hawaii vacation during what is commonly known as “shoulder season” will benefit from better airfare and hotel prices, reduced auto traffic on the neighbor islands (Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island), and a better chance of securing the golf tee times and restaurant reservations that you desire. If your Oahu hotel is in or close to Waikiki, you won’t need a rental car during your stay unless you decide to rent one to explore other areas of the island, such as the North Shore.

When are Hawaii’s Hotel Prices the Lowest?

If price is paramount, meaning that you may not be able to afford a trip to Hawaii unless the price is right, the first half of December is when prices will be at their lowest. Every year, the time period between Thanksgiving and when schools close for the Christmas/New Years break (around December 20 in 2024) is known as the slowest time of the year for most destinations, and Hawaii is no exception.

You will also find extremely attractive offers during the first two weeks of November when few vacationers make vacation plans, with their focus primarily on family visits during Thanksgiving week.

With Little Temperature Fluctuation, Expect Warm & Comfortable Days and Evenings

Hawaii’s temperatures do not fluctuate much during the year and there is no time that is considered to be cold, or even cool for that matter.

Using Oahu as a prime example, the warmest weather with highs in the mid to upper 80s will be found in June through October. The average range during these months is still just 85 to 87 degrees. Lower 80s occur in the March through May time period, as well as in November and December. In fact, the coolest months aren’t even cool, as January and February typically average a high of 79 degrees.

Bear in mind that these high temperatures are recorded at the main airport on each island which means sea level. If you are planning a day at Haleakala on Maui or in Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii (The Big Island), it will be quite a bit cooler at a 10,000-foot summit or along a hiking trail in a dense forest. But as you can see, it is always warm enough to head for the beach.

As for low temperatures, the drop-off from the high temperature each day is also minimal. Figure on upper 60s from December through March, and low to mid-70s the rest of the year. With warm daytime temperatures and comfortable evenings with spectacular sunsets, outdoor dining, and an evening stroll on a nearby beach are always an option.

Is the Weather the Same on the Four Main Islands?

Now that’s a great question with a complicated answer. To be brief, the answer is no. While it will always be warm and wonderfully comfortable no matter which island you are on, there are distinct weather differences in various areas of each island. Ocean breezes and occasional mountain showers make Hawaii’s climate ideal most of the time.

Here’s how the weather often plays out on the four main islands.

Oahu: Waikiki – generally sunny, pleasant weather year-round.

North Shore, including Turtle Bay – also pleasant year-round, with large waves for surfing from November to March.

Kauai: Poipu – this resort area on the south coast is the sunniest place on the island, and drier, too.

Lihue to Kapa’a – close to the airport on the east coast, Lihue is cloudier and wetter than Poipu or the north coast of the island.

Princeville – on the north coast of Kauai, this area is also drier than

Lihue with several golf courses, luxury hotels, and condominiums.

NOTE: While Kauai is well known as the wettest of the Hawaiian islands, most of the accommodations on the island are located in drier regions. The island itself is 97% inaccessible by car, with the central rain forest considered one of the wettest places on earth. Spectacular helicopter tours are popular, and the only way to see the west side of Kauai.

Maui: Kihei/Wailea – the Valley Isle’s south coast is warmer, sunnier, and drier than the windward side of Maui.

Kaanapali and north – similar weather to the south coast, though the area receives more rain showers as you travel north along the Napili Coast.

Hawaii:

Kailua/Kona Coast - a few miles south of the Kona Airport with many hotels and condominiums. Pleasant weather with late in the day or overnight showers.

Kohala Coast – the driest part of The Big Island to the north of the Kona

Airport with many miles of upscale resorts, golf courses, and shopping

Centers. This area receives just 10 inches of rain annually.

Hilo – the 2nd largest city in the state is located on the windward side of the island where heavier showers are frequent. This is not a primary tourist area on Hawaii.

Does Hawaii Have Hurricanes?

Now that’s another frequent question and the answer is yes, there are hurricanes from time to time in Hawaii. Much like the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico, and the U.S. Gulf Coast, peak storm season runs from June through November, with July, August, and September being the most active months. Thankfully, the State of Hawaii rarely receives a direct hit from these tropical cyclones.

Kauai is the clear exception having taken the brunt of more storms than the other islands. Massive Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai on September 11, 1992, with winds in excess of 140 miles per hour. Devastation was widespread and it took the island several years to rebuild and fully recover.

Hurricanes pass to the north and south of the archipelago, diverted by the tall volcanic peaks of the islands. In the 75 years since recordkeeping began in 1949, Hawaii has experienced 69 hurricanes with nearly half of them in August. Most unleash heavy rains and winds, as well as turbulent seas and storm surges along the coastline.

Recapping the Weather at Waikiki

Here is a synopsis of the weather at Waikiki since this is where more than half of Hawaii’s visitors spend their vacation.

The clearest weather is from early December to mid-April.

The clearest month is January, with 77% of possible sunshine.

The cloudier time of year is mid-April until December, but it is just less sunny than the winter months, primarily due to brief afternoon showers.

Waikiki’s cloudiest month is October with 40% cloud cover.

The wet season runs from mid-October through March, but there is still just a 16% chance of running into a shower during this time period.

The wettest month is January, but again, it only rains at Waikiki Beach during seven (7) days of the month, and the showers are brief.

The driest month here is June when it typically rains just twice in 30 days.

So, the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaii Is?

Having traveled to Hawaii dozens of times for both business and pleasure I can honestly say that there are 12 best months to come here. Hawaii is one of those rare destinations that is simply fantastic all of the time. From the beaches to the sometimes snow-capped mountains, for hiking and visiting historical sites, there just isn’t any place that compares.

That being said, it is up to you, the traveler, to decide when a trip to the Aloha State fits your schedule. Hotels and condominiums are available in all price ranges, so you can really live it up in luxurious accommodations or choose to make your hotel room merely a clean and comfortable base, spending your money on the incredible cuisine, nightlife, and perhaps an upgraded air seat. No matter what your choose to do, Hawaii will be a destination that you will want to explore multiple times.