+1 (323) 800 6001
Hawaii is warm enough to visit every month, so "best" depends on what you value. For the mix of dry weather, moderate crowds and good value, April to early June and September to mid-November are the sweet spots. Winter (December to March) brings humpback whales, bigger surf and more rain, along with the year's busiest holiday weeks. Summer is the driest and warmest, and it is the favorite of families.
Hawaii's weather in two seasons
Hawaii has a warm, dry summer (roughly May to October) and a slightly cooler, wetter winter (November to April). Coastal highs sit in the upper 70s to mid 80s year-round; the difference is a few degrees and a lot more rain in winter. Rain also depends on where you stay more than when: the leeward west and south coasts such as Waikiki, Wailea, Kaanapali, Poipu and Kona are dry most of the year, while windward and north-facing areas like Hilo, Hana and Hanalei get far more. Winter brings large swells to north-facing shores, spectacular to watch on Oahu's North Shore but closing some beaches to swimming; summer seas are calmer for snorkeling. Hurricane season runs June to November, though direct hits are rare.
Whale season: December to April
Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii's warm waters to breed and calve each winter. They begin arriving in November, are common by December, peak from January through March, and mostly depart by late April. The channel between Maui, Lanai and Molokai holds the greatest concentration, so whale-watching boats from Maui are the most reliable, but you can see whales from Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island too, often right from shore. If whales are your reason for going, plan for February or early March.
Crowds and value by season
Peak demand comes in three waves: mid-December through the first week of January, spring-break weeks in March and around Easter, and summer from mid-June to mid-August. Hotels fill and rates climb in those windows, so book early. The quieter, better-value stretches are mid-January to mid-February (outside Presidents' Day weekend), late April through early June, and September through mid-November before Thanksgiving. September and October in particular combine summer-like weather, calm water and light crowds once schools are back in session. Call for current pricing on your dates; the difference between a peak week and the week after it can be substantial.
Month-by-month guide
January and February: whale peak, cooler and showery, quiet after New Year. March: whales still abundant, spring-break crowds, the Honolulu Festival. April: whales departing, weather drying out, the Merrie Monarch hula festival in Hilo the week after Easter, good value after spring break. May: one of the best months: dry, warm, uncrowded, Lei Day on May 1. June: dry and calm; crowds build from mid-month. July and August: warmest and busiest, ideal for families, calmest water for kids. September and October: still summer-like, crowds thin, Aloha Festivals across the islands, the Ironman triathlon in Kona in October. November: value early in the month, rain picks up, Thanksgiving week is busy. December: quiet early, whales arriving, the Honolulu Marathon, then the holiday peak from mid-month.
Best time by island and activity
Maui: February for whales, September for beaches. Oahu: winter for watching big-wave surfing on the North Shore, summer for swimming there. Kauai: May to September for hiking the Kalalau Trail and Napali boat tours, which are often cancelled by winter swells. The Big Island: any month, though winter can bring snow to Mauna Kea's summit; check volcanic activity and vog conditions when choosing between the Kona and Hilo sides.
Practical notes for US travelers
Hawaii is a US state, so US citizens need no passport, and flights from the mainland are domestic. Honolulu has nonstops from many cities; Maui, Kona and Kauai are served mainly from the West Coast. Book Haleakala sunrise permits, Hanauma Bay entry and Pearl Harbor tickets in advance in every season, and especially in peak weeks. Remember the time difference: Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time, so it is 2 to 3 hours behind the West Coast and 5 to 6 hours behind the East Coast.
How Fond Travels can help
We package mainland flights with your resort, inter-island flights, and rental cars or transfers, and we book it by phone as one trip. Tell us your month and what matters most, whether whales, calm water or value, and we will match the island and dates. Explore our Hawaii vacation packages or browse all our Australia and South Pacific packages.
Ready to plan it? Call +1 (323) 800 6001 — a real travel expert answers 24/7 and books flights + hotel as one package.
Your email address will not be published.