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The best time to visit Hawaii for most trips is April through early June, or September and October. Leeward coasts are dry, the sea is warm and the winter holiday crowds are gone. Go between December and March for whales and big north shore surf, and expect rain on the windward sides.
I have been to Hawaii enough times to stop asking which month is best and start asking which side of the island. The same week can mean a rain jacket on one coast and sunscreen on the other. Whale season and big surf are real reasons to go in winter. They are also the reasons rates and crowds peak.
Hawaii weather by month
The table puts Honolulu’s temperatures and rain beside Hilo’s rain, which shows the wet side, and the average statewide hotel rate for each month of 2025.
| Month | Honolulu high / low (°F) | Honolulu rain (in.) | Hilo rain (in.) | Hotel rate, 2025 | Season notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81 / 67 | 1.84 | 7.86 | $384 | Whales peak, winter surf |
| February | 81 / 67 | 1.94 | 10.22 | $379 | Whales peak, coolest sea |
| March | 81 / 68 | 2.36 | 12.68 | $379 | Whales peak, coolest sea |
| April | 83 / 70 | 0.77 | 9.40 | $366 | Last month for whales |
| May | 85 / 72 | 0.82 | 6.99 | $339 | Quiet shoulder month |
| June | 87 / 74 | 0.50 | 7.30 | $375 | Calm summer seas |
| July | 88 / 75 | 0.52 | 9.24 | $386 | Calm seas, school is out |
| August | 89 / 76 | 0.84 | 11.30 | $361 | Warmest month |
| September | 88 / 75 | 0.88 | 8.70 | $315 | Lowest rate of the year |
| October | 87 / 74 | 1.51 | 10.24 | $322 | First surf, Ironman |
| November | 84 / 72 | 2.25 | 14.39 | $345 | Whales return, Hilo wettest |
| December | 82 / 69 | 2.18 | 12.07 | $449 | Highest rate, holidays |
Temperatures and rain are NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals for the Honolulu and Hilo airports. Rates are the statewide hotel average daily rate, from the state’s hotel performance reports.
Hawaii rainy season
Hawaii has two seasons, not four. The National Weather Service in Honolulu puts summer at May through October and winter at October through April, and winter is the wetter one. The state tourism site calls November through March the wettest months, so that is the stretch to plan around.
Rain depends on which side of the island you stand on. Trade winds push moisture up the windward slopes, while leeward lowlands tend to stay sunny and dry. The normals show it. Honolulu, on leeward Oahu, gets 0.50 inch in a normal June, and Kahului on Maui gets 0.17. Hilo, on the windward Big Island, gets 7.30 inches in the same month and 14.39 in November.
Winter also brings kona weather. That is when the trade winds stop and south or west winds bring storms or hot, humid air, per the tourism site. So for a winter trip, base yourself on the leeward coast of whichever island you pick and keep one day open for the forecast. If you have not picked an island yet, our guide to which Hawaiian island to visit first covers the trade-offs. Elevation changes the picture too: the heaviest rainfall belt sits between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, and the highest slopes are relatively dry, according to NWS Honolulu.
Best time to visit Hawaii for whales
Humpback whales are generally in Hawaii from November through April, with the peak from January through March, per NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Aim for the middle of that peak. Book early, because February had the highest hotel occupancy of 2025, at 79.3%, in the state’s hotel report.
The sea is not warm in winter by Hawaii’s standards, but it is fine. NWS Honolulu says sea surface temperatures bottom out at 73 or 74 degrees between late February and March. Boats and shore watching both work, and federal approach rules keep boats, paddlers and swimmers at least 100 yards from humpbacks.
Best time to visit Hawaii for surfing
Surf season follows the whales. Winter Pacific storms send large swells to the north-facing shores, and the state tourism site says surfers flock to the big breaks from December to March. The first swells arrive around October, and the Triple Crown of Surfing starts in November. In summer the water is generally gentle on every beach.
In my experience the north shores are for watching from the sand in winter and for swimming in summer. Beginners should look south in winter, and everyone should read the posted flags. The tourism site warns that currents can be dangerous year-round, especially in winter.
Hawaii hurricane season
The central Pacific hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, per the National Weather Service’s 2026 outlook. That outlook, issued May 21, called for an above-normal season with 5 to 13 tropical cyclones, against an average of 4 to 5. It also says plainly that it is not a landfall forecast.
Most trips from June through November land inside the season, and that includes the cheap fall months. So book lodging with a flexible cancellation window, and watch the Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast the week you fly. December through May has no hurricane season at all.
Best time to visit Hawaii to avoid crowds
Winter is Hawaii’s busiest travel season, per the state tourism site, with holiday lights, parades and New Year’s events on every island. Summer is busy because school is out, but less crowded than winter. Fall is generally one of the quieter times, and spring typically sees fewer crowds than the winter holidays and summer.
Events can still pull people in. The IRONMAN World Championship takes place every October on Hawaii Island, and the Aloha Festivals run across September and October. If quiet matters most, aim for April to early June or the weeks around those events.
Cheapest time to visit Hawaii
The cheapest months are the fall ones. The statewide hotel average daily rate in 2025 was $315 in September, $322 in October and $345 in November, against $449 in December. September also had the lowest occupancy of the year at 69.7%. May was the best spring value at $339 and 71.4% occupancy.
Those are averages across every statewide hotel, so a given hotel will vary. The pattern is what matters. The cheapest months sit inside hurricane season, so the saving comes with the flexible-booking advice above. For what goes in the bag, see our Hawaii packing list.
Best time to visit Hawaii by island
Oahu is the easy one. Honolulu normals run from a high of 81°F in January to 89°F in August, and rain stays under an inch a month from April through September. Maui’s Kahului is drier still in summer, but the Haleakala summit is its own climate. The National Park Service says summit temperatures range from below freezing to highs of 50 to 65°F, about 30°F cooler than the coast. Read our Haleakala sunrise reservations guide before you pick a date, and the Maui itinerary for the rest of the island.
The Big Island splits the same way. Hilo is wet every month, between 7 and 14 inches in the normals above. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea summit is 12 to 15 degrees cooler than sea level and may be rainy and chilly any time of year, per the park’s weather page. The coastal plain at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often hot, dry and windy. Pack layers for both on the same day.
Kauai follows the same windward and leeward split, so check the forecast for the side you are staying on before you lock in a day.
Hawaii in December
December is the holiday peak. Honolulu normals are a high of 82°F and a low of 69°F with 2.18 inches of rain, the whales are back, and the statewide hotel rate hit its 2025 high of $449. Winter swells are building on the north shores, and kona weather can interrupt the trades. Book flights and rooms early, and plan outdoor days for the mornings.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Hawaii
What is the cheapest month to visit Hawaii?
September was the cheapest month in 2025, with a statewide hotel average of $315 a night and the lowest occupancy of the year. October and November were close behind at $322 and $345. All three fall inside hurricane season.
When is the best time to see whales in Hawaii?
Humpback whales are in Hawaii from November through April, with the peak from January through March, per NOAA’s sanctuary. February is the busiest month for hotels, so book early.
What month has the best weather in Hawaii?
April through early June is the best balance. Honolulu normals show under an inch of rain a month from April through September, with highs of 83 to 87°F before the August peak of 89°F. Windward coasts such as Hilo stay wet all year.
Is it OK to visit Hawaii during hurricane season?
Yes, with a flexible plan. The season runs June 1 to November 30, and the National Weather Service’s outlook is not a landfall forecast. Book refundable lodging and watch the forecast the week you fly.
Is the ocean warm enough to swim in Hawaii in winter?
Yes. NWS Honolulu says sea temperatures bottom out at 73 or 74 degrees between late February and March. The bigger issue is surf, because winter swells make some north shore beaches unsafe, so follow the posted flags.
Prices are approximate, current as of publication, and change frequently — confirm the latest price with the retailer before buying.
Published October 26, 2026.
Photo credits: (1) featured, Calm south shore water and sand at Poipu… — Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (2) Rainbow Falls dropping over a rock ledge… — Tet Millare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (3) Humpback whale raising its tail flukes… — NOAA, U.S. Government work, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; (4) Large winter swell breaking off the Oahu… — Jason Jacobs from Honolulu, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (5) Sun setting through bands of cloud above… — NPS Photo, U.S. Government work, public domain, via National Park Service; (6) View across Kilauea caldera toward… — National Park Service, U.S. Government work, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.