What is the cheapest time to visit Hawaii?

The cheapest windows are roughly April to May and September to early December, the shoulder months between the summer and holiday peaks. Flights and hotels ease once school resumes in September, making September and October especially good value. Avoid mid-December to early January and mid-June through August, when demand and prices are highest.

When is whale-watching season in Hawaii?

Humpback whales are typically in Hawaiian waters from around December to April, with sightings usually peaking in February. Maui is the most reliable island for watching, particularly the channel between Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Boat tours run all season, but you can often spot whales from shore too.

What months should you avoid in Hawaii?

Hawaii rarely has genuinely bad weather, so the months to avoid are about crowds and cost rather than conditions. Mid-December to early January and mid-June through August bring the highest prices and busiest beaches. If budget matters, skip those windows and travel in the shoulder months instead.

Is the rainy season a bad time to visit Hawaii?

The wetter season runs roughly November to March, but rain in Hawaii tends to come in short passing showers rather than all-day washouts, and it varies a lot by island and coast. Leeward (western) sides stay much drier than windward ones. Winter is also whale and big-surf season, so it is a rewarding time to visit despite the extra rain.

How far in advance should I book a trip to Hawaii?

For the mid-December holidays and the mid-June to August summer peak, book flights and hotels three to six months ahead, as the best rates and rooms go early. For the shoulder months, four to eight weeks is usually enough. Search flights to Honolulu (HNL) and compare with the neighbour-island airports on Maui and the Big Island.

What is the weather like in Hawaii year-round?

Hawaii is warm all year, with coastal highs generally in the mid-20s to low-30s Celsius (75-85°F) and only a few degrees of seasonal change. The main difference is rainfall: a drier summer from around April to October and a wetter winter from November to March. Conditions vary sharply within each island, so leeward coasts and lower elevations stay much drier and sunnier.

Month by monthUSA2026

The Best Time to Visit Hawaii

Hawaii is warm and swimmable every month of the year, so the real question is about crowds and cost, not weather. Here's every month rated for surf, whales, rain and price - so you dodge the holiday and summer spikes and pay less for the same sunshine.

Updated 4 July 2026

In Brief

When is the best time to visit Hawaii?

The best time to visit Hawaii is the shoulder months of April to May and September to early December, when the weather is warm and drier, prices dip and beaches are less crowded. Temperatures stay in the mid-20s to low-30s Celsius (75-85°F) year-round, so any month works; the main things that change are rainfall, north-shore surf and price. Avoid the mid-December to early-January holidays and the mid-June to August summer peak if you want the lowest prices.

Cheapest and quietest: roughly April-May and September to early December, outside the school holidays.
Big surf and whales: north-shore swells and humpback whale watching run roughly December to April.
Warmest and driest overall: summer (April-October), the classic beach-weather stretch.
Avoid for price: mid-December to early January (holidays) and mid-June to August (summer) are busiest and priciest.

Best time to go

April–May & September–early December

Cheapest time

April–May, September–early December

When to avoid

Mid-December–early January & mid-June–August (price)

Flights to HawaiiCompare fares for your month on Trip.com Hotels in HawaiiBook earlier for peak-season dates Things to doTours & tickets in Hawaii

Hawaii month by month

Every month rated for weather, crowds and price, so you can match the trip to the month.

Peak seasonGreatShoulder / valueOff-peak

Month	Weather	Crowds	Price	What it's like
Jan	19–27°C, wetter	High early, then Moderate	$$$	Crowds and prices stay high through the first days of January, then ease; big north-shore surf and whale season are in full swing.
Feb	19–27°C, wetter	Moderate	$$	Peak whale-watching month and reliable north-shore swells, with prices settling back after the holidays.
Mar	20–28°C, wetter	Moderate to High	$$	Warm and mostly fine, though US spring-break weeks can briefly push up crowds and prices.
Apr	21–28°C, drying out	Moderate	$$	The rains taper and the summer crowds haven't arrived - one of the best-value windows of the year.
May	22–29°C, dry	Low to Moderate	$$	Warm, dry and quiet before the summer rush; excellent value with calm, swimmable water on most coasts.
Jun	23–30°C, dry	High	$$$	Classic summer weather arrives and so do the families; prices climb as the school holidays begin mid-month.
Jul	24–31°C, dry	Peak	$$$	Hot, dry and busy - the height of the summer season, with the year's strongest demand alongside the holidays.
Aug	24–31°C, dry	Peak	$$$	Still hot, dry and crowded; south-shore surf peaks, but expect top prices and full beaches.
Sep	24–31°C, dry	Low	$$	The summer crowds vanish once school resumes, leaving warm, dry weather at some of the lowest prices of the year.
Oct	23–30°C, warming rains	Low	$$	Quiet and warm with occasional showers returning late month; strong value across islands.
Nov	22–28°C, wetter	Low to Moderate	$$	The wetter season begins and north-shore surf builds, but crowds stay light until the Thanksgiving week.
Dec	20–27°C, wetter	Low then Peak	$$$	Quiet and good value early on, then crowds and prices surge for the Christmas and New Year holidays from around mid-month.

Time it right: Hawaii's seasonal highlights

Humpback whale season
December–April
Thousands of humpbacks migrate to Hawaiian waters; Maui's Auau Channel is a prime viewing spot, peaking around February.
North-shore big-wave surf
November–March
Winter swells bring huge waves to Oahu's North Shore; the big-wave contest windows open when conditions allow.
Summer south-shore surf
May–September
Summer swells shift to south-facing shores like Waikiki, giving gentler waves that suit beginner surfers.
Merrie Monarch Festival
Spring (week after Easter)
Hilo's celebrated hula competition on the Big Island draws visitors; tickets and rooms are scarce that week.
Aloha Festivals
September
Statewide cultural festival of music, hula and parades celebrating Hawaiian heritage, mostly on Oahu.

Best time to visit Hawaii: FAQ

The timing questions travelers ask most before booking.

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The Best Time to Visit Hawaii

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Hawaii month by month

Time it right: Hawaii's seasonal highlights

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North-shore big-wave surf

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Merrie Monarch Festival

Aloha Festivals

Best time to visit Hawaii: FAQ

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Time it right: Hawaii's seasonal highlights

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Aloha Festivals

Best time to visit Hawaii: FAQ

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