Best time to visit Hawaii

The best time to visit Hawaii is anytime from April to October, when the temperature is high but still comfortable due to the cooling effects of the trade winds.

The hottest months are August and September, when temperatures may reach 33°C (91°F).

Hawaii is a year-round destination, with comfortable temperatures even in winter, although you can expect more rainfall.

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Hawaii weather

Hawaii experiences a tropical climate, with a hot season from June to October and a relatively cool season from December to March.

The trade winds, which blow from the north-east year-round, create microclimates on each island, wet or dry, depending on exposure.

The leeward sides – west and south coasts – of each island are usually hot and dry, while the windward sides – east and north coasts – are generally cooler and wet. Higher elevations are cooler with occasional misty conditions.

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More information about weather conditions in… Hawaii Island – Kauai – Lanai – Maui – Molokai.

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Here are the weather averages for Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, which is located on the southern side of O’ahu Island. Being situated on the leeward side, Honolulu is one of the warmest places in Hawaii.

What is the best month to visit Hawaii?
The best months to visit Hawaii are from May to October, when the temperature is high but still comfortable due to the cooling effects of the trade winds.

For a beach holiday, the months of July through September are best since these months are the sunniest and hottest.

Hawaii is a year-round destination, and even in winter, from December to March, when the temperatures are a bit cooler and rainfall is more frequent the weather is generally fine and sunny.

Which is the hottest month in Hawaii?
The hottest month of year in Hawaii is usually August. You can expect an average high daytime temperature of 31°C (87°F), with high heat and humidity, and a low of 24°C (75°F).

July through September are the hottest months of the year in Hawaii. On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches a high of 33°C (91°F).

The hot season in Hawaii lasts from late-June to mid-October, with an average daily high temperature above 30°C (86°F).

Which is the coolest month in Hawaii?
The coolest month in Hawaii is January, with an average high of 27°C (80°F) and a low of 19°C (66°F).

The cooler season lasts from mid-December through March, with an average daily high temperature below 27°C (80°F).

When is it sunniest in Hawaii?
The sunniest time of year in Hawaii is August with 10 hours of sunshine on average per day – that's around 76% of daylight hours.

The months of March through October receive the most sunshine, more than 70% of daylight hours on average.

Beach tips – For year round sunshine, head to Waikiki Beach and the Ko Olina coast of O’ahu; the Kailua-Kona and Kahalu'u Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii; the south (Kihei/Wailea) and west (Lahaina/Kapalua) coasts of Maui; and Poipu Beach and the southwest coast of Kauai.

When is the sea warmest in Hawaii?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Hawaii in September when the water temperature reaches 27°C (80°F), which is pleasantly warm for swimming.

The sea in Hawaii is warm enough to swim year-round.

Weather station: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), also known as Honolulu International Airport, located 5km (3mi) northwest of Honolulu City, Oahu, Hawaii. Source: National Weather Service, United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Climate data collected during 1991 to 2020.

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What is the humidity in Hawaii?
Hawaii experiences little seasonal variation in perceived humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 62% – 71% over the course of the year.

What do the humidity conditions feel like in Hawaii?
We derive the humidity comfort level – what conditions feel like – from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the atmosphere: a higher dew point feels more humid, while a lower dew point feels drier.

Meteorologists agree that dew point temperature is a more consistant indication of 'absolute humidity' than relative humidity, which fluctuates with temperature. 

The average annual dew point in Hawaii is 19°C (66°F), and varies over the course of the year from comfortable at 17°C (62°F) to feeling humid at 20°C (68°F). 

The more humid time of year in Hawaii lasts from mid-May through December, when you can expect the comfort level to be humid at least 45% of the time.

The months with the most humid days in Hawaii are August and September, with at least 28 days in each month that are muggy.

February and March are more comfortable, with an average of nine days in each month that are humid.

Which month has the most rain in Hawaii?
March is usually the wettest month in Honolulu, with an average 60mm (2in) of rainfall. There are usually nine days with some rainfall in March. 

The wet season in Hawaii lasts from mid-October to late-March, with a greater than 16% chance of a given day being a wet day.

The drier season lasts from late-March to mid-October. The month with the least rainfall in Honolulu is June, with an average rainfall of 15mm (‹1in).

What are the windiest months in Hawaii?
The windiest month of the year in Hawaii is July, with an average hourly wind speed of 26 kilometres per hour (14 knots; 16mph).

June through to early-September are the windiest months of the year in Hawaii, with average wind speeds of more than 23 kilometres per hour (12 knots; 14mph).

It's less windy from early-September through May. The calmest month of the year in Hawaii is January, with an average hourly wind speed of 20 kilometres per hour (10 knots; 12mph).

The predominant wind direction in Hawaii is from the east throughout the year.

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Holiday seasons

High season: From mid-December through to mid-April, and from June through August – expect to pay top dollar for accommodations, car rentals, and airfare.

High season falls during Hawaii’s winter months – despite the increase in rainfall and the cooler temperatures – as well as the summer months; while low season falls during late-spring and autumn. 

Low season: For the best rates, visit in spring from mid-April to mid-June and during autumn from September to mid-December.

Hotel and airline rates drop significantly during the low season. The weather is also better and more reliable, since there is less rainfall than during the winter months.

Note: The last week in April and early May coincide with three major Japanese holidays.

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Hawaii weather by month

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Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.

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Latest update: Best time to visit Hawaii: 10 July, 2024

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.

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