Best time to visit Hawaii for good weather and smaller crowds

So you want to visit Hawaii? Understandable — it’s one of the best places on earth.

However, unless you’re booking a spontaneous flight deal (and those do happen), you’ll probably want to plan to ensure you’re traveling at the best time for your particular dream trip.

Whether you’re looking for dry, idyllic weather, peak whale watching season or the cheapest Hawaiian hotel rooms, consider this your definitive guide to planning a perfectly timed trip to Hawaii.

The best time to visit Hawaii for good weather

Generally, the best weather in Hawaii lands in June, July and September. This is when travelers can expect the least amount of rain along with warmer water temperatures.

However, Hawaii isn’t a true four seasons state and it has pretty stellar weather year-round. So if traveling during June, July or September isn’t in the cards, you’re still probably fine as there’s really no bad time to go.

I just got back from a trip in mid-April and the weather was great. It was warm during the day and temperate at night; one evening I even grabbed a sweatshirt.

I was also there in November in both 2023 and 2024. It was warm enough to swim in the ocean without being too hot lying in the sun.

Hawaii has a tropical climate, with temperatures generally staying between 83 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit all year long.

You should check local weather, though, as conditions in some parts of the Islands are wetter than others depending on whether you stay on the windward or leeward sides of each island. Kauai, for instance, gets a lot of rain on the northern side of the island compared to the southern side (which does lead to some pretty great rainbows). Even if the forecast calls for rain, however, it tends to come in short bursts and doesn’t last long.

During a recent trip to Maui, the forecast called for rain all week, but it was sunny every day with just a few rain showers in the late afternoon.

Best time to visit Hawaii to avoid crowds

Peak tourism season in Hawaii typically starts in the middle of December and continues until the end of March or mid-April, depending on the timing of spring break across the continental U.S. This year, it was pretty crowded on a recent trip in early April to Maui and Hawaii (the Big Island), but by mid-April the bulk of the crowds were gone.

The less busy season stretches from the middle of April until mid-June, when most schools are out for the summer, and then resumes from September until crowds tick up before the holidays. Shoulder season is a great time to visit: the huge crowds are gone, prices are lower and you can have more of the beach to yourself.

Even in busy spots like Honolulu, you’ll have more breathing room after Labor Day and before Thanksgiving.

July and August, while not considered Hawaii’s busiest season, still tend to draw decent crowds — and are especially popular with vacationing families.

Cheapest months to visit Hawaii

Traveling to Hawaii is usually priciest during peak season, so if you want to save, wait until the off-peak or shoulder seasons.

The shoulder seasons in Hawaii run from late March through the beginning of May, and from September until Thanksgiving. Prices can plummet during these shoulder seasons or times that cushion peak periods; I’ve seen prices as low as $62 one-way from the West Coast in the past. However, spring break and the beginning of September can yield high traffic and higher prices, too, so look carefully before booking.

Historical data from the travel booking site Skyscanner shows airfare is at its most expensive during the winter, specifically in January. Even at this time of year, however, you can find flights from as far away as New York City to multiple Hawaii destinations for under $600 round-trip.

I regularly see prices under $300 from multiple mainland gateways. This is especially true if you are coming from the western half of the U.S. Keep an eye on TPG deal alerts, where we regularly cover sales to Hawaii. Maui in particular has been a bit of a bargain in recent years as it recovers from the devastating 2023 wildfires.

Regardless when you go, analysts tell TPG it’s best to book as early as possible for the best rates in the off-season. We’re told that many tourists are booking as late as a week before arrival, and the best deals will be had as far out as possible. It pays to plan ahead.

Of course, you may have more flexibility when you cash in your points and miles — though hotel award rates tend to shift with peak and off-peak seasons, too. Also, award flight availability is often directly tied to demand, even if hotels do regularly have rooms available for points redemptions.

There are lots of properties to use points and miles on Hawaii, Kaui, Oahu and Maui. I have stayed at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on Hawaii in the past. Currently rooms start at $606 a night, but points redemption starts at just 61,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Another good points bookings? TPG favorite the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa recently dropped a category in the World of Hyatt program, meaning you can score a room there for as few as 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Best time to travel to Hawaii to surf

Only four of the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago are suitable for surfing year-round: Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. As for when and where you’d like to surf, well, that depends entirely on your skill level.

The waves follow a somewhat consistent schedule. In the winter, surfers can find serious swells off an island’s north coast, while the south coast experiences calmer seas. During the summer, the opposite is true.

Accordingly, advanced surfers should look out for big wave surfing competitions during the winter season on the North Shore of Oahu, also known as the “Seven Mile Miracle.” On the Big Island, surf enthusiasts should also check out Laaloa Bay and Honolii Beach Park.

For novice surfers, you’ll want to spend more time on the island’s southern coasts in the winter. In Maui, beaches in Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kihei deliver just-right waves for beginners to get their feet wet.

Best time for wildlife spotting in Hawaii

The best time to go whale watching

Whales migrate to Hawaii in pods of roughly 1,000 between late December and early April, making Maui and the Kohala Coast of the Big Island two of the best places on Earth to spot the giants. Note that sometimes whales show up as early as November, so you could get lucky if you travel during shoulder season.

I’ve used the whale watching company Body Glove several times and can recommend them for their whale watching and snorkeling tours.

The best time to see turtles

If you’re interested in spotting Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), they’re plentiful year-round in Maui, on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kaui and on Oahu. One of the most famous spots for turtle-spotting is on Hookipa Beach in Maui.

Visit in the summer, during nesting season, to increase your odds. You’ll even find sea turtles on some hotel grounds. I was able to get up close and personal with turtles on a trip to the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. At that hotel, they hang out in the hotel’s lagoon. Meanwhile, at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa they stay close to the famous Kaanapali Beach, attracting hordes of snorkelers.

Many vendors sell turtle snorkeling adventures and I’ve had great luck with two separate snorkeling trips in Hawaii.

A warning, though: please don’t get too close. People are asked to give the turtles at least 10 feet of space and never touch them. Human touch can spread bacteria to turtles, which can lead to starvation for the creatures. Remember that green sea turtles are listed as an endangered species.

Hawaii is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, but green sea turtles are the most common.

When to visit Hawaii for events

Spring events

Heading to Hawaii in the springtime? Consider the Honolulu Festival in March or the Lantern Floating Festival, held on Memorial Day yearly in Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu.

Summer events

In the summer, on the third weekend of July, visitors can attend the Prince Lot Hula Festival, Hawaii’s largest non-competitive hula event.

Fall events

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is a major draw for foodies, featuring an extensive lineup of dinners, parties, cooking classes and more taking place in October and November of 2025 on three different islands – Hawaii, Maui and Oahu.

In September, travelers can attend the Aloha Festivals in Waikiki, which feature arts and crafts, food and performance stages. Don’t forget the floral parade.

There’s also the Hawaii International Film Festival each October.

Winter events

This is prime season for surfing competitions, including the Vans “Triple Crown of Surfing” on the North Shore of Oahu, capitalizing on North Shore’s incredible waves.

The Honolulu Marathon is also a big draw on Oahu in December every year.

Worst time to visit Hawaii?

This is kind of a trick question, as there is really no bad time to visit Hawaii. You’ll find warm weather and sunshine most of the year. Even when it does rain, it is often just for a few minutes.

That said, some locals say December is the worst time of the year because of the extra crowds, extra costs, and the increased rain shower odds. But even with all that, I’d trade Northeast winter weather for Hawaii any time of the year.

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