Best time to go
Best time to visit Hawaii, and which island to choose
Hawaii is warm all year, but rain, surf, whales and prices change with the seasons. Here is how to pick your month and your island.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- April to May and September to October are the best times to visit Hawaii: dry, warm, less crowded and better value.
- December to April is humpback whale season, peaking from January to March, and the time for big waves on north shores.
- First trip? Oahu is easiest, Maui has the best mix of beaches and scenery, the Big Island has active volcanoes, and Kauai is the greenest and quietest.
| Best value | April–May, September–October |
|---|---|
| Drier season | April–October |
| Whale season | December–April (peak January–March) |
| Busiest | Mid-December–March, June–August |
| Flight from Los Angeles | About 5.5–6 hours |
| Time zone | Hawaii time, no daylight saving |
Hawaii's seasons
Hawaii is warm all year, with daytime highs in the 80s°F at sea level. What changes is rain and surf. From November to March, storms bring more showers, especially on the windward (northeast) sides of the islands, and huge winter swells hit north-facing shores such as Oahu's North Shore.
From April to October it is drier and the ocean is calmer on most north shores, which makes summer the best time for snorkeling there. The south and west sides of each island, such as Waikiki, Kihei and Kona, are sunnier all year.
When it is busiest and most expensive
The winter holidays through March are peak season, with visitors escaping the cold, and June to August is busy with family vacations. Hotels and car rentals cost the most then.
April to early June and September to mid-December, outside Thanksgiving, are the sweet spots: good weather, warm water and lower prices.
Which island is right for you
- Oahu: Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore. The most flights, the most to do without a car, and the best choice for a first visit or a short trip.
- Maui: beaches on the west and south coasts, the Road to Hana and sunrise over Haleakalā's crater. West Maui's town of Lahaina is still rebuilding after the 2023 wildfire, so follow local guidance and visit respectfully.
- Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island): Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, black-sand beaches, stargazing on Maunakea and manta ray night snorkels off Kona.
- Kauai: the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and a slower pace. Expect more rain on the north shore in winter.
Book these in advance
Several of Hawaii's most popular sights now limit numbers and need reservations, which can sell out weeks ahead.
- Sunrise at Haleakalā National Park on Maui (reservations through the National Park Service).
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oahu, for snorkeling.
- Diamond Head State Monument on Oahu, for visitors who aren't Hawaii residents.
- Haʻena State Park and the start of the Kalalau Trail on Kauai.
Getting there
Nonstop flights to Honolulu take about five and a half to six hours from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, around eight from Dallas and around eleven from New York. Many West Coast cities also fly nonstop to Maui, Kona and Lihue, which saves a connection.
Hawaii doesn't use daylight saving time, so it is two hours behind the West Coast in winter and three hours behind in summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to go to Hawaii?
May and September are often the best: dry, sunny, warm sea and lower prices than winter or summer.
When can you see whales in Hawaii?
Humpback whales visit from about December to April, with the most sightings from January to March. Maui's coast between Lahaina and Kihei is one of the best places to see them.
Which Hawaiian island is best for a first trip?
Oahu is easiest, with the most flights, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. Maui is the most popular for a beach-and-scenery vacation.
