So that you wish to go to Hawaii? Comprehensible — it is top-of-the-line locations on earth.
Nonetheless, until you are reserving a spontaneous flight deal (and people do occur), you will most likely wish to plan to make sure you’re touring at the most effective time to your explicit dream journey.
Whether or not you are searching for dry, idyllic climate, peak whale watching season or the most affordable Hawaiian resort rooms, take into account this your definitive information to planning a wonderfully timed journey to Hawaii.
The most effective time to go to Hawaii for good climate
Usually, the most effective climate in Hawaii lands in June, July and September. That is when vacationers can anticipate the least quantity of rain together with hotter water temperatures.
Nonetheless, Hawaii is not a real 4 seasons state and it has fairly stellar climate year-round. So if touring throughout June, July or September is not within the playing cards, you are still most likely tremendous as there’s actually no dangerous time to go.
I simply obtained again from a visit in mid-April and the climate was nice. It was heat throughout the day and temperate at evening; one night I even grabbed a sweatshirt.
I used to be additionally there in November in each 2023 and 2024. It was heat sufficient to swim within the ocean with out being too sizzling mendacity within the solar.
Hawaii has a tropical local weather, with temperatures usually staying between 83 and 88 levels Fahrenheit all yr lengthy.
You need to examine native climate, although, as circumstances in some elements of the Islands are wetter than others relying on whether or not you keep on the windward or leeward sides of every island. Kauai, for example, will get lots of rain on the northern aspect of the island in comparison with the southern aspect (which does result in some fairly nice rainbows). Even when the forecast requires rain, nevertheless, it tends to return in brief bursts and would not final lengthy.
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Throughout a latest journey to Maui, the forecast referred to as for rain all week, but it surely was sunny on daily basis with only a few rain showers within the late afternoon.
1 of 5
Hyatt Regency Maui. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Greatest time to go to Hawaii to keep away from crowds
Peak tourism season in Hawaii usually begins in the course of December and continues till the top of March or mid-April, relying on the timing of spring break throughout the continental U.S. This yr, it was fairly crowded on a latest journey in early April to Maui and Hawaii (the Huge Island), however by mid-April the majority of the crowds have been gone.
The much less busy season stretches from the center of April till mid-June, when most faculties are out for the summer time, after which resumes from September till crowds tick up earlier than the vacations. Shoulder season is a superb time to go to: the large crowds are gone, costs are decrease and you may have extra of the seaside to your self.
Even in busy spots like Honolulu, you will have extra respiratory room after Labor Day and earlier than Thanksgiving.
July and August, whereas not thought of Hawaii’s busiest season, nonetheless have a tendency to attract respectable crowds — and are particularly in style with vacationing households.
Most cost-effective months to go to Hawaii
Touring to Hawaii is normally priciest throughout peak season, so if you wish to save, wait till the off-peak or shoulder seasons.
The shoulder seasons in Hawaii run from late March by the start of Might, and from September till Thanksgiving. Costs can plummet throughout these shoulder seasons or instances that cushion peak durations; I’ve seen costs as little as $62 one-way from the West Coast in the past. Nonetheless, spring break and the start of September can yield excessive visitors and better costs, too, so look rigorously earlier than reserving.
Historic knowledge from the journey reserving web site Skyscanner exhibits airfare is at its most costly throughout the winter, particularly in January. Even presently of yr, nevertheless, yow will discover flights from as far-off as New York Metropolis to a number of Hawaii locations for beneath $600 round-trip.
I commonly see prices under $300 from a number of mainland gateways. That is very true in case you are coming from the western half of the U.S. Regulate TPG deal alerts, the place we commonly cowl gross sales to Hawaii. Maui particularly has been a little bit of a discount lately because it recovers from the devastating 2023 wildfires.
Regardless once you go, analysts inform TPG it is best to e-book as early as doable for the most effective charges within the low season. We’re advised that many vacationers are reserving as late as every week earlier than arrival, and the most effective offers shall be had as far out as doable. It pays to plan forward.
In fact, you could have extra flexibility once you cash in your points and miles — although resort award charges are likely to shift with peak and off-peak seasons, too. Additionally, award flight availability is usually instantly tied to demand, even when inns do commonly have rooms accessible for factors redemptions.
There are many properties to make use of factors and miles on Hawaii, Kaui, Oahu and Maui. I’ve stayed on the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on Hawaii up to now. At the moment rooms begin at $606 an evening, however factors redemption begins at simply 61,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
One other good factors bookings? TPG favourite the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa just lately dropped a class within the World of Hyatt program, that means you possibly can rating a room there for as few as 21,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening.
Greatest time to journey to Hawaii to surf
Solely 4 of the islands within the Hawaiian archipelago are appropriate for browsing year-round: Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. As for when and the place you’d prefer to surf, properly, that relies upon totally in your ability degree.
The waves comply with a considerably constant schedule. Within the winter, surfers can discover severe swells off an island’s north coast, whereas the south coast experiences calmer seas. Through the summer time, the other is true.
Accordingly, superior surfers ought to look out for large wave browsing competitions throughout the winter season on the North Shore of Oahu, often known as the “Seven Mile Miracle.” On the Huge Island, surf fans also needs to try Laaloa Bay and Honolii Seashore Park.
For novice surfers, you will wish to spend extra time on the island’s southern coasts within the winter. In Maui, seashores in Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kihei ship just-right waves for novices to get their ft moist.
Greatest time for wildlife recognizing in Hawaii
The most effective 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 Huge Island two of the most effective locations on Earth to identify the giants. Word that typically whales present up as early as November, so you would get fortunate should you journey throughout shoulder season.
I’ve used the whale watching firm Body Glove a number of instances and may advocate them for his or her whale watching and snorkeling excursions.
The most effective time to see turtles
If you happen to’re taken with recognizing Hawaiian inexperienced sea turtles (honu), they’re plentiful year-round in Maui, on the Huge Island of Hawaii, Kaui and on Oahu. One of the crucial well-known spots for turtle-spotting is on Hookipa Seashore in Maui.
Go to in the summertime, throughout nesting season, to extend your odds. You will even discover sea turtles on some resort grounds. I used to be capable of stand up shut and private with turtles on a trip to the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Huge Island. At that resort, they hand around in the resort’s lagoon. In the meantime, on the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa they keep near the well-known Kaanapali Seashore, attracting hordes of snorkelers.
Many distributors promote turtle snorkeling adventures and I’ve had nice luck with two separate snorkeling journeys in Hawaii.
A warning, although: please do not get too shut. Persons are requested to present the turtles not less than 10 ft of area and by no means contact them. Human contact can unfold micro organism to turtles, which might result in hunger for the creatures. Do not forget that inexperienced sea turtles are listed as an endangered species.
Hawaii is house to 5 of the seven species of sea turtles on this planet, however inexperienced sea turtles are the most typical.
When to go to Hawaii for occasions
Spring occasions
Heading to Hawaii within the springtime? Take into account the Honolulu Festival in March or the Lantern Floating Festival, held on Memorial Day yearly in Ala Moana Seashore Park in Honolulu.
Summer season occasions
In the summertime, on the third weekend of July, guests can attend the Prince Lot Hula Festival, Hawaii’s largest non-competitive hula occasion.
Fall occasions
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is a significant draw for foodies, that includes an intensive lineup of dinners, events, cooking courses and extra going down in October and November of 2025 on three totally different islands – Hawaii, Maui and Oahu.
In September, vacationers can attend the Aloha Festivals in Waikiki, which function arts and crafts, meals and efficiency phases. Do not forget the floral parade.
There’s additionally the Hawaii International Film Festival every October.
Winter occasions
That is prime season for browsing competitions, together with the Vans “Triple Crown of Surfing” on the North Shore of Oahu, capitalizing on North Shore’s unbelievable waves.
The Honolulu Marathon can be a giant draw on Oahu in December yearly.
Worst time to go to Hawaii?
That is type of a trick query, as there’s actually no dangerous time to go to Hawaii. You will discover heat climate and sunshine a lot of the yr. Even when it does rain, it’s usually only for a couple of minutes.
That stated, some locals say December is the worst time of the yr due to the additional crowds, further prices, and the elevated rain bathe odds. However even with all that, I would commerce Northeast winter climate for Hawaii any time of the yr.
Associated studying:
