So you wish to go to Hawaii? Understandable — it is among the finest locations on earth.
However, until you are reserving a spontaneous flight deal (and people do occur), you may in all probability wish to plan to make sure you’re touring at the perfect time on your explicit dream journey.
Whether 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 finest time to go to Hawaii for good climate
Four Seasons, Maui. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Generally, the perfect climate in Hawaii lands in June, July and September. This is when vacationers can anticipate the least quantity of rain together with hotter water temperatures.
However, 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 in all probability wonderful 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 night time; one night I even grabbed a sweatshirt.
Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on Hawaii. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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 scorching mendacity within the solar.
Wailea on Maui in November 2023. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Hawaii has a tropical local weather, with temperatures typically staying between 83 and 88 levels Fahrenheit all yr lengthy.
You ought to examine native climate, although, as circumstances in some components 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 plenty of rain on the northern facet of the island in comparison with the southern facet (which does result in some fairly nice rainbows). Even if the forecast requires rain, nonetheless, it tends to come back in brief bursts and would not final lengthy.
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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
During a latest journey to Maui, the forecast known as for rain all week, but it surely was sunny each day with only a few rain showers within the late afternoon.
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Hyatt Regency Maui. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Best time to go to Hawaii to keep away from crowds
Peak tourism season in Hawaii usually begins in the midst 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 Big Island), however by mid-April the majority of the crowds had been gone.
Honolulu, Hawaii. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The much less busy season stretches from the center of April till mid-June, when most colleges 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 massive crowds are gone, costs are decrease and you may have extra of the seashore to your self.
Even in busy spots like Honolulu, you may 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 first rate crowds — and are particularly in style with vacationing households.
Cheapest months to go to HawaiiOahu, Hawaii. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Traveling 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 way of the start of May, and from September till Thanksgiving. Prices can plummet throughout these shoulder seasons or instances that cushion peak intervals; I’ve seen costs as little as $62 one-way from the West Coast prior to now. However, spring break and the start of September can yield excessive site visitors and better costs, too, so look fastidiously earlier than reserving.
Historical knowledge from the journey reserving web site Skyscanner reveals airfare is at its most costly throughout the winter, particularly in January. Even presently of yr, nonetheless, you’ll find flights from as distant as New York City to a number of Hawaii locations for underneath $600 round-trip.
I recurrently see costs underneath $300 from a number of mainland gateways. This is particularly true if you’re coming from the western half of the U.S. Keep a watch on TPG deal alerts, the place we recurrently cowl gross sales to Hawaii. Maui particularly has been a little bit of a cut price 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 potential for the perfect charges within the low season. We’re instructed that many vacationers are reserving as late as every week earlier than arrival, and the perfect offers shall be had as far out as potential. It pays to plan forward.
Of course, you could have extra flexibility once you money in your factors and miles — although resort award charges are likely to shift with peak and off-peak seasons, too. Also, award flight availability is commonly straight tied to demand, even when resorts do recurrently have rooms out there for factors redemptions.
Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
There are numerous 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 prior to now. Currently rooms begin at $606 an evening, however factors redemption begins at simply 61,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.
Hyatt Regency Maui in April 2025. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Another good factors bookings? TPG favourite the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa lately dropped a class within the World of Hyatt program, which means you’ll be able to rating a room there for as few as 21,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time.
Best time to journey to Hawaii to surfPoipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Only 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. In the winter, surfers can discover critical swells off an island’s north coast, whereas the south coast experiences calmer seas. During 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, also referred to as the “Seven Mile Miracle.” On the Big Island, surf fans also needs to try Laaloa Bay and Honolii Beach Park.
For novice surfers, you may 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 learners to get their ft moist.
Best time for wildlife recognizing in HawaiiGUILLE POZZI/UNSPLASHThe finest 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 perfect locations on Earth to identify the giants. Note that typically whales present up as early as November, so you may get fortunate in the event you journey throughout shoulder season.
I’ve used the whale watching firm Body Glove a number of instances and might suggest them for his or her whale watching and snorkeling excursions.
PHILIP THURSTON/GETTY IMAGESThe finest time to see turtles
If you are thinking about recognizing Hawaiian inexperienced sea turtles (honu), they’re plentiful year-round in Maui, on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kaui and on Oahu. One of probably the most well-known spots for turtle-spotting is on Hookipa Beach in Maui.
Visit in the summertime, throughout nesting season, to extend your odds. You’ll even discover sea turtles on some resort grounds. I used to be capable of stand up shut and private with turtles on a visit to the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. At that resort, they hand around in the resort’s lagoon. Meanwhile, on the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa they keep near the well-known Kaanapali Beach, 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. People are requested to present the turtles at the least 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. Remember that inexperienced sea turtles are listed as an endangered species.
Hawaii is dwelling to 5 of the seven species of sea turtles on the earth, however inexperienced sea turtles are the commonest.
When to go to Hawaii for eventsSpring occasions
Heading to Hawaii within 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 occasions
In the summer time, 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 in depth 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 levels. Don’t overlook the floral parade.
There’s additionally the Hawaii International Film Festival every October.
Winter occasions
This 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 unimaginable waves.
The Honolulu Marathon can be an enormous draw on Oahu in December yearly.
Worst time to go to Hawaii?
This is type of a trick query, as there’s actually no dangerous time to go to Hawaii. You’ll discover heat climate and sunshine a lot of the yr. Even when it does rain, it’s typically only for a couple of minutes.
A rainbow in Honolulu in November 2023. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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. But even with all that, I’d commerce Northeast winter climate for Hawaii any time of the yr.
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