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The Best Times to Visit Hawaii

Hawaii is a paradise year-round, but seasonal swings (and a rainy season) can impact how to plan a Hawaii trip.

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Updated · 3 min read
Sally French
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With year-round highs in the 80s and average lows rarely dipping below 65 degrees, there’s really no bad time of year to visit Hawaii — but depending on why you’re visiting, some times can be better than others.
When is the best time to visit Hawaii? The answer depends on your travel budget, preferred activities, and when you and your family or travel companions can find time to get away.
Here is the best time of the year to visit Hawaii, no matter what kind of traveler you are.
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Best time to visit Hawaii for budget travelers

If you want to save money on a Hawaiian vacation, avoid going when kids are on break from school, especially during the winter holidays. In general, the cheapest time to visit Hawaii is when school's in session.
The “shoulder months” of April, May, September and October are especially affordable. Round-trip flights from the West Coast and East Coast are significantly lower than peak season rates. Award flights using points and miles also offer substantial savings during these periods, though availability varies by airline and loyalty program.
Hotel prices drop considerably in shoulder months. A basic room at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island can skyrocket to over $900 per night during the peak winter travel season, but that same room might go for less than $500 in October. At Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, you can find rooms for less than $600 per night on some nights. But on peak nights (let's say the week after Christmas), that same room can easily top $1,200.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Many Hawaiian hotels add a nightly resort fee from about $25 to $50 on top of the room rate, so make sure you budget accordingly.
The same pattern holds true for more budget-minded travelers. A room at the Aqua Palms Waikiki that costs $329 during peak winter travel might cost $159 in early November.
» Learn more: How to visit Hawaii on a budget

Best time to visit Hawaii for honeymooners

Waikiki's Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, is especially popular for honeymooners. (Photo by Sally French)
Hawaii can get very crowded. Travelers may find themselves in hourlong lines to check into their hotel, pick up a rental car or even get a table for sunset cocktails — hardly the vibe you want for your romantic escape.
Book your Hawaii honeymoon during the shoulder months of April, May, September or October to avoid crowds. Planning a June wedding? Visit earlier in the month before many kids start summer break.
» Learn more: How to book a honeymoon with points and miles

Best time to visit Hawaii for Christmas

The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach doesn't skimp on Christmas decorations. (Photo by Sally French)
In Hawaii, Santa dons a lei and ditches the sleigh for an outrigger canoe. You can catch Saint Nick paddling ashore at several destinations, typically including Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Kalapaki Beach on Kauai and Pauoa Bay on the Big Island.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort lobby during Christmas. (Photo by Sally French)
Hawaii hotels pull out all the stops for Christmas, decorating lobbies with glittering ornaments, towering Christmas trees and elaborate sand sculptures. The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort — known as "the Pink Palace of the Pacific" — leans into its signature pink aesthetic with pink Christmas trees throughout.
The Moana Surfrider lobby during Christmas. (Photo by Sally French)
The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa also stands out. The historic property has a massive Christmas tree, a charming Hawaiian-inspired gingerbread house and a place to write letters to Santa.
On Oahu, don't miss the Honolulu City Lights celebration downtown, featuring a 50-foot Christmas tree and electric parade of lights. The festival continues throughout December with special events that typically include Free Milk & Cookies Night.
» Learn more: How to travel to Honolulu with points and miles
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Best time to visit Hawaii for beach weather

The view from Diamond Head on Oahu. (Photo by Sally French)
While Hawaii weather is lovely year-round, not every month is equally good for sun-seekers. Rain is most likely from October through March. Ocean water temperatures can dip to 75 degrees Fahrenheit from January through March, compared with the balmy 81 degrees in August. Winter also brings shorter days and fewer hours of sunshine.
For the best combination of sunshine, swimmable ocean temperatures and affordable rates, visit Hawaii in September.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Is there rain in the forecast for your trip? Don’t worry. Brief, refreshing showers happen year-round in Hawaii and usually clear out quickly. Locals call these weather events “little blessings.”

Best time to visit Hawaii for outdoor activities

Do hiking, cycling, ziplining and horseback riding sound like your kind of vacation? Hawaii is fantastic for active travelers, but summer afternoons can be too hot for strenuous, land-based activities.
If you can't hit the trail in the morning before midday heat, avoid July, August and September. Instead, plan your Hawaii outdoor adventure for May, June or October.
» Learn more: The best island to visit in Hawaii for first timers

Best time to visit Hawaii for whale watching

If your Hawaiian travel plans include whale watching, you're in luck — humpback whales are plentiful in surrounding waters. Plan your trip between December and May, when these massive mammals come to Hawaii waters to mate, calve and nurse their young.
Whale-watching boat tours get you up close to these giants. But you can also spot them from shore on any of the four major Hawaiian islands, especially in the channel between Maui and Lanai.
» Learn more: Should you island hop in Hawaii?

Best time to visit Hawaii for festivals and events

King Kamehameha I Day is a public holiday in Hawaii annually on June 11 honor King Kamehameha the Great. (Photo courtesy of Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head Hotel)
Hawaii has a rich culture of annual events and festivals worth planning your trip around. Top events in 2026 include:
  • May 9-10: Prince Lot Hula Competition
  • May 16-18: U.S. Open Mini Golf Championship at Anaina Hou Community Park on Kaua'i — the first time this national tournament comes to Hawaii.
  • June 11: King Kamehameha I Day, honoring Hawaii's first king.
  • Throughout October: Hawaiʻi International Film Festival.
  • November 6-15: Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

What's the best times to visit Hawaii?

Deciding when to visit Hawaii depends on what matters most for your vacation:
  • Budget travelers: April, May, September or October for lowest prices.
  • Honeymooners: Shoulder months to avoid crowds.
  • Beach lovers: September for ideal weather and value.
  • Outdoor adventurers: May, June or October to avoid summer heat.
  • Whale watchers: December through May when humpbacks arrive.
  • Christmas travelers: Book early for magical holiday experiences.
  • Festival enthusiasts: Time your visit around cultural celebrations.
By matching your travel priorities with Hawaii's seasonal patterns, you can plan the perfect island getaway.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
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