Best Time to Visit Hawaii in 2026: Month-by-Month Guide
The short answer: Hawaii is great year-round. The longer answer: each season offers different experiences. Whale watching? December-April. North Shore surfing? Winter. Calm snorkeling everywhere? Summer. Best deals? September-November.
Here's the real breakdown so you can time your trip for exactly what you want to experience.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January - February
Weather: | Crowds: High | Prices: High
Peak whale watching season—10,000+ humpbacks in Hawaiian waters. Expect some rain, especially on windward sides. Great for Maui whale tours, but book early. North Shore surf is pumping.
Best for: Whale watching, big wave surfing spectating
March - April
Weather: | Crowds: Medium-High | Prices: Medium
Spring break brings families, but shoulder season begins mid-April. Whales are still around through early April. Weather improving.
Best for: Whale watching (early), avoiding peak season crowds (late April)
May - June
Weather: | Crowds: Low-Medium | Prices: Medium
Sweet spot. Dry season begins, North Shore calms for snorkeling, prices drop before summer rush. June gets busier with school breaks.
Best for: Snorkeling, hiking, best weather with reasonable prices
July - August
Weather: | Crowds: Very High | Prices: High
Peak summer. Best weather, warmest water, calmest ocean. But everyone knows it—book tours and accommodations months ahead.
Best for: Families, beach time, North Shore snorkeling
September - October
Weather: | Crowds: Low | Prices: Low
Best value. Kids back in school, summer crowds gone, but weather still excellent. Slightly more afternoon showers. Manta rays very active.
Best for: Budget travelers, couples, fewer crowds
November - December
Weather: | Crowds: Medium → High | Prices: Low → Very High
Early November is golden—low prices, light crowds. Whales start arriving mid-November. Prices spike at Thanksgiving and stay high through New Year.
Best for: Early whale season, holiday celebrations
Best Time By Activity
🐋 Whale Watching
December - April (peak: February-March). Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to breed in Hawaii's warm waters. Maui has the highest concentration.
🤿 Snorkeling
May - September for North Shore spots. South shores (Maui, Oahu south side) are good year-round. Water visibility best in morning, any time of year.
🏄 Surfing
November - February for big waves on North Shores. Summer for south-facing breaks and beginners.
🌙 Manta Rays
Year-round on Big Island, but August - November often has the highest manta concentrations.
🥾 Hiking
April - October for driest trails. Trails can be muddy and slippery in winter rainy season.
Weather Reality Check
Hawaii doesn't have dramatic seasons—temperatures range 75-85°F year-round. The main variables:
- Trade winds: Keep things comfortable. When they stop ("Kona weather"), it gets humid.
- Rain: More November-March, especially on windward (east/north) sides. Leeward (west/south) sides are drier year-round.
- Ocean conditions: Big swells November-April on north shores; calmer May-October.
Avoiding Crowds
Peak times to avoid: Christmas-New Year, Spring Break, July 4th week, Thanksgiving
Pro move: Visit mid-January (after New Year crowds leave, before February rush) or September-October for the emptiest beaches and easiest tour bookings.
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