Hawaii when is a good time to go

Fortunately, it seldom rains in one spot for more than 3 days straight. But how warm it is on any given day really depends on where you are on the island. The leeward sides the west and south are usually hot and dry, while the windward sides east and north are generally cooler and moist. When you want arid, sunbaked, desert-like weather, go leeward. When you want lush, wet, rainforest weather, go windward.

Hawaii also has a wide range of microclimates , thanks to interior valleys, coastal plains, and mountain peaks. On the Big Island, Hilo ranks among the wettest cities in the nation, with inches of rainfall a year.

At Puako, only 60 miles away, it rains less than 6 inches a year. The summits of Mauna Kea on the Big Island and Haleakala on Maui often see snow in winter—even when the sun is blazing down at the beach. If you're heading to the summit of Haleakala, be sure to bundle up accordingly as it gets quite cold atop the volcano.

For more information, be sure to read our Best Time to Visit Maui article. The best months to visit the Big Island are May , August , or September for the best combination of great weather, low rates, and fewer visitors. Weather on the Big Island, like the other islands, stays consistently warm year-round. The main thing to note weather-wise is the differences between the Hilo wetter and cooler eastern windward side and Kailua-Kona drier and warmer western leeward side.

Annual events that generate an influx of visitors are the Merrie Monarch Festival around Easter Sunday and the Ironman competition Kona side, typically in October. In summary, as you prepare for your trip - remember to check local calendars for events, review the status of the parks and locations you'd like to visit, prepare and pack the proper travel supplies for the island s you're visiting, and make sure not to worry too much about the weather; Hawaii is known as "paradise" for a good reason.

Ultimately, the Best Time to visit Hawaii is when you choose to go! If you still can't decide exactly when to go, no problem - try our quiz below, and we'll suggest four months we think are best for you. We hope you have a great trip! To assist visitors further, we've broken each month out in detail.

Choosing the best time of year to visit Hawaii is no easy task for most visitors. It can be a confusing and even frustrating job, and that's probably the last thing anyone wants when planning a trip to Hawaii. Based on your personal feedback, we'll suggest the four months we believe would be your best time to visit Hawaii. Read and answer the quick questions below- each of your answers will earn a set number of points which will be tallied at the end. Some questions may seem similar, but try to answer as many of the questions as possible to ensure the most accurate results.

Please answer each Question with a "Yes", "No", or "Somewhat" response. If you're not worried about crowds, enter either 'Somewhat' or 'No. If you consider yourself a beach-going person, then you're going to love Hawaii's choices. Take your pick of white, yellow, black, green, or even red sand. Prioritize Good Weather This is a really important option for some folks.

If you are absolutely set on having optimal weather, then add this to your list. Keep in mind that the windward side of each island will always have a chance of showers, but that in general, some islands and certain seasons are just drier or wetter than others.

Select 'Yes' below if you'd like to generally avoid wetter weather, and 'No' or 'Somewhat' if you're not as concerned about rain or wetter conditions. But certain seaons are definitely better than others for the smoothest experience while on the water. Cultural Attractions If the history of places you visit intrigues you, then this is a category to put on your list. Hawaii has an incredibly rich history that is unique in all the world. Luckily, much of this history has been preserved throughout the islands in various historical sites.

Fishing Can't resist the urge to grab a fishing pole and see what you can catch? Hiking There's no question about it. We chose Hawaii because of this very option; the islands are a mecca of trails.

If you're like us, crazy about hiking to see the often unseen, then definitely consider this option. From gorgeous coastal trails, barren lava hikes, to lush jungle, you can do it all in Hawaii. This does not include 'Kona storms' or other spontaneous Tradewind-generated events, only seasonal tropical cyclone activity. Scuba or Snorkeling If it's what's under the waves that piques your interest, then you've come to the right place.

Hawaii has some incredible opportunities for anyone interested in these two activities. Hawaii offers some of the most diverse plants and flora on the planet, and several species are endemic to the islands, meaning they ONLY exist here.

Hawaii's tropical climate caters to some flowers blooming almost year-round, but some seasons are definitely better than others. But there are certain seasons where the waterfalls are a lot more scenic than others.

If that's especially important to you, ensure you select 'Yes' below. Avoid Higher Costs Hawaii's costs and effect on your wallet can vary throughout the year.

Generally, for most visitors, we'll assume you're looking to save when it comes to accommodations, food, vehicle rentals, and purchases - but still, have good fun on activities and other experiences. If this is correct, select 'Yes' below and we'll attempt to avoid high-demand months with higher costs. If you're looking for ultimate luxury and don't consider money an option, select 'No' below, and we'll still include those higher-cost months.

Otherwise, select 'Somewhat' or skip this question. Whale Watching If you simply have to see the whales during your vacation, then make sure this is on your list. The months of December through April typically offer the best opportunities of seeing Humpback whales.

The whales can show up as early as October and depart as late as May, but optimal times are Dec-April. It may take a few seconds to process your personalized Hawaii results. Mahalo for your patience. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein.

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Download your copy of our Travel Alert: Hawaii Travel Restrictions. Kalalau Valley - Kauai. Best Time to go to Hawaii? When is best to Travel to Hawaii? In general, for the best overall weather , lowest statewide rates , and fewest visitors on-island , the best time to visit Hawaii is: April - an excellent month, but avoid holidays, when applicable May - the best overall month for visitors, in our opinion.

Check out our 'Best time to Published on: Published by: John C. Click to Enlarge. Hawaii Reopened in the Fall of COVID has continued to cause significant disruption to historic travel trends for most of to date, and we expect it to potentially cause additional issues heading in the Winter of into early Hawaii Hotel Rates Average Accommodation Prices As is to be expected, when more people are 'on-island' visiting the Hawaiian Islands - accommodation, rental, and flight costs will increase as well.

Best Time for Good Weather? Best Time to avoid crowds? Best Time to Book Hawaii Hotels? Best Time to purchase Hawaii Airline Tickets? Best Time for Snorkeling, Swimming, and Diving? Best Time to ski or snowboard? Best Time to go Whale Watching? Best Time for Hiking? Best Time to go Fishing?

Best Time for local festivals and events? So for a winter vacation, pick a location with less rainfall. The most expensive times to visit are as follows:. Car rental rates can sky-rocket, especially on last minute bookings. We recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental for getting the lowest prices on car rentals throughout the year. Depressed by the gloom of winter, many find themselves trying to plan a last minute trip during the winter.

Save money by staying in a vacation rental. Our directory features the best legally licensed Hawaii vacation rentals , so start by searching our site, or feel free to contact us and we can help you find a place at your budget.

Do not jeopardize your vacation and be tempted by the plethora of illegal rentals in Hawaii, found on sites like Airbnb. Hawaii is actively taking action against them. If you're wanting to stay in a vacation rental, but still want the resort experience, try renting a timeshare from a private owner. Hawaii timeshare rentals offer amenities like full kitchens, multiple bathrooms, mesmerizing ocean views, and up to 6 bedrooms. Think of them as vacation rentals located in 5-star resorts, instead of private residences.

To find a Hawaii timeshare rental, we recommend browsing the popular by-owner marketplace SellMyTimeshareNow. The exception is Waikiki, by far the most crowded area in Hawaii. On average there are roughly , tourists on the islands on any given day: , on Oahu, 48, on Maui, 29, on the Big Island, and 22, on Kauai. Oahu, Maui and Kauai are similar in size but the populations and amount of developed land vary considerably.

The population density is about per square mile on Oahu versus on Kauai. There are areas of Kauai, like Wailua and Kapaa, which suffer from congestion but Kauai is a clear choice for those wanting more solitude. The following chart shows the average number of tourists in Hawaii on any given day.