Weather in Hawaii

About Hawaii

Hawaii is America's most improbable state and its most beautiful. Each island has its own character: Maui's Road to Hana, the Big Island's active volcanoes, Oahu's North Shore breaks, Kauai's Na Pali Coast. The snorkelling with sea turtles alone is worth the flight.

Country

USA

Best months to visit

June, July, August, September

Currency

USD

Language

English / Hawaiian

Things to do in Hawaii

Road to Hana Haleakala sunrise Pipeline surf Volcano National Park Snorkelling with turtles Luau experience

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

February

22C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

March

22C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

April

23C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

May

24C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

Recommended

June

25C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

Recommended

July

27C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

Recommended

August

27C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

Recommended

September

26C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

October

26C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

November

24C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

December

23C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

Hawaii defies easy categorisation — it's simultaneously a US state with Target stores and rush-hour traffic, and a volcanic Pacific archipelago of black sand beaches, live lava flows, and verdant cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. The Big Island offers one of the world's few accessible active volcanic landscapes; Maui combines Haleakalā crater with the Road to Hana; and Oahu balances Waikiki's beach resort infrastructure with the North Shore's legendary surf and the haunting significance of Pearl Harbor. It is simply extraordinary.

Best areas to stay in Hawaii

Waikiki & Honolulu (Oahu)

Hawaii's most visited beach destination — a comfortable, well-developed resort strip backed by the Diamond Head crater, with excellent dining and Pearl Harbor nearby.

Maui

The Valley Island — sunrise from Haleakalā crater, the winding Road to Hana through rainforest waterfalls, and some of Hawaii's finest snorkelling at Molokini Crater.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)

One of the world's most extraordinary geological spectacles — active calderas, lava tube caves, and the possibility of seeing flowing lava reach the ocean.

Kauai

The 'Garden Island' — the dramatic Nā Pali Coast cliffs (accessible only by boat, helicopter, or strenuous hiking trail), the Waimea Canyon, and Hawaii's most lush and verdant landscapes.

Getting to Hawaii

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Flights

Fly from London to Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) then connect to Honolulu (HNL) on Hawaiian Airlines, United, or Delta. Direct London-Honolulu routes are rare — connections via US mainland hubs are the norm.

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From London

~18–20 hours total journey time from London to Honolulu

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Getting around

A hire car is essential on most Hawaiian islands for beach and trail access; Oahu has a reasonable bus network (The Bus). Inter-island flights with Hawaiian Airlines are quick (30–50 minutes) and frequently affordable.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Hawaii?

Hawaii enjoys pleasant weather year-round, but April to October (dry season on most islands) offers the most predictably sunny weather. Winter months (November–March) see more rainfall, particularly on north and east-facing shores, but also bring humpback whale migrations to Maui.

Which Hawaiian island should I visit first?

Oahu (Honolulu) is the most accessible with the most flights and the widest range of activities. Maui is considered by many the most beautiful for scenery. The Big Island (Hawaii) is essential for volcanic landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Many visitors island-hop.

Do I need an ESTA to visit Hawaii?

Yes — Hawaii is a US state, so all visitors needing a US visa or ESTA require one. UK passport holders need an ESTA (US$21, apply online at cbp.gov) well before travel.

Can I see active lava in Hawaii?

The Big Island's Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to one of the world's most accessible active volcanic systems. Lava visibility changes constantly — check NPS.gov for current activity reports before visiting.

What is the best surf in Hawaii?

Oahu's North Shore (Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach) hosts the world's most famous big wave surfing from November to February. Maui's Hookipa Beach is excellent for experienced surfers and windsurfers year-round.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The Big Island completely blew us away — walking on cooled lava fields in the national park, seeing the glow of the active caldera at night, and then snorkelling with manta rays the same evening. No other destination offers that range in a single day.

Laura H. · March 2024

★★★★★

Kauai is the most beautiful island I've ever set foot on — the Nā Pali Coast by kayak is one of the world's great adventures. The combination of dramatic scenery, incredible beaches, and genuine Aloha spirit is unlike anywhere else.

Greg T. · June 2023

★★★★★

Whale watching from shore at Maui's Kapalua Bay in January was spectacular — humpbacks breaching almost continuously right from the beach. The Road to Hana was extraordinary and sunrise from Haleakalā above the clouds was genuinely transcendent.

Stephanie K. · January 2024