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Best time to visit

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The periods from April to May and September to October are considered to be the best time to visit Hawaii—the islands are not that crowded, the weather is mild and the hotel rates are quite affordable. Spring brings stunning sunsets at Haleakala summit, Lahaina noon phenomenon, and perfect days for a beach vacation. Even though summertime in Hawaii is subjected to storms and lots of families with school kids, it is the best season for water activities like snorkelling, diving with sharks, sailing, and kayaking. Balmy early fall will treat you with exotic fruits and Kona coffee harvest. Yet non-crowded early November is a good time to go surfing, especially north of Oahu island. When the high but rainy season kicks in with first weeks of December, be ready to deal with tourist crowds and to pay a fortune for your stay. However, if you choose December to March for your trip, you should visit the overwhelming Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or go watch magnificent Humpback Whales. Some of the must-attend Hawaii events are Merrie Monarch Festival in April, Lantern Floating Ceremony in May, and Aloha Festivals in September.

66 things to do in Hawaii

Hurricane Season

June–November • Weather

Summer winds, similar to Asian monsoon, may bring storms, typhoons or tropical cyclones

Spring and Autumn Surf Season

March–May | September–November • Activity

Spring season in Hawaii is a good time to enjoy waves and master your surfing skills

Winter (Wet Season)

October–March • Weather

Short rains and cooler temperatures make this period less popular. But it doesn't refer to surfers

Whale Watching in Hawaii

mid-November–early May| best: January–March • Activity

A spectacular and moving show of whales with their calves cresting and breaching around your boat​​

Lahaina Noon

late May | mid-July • Activity

An interesting solar position can be observed in various locations

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

May–September • Activity

Hawaii is one of the few places in the world where you can still catch a 50 kg yellowfin tuna

Skiing and Snowboarding Mauna Kea

February–March • Activity

It's not a joke. You really can ski and snowboard in Hawaii

Hawaii Cruises

April–August • Activity

Be prepared for adventures when cruising the Pacific

Ginger Bread Village

December • Event

A lovely Christmas tradition in a tropical paradise

Torch Lighting and Cliff Diving

all year round • Activity

A romantic and touching experience on Maui Island, unique to Hawaii

Merrie Monarch Festival

April 20–26, 2025 • Event

One of the most colorful cultural events in Hawaii held to honor King David Kalakaua

Ka Moloka'i Makahiki Festival

January 23–24, 2025 • Event

A great occasion to learn more about Hawaiian traditions and culture

Apple Bananas

June–October • Food

Forget your supermarket bananas. Taste Hawaiian apple bananas for the first time

Maui Film Festival

August 29–September 2, 2024 • Event

Watching a movie right on the beach under a starry tropical sky is a great festival experience

Pearl Harbor Day

December 7, 2024 • Event

The historical site of Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island​, where the US was attacked by Japanese forces in 1941, has a lot to offer visitors

Great Pumpkin Festival

October 25–26, 2024 • Event

Don't miss this event if you want to feel the real American Halloween atmosphere

Soursop

January–April | June–August | October–November • Food

This strange looking fruit is great for smoothies

Birdwatching

December–February • Nature

Hawaii is home to a number of rare birds and a great number of seabirds

Luau Party

all year round • Activity

A trip to Hawaii isn't complete without a traditional Hawaiian party

Laniakea or Turtle Beach

March–November • Nature

A day on the beach with turtles—this is a perfect retreat Hawaiian style

Lychee

May–June • Food

Try this sweet and juicy fruit with a short harvesting season

Hiking Mauna Kea

April–November • Activity

Do you want to climb the world's highest mountain?

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii

May 27, 2024 • Event

A touching Buddhist custom attracts thousands of participants in Honolulu

Diving with Sharks

April–September • Activity

An extreme Hawaii experience and a great photo opportunity

Winter Surf Season

November–March • Activity

Hawaii is a surfer's paradise, especially in winter when it becomes a dynamic global surfing hot spot

Kamehame​ha Day

June 11 • Event

Time to commemorate the birth of the legendary king who united the Hawaiian islands

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

January 3–23, 2023 • Event

Hawaii's top surfing competition for the best surfers in the world

Mango

June–October • Food

There are over 60 varieties of mango in Hawaii

Moloka'i Hoe

October 13, 2024 • Event

A popular and authentic Polynesian sport of canoe racing with hundreds of ​teams participating

Kona Coffee Harvest

August–February • Activity

Try one of the world's most famous coffees and participate in its harvesting by hand

Snorkeling

April–October • Activity

Hawaii is one of the best destinations on Earth for snorkeling. The underwater life here is simply fantastic​

Plumeria Blossom

April–August • Nature

Plumeria flowers have become a symbol of Hawaii. Don't miss their beautiful bloom season

Turtle Town in Maui

May–September • Activity

A beautiful snorkel location with friendly Hawaiian sea turtles and a variety of colorful tropical fish

Weeping Wall or Blue Hole

all year round • Nature

The waterfalls are so much like tears pouring down green cheeks of Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on Earth

Beach Season

March–May (all year round) • Activity

A time to enjoy the most exotic beaches of Hawaii!

Kukaniloko Birthing Stones

April–October • Nature

A Hawaiian Stonehenge on Oahu island

Kayaking and Canoeing

April–October • Activity

Explore the amazing islands and bays from the water

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

May–September • Activity

Explore picturesque lagoons, tunnels, reefs, and underwater canyons of the Hawaiian Islands​

Chinese New Year

January 25–February 8, 2025 • Event

Street parties throughout the islands with lots of great food, fun activities, and amazing fireworks

Ironman World Championship in Kona

October 26, 2024 • Event

Try yourself in one of the world's toughest races and prove that you really are made of ​steel. Notice, it's by qualification only!

Pineapple

March–July • Food

A delicious fruit that grows in many backyards in Hawaii

Jacaranda Tree Blooming

late April–mid-May • Nature

Don't miss a beautiful spectacle of Jacaranda trees blooming along the Haleakala slopes on Maui

Ohi'a'ai or Mo​untain Apples

June–October • Food

Try these exotic Hawaiian fruits which are absolutely delicious

Haleakala Sunrise and Sunset

March–May • Nature

A magnificent sunrise and sunset at Haleakala summit among volcanic scenery will leave you breathless

Aloha Festivals

September 7, 2024 | September 21, 2024 | September 28, 2024 • Event

A dynamic celebration of Hawaiian culture and Aloha spirit

Kona Coffee Blossom, or "Kona Snow"

February–March • Nature

Witness the unique "Kona snow" of Hawaii during the blooming period of coffee trees

Rambutan

October–March • Food

A colourful and hairy fruit very popular in Hawaii

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

October 18 | October 25–27 | November 6–10, 2024 • Event

Wash the scrumptious Hawaiian dishes down with some fine vibrant wine

Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs

June–October • Activity

This staircase has nothing in common with a Japanese poetry genre

50th State Fair

May 26–July 9, 2024 • Event

A beloved annual event offers plenty of local character

Honolulu Marathon

December 8, 2024 • Event

26.2 Miles in Paradise—this marathon has to be remembered

Lexus Pipe Pro

January 27–February 8, 2025 • Event

One of the most stunning and dangerous surfing competitions

Cherry Blossom

mid-January–early March • Nature

Japanese brought the cherry trees to Hawaii along with hanami tradition

May Day (Lei Day)

May 1 • Event

Lei is not just an accessory. This element of Hawaiian culture even has its own holiday

Memorial Day Weekend

May 24–26, 2025 • Event

Flower shower, floating lanterns, and other events to commemorate fallen heroes

Okinawan Festival

August 31-September 1, 2024 • Event

The largest ethnical event on the archipelago

Hawaii 4th of July Fireworks & Events

July 4 • Event

Fireworks and celebrations all over Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

May–September • Activity

A real Mecca for kitesurfers and windsurfers where surfing is a way of life

Halloween

October 31 • Event

Don't miss out on fun fall activities when you are in Hawaii

Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea)

all year round • Nature

Relax on the amazing sand of Mahana Bay, on one of the four green beaches in the world

Chinese New Year in Maui, Hi

January 29, 2025 • Event

Immerse yourself in vibrant street celebrations on Maui

Manta Ray Night Dive

year round (best time: May–September) • Activity

Did you miss the feeling of winning in a lottery? Swimming with these fantastic animals will give you one!

Honolulu Christmas Lights

December–January • Event

Christmas Lights is a beloved annual tradition in Honolulu

Christmas Lights in Hawaii

late November–early January • Event

Every island deserves its own winter wonderland

Stargazing

all year round (best from March to September) • Nature

Hawaii features plenty of breathtaking spots, with the sky filled with trillions of stars

New Year's Eve

December 31 • Event

Usher in the New Year in Hawaii with a festive vibe and some authentic bliss

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