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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.

72 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

Avocado

September–April Food

Even though avocado is not native to Hawaii, it's widely used in modern Hawaiian cuisine

Torch Lighting and Cliff Diving

all year round Activity

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

Merrie Monarch Festival

March 31–April 6, 2024 Event

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

Ka Moloka'i Makahiki Festival

January 24–26, 2020 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

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

March–November Nature

If you've ever longed for a tropical paradise, Hanauma Bay is the place of your dreams

Surinam Cherry

September–November | March–June Food

It doesn't look like a cherry at all, but the sour taste is somewhat close to one

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 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

Ziplining

all year round Activity

America's first zipline appeared in Hawaii and the activity still remains one of the major attractions on the islands

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. A spectacular show for visitors!

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​

Summer (Dry Season)

April–September Weather

Hot and rainless time is loved by sunbathers

Chinese New Year

February 3–25, 2024 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

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

Billabong Pro Pipeline

January 29–February 10, 2024 Event

One of the most stunning and dangerous surfing competitions

Crater Rim Drive

all year round Activity

A stunning drive through Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park

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 25–27, 2024 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, 2024 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 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

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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