When Is The Best Time to Visit Hawaii

“When is the best time to visit Hawaii?” This is a question that I got asked often while working multiple jobs across Hawaii and living there permanently for many years. Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit all year round. In all honesty, I don’t think there’s a bad time to visit Hawaii. However, if you want to avoid crowds and overspending, I think the shoulder season is the best time to go.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Hawaii?

As somebody who travels a lot both professionally and for fun, I think the best times to visit Hawaii are in the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October. During those months, you typically won’t see much, if any, rain and the weather will be nice and sunny. The temperature during these months typically ranges from the high 60s to mid-80s. 

The cost of flights and hotels will typically be off-peak prices. Not to mention, the islands will be less crowded and it will be easier to get reservations for excursions, rental cars, and restaurants.

The holiday season typically starts in early to mid-November and goes through the new year. This is by far the busiest time of the year. It’s also some of the most beautiful if you enjoy holiday decorations and flair. Plus, you can see the whale migrations.

During the holidays, you’ll see airfare prices skyrocket and it’s generally some of the busiest times on all of the islands. When I was living in Hawaii, I never left to visit my family during the holidays because the costs of airfare were so ridiculously high. This is a time of year that I would personally avoid coming to Hawaii, but if it’s something you want to do, then go for it!

When Is The Rainy Season In Hawaii?

The rainy season in Hawaii is typically November through March. However, rain can come earlier or later in the year. The amount of rainfall depends a lot on which island you’re on and which side of the island you’re visiting.

According to the National Weather Service, Hilo, on Hawaii Island, gets approximately 130 inches of rain per year. This is more than triple the amount of rain that Seattle receives on the mainland at 39 inches per year. Meanwhile, Ewa Beach, on Oahu, gets only 17 inches of rain per year. 

Make sure you pack everything you need for the rain or sun: Hawaii Packing Guide

When Is Hurricane Season In Hawaii?

Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. This runs through the summer, which is some of the hottest months for tourism in Hawaii.

When Can I See Whales in Hawaii?

The humpback whales migrate through Hawaii from the polar regions. Thousands of whales use Hawaii as their breeding ground and can be spotted mating and giving birth in the Hawaiian waters. They start to be seen in Hawaii as early as November and as late as April, sometimes May. The best months to see the whales tend to be January, February, and March. If you’re lucky, you may see a momma whale with her calf in the water. 

More Hawaii Vacation Planning Information

If you want more information to plan your trip to Hawaii, check out these posts.

• Hawaii Packing List
• Best Island to Visit in Hawaii for the First Time
• The Top 10 Best Things to Do In Kauai
• Beginner Oahu Hikes You Can Do In a Day
• The Best Things to Do On Oahu

When to Work a Travel Nursing Assignment in Hawaii?

If you’re in the travel nursing industry, like me, you know that it’s hard to coordinate when we work at a place with specific seasons. You know you need to go to the jobs when they appear versus waiting for a job to come to you. 

In this case, I recommend taking a job in Hawaii at any time you can get one. If you go in the winter, which is the rainy season, and you want to stay until the summer, you can always extend. 

Personally, the first job I worked in Hawaii was in September and we had an early rainy season. Within weeks of getting there, I was rained out on most hikes. I ended up extending for a year and then working perm at a hospital for another year. 

I later worked a job in Hilo during their rainy season, which by far has the highest rainfall in Hawaii. Even though I went to work in Hilo during a downpour each day, I still enjoyed it. Plus, you could usually drive an hour and be able to see some sunshine. There’s usually sun at some place on the islands if you’re willing to drive for it.

Moral of the story: if you want the job, take it!

Conclusions on The Best Time to Visit Hawaii

There is not a bad time to visit or take a travel nursing assignment in Hawaii. If you value smaller crowds and lower prices, you may enjoy the shoulder season. If you want to see the whales, January or February would be good fits. If you want to avoid the rainy season, try May through September.