What Is the Best Time to Travel to Hawaii’s Big Island?
There isn’t a bad time to travel to Hawaii’s Big Island, but it is the busiest between December and March.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Hawaii
is usually considered the dream vacation with its beautiful weather year-round, breathtaking scenery, and exciting culture. The Big Island of Hawaii sees the most visitors in the winter months, but you’ll find the best deals on airfare and hotels between April-June and September-November. Residents and visitors of the Big Island of Hawaii are met with fine weather all year and have access to some of the most impressive landscapes in the world. With lush greenery, mountains and volcanoes, and the Pacific Ocean all in one spot, it’s easy to see why Hawaii is such a popular tourist destination.
Although there are things to do during each month of the year, the best time for you to plan your vacation will depend on your preferences and favorite activities. That’s why
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The best times of year to travel to Hawaii’s Big Island
While there isn’t a bad time to visit the Island of Hawaii, the best time to visit will depend on the experiences you’re looking to have. If you’re a surfer looking for the sweetest swells, it’s best to visit during the winter months. If you’re planning your destination wedding, the best time to go will be in the drier summer months.
Peak season: December to March
The good: Best surfing waves, prime whale watching
The bad: Booked resorts and high hotel prices
The weather: Mid 60s to low 80s, wet season
Since Hawaii’s Big Island has warm weather year-round, it draws a lot of visitors who are fleeing their colder climates during the winter months. A lot of people book their vacations in winter, so resort, hotel, and airfare prices are typically the highest during these months.
November to March is also the Island’s wet season, but since the weather varies so much from place to place on Hawaii, the extra precipitation likely won’t bother you too much—especially if you’re surfing. The rainier weather makes for excellent surfing conditions, and the island holds surfing competitions during this time. It’s also the best time for whale watching!
Pro Tip If you’re planning a visit to Hawaii’s Big Island in the peak season, book your places to stay at least 3 months in advance! Hotels and resorts get booked full months out.
Off-seasons: April to June, September to November
The good: Lower rates, fewer tourists
The bad: November is the rainiest month
The weather: High 70s, low 80s
If you’re looking for the cheapest room rates and the smallest crowds, the off-season is the time to visit Hawaii’s Big Island. You’ll be in the dry season and likely not seeing much rain—until November when rainfall levels on the island are the highest.
These months are a great time to travel to the Island of Hawaii if you’re into festivals and cultural events!
King Kamehameha Day
in June commemorates the king’s rule from 1795 to 1819, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
celebrates all things foodie in October, Lei Day
takes place in May, and the Hawaii Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival
in June celebrates the Hawaii islands through food, fashion, and cultural workshops. Shoulder season: July to August
The good: Good deals on resort packages
The bad: Slightly higher airfare and hotel pricing, still draws crowds
The weather: High 70s, low 80s
Mid to late summer is the shoulder season on Hawaii’s Big Island. Although the crowds are not as sizable as in the winter months, it is still busier than in spring or fall. You’ll find many vacationing families taking advantage of the break from school.
This time of the year also draws out fishing enthusiasts for the
Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
to catch Marlin, earn trophies, and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian nature surrounding them. MORE:
Best Hawaiian road trips
The cheapest time to travel to Hawaii’s Big Island
To find the best deals on airfare and accommodations, go to the Island of Hawaii in the off-seasons of April to May and September to November. since there is fair weather year-round, you won’t have to worry too much about rain delays or other weather-related hindrances.
Find the best month for your visit to Hawaii’s Big Island
Ultimately, the best month for your trip to Hawaii will depend on the types of activities and experiences you’re looking for. Check out the table below to find the ideal time for your visit to Hawaii’s Big Island:
Activity | Best month to visit | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Snorkeling, swimming, diving | June and July | The summer months are drier so the water will be warmer and calmer |
Surfing, bodyboarding | December and January | The added precipitation of the wet winter months makes the biggest waves |
Paddleboarding | Spring and fall | Calmer waters |
Fishing | Year-round | You can find different species of fish at different times of the year |
Hiking | Late spring to early fall | Drier weather |
Whale watching | February and March | Humpback whales migrate to the warm Hawaiian waters |
Skiing, snowboarding | February and March | The peaks of Mauna Kea have the most snow at this time of year |
Destination weddings | May | Warmer and drier weather |
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Although you can’t drive to the Hawaiian archipelago, you may be
renting a car
to travel around the Big Island once you arrive—in which case you’ll want to make sure your car insurance policy has you covered before you go exploring. Insurance super app
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FAQs
What is the worst time to travel to Hawaii’s Big Island?
Honestly, there is not a bad time to visit Hawaii’s Big Island, but if you’re trying to avoid crowds and find the best deals, check the island out in late spring and early fall.
What months are hurricane season in Hawaii?
While Hawaii technically has a hurricane season between June and November, hurricanes are a rare occurrence for the islands.
