The best time to visit Honolulu for the warmest temperatures and driest weather is between March and September. This is a season of warm, sunny days, perfect for volcano hikes, exploring the lush landscape, and enjoying long days on the beach.
Having said this, there is no bad time to go to Honolulu. The Hawaiian archipelago basks in year-round warm temperatures. There are effectively two seasons: kau, the summer, lasts from May to October, while ho’oilo, the Hawaiian “winter”, extends from November to April. In Honolulu, this is a slightly wetter season.
Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, lies on the southwestern shore of Oahu, which is a little warmer and less humid than the eastern side. The climate here is tropical; the temperature rarely falls below 66°F (19°C), even in winter, and severe tropical storms are rare. It’s easy to see why the locals view their island as paradise.
Visiting Honolulu By Season
Summer
Tantalus Lookout
Summer, which in Honolulu is June, July, and August, is the busiest time in the city, like the rest of Hawaii. The weather is warm and sunny, with a daily average of 81°F (27°C) in June, rising to 82°F (28°C) in August. Rainfall is negligible; just 0.5 inches (13mm) in June and July, rising to 0.8 inches (21mm) in August.
July receives on average 11 hours of sunshine daily and the sea is a blissful 81°F (27°C). Summers can be humid, but this is usually tempered by sea breezes coming off the Pacific.
Pineapples and mangoes are in season and the frangipani trees, with their seductive perfume, are in bloom. Visit in mid-June and you could witness the colorful King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade, an important event in Honolulu’s cultural calendar.
Fall
September brings the end of the summer season in Honolulu, although this is still a good time to visit. The sea is still perfect for swimming, and evenings are still balmy enough to enjoy sitting outside.
Temperatures are constant, ranging from a daily average of 82°F (28°C) in September to 79°F (26°C) in November. Rainfall increases slightly as fall progresses; November, one of the wettest months, sees 2.2 inches (57mm) on average. Hurricanes, though, are extremely rare.
Winter
December may be one of the cooler months in Honolulu, but you can still expect daily averages of 75°F (24°C) and just 2.1 inches (55mm) of rain. Oahu gets busy from Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Year’s, with the season extending into January and February as North Americans escape the winter chill back home.
Winter is also peak season for surfers, drawn to the impressive waves of Oahu’s northern shores. The waves are gentler on the southern shores, so if you’re a beginner, this is the time to head to Waikiki Beach, one of Honolulu’s best beaches. Not into surfing? Winter is the breeding season for humpback whales, so this is the perfect time for a whale-watching tour.
Spring
Temperatures begin to increase as March leads to April and May; by May, you can expect daily averages of 79°F (26°C). March is a relatively wet month, bringing 2.3 inches (60mm) of rain on average, decreasing to just 0.8 inches (21mm) by May.
Humpback whale
The island is in bloom all through spring, and while the big surf on the north coast has subsided, this is still a great time to take to the water for beginners and intermediates. You will still see humpback whales in the waters around Oahu before they start their migration back to Alaska.
When Is Rainy Season?
For a city in the tropics, Honolulu actually receives relatively little rain. It’s also drier than many other parts of the archipelago.
The wetter months are November to March, with November and March being the wettest. Rainy season rarely means long periods of overcast skies; in November, Honolulu still receives 6.5 hours of sunshine daily, rising to 8.5 by March. The winter months are also when the hills around Honolulu are at their most lush. And this being Hawaii, even if it’s raining in the city, it could well be sunny elsewhere.
When Is High Season?
Honolulu’s high seasons coincide with the main North American holidays: July and August, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, and Spring Break.
The city will be busy in peak seasons. July and August bring a real buzz, while Christmas and New Year’s is a wonderful time to visit, with a spectacular fireworks display on Waikiki Beach at midnight on December 31.
When Is Shoulder Season?
Aliʻiolani Hale
April, May, September, and October are considered the shoulder season months in Honolulu. You’ll encounter glorious weather during these periods but fewer tourists. For a quieter life but with fine weather, shoulder season is the best time to go to Honolulu.
Having said that, Honolulu is a thriving, dynamic city, and there’s always something going on. Late October, for example, brings the annual Food and Wine Festival.
When Is Low Season?
Honolulu doesn’t have a distinct quiet season with no visitor arrivals and everything shutting down. The later winter months are a little quieter, as they are marginally cooler and wetter, but there are still compelling reasons to visit, from Chinese New Year in January or February to surf season and the big Honolulu Festival in March, a celebration of Hawaiian culture. On the whole, though, February and March are quieter than January.
Read: What to Pack for Hawaii
Honolulu
Are you ready to discover this idyllic island? Browse Celebrity’s cruises to Honolulu and plan your escape to paradise.
