Best month to holiday in Hawaii
 

Hello,

Considering a trip to Hawaii. When is the best time to go? What is considered low season, and which island is the least traveled?
turbokid

Turbokid, low season is about mid-April through mid-December. I love Hawaii every day of the year, no matter the weather, but if I had my druthers, I'd go in May or June or July. (Summer is May-October there.) The fruit and flowers are especially wonderful then, and it isn't as hot as Aug/Sept/Oct. Usually, with the tradewinds, it's still wonderful there even when hot, but when/if the trades slow down, it can be hotter and more humid than you might expect. In May, you have fewer children vacationing, if that matters to you.

Of the four main islands, Kauai and the Big Island are less traveled. You can't go wrong with any island or combo........ it is paradise, at least IMHO!:-)

This is what I found from researching the tourist trends in Hawaii. This is the percentage of tourist that vist Hawaii by month. I'd stay away from Jan, Jun, July and Aug. Too crowded/higher prices.

Month Tourist by Month
JANUARY 10%
FEBRUARY 9%
MARCH 9%
APRIL 8%
MAY 7%
JUNE 10%
JULY 10%
AUGUST 10%
SEPTEMBER 6%
OCTOBER 6%
NOVEMBER 7%
DECEMBER 8%

Seems like some of the best deals are during the days after Thanksgiving weekend and up to Dec. 15 or so. Hawaii is very busy during the holidays (which the statistics posted by Nancy03 do seem to support for some reason).

I always see airfare deals during March. I don't think there is a bad time to go to Hawaii though. If you have your heart set on North shores of most islands than summer is often better, for weather. But then you miss the huge waves/whales of winter if you just go for sun. A storm on the North shore of Oahu is breath taken but I am sure you are not storm seeking on vacation.

So do you want to skip whales or rain on the North Shore of kauai? Every north shore is not as rainy as Kauai's but it is something to consider if that place is a primary goal for a trip outiside the months of June-September.

I honestly think each season has its own gift, if that does not sound like too much of a cliche. I love going in Summer, because I enjoy being on vacation with everyone else and I don't find the crowd overwhelming unless you choose heavily trafficed zones, Waikiki (being one). Still waikiki is like my boardwalk and if you had one of those in your childhood, you will like Waikiki at night.

Its all good most of the year! Corny but true for Hawaii.

Hi Nancy,

Where did you come up with those numbers? Just curious to know if it was Hawaii State numbers or you know of a sight that provides that for various locations?

Turbokid, as I mentioned in my post above, you will get the best hotel rates mid-April thru mid-December. In June, July and August, especially, you will have a lot of families along with those good rates. But I have never found the increased number of people "too crowded" for me. And if you're visiting Kauai or Big Island, you'll notice far fewer people than on Oahu or Maui at any time.

I wouldn't turn down a trip to Hawaii ever, although if I went Nov. to mid- April, I would stay on the South shore of the islands, and visit the Northern part because the South shore will be way sunnier and drier, as a rule. But I have been in all seasons, and my favorite time remains Spring/early Summer. Lower rates on everything, fruit and flowers at their best..... couldn't ask for anything more.

My favorite time to visit is during whale season which extends December - end of March - sometimes early April but I wouldn't count on that. The humpback whales are amazing. This is also primetime but you can find great deals. We used Priceline.com this past March and stayed at the Mariott in Waiela on Kauai for $130 per night (partial ocean view). It was great.

Kathryn, I would have to disagree that great deals are at all common for Hawaii during high season. Occasionally you will find a lower rate by bidding on Priceline, i.e., but in general, booking yourself with the hotel or through a T.A. or using someone like Pleasant Holidays, you will pay top dollar during that season, compared to the rest of the year, even if you're allowed the usual discount, i.e., AAA or AARP.

I understand the way you feel about the whales...... my sister goes for several weeks in winter, and loves them! We were there late Jan/Feb once, and they are a magnificent sight.

I think it's worth a try finding deals for whale season. We've traveled several times to Hawaii during this time and have been very happy with our rates. Even without using Priceline. The last great deal we found was at the Shearaton Maui through a promotion Sheraton was running, we landed a deluxe ocean front room for $230 per night. We were very happy with that. You just never know what you will find. I always suggest at least looking into it. Yes - it will be more money then the off season but the whales are worth a little extra. It's a great experience.

Reply and further question:
I was in Hawaii during September and it was great. Calm waters, nearly no rain. How does November compare? I still want to snorkel a lot and have heard that in November-March the waters can be too rough. (This may apply only to the North Island shores), but in November we could have a chance to see whales. Is there a big Seasonal change (from fall to Winter) in Hawaii that I'll notice between Sept. and Nov.?

Temperature wise you won't see much of a difference between Sept. and Nov. Maybe a degree or two. But as for the seas, we go to Hawaii every year from late-Oct. to early/mid Nov., and about half the time there has been at least one small craft/high surf advisory for the north shores of the islands.

If you want to avoid the crowds, don't go during any major holidays or when school is out -- summer, winter break and easter.

For blooming tree's, etc - July is a good time and not too hot just yet. Plus you get all the 4th of July fun.

For calm north shore - May/June - October should be ok. However, you can get small craft warning at anytime.

South shore in Waikiki today is up 6'-8' waves. So there ya go! Supposed to be big tomorrow too. Summer usually means bigger waves on the south sides. Windward/East shores get the wind and chop. If it's still in the summer then it's HOT. Usually windward side is calmer in the winter.

But this all can change.

Least traveled islands are Molokai and Lanai. But everyone forgets about them. They are my favorites. Old time Hawaii. Quiet, small, not touristy to the degree that every sign is in Japanese.

Kokee State Park on Kauai is also a favorite with nice, cheap cabins. They have miles of hiking trails - one to one of the wettest spots on earth. Beautiful place to relax, read a book and just enjoy nature.

Can snow up there in winter - but we went up for X-mas 2 years ago and it was 80's. Heat wave for them! Still needed to burn wood at night for warmth.

Hope some of this helps.

Denise