January trip to Kauai
 

We are thinking of a 10 day trip to Kauai in January, and the question is about the weather then. Is it warm enough for pool or ocean swimming, and how rainy might it be? Anyone with recent experiences to share? Thanks!

Kal goes to Kauai around that time every year. You could do a search for his posts or wait for him to reply.

Kauai is beautiful. But, at that time of year beware and heed any and all ocean warnings. You may even find some beaches closed.

We were in Kauai for a week in January, several years ago. I hate to tell you this, but it poured rain all day, every day.

We were at a self-contained resort, thank goodness, so it was possible not to have to drive anywhere in the deluge.

One day, DH and I tried to snorkel, which we both love to do. It was so cold, I lasted about 15 minutes in the water. Plus the light was so bad, you couldn't see a thing under water.

It was a big disappointment. Our next week was in Kona, Hawaii, which had good weather.

I'd avoid that month for Kauai, or shift further south in Hawaii.

(Kal will certainly know better-- our experience could have been a weather fluke.)

Winter is not the best time to stay north on Kauai or Oahu, or even some of Maui. Even Poipu on Kauai can experience downpours for days in winter.

We have enjoyed winter in South Maui and on the Kohala Coast of Big Island of Hawaii. We have also had nice weather sometimes in Poipu! Waikiki (in Honolulu on the island of Oahu) will have plenty of visitors, but there may be some runoff coming into the ocean from the higher altitudes.

Because so much of the mainland has cold winters, Hawaii never lacks for visitors then. January is the beginning of Whale Season too -- best viewed from Maui and Big Island.

Alohaaaaaaaa....we've been going every year in either Nov/Dec or Dec/Jan since '89 <except the Hurricane Iniki year> and all I tell people is when you go in those months <i>"You pays yer money-yah takes yer chances".</i>

Several times we've stayed 3 weeks and were blessed with about 18 of the 21 days of absa-toot-ly great weather.

A lot of the times in Dec/Jan while it's raining it's still in the 70s so you can go do things but maybe wear a $2 poncho you can get at an ABC store. BUT...hiking could be a problem in the rain/after a rain as some of the red dirt trails become quite slippery.

I'll still go swimming in our hotel pool <non heated> and the ocean <as long as there isn't a high surf advisory> but since I'm part walrus, you might not be as comfortable.

A lot of times you can just head to a diff side of the island. Last year after 3 cloudy rainy days around Kapaa, we headed to Salt Pond and Kekaha and caught some sun and swimming. Local radio stations sometimes will tell you if it's sunny at other locations.

One thing we do like about going in Dec/Jan is the No Shore surf. Waves as tall as 20-30ft will fill Hanalei Valley with ocean spray and if you hit it just right, the whole valley becomes radioactive, almost Heavenly. ((A))

I have friends go in June/July/Aug and had it rained the whole 5-7 days and said they'd never go back.

Hey...you're on a rock in the middle of the Pacific. Whaddyah think might happen?

BTW...we'll be there yet again in Jan for contiunued study into why people keep going over to the #ellhole. ;)

Helllooooooo suzie :-X >:D<

And one of our small <i>Kauai in the Rain</i> pleasures is a nice walk in the rain along the beach from our hotel (Islander on the Beach) up to The Olympic Cafe and nurse a Bloody Mary while watching the hustle/bustle of the traffic thru "Downtown Kapaatown" below you while the Sleeping Giant and King Kong peek in and out of the rain clouds.
Puts the "ahhhhhhh" in Alohaaaaaaaaa.

We were in Kauai the week after Kal left last year and I only remember it raining once and that was in the early evening.

Aloha from Kauai...besides "whats up with all the chickens" and "are there sharks here", questions on rain during the seasons are the top 3 questions i get from my guests.

Winter is definitely cooler, potentially more rain, winter surf from the northwest, etc.
The dynamics of the seasons are what is so amazing here. Yes, there could be a week full of non stop storming. North side is wetter than south. Could be "kona" winds with clear cool south winds evenings and stunning crystal clean mornings and afternoon cloud build up=rain.
Last year Christmas vacation, it rained a good amount and all the visitors handled according to their individual makeup. The year before it was dry all through most of December/january/, then stormy most of march. Ya never know...
When someone from the mainland emails me about this subject...
*Hordes of humpback whales are here...easy to watch in all their glory, making babaies and having babies. Tons of pods close to shore. No better expereince. Winter only
* waterfalls are going off! many moments of absolute beauty occur when the clouds pull back off of Na Molokama and all the arteries are flushing waterfalls...
* Savor the diverse flavors of all the eateries....from cafes in Kapaa to Kukuiula markets, great time to browse and savor if its too wet for the shoreline. Get a mocka and a good book and hide out in a hotels lobby with comfy couch.
* take walks on deserted beaches. Yes, surf can and will be big and dangerous. So,Walk Hanalei, Waikoko, Haena, Anini...shells wash up then. Avoid Lumahai, Polihale, Kauapea.

The water is cooler and may be browner from runoff. "Kona" storms come from the south and Poipu gets hit as well. All depends...i say "chance em"

Take a poncho

have been several times in February and it was great. Whale watching is at a premium. Coulnd't keep track of the numbers. Swimming was good albeit it took a bit to get used to the ocean water but after that, it was a breeze. We do not stay on Northshore then but Poipu area, rained a bit but mainly at night. One day last February there was a rare thunder and lightening storm which produced the most incredible sunset. Hit and miss with rain on Kauai(any time of year) but after 12 trips, we have NEVER been stopped by rain. NEVER had more than a day of rain except for night and a drizzle in the day but that is too be expected. Go for it!

Alohaaaaaa cd ;;)

How could I forget to comment on whale watching!
Loved to walk/bike/drive up to Kealia turnout and watch them huff and puff.
OR go down to the beach in Poipu by the Sheraton where they came in pretty close one year there.

One of <i>thee</i> most breataking sightings with the whales was during a hike of the NaPali at "OMG Turn" looking down and seeing a lot of them playing. <b>AWE</b> <wait for it> <b>SOME</b>