What's the best time to visit Honolulu?
The best time to visit Honolulu is between March and June, offering warm weather, minimal rain, and numerous festivals without the peak season crowds. For budget travelers, the cheapest time is from March to July, with lower hotel rates.
The least busy period is September to early November, ideal for a laid-back experience with fewer tourists and pleasant weather, albeit with increasing rain towards November.
Don’t get stuck with huge crowds and sky-high prices! Find out the best time to visit Honolulu – and the worst – for the ultimate Hawaiian getaway in our guide.
We’ll show you the overall best, cheapest, least busy, and worst times to visit this island paradise below. You’ll also see some of the most popular festivals and events happening in Honolulu during each season!
The Overall Best Time to Visit Honolulu
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The overall best time to visit Honolulu is from March to June, when the weather is warm, rain is minimal, and festivals and events are in full swing.
This time of year is popular for tourists, but it’s not part of the much busier peak season that runs from December to February as people seek Honolulu’s warmth instead of colder winter temperatures and snow at home.
The tropical plants here are lush and thriving, the water is warm, and beaches and outdoor activities are bustling. It’s such an idyllic time of year to come to Honolulu!
Average high temperatures from 82F to 86F mean it’s characteristically warm and sunny in Honolulu during this spring and early summer period.
There’s little rainfall this time of year, with most of it occurring in March (2.6″ average monthly total) and less in April (1.3″), May (1.1″), and June (0.6″). Check out the list of events below to get some ideas for fun outings while you’re here during the best time to visit Honolulu!
Popular March-June Events in Honolulu
- Honolulu Festival (March)
- I Love Kailua Town Party (April)
- Hawaii International Film Festival (April)
- Waikiki Spam Jam (April)
- Hawaii Book and Music Festival (May)
- Filipino Festival (May)
- Lei Day Celebration (May)
- Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii (May)
- Mango Jam (June)
- Pan-Pacific Festival (June)
- King Kamehameha Celebration (June)
Cheapest Time to Visit Honolulu
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Overall, the cheapest time to visit Honolulu is from March to July with average hotel prices ranging from $182 to $213 per night during this time of year.
It may be cheaper to visit Honolulu during this spring-summer period because Hawaii’s busiest tourism season occurs earlier in the year, from December to February.
We calculated the average hotel prices in Honolulu throughout the year using data from Booking.com. March to July dates in Honolulu had the lowest prices per night!
The absolute cheapest month for Honolulu accommodations was June with an average nightly rate of $182. Next is April ($184/night), March ($186/night), July ($196/night), and May ($213/night).
There’s very little rain during this time of year, with a bit more precipitation in the spring (March-May) than in early summer (June-July).
It’s hurricane season from June 1 to November 30, so it’s wise to get travel insurance or book a refundable trip just in case the weather gets bad leading up to your trip.
If you’re planning a budget-friendly trip to Honolulu, booking your stay during the March to July range will ensure you pay less per night for your room while enjoying warm weather and Hawaiian scenery.
Popular July Events in Honolulu
See the section above for popular Honolulu events in March, April, May and June. Here are more festivals and events happening during the month of July to check out, too!
- Hawaii State Farm Fair (July)
- State Fair at Aloha Stadium (July)
- Joy of Sake (July)
- Prince Lot Hula Festival (July)
- Ukulele Festival Hawaii (July)
- Ala Moana Center Fireworks Show (July)
- Haleiwa Arts Festival (July)
- Endless Summer Festival (July)
- Waikiki Summer Festival (July)
Least Busy Time to Visit Honolulu
Tourists hiking on the Diamond Head lookout trail in December 2022, Honolulu, HI/Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock
September to early November is the least busy time to visit Honolulu, as the summer crowds dissipate and people aren’t yet arriving for the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
From the month of September through October and early November, you’ll find fewer crowds in Honolulu. This is perfect if you’re looking for a more laid-back visit.
The weather is great during the fall here, with daily high temperatures around 88F in September, 87F in October, and 84F in November. It gets progressively rainier as you get deeper into the fall months, however.
September sees about an inch of rain, October gets about 1.7″, and November receives about 2.2″ of rain. For the best weather and fewer crowds, plan to arrive sometime in September or October to get the best of both worlds.
Since fewer people come to Honolulu during the fall, you will be able to find cheaper rates on hotels and resorts this time of year. The rates won’t be as cheap as during the March-July period, but the savings are notable compared to arriving during the peak season!
Popular September-November Events in Honolulu
- Hawaii Okinawan Festival (September)
- Rice Fest (September)
- Aloha Festivals and Floral Parade (September)
- Na Wahine Festival and 5K (September)
- Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (October)
- Waikiki Fall Festival (October)
- Hallowbaloo Music & Arts Festival (October)
- Fall Hawaii International Film Festival (November)
- Vans World Cup of Surfing (November)
Worst Time to Visit Honolulu
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Late December to early January may be the worst time to visit Honolulu simply because it’s the busiest, priciest season due to holiday travelers booking well in advance.
This period of time is a bit of a conundrum because it’s actually a wonderful time of year to visit Honolulu. It’s the huge crowds of tourists, booked-up hotels, crowded restaurants, and higher prices that make many consider it the worst time to visit.
We found hotel prices were incredibly expensive from late December through early January. In the last week of December, average rates were about $412/night.
In the first week of January, the average hotel room price was around $362/night. Compare that to the cheapest time to visit (March-July), with room rates from $182-$213/night!
On top of the crowded conditions and higher prices, Honolulu and the island of Oahu experience the rainy season with more cloudy skies, precipitation, and fewer hours of sunshine each day.
January is also the most humid month in Honolulu with an average daily humidity of 73%. That can make the pleasant-sounding 81F-82F temperatures feel much hotter and less comfortable.
Still, if you can book early enough for plenty of availability and don’t mind paying premium rates during the height of the peak season, visiting at this time of year can be really nice.
Popular December-January Events in Honolulu
- Hawaii Bowl (December)
- Honolulu City Lights (December)
- Honolulu Marathon (December)
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December)
- Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (December)
- Ohana Festival (January)
- Sony Open (January)
Things to Consider
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You’ll have the most successful and enjoyable trip to Honolulu by visiting at the best time of year and keeping these helpful travel tips in mind:
- Check out 130 Honolulu beaches. Everyone’s heard of Waikiki Beach and Sunset Beach, but did you know that Honolulu is home to 130 diverse beaches? You’ll find a range of scenery, different areas to snorkel and dive, and some spots that are more secluded and tucked away by visiting as many of the beaches here as you can.
- Broaden your options for accommodations. While hotels and resorts are the most popular places to stay when you visit Honolulu, there may be cheaper or more spacious options available to consider. Some of the best Airbnbs in Oahu are located in or very near Honolulu. Rent a small apartment, an entire luxury beach house, or something in between to suit your travel needs!
- Pack your itinerary with fun stuff. Some of the best things to do in Oahu include trying surfing, visiting monuments and landmarks (including palaces and temples), checking out wildlife, diving with sharks, discovering botanical gardens, and hiking incredible trails through the beautiful landscape.
- Eat like the locals. When you visit a place with rich, blended cultural heritage like Honolulu, you’ve got to try the melting pot cuisine! You’ll taste influences from Polynesian, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, and Chinese foods in Hawaiian cuisine. Check out our list of the 15 best restaurants in Oahu to start pinpointing the places you don’t want to miss out on during your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Still have a few questions about the best time to visit Honolulu and what else you should know before you go? Check out the most frequently asked questions to learn more.
When is the best time to visit Honolulu for pleasant weather?
The best time to visit Honolulu is during the drier and less humid months of April to October when you can enjoy outdoor activities with warm and pleasant weather
What is the rainy season in Honolulu?
Yes, Honolulu has a rainy season that typically falls between November and March, with increased rainfall and the possibility of occasional showers.
What is the cheapest month to visit Honolulu?
The cheapest month to visit Honolulu is June, with the average hotel room costing around $182/night in Honolulu at this time of year.
April and March are priced very similarly at $184 and $186/night averages, which is usually the lowest per-night rates you'll find all year long in Honolulu.
What are the best and worst months to visit Hawaii?
April through October is generally the best time to visit Hawaii overall, while August and December to January are the worst times to visit. The spring months generally feature excellent weather, drier conditions, lots of sunshine, and lower prices than the peak winter season.
What time of year is Hawaii cheapest?
Spring and early summer (March-July) is the cheapest time of year to visit Hawaii as a whole, with fall (September-November) as the second-cheapest time of year to visit. Winter, especially December and January, tend to be the most expensive time to visit Hawaii as it's peak tourism season on the islands.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Honolulu?
If it’s at all possible, try to head to Honolulu sometime between March and June – the best time to visit Honolulu overall. Your reward will be great weather, less rain, lower prices, and tons of events you can attend. .
Anytime you can free up your schedule for a Honolulu visit will be great. Even during the “worst” time to go, there’s still lots of sunshine, adventure, and scenery to enjoy!
But if you can arrange your trip for the overall best, cheapest, or least busy time of year, we think you’ll enjoy your stay a little bit more. Happy travels!