The Best & Worst Times to Visit Oahu in 2023

The islands of Hawaii are beautiful places to visit for a tropical oasis vacation, especially Oahu. Oahu is home to around one million people, making it the most populous of the Hawaiian islands, and welcomes many tourists each year.

With perfect sunny weather and comfortable temperatures all year round, Oahu is on plenty of people’s bucket lists!

The island of Oahu is Hawaii’s third biggest island, providing plenty of beaches and stunning views of the surrounding ocean. There is a whopping 597 square miles of space for you to explore and enjoy!

Whether you’re looking to lounge in the sun to work on that sun-kissed tan or want something more lively, Oahu has everything you need and want! If Oahu sounds like a dream to you, maybe it’s time for you to start planning your trip!

However, it’s hard to determine when the best and worst times to visit Oahu are since it’s such a hotspot for travelers. Let’s look at some factors that will help you figure out when to go to Oahu!

Why You Should Visit Oahu

Oahu, home of Hawaii’s capital of Honolulu, offers plenty of fun for all ages. When you first land in Oahu and get to your hotel, you’ll probably want to do some relaxing as the plane ride can be quite long.

There’s nothing better than a beautiful beachy view and a quick dip in the ocean to get you into relaxation mode, and Oahu has plenty of gorgeous beaches for this.

After relaxing and maybe taking a quick nap, you might be ready to search for some fun activities. Waikiki should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for some fun as they have an array of water sports, a zoo, an aquarium, plenty of stores, and more!

Waikiki is a world-famous area filled with tons of fun things to do that’ll keep you busy all day. When your day is ending, and your stomach is grumbling, Oahu has some delicious food options for you to choose from.

Restaurants are all over the entire island, and a lot of them are close to the hotels, so you don’t have to go far to get some mouth-watering food. Try a poke bowl or other traditional Hawaiian dishes to wake up your taste buds and stomach! 

If you’re still up for some more fun after dinner, Oahu has plenty of nightlife options to keep you busy for hours!

Your choices range from different kinds of bars, live music, lounges, and nightclubs. Waikiki, Honolulu, and Chinatown seem to have the most options for nightlife as these are the resort areas, so definitely check those parts of Oahu out!

Overall Best Time to Visit Oahu

The overall best time to visit Oahu seems to be from April to May and then September to October. So, early spring and early fall are your best bets, and some of the reasons for this include the weather, lack of tourists, and low traveling and accommodation rates.

You can visit the island any time you want, but these are things to keep in mind when booking. In the spring, temperatures are pretty mild in Oahu and tend to hover in the 70s and low 80s, meaning the weather is comfortable.

In the fall, the temperatures start to wind down again as the island gets ready for its winter season. By visiting during early spring or fall, you’ll also be dodging Oahu’s rainy season, so your trip should be full of sunshine!

During April, May, September, and October, the crowds tend to be smaller as most children are in school and people are working. The only time to avoid Oahu during this time is Golden Week, which is in April.

Golden Week is an important time frame where four Japanese holidays fall closely together, so Oahu is busy at this time as people gather to celebrate. Because these four months generally see fewer tourists, prices for flights and accommodations drop significantly.

When demand for Oahu is low, hotels and airlines lower their prices in an attempt to get more people to travel. It’s a tactic that companies use to try to make money during slow seasons, but you can benefit from this with some cheap deals!

Cheapest Time to Visit Oahu

The cheapest time to visit Oahu is from September to mid-December. April to June are affordable times to visit Oahu as well, but fall to early winter seems to have the best prices.

Two primary reasons for these low prices include the weather during this time frame and the low amount of people that tend to travel during this time. In September, fall starts to roll in, and with that comes cooler temperatures.

But by cooler temperatures, this means that the temperatures are in the 70s and low 80s rather than in the upper 80s. But, dark clouds and possible rain showers come along with these cooler temperatures.

Oahu’s rainy season generally runs from November to March. Moisture tends to gravitate to Oahu and the rest of the Hawaiian islands within these months, meaning rain is very likely to keep you inside and away from outdoor activities.

Hurricane season also runs from June to November, so a hurricane may pass through Oahu. Due to the weather being hard to gauge and school being back in session, tourists don’t usually travel to Oahu from September to mid-December.

And with fewer tourists, you’re more likely to find great deals on airfare and hotels without searching too rigorously! Remember, less demand means affordable prices for everything!

Least Busy Time to Visit Oahu

The least busy times to visit Oahu are from April to mid-June and September to mid-December. These months fall into the category of shoulder seasons, which means that these times fall between peak season and the off-season.

Because of this, there tends to be fewer people around, especially other tourists and travelers. Most people only have time off in the summer and around Christmas time, so they don’t usually travel from April to mid-June or September to mid-December.

This is especially true for families who have children in school. You’ll still see some tourists during these months, but it definitely won’t be burdensome to do things. It’ll be just right!

Smaller crowds are a perk in themselves because you won’t have to wait in lines or feel squished like a sardine inside buildings. But, the other plus that comes with smaller crowds is lower prices for plane tickets and hotels!

You might even be able to catch some discounts on tickets for events and tours in Oahu as well. Check online before you go places! The funny part is that April through June and September through December are the months with the best weather.

Usually, you can expect people to swarm to places when the weather is perfect, but most people don’t have time off during these months. Take advantage of these less crowded times, take a well-deserved vacation, and save a little money while you’re at it!

Worst Time to Visit Oahu

From late December to early January and during hurricane season are the worst times to go to Oahu. Hurricane season can be tricky to plan vacations around because you never know what will happen, and December and January are celebration months.

So, in this case, weather and crowds are the main reasons why you shouldn’t travel at these times. December and January are busy times for Oahu because of Christmas and New Year’s.

Many people travel to see family and friends or to escape from the cold during this time, so airfare and accommodations in Oahu are insanely expensive. You most likely will not be able to find any discounts or deals during this time as the island is in high demand.

Hawaii’s hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, similar to other states that fall victim to hurricanes. The harshness of hurricane season is rarely the same every year, which adds to the unreliableness of the weather.

But, if you plan on booking a trip during hurricane season, you should wait until the last minute to ensure a hurricane won’t ruin your plans. June through August is also where summer vacation falls for most kids.

This means that a lot of families will be in Oahu since this is the only time they can take big vacations without missing school. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money or have your plans rained on, then visiting Oahu at Christmas time or during hurricane season isn’t ideal.

Things to Consider

When planning and booking your trip to Oahu, there are some things you need to consider. Some things to keep in mind include:

Lei as an Aloha Greeting

Be respectful when people give you a lei. Almost all of the time when you arrive or leave any of the Hawaiian islands, you will receive a lei.

These represent love and friendship and are a part of the Aloha greeting. Be mindful of this greeting, accept this symbol, and thank whoever gave it to you.

Bring Reusable Bags

You should bring a bag for shopping. The Hawaiian islands put a plastic bag ban in place years ago, so most stores don’t offer bags.

If you plan to do some shopping, you will need something to carry your purchases. Buy or bring a reusable bag to shop with to help save the planet!

Swimming in the Ocean

Be aware of your surroundings if you elect to go swimming in the ocean. Check for any hazard flags as the ocean can become dangerous for swimming at times.

You should also pay attention to the sea creatures around you. Jellyfish float around near the shores sometimes, and they can give some powerful stings.

Rent a Car

You will need to rent a car. You can have an enjoyable vacation hanging out at your hotel, but there are plenty of other things to explore across the island.

Walking isn’t ideal for traveling long distances, so you should rent a car or figure out another way of transportation, such as a rideshare service or a bus.

Expect Resort Fees

Most hotels in Oahu charge a resort fee for every night you stay, which is mandatory for you to pay. So, you can expect to see these extra fees on your bill from the hotel. The resort fee goes towards amenities such as Wifi, the pool, or the gym.

Bring Light Clothing and Sunscreen

Pack correctly. You’ll be in the sun, so it is wise to bring light clothing to keep you cool and sunscreen to protect you from the sun’s powerful UV rays.

Getting a tan is nice, but staying in the sun for too long without sunscreen will leave you with a gnarly, painful sunburn. Bring a souvenir home, not a sunburn!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions people have when thinking about taking a trip to the island of Oahu.

Does it rain every day in Oahu?

Yes! It rains almost every day in Oahu at some point on the island. Although it might be sunny where you are, it’s probably raining somewhere else on the island. Without this rain, you wouldn’t be seeing all of the beautiful greenery around you.

But, don’t worry, these rain showers don’t last long and won’t put a damper on your vacation. 

The only time that the rain might be a problem is during Oahu’s rainy season, from November to March. Widespread rain showers are much more likely during this time. Think about this when planning your trip.

What is Oahu’s hottest month?

The hottest month in Oahu tends to be August, where temperatures will hover in the upper 80s and sometimes reach 90 degrees. If you are sensitive to the heat, you might not want to visit Oahu in August.

What is the nicest part of Oahu?

Waikiki, a neighborhood in Honolulu, is by far the nicest part of Oahu. Waikiki provides a wealth of gorgeous beaches, hotels, restaurants, and tons of entertainment options.

It is overall a very beautiful area and filled with things to do. Just keep in mind that it is the resort and tourist area of the island, so it can get crowded at times.

Is Oahu safe for tourists?

Oahu is relatively safe for tourists. However, just like anywhere else, there are some neighborhoods to avoid, and theft can be an issue near the tourist areas.

The major neighborhood you should avoid is Wahiawa because of higher-level crimes such as:

• Carjacking
• Assault
• Identity theft

It is best to avoid this area altogether to stay safe. Theft tends to be a problem in tourist areas. To protect yourself from being a victim of theft, you should always keep your belongings in your sight.

Keep valuable items hidden from view, so you aren’t providing any temptation, and never leave any of your things unattended. You should also never leave anything important in your rental car either.

How many days do you need in Oahu?

Usually, five days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Oahu. This gives you plenty of time to relax on the beach and enjoy the activities that Oahu has to offer.

Make the most of your trip by planning out what you want to do. If you don’t get to see everything you want within five days, plan your next trip to Oahu!

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Oahu?

The best time to visit Oahu is from April to May or September to October. The weather is gorgeous at these times, allowing you to enjoy the beach and some outdoor fun while still beating the crowds of tourists.

Start planning your trip to Oahu now, and you’ll be tanning in the sun and sinking your feet into the soft sand in no time. Happy travels!