The Best Time to Visit the Big Island in 2023

The Hawaiian islands are home to unrivaled natural beauty, warm, tropical weather, and the spirit of ‘ohana (family). But the biggest – and maybe the best – island to visit is the island of Hawaii.

Also called the Big Island, this is one of the top destinations for travelers around the world in need of a sunny getaway with gorgeous scenery.

The time of year you go can make or break your visit, so it’s important to get familiar with the best (and worst) times to visit. Find out the best time to visit the Big Island for gorgeous weather, cheap flights and rooms, smaller crowds, and more in our quick travel guide.

We’ll also point out the worst time of year to go and share some helpful tips to make your trip unforgettable! 

Why You Should Visit the Big Island of Hawaii

The island of Hawaii – the Big Island – is the largest Hawaiian island at over 4,000 square miles. That means there’s more to see and explore when you come to the Big Island!

It’s covered in lush rainforests, idyllic scenery, and packed with fun things to do whether you’re going solo, as a couple, or with friends and family. The weather is nearly always perfect – sunny and 75-85 degrees. 

Oh, and it’s home to some of the world’s biggest and most active volcanoes to add a thrilling touch of danger to your trip!

The island’s Kilauea volcano takes the cake as the world’s most active volcano, erupting 61 times throughout history with no end in sight. Smaller Mauna Loa (with 33 eruptions since 1843) is also on the island.

Both volcanoes add a little edge to the island’s tropical beauty and lush greenery, but you won’t be in danger when you visit. Most of the Big Island (and all of the tourist areas) is out of the “danger zone” for volcanic activity.

So at your hotel or resort, you won’t have to worry about running from molten lava – phew! Don some snorkeling gear and get up close and personal with the vibrant ocean life along the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island.

You’ll be able to spot schools of tropical, colorful fish, giant manta rays, sea turtles, and thriving coral reefs on the Kona (western) side of the island. Just being on the beach is an experience on Hawaii.

There are curiously colored beaches ranging from green (Papakolea) to black (Punalu’u) sandy shores. You haven’t seen true Hawaiian beauty until you’ve walked along the alien landscape of a black sand beach!

When you’re ready to get off the beach and explore a little, you can tour one of the island’s coffee farms (where that sweet, sweet Kona coffee comes from) and check out a seahorse farm after you’ve caught your caffeine buzz (it’s even better than you’re imagining).

Steep yourself in Hawaii’s rich cultural history at Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. It’s a whopping 180 acres of quiet seclusion that once served as a refuge for Hawaii’s lawbreakers and was said to be guarded by Lono, the Hawaiian god of life. 

The 19-mile Chain of Craters Road snakes through the Big Island and along the coast. It’s the perfect destination for road trippers who want to see all this mega island has to offer.

Rent a Jeep or 4-wheel drive vehicle to tour this famous road. Make sure to pack plenty of snacks and water and fuel up before you set out!

It winds through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so there’s not a single gas station or restaurant along the way. No matter what adventures you set out to take on the Big Island, you won’t be disappointed.

With so much natural beauty and so many fun activities to do, you’ll want to spend at least a week on Hawaii’s Big Island! Keep reading to find out the best time to visit the Big Island for great weather, cheaper prices, and smaller crowds. 

Best Time to Visit the Big Island

• December to March – peak season for a reason
• Sunny, 80 degrees on average, little rainfall
• Prices are slightly higher, but still affordable
• Ideal surfing conditions + humpback whale-watching

The best time to visit the Big Island of Hawaii is arguably December to March. Yes, it’s the peak tourism season when the most visitors arrive on the island, but hear us out! December to March – the winter months – are truly the best time of year to go.  

The weather is absolutely ideal at this time of year, especially when you compare it with the cold, dreary winter weather in your town.

With daily temperatures around 79-80 degrees (lows around 64F), little rainfall, and the island’s lush rainforests in full bloom, there’s no better time to visit the Big Island than the dead of “winter.” 

Hotel and flight prices do swing upward during the winter months because it’s such a popular destination for tourists.

But since the Big Island is so, well, big, you won’t feel crowded even during peak season. The Big Island also offers cheaper hotel rates than the other popular Hawaiian islands, so you can still nab an affordable room (less than $200/night), even during high season. 

Cheapest Time to Visit the Big Island

• September to November – the fall price dip
• Fewer tourists mean cheaper rates on flights/rooms
• Discounts on rentals and attractions
• More package deals available 

If you want the most affordable trip, the best time to visit the Big Island is September to November. These fall months see a major decrease in visitors, so prices tumble as a result.

You can score flights, hotels, car rentals, and tickets to attractions for a fraction of the peak season price during the fall! Prices on the Big Island tend to be lower than the other Hawaiian islands to begin with.

And from September to November, those prices drop even further and package deals abound to encourage visitors to come during the low season.

You could pay as much as 50% less for rooms, rentals, and flights when you go at this time of year. The weather is really nice in September and October with little rainfall, highs in the low 80s, and lows in the upper 60s.

During November, the rainiest month of the year, you may score rock-bottom pricing on flights, hotels, and attractions – but you might want to plan some indoor activities to get out of the rain. 

Least Busy Time to Visit the Big Island

• May and September to November – the fewest crowds
• More hotel/flight/rental car availability 
• Shorter lines and wait times at restaurants and attractions
• Lower rates on rooms, rentals, and flights

If you’re seeking relative solitude with fewer crowds, the best time to visit the Big Island is during the month of May and September to November.

The month of September sees the lowest number of visitors of the entire year, so if you want to feel like you’ve got this big ol’ island to yourself, September is the time to go. 

After the peak winter season from December to March, visitors dwindle down to one of their lowest points by the month of May. May is a great time to go to experience highs in the 80s and lows in the mid-60s with very little rainfall to ruin your plans. 

After an uptick in tourism during the summer months, visitors slow back down during the months of September to November before Hawaii heads back into the peak winter season.

September sees the lowest number of visitors of the entire year, with an average of 102,600 hitting the Big Island’s shores (compared to 175,700 in March).

If you’re serious about avoiding crowds, book your trip during the month of May or September and pretend it’s your own private island. You’ll love the shorter lines and wait times at shops and restaurants, perfect weather, and lower prices at these times of year. 

Worst Time to Visit the Big Island

When you’re talking about visiting literal paradise, it’s hard to imagine that there could be a bad time to go. But if you want the ideal weather, lowest prices, or fewest crowds, the timing of your trip is important.

Find out the worst time to go to the Big Island depending on your goals for the trip below. 

• If you’re seeking ideal weather, the worst time to visit the Big Island is during November. This is the rainiest month of the year on the island and one of the hotter months of the year with average temperatures around 80. You’ll want to have some indoor activities lined up if you decide to visit during the month of November – plan on going from December to March if you want truly ideal weather! 
• If you’re seeking the cheapest prices, the worst time to visit is December to March. This is peak tourism season for Hawaii as snowbirds leave their cold, dreary cities in favor of a warm, Hawaiian vacation. Prices skyrocket in response, so you’ll pay a lot more for flights and rooms at this time of year. Plan your visit during September, October, or November for a more affordable trip. 
• If you’re seeking smaller crowds, the worst time to visit is winter (December to March) and the summer months (June to August). More visitors make their way to the Big Island during these periods to escape the winter cold or have a tropical vacation while the kids are out of school. Plan your visit during May or September to November for smaller crowds. 

More Things to Consider

Now that you know the best time to visit the Big Island, take a look at a few more things to consider to make your vacation ideal. 

• Get the best of both worlds during the “little” high season. From June to August, the Big Island is in the “little” high season. The number of visitors arriving swells, but not as much as during the true peak season of December to March. Prices are more affordable than the winter months and the weather is nearly perfect with highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 60s each day. You can get the best of both worlds – pricing/crowds and weather – when you visit during the little high season! 
• Don’t shy away from more crowded months. Although peak season is enough to send some travelers packing, on the Big Island, increased tourist numbers are no big deal. The island is so big (4,000+ square miles) that hotels, resorts, and beaches are spread out and don’t feel overcrowded. Even during peak season! If you have the opportunity to go during the peak winter months, take it. You won’t feel crowded and you’ll get to experience the best weather. 
• Choose the side you stay on carefully. The western side of the Big Island (Kailau-Kona) is the busiest, even during the low season. There’s a lot to do on this side of the island and tons of shops, restaurants, and hotel options. Check out the eastern side of the island (Hilo) or the north side (Waimea) for a more laid-back vibe and fewer crowds, year-round. 
• Check for volcano safety updates before you travel. One of the biggest claims to fame for the Big Island are the active volcanoes in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. While the vast majority of the island is safely tucked away from volcanic danger, it’s still wise to check up on the latest volcano updates for the island when you’re planning to visit.
• Rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle to tour the island. As the biggest Hawaiian island, there’s a lot to see on Hawaii and it can’t all be done on foot. Rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle to drive the 19-mile Chain of Craters Road on the eastern side, explore unpaved roads that snake through the island, and access the rougher – but gorgeous – green and black sand beaches, rainforests, and lava flows down on the southern side of the island (Ka’u district). 

Keeping these tips in mind will help you make the most of your trip to Hawaii, the Big Island. 

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit the Big Island Overall?

If you want to plan the ideal Hawaiian vacation, the best time to visit the Big Island is during the winter from December to March. Visitors peak at this time of year because the weather is idyllic, sunny, and warm.

Highs around 80 degrees and lows around 64 each night make this some of the mildest, most enjoyable weather of the entire year on the Big Island. For the cheapest prices, the best time to visit the Big Island is during the fall from September to November.

This 3-month period sees the lowest number of visitors of the whole year as it falls in between the “little” high season of summer and the true peak season of winter.

Prices are at their absolute lowest from September to November, but be aware that it starts to get pretty rainy in November. For the fewest crowds, the best time to visit the Big Island is during the month of May and September to November.

May sees the first major dip in visitors as it occurs after the peak winter season and just before the little high season of summer. September to November see the lowest visitor numbers of the year, and prices take a nosedive during these months.

If you’re trying to avoid any hidden weather, pricing, or crowd pitfalls, avoid the months of November (rainiest month of the year), December to March (busiest and highest priced months of the year), and June to August (the little high season of summer).

That leaves you with April, May, September, and October as the absolute best times to visit the Big Island.

And truthfully, anytime you go – even if it’s the dead center of peak season – you’re going to have a blast exploring the island’s natural beauty and enjoying the attractions, shops, and restaurants around.