Month guide · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in April
What April is really like in Big Island (Hawaiʻi): weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Pacific Tsunami Museum, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
April is one of the best months to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi). Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 12.6 hours of daylight. Hilo fills for the world's leading hula competition, held the week after Easter.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
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Weather in April
April is the 9th-warmest month in Big Island (Hawaiʻi): days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 30 days. Compared with March (28°C (82°F)), April is about as warm; by May highs stay near 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:04
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 18:40
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Winter (December–March). Peak season with humpback whales, occasional snow on Maunakea and wetter weather in Hilo; the highest prices of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 4 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: April is one of the pricier months.
Events in April
- Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo (week after Easter)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Hilo
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
On the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, ʻImiloa links Maunakea astronomy with Hawaiian navigation and creation traditions, with interactive exhibits, a planetarium and native plant gardens.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · Hilo
Pacific Tsunami Museum
Pair it with a walk along the bayfront, where open parkland now stands on land cleared after the tsunamis.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Palace · Kailua-Kona
Huliheʻe Palace
Built in 1838 as a summer home for Hawaiian royalty, this two-storey palace on Aliʻi Drive is now a museum run by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi, displaying koa wood furniture, royal portraits and artefacts on Kailua Bay.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Kohala Coast
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Walk the short path to the overlook in the early morning, when the lava stone is cooler and the light is soft.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Big Island (Hawaiʻi).
What to pack
For highs near 28°C (82°F), lows near 20°C (68°F) and 9 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
One of the best months to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi), with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are May and September–October. Compare every month.
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in April?
At about 18:40 local time in mid-April, with sunrise at about 06:04: roughly 12.6 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in April?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in April?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.