Best time to visit · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
The best time to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Kealakekua Bay, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Nnachappa64, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The Big Island is warm year-round. April to May and September to October bring good weather, fewer crowds and lower prices, while December to March is peak season for whale watching but the most expensive. Hilo is rainy in any month; the Kona and Kohala coasts are sunny most days.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
- Shoulder season
- January–March, June and November
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 27°C (81°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–June and September–November
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Seasons
The Big Island has many microclimates: the Kona and Kohala coasts are sunny and dry, Hilo and the east side are wet and green, Volcano Village is cool and misty, and Maunakea's summit can see snow in winter. Coastal temperatures vary little through the year.
December–March
Winter
Peak season with humpback whales, occasional snow on Maunakea and wetter weather in Hilo; the highest prices of the year.
April–May
Spring
Settled weather, calm seas and the Merrie Monarch Festival; a good-value shoulder season after Easter.
June–August
Summer
The warmest, driest season on the coasts, busy with family holidays; hurricane season starts in June but direct impacts are rare.
September–November
Autumn
Warm seas, fewer visitors, coffee harvest and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival; winter rains start in Hilo late in the season.
Seeing more of United States? The best time to visit United States compares the best months of our 44 destinations there.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C 81°F | 19°C 66°F | 7 | 24°C 75°F | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 27°C 81°F | 19°C 66°F | 7 | 24°C 75°F | 11.5 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| March | 28°C 82°F | 19°C 66°F | 9 | 24°C 75°F | 12 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 28°C 82°F | 20°C 68°F | 9 | 25°C 77°F | 12.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 29°C 84°F | 21°C 70°F | 9 | 25°C 77°F | 13.1 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 30°C 86°F | 22°C 72°F | 9 | 26°C 79°F | 13.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 30°C 86°F | 22°C 72°F | 10 | 26°C 79°F | 13.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 31°C 88°F | 22°C 72°F | 10 | 27°C 81°F | 12.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 30°C 86°F | 22°C 72°F | 9 | 27°C 81°F | 12.2 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 30°C 86°F | 22°C 72°F | 9 | 27°C 81°F | 11.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 29°C 84°F | 21°C 70°F | 8 | 26°C 79°F | 11.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 28°C 82°F | 20°C 68°F | 8 | 25°C 77°F | 11 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Humpback whale season (roughly December to April) |
| February | Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival (usually early February) |
| April | Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo (week after Easter) |
| May | Lei Day celebrations (1 May) |
| June | King Kamehameha Day celebrations, including the Kapaʻau parade (around 11 June) |
| July | Parker Ranch rodeo in Waimea (around the Fourth of July) |
| August | Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in Kona (usually late July or August) |
| September | Aloha Festivals events (usually September) |
| October | IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona (usually October) |
| November | Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (usually November) |
| December | Christmas and New Year celebrations |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–June and September–November, and the sights are quietest in May and September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Winter | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
April–May and September–October are the best months. Of those, May is usually the least crowded and September the warmest, with highs around 30°C (86°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Usually in May–June and September–November. A shoulder month with fewer visitors, calm seas and good value.
+What is the rainiest month in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
July, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Big Island (Hawaiʻi) get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).