Month guide · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in September
What September is really like in Big Island (Hawaiʻi): weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Hāpuna Beach, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Polihale, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Big Island (Hawaiʻi). Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 12.2 hours of daylight. Quiet after the summer holidays, with warm seas and lower prices.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 12.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Plan a trip to Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Big Island (Hawaiʻi): days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 30 days. Compared with August (31°C (88°F)), September is about as warm; by October highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:09
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:25
- Daylight
- About 12.2 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F)
Summer (June–August). The warmest, driest season on the coasts, busy with family holidays; hurricane season starts in June but direct impacts are rare.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 2 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in September
- Aloha Festivals events (usually September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Maunakea
Maunakea
Stop at the visitor station for at least 30 minutes to acclimatise before going higher, and do not go to the summit with children under 13, if pregnant, or with heart or lung conditions.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Nature
- Free
Nature · South Kona
Kealakekua Bay
A marine life conservation district below high cliffs, with some of Hawaiʻi's clearest water and coral at Kaʻawaloa near the white Captain Cook Monument, which marks where James Cook was killed in 1779.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- History
- Outdoors
Beach · Kohala Coast
Hāpuna Beach
Arrive in the morning for parking and calmer water; winter swells can create strong shorebreak and currents.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Garden · Hilo
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Built in the early 20th century as a tribute to Japanese sugar-plantation workers, these Edo-style gardens on Hilo Bay have stone lanterns, arched bridges and koi ponds.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Big Island (Hawaiʻi).
What to pack
For highs near 30°C (86°F), lows near 22°C (72°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 September 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 April–May and October. Compare every month.
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in September?
At about 18:25 local time in mid-September, with sunrise at about 06:09: roughly 12.2 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in September?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in September?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.