Season guide · Honolulu · United States
Honolulu in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Warm seas, few crowds and good hotel rates in September and October; showers and winter surf begin in November. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 22 rainy days across September–November. September–October are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 22°C (72°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 | 12.2 h | 2/5 |
| October | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 7 | 11.6 h | 2/5 |
| November | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 | 11.1 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 82 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Aloha Festivals — floral parade and Waikīkī block party (usually September)
- October: Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (usually October into November)
- November: Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on the North Shore (usually November to December)
Make the most of the weather
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Nature · Mānoa
Mānoa Falls trail
Just 15 minutes from Waikīkī, this trail of about 2.6 km round trip climbs through the rainforest of upper Mānoa Valley, past bamboo groves and banyan roots, to a waterfall of about 45 metres.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Garden · Mānoa
Lyon Arboretum
Visit on the same morning as Mānoa Falls, which starts nearby, and come early before the afternoon showers.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · East Honolulu
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
A paved path of about 3.2 km round trip climbs the dry headland at Oʻahu's eastern tip to views over the red-roofed 1909 lighthouse, the turquoise water of Makapuʻu Beach and Mānana (Rabbit) Island.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Nature
Zoo · Waikīkī
Honolulu Zoo
Go in the morning when the animals are most active and before the afternoon heat.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
Aquarium · Waikīkī
Waikīkī Aquarium
Opened in 1904 and run by the University of Hawaiʻi, this compact aquarium on the shore of Kapiʻolani Park is one of the oldest public aquariums in the US.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Day trips in autumn
- Kualoa Ranch (About 45 minutes by car) — A working cattle ranch set in the dramatic Kaʻaʻawa Valley below jagged green ridges, used as a filming location for Jurassic Park and many other films.
- Polynesian Cultural Center (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — In Lāʻie on the northeast coast, this large cultural park presents the traditions of Hawaiʻi, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti and Aotearoa New Zealand through village demonstrations, a canoe pageant, a lūʻau and an evening show.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Honolulu?
Yes: September–October are among the best months. Warm seas, few crowds and good hotel rates in September and October; showers and winter surf begin in November.
+What is the weather like in Honolulu in autumn?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.