Month guide · Honolulu · United States
Honolulu in January
What January is really like in Honolulu: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Warm with passing showers; peak whale and big-wave season, and busy with winter escapees.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the 10th-warmest month in Honolulu: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with December (27°C (81°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:11
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:10
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F)
Winter (December–February). Peak season for whales and giant North Shore waves, with brief showers, holiday crowds and the year's highest prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown (January or February)
- Sony Open golf tournament at Waiʻalae (usually January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Beach · Waikīkī
Waikīkī Beach
Free hula shows are held at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound on several evenings a week around sunset.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Nature · Diamond Head
Diamond Head (Lēʻahi)
Honolulu's landmark volcanic crater rises behind Waikīkī.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · East Honolulu
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and your own snorkel gear if you have it, and never stand on the coral.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Beach · Ala Moana
Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island
Honolulu's main locals' beach has a long, reef-protected swimming area, shaded lawns for picnics and Magic Island, a man-made peninsula with a calm lagoon ideal for small children.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Honolulu.
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 19°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Honolulu?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Honolulu in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Honolulu?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Warm with passing showers; peak whale and big-wave season, and busy with winter escapees.
+How warm is Honolulu in January?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Honolulu in January?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.