Month guide · Honolulu · United States
Honolulu in May
What May is really like in Honolulu: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daderot., CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Honolulu. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 13.1 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and quieter than summer, with calm south-shore waters for swimming.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 6th-warmest month in Honolulu: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with April (28°C (82°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:53
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:02
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Spring (March–May). Warm, increasingly dry weather; spring-break crowds in March give way to quiet, good-value weeks in late April and May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
- Lei Day celebrations (1 May)
- Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi at Ala Moana Beach (Memorial Day)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
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 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Honolulu.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 22°C and 5 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Honolulu?
One of the best months to visit Honolulu, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April and September–October. Compare every month.
Honolulu in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Honolulu?
It is one of the best months to visit Honolulu. Dry, sunny and quieter than summer, with calm south-shore waters for swimming.
+How warm is Honolulu in May?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Honolulu in May?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.