Season guide · Honolulu · United States
Honolulu in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daderot, Public domain
Quick answer
The hottest, driest months, with calm North Shore water and surf on the south shore; busy with families, with high hotel prices in July. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F), with about 16 rainy days across June–August.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 23°C (73°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 16
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 | 13.4 h | 4/5 |
| July | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 | 13.3 h | 5/5 |
| August | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 5 | 12.9 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 16 of the year's roughly 82 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: King Kamehameha Day floral parade and statue lei-draping (11 June)
- June: Pan-Pacific Festival in Waikīkī (usually June)
- July: Prince Lot Hula Festival (usually July)
- July: Fourth of July fireworks at Ala Moana
- August: Duke's OceanFest ocean-sports festival in Waikīkī (usually late August)
- August: Statehood Day (third Friday of August)
Make the most of the weather
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
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Nature · Mānoa
Mānoa Falls trail
Wear shoes with good grip and bring insect repellent; don't swim in the pool, as stream water can carry leptospirosis.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Garden · Mānoa
Lyon Arboretum
The University of Hawaiʻi's arboretum covers about 78 hectares of rainforest at the head of Mānoa Valley, with paths through collections of Hawaiian native plants, palms, heliconias and ethnobotanical gardens of plants brought by Polynesian voyagers.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · East Honolulu
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
There is no shade at all; go early or late in the day with water and a hat.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Nature
Day trips in summer
- Kailua and Lanikai (About 30 minutes by car) — On the windward coast, Kailua Beach and neighbouring Lanikai have powder-soft sand and turquoise water.
- 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.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Honolulu?
It is a trade-off: The hottest, driest months, with calm North Shore water and surf on the south shore; busy with families, with high hotel prices in July. The best months overall are April–May and September–October.
+What is the weather like in Honolulu in summer?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F), with about 16 rainy days over the season.