Best time to visit · Kauaʻi · United States
The best time to visit Kauaʻi
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Spouting Horn, Kauaʻi · Photo: Mel29, Public domain
Quick answer
The best times to visit Kauaʻi are April to June and September to October, when the weather is drier, seas are calmer and prices are lower than in peak periods. Summer is best for Nā Pali boat tours and North Shore swimming, while winter brings whales, big surf and more rain.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- February and July–August
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 30°C (86°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Rainiest month
- November (~16 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- April–May and September–November
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Seasons
Kauaʻi is warm all year, with the main difference between the drier South and West Shores and the wetter North Shore and interior. Winter (November to March) brings more rain and big surf on north-facing coasts; summer is drier with calmer seas.
December–February
Winter
Rainy spells, huge North Shore surf and humpback whales; the South Shore stays sunnier, and prices peak around the holidays.
March–May
Spring
Rain eases through the season, waterfalls flow strongly and crowds thin after spring break.
June–August
Summer
Drier, warmest weather with calm seas, the best Nā Pali boat conditions and the busiest family season.
September–November
Autumn
Warm seas and fewer visitors in September and October, with rain and winter surf returning in November.
Seeing more of United States? The best time to visit United States compares the best months of our 44 destinations there.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C 79°F | 19°C 66°F | 14 | 24°C 75°F | 10.9 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 26°C 79°F | 19°C 66°F | 12 | 24°C 75°F | 11.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 26°C 79°F | 20°C 68°F | 15 | 24°C 75°F | 12 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 27°C 81°F | 21°C 70°F | 14 | 25°C 77°F | 12.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 28°C 82°F | 22°C 72°F | 12 | 25°C 77°F | 13.2 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C 84°F | 23°C 73°F | 13 | 26°C 79°F | 13.5 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 29°C 84°F | 23°C 73°F | 15 | 26°C 79°F | 13.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 30°C 86°F | 24°C 75°F | 14 | 27°C 81°F | 12.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 30°C 86°F | 23°C 73°F | 13 | 27°C 81°F | 12.2 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 29°C 84°F | 23°C 73°F | 15 | 27°C 81°F | 11.6 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 28°C 82°F | 22°C 72°F | 16 | 26°C 79°F | 11 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 27°C 81°F | 20°C 68°F | 16 | 25°C 77°F | 10.8 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Humpback whale season (roughly December to April) |
| March | Prince Kūhiō Day celebrations, honouring the Kauaʻi-born prince (around 26 March) |
| July | Kōloa Plantation Days festival (usually late July) |
| December | Christmas and New Year holidays |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in April–May and September–November, and the sights are quietest in May and September–October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Winter | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Kauaʻi?
April–June and September–October are the best months. Of those, May is usually the least crowded and September the warmest, with highs around 30°C (86°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Kauaʻi?
Usually in April–May and September–November. The rains ease and the island is at its greenest; a good shoulder month.
+What is the rainiest month in Kauaʻi?
November, with about 16 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Kauaʻi get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).