Month guide · Kauaʻi · United States
Kauaʻi in January
What January is really like in Kauaʻi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Limahuli Garden and Preserve, Kauaʻi · Photo: Daderot., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Wet season with frequent showers on the North Shore and big winter surf; whales offshore and peak holiday prices early in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Plan a trip to Kauaʻi
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in January
January is the 10th-warmest month in Kauaʻi: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with December (27°C (81°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:19
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:15
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm seas and fewer visitors in September and October, with rain and winter surf returning in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Humpback whale season (roughly December to April)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Līhuʻe
Kauaʻi Museum
It is a good rainy-day stop near the airport, before or after your flight.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Nature · North and West Shores
Nā Pali Coast
Roughly 27 km of fluted green cliffs, hanging valleys, sea caves and waterfalls run along the island's north-west shore with no road access.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Waimea and Hanapēpē
Waimea Canyon State Park
Go in the morning before clouds fill the canyon, and stop at the main Waimea Canyon Lookout and Puʻu Hinahina Lookout on the way up.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Hanalei
Hāʻena State Park and Kēʻē Beach
The end of the road on the North Shore, with Kēʻē Beach's reef-protected lagoon and the trailhead of the Kalalau Trail.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Kauaʻi.
What to pack
For highs near 26°C (79°F), lows near 19°C (66°F) and 14 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Kauaʻi?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Kauaʻi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Kauaʻi in January?
At about 18:15 local time in mid-January, with sunrise at about 07:19: roughly 10.9 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Kauaʻi in January?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kauaʻi in January?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.