Destination guide
Hawaii weather by month
June, August and September are the best months to choose for Hawaii, with June favouring sunshine and late summer offering warmer seas. Daytime averages reach 28°C, while the sea reaches 27°C in August and September. Even February averages 24°C by day, so warmth is not limited to summer. The main choice is between milder conditions for being outdoors and hotter weather for spending time in the water; rain remains possible whichever month you pick.
- Hottest month
- 28.0°CSeptember
- Coolest month
- 24.2°CFebruary
- Warmest sea
- 27.0°CSeptember
- Flight from London
- 15 h 18 minLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Hawaii, month by month
Month-by-month detail pages exist for our most searched destinations; for Hawaii the 12-month table below carries the full picture.
A little perspective
Hawaii through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.5°C | 21.1°C | 24.5°C | 6.5 | 40 | 7 | 36% |
| February | 24.2°C | 20.9°C | 24.2°C | 6.2 | 37 | 7 | 26% |
| March | 24.4°C | 21.1°C | 24.2°C | 6.0 | 54 | 9 | 35% |
| April | 25.1°C | 21.8°C | 24.5°C | 6.4 | 26 | 9 | 58% |
| May | 26.1°C | 22.6°C | 25.2°C | 7.0 | 28 | 8 | 89% |
| Junebest | 27.0°C | 23.5°C | 25.8°C | 7.5 | 21 | 7 | 100% |
| July | 27.5°C | 24.1°C | 26.2°C | 7.2 | 22 | 8 | 100% |
| Augustbest | 27.9°C | 24.5°C | 26.7°C | 7.3 | 24 | 7 | 100% |
| Septemberbest | 28.0°C | 24.5°C | 27.0°C | 7.2 | 22 | 7 | 100% |
| October | 27.4°C | 24.1°C | 26.9°C | 6.0 | 33 | 7 | 99% |
| November | 26.2°C | 23.2°C | 26.2°C | 5.7 | 45 | 7 | 88% |
| December | 25.1°C | 22.1°C | 25.2°C | 6.0 | 49 | 7 | 59% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Hawaii
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. March is the wettest month (54 mm, about 9 rainy days) and June the driest (21 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 27.0°C and coolest in February at 24.2°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL, 7 km from Honolulu) takes roughly 15 h 18 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Pacific/Honolulu.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Hawaii between 1991 and 2020 reached 31.3°C on 11 August 2019; the coldest fell to 14.9°C on 9 February 2019. In September one day in ten tops 29.1°C and about 3% of days pass 30°C; in February one night in ten drops to 19.1°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was December 2010 with 260 mm, against a December average of 49 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Hawaii
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:12 | 18:09 | 11.0 h | 6.5 h |
| February | 07:02 | 18:29 | 11.4 h | 6.2 h |
| March | 06:40 | 18:41 | 12.0 h | 6.0 h |
| April | 06:12 | 18:51 | 12.6 h | 6.4 h |
| May | 05:53 | 19:02 | 13.2 h | 7.0 h |
| June | 05:49 | 19:15 | 13.4 h | 7.5 h |
| July | 05:58 | 19:17 | 13.3 h | 7.2 h |
| August | 06:10 | 19:02 | 12.9 h | 7.3 h |
| September | 06:19 | 18:35 | 12.3 h | 7.2 h |
| October | 06:27 | 18:07 | 11.7 h | 6.0 h |
| November | 06:42 | 17:50 | 11.1 h | 5.7 h |
| December | 07:01 | 17:52 | 10.8 h | 6.0 h |
Winter and spring: milder days, with a wetter patch
December through February suits travellers who want warmth without the highest daytime temperatures. January and February average 24°C by day and 21°C at night, making light clothing useful but leaving room for a light layer if you feel cool in the evening. The sea stays at 24°C through April, cooler than late summer but still an option for swimming depending on your tolerance. March is the wettest month, and both March and April average 9 rain days, so keep outdoor plans flexible rather than expecting uninterrupted sunshine. May brings a noticeable step towards summer, with warmer days, warmer water and more sunshine than April.
Summer: June for sunshine, August for warmer water
June is the clearest choice if sunshine and lower rainfall matter most: it is the driest month and averages 8 hours of sunshine a day. Its 27°C daytime average is also slightly gentler than July and August, which reach 28°C. Plan shade breaks around midday rather than filling the hottest part of the day with anything strenuous. Nights average 24°C throughout summer, so lightweight sleepwear makes sense. July remains warm and sunny, though it averages 8 rain days compared with 7 in June and August. August has the warmer sea at 27°C, giving it the edge if swimming is your priority.
Autumn: summer warmth lasts into September
September keeps the summer pattern going, with daytime temperatures averaging 28°C and the sea at 27°C. It is a strong choice for travellers who want warm water and do not mind warm evenings. October eases to 27°C by day but retains that same sea temperature, so the shift towards cooler weather is gradual rather than abrupt. By November, days average 26°C and nights 23°C: still warm, but with less sunshine than September. Each autumn month averages 7 rain days, so choosing later in the season does not remove the need for a rain layer. September offers the strongest balance of warmth, sea temperature and sunshine.
A little more detail
Hawaii weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Hawaii?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Hawaii are August, June and September. September is the hottest month (average high 28.0°C) and February the coolest (24.2°C).
How many months a year is Hawaii over 25°C?
9 months in Hawaii average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Hawaii?
March is the wettest month in Hawaii (54 mm on average) and June the driest (21 mm). Annual rainfall averages 401 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Hawaii?
The hottest day recorded in Hawaii between 1991 and 2020 reached 31.3°C on 11 August 2019; the coldest fell to 14.9°C on 9 February 2019. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the sea warmest for swimming?
The sea is warmest from August through October, averaging 27°C. August and September combine that water temperature with warmer days and more sunshine than October. January through April have the coolest sea averages at 24°C, so personal comfort matters more then.
Can I expect a rain-free holiday in June?
June is the driest month, but it still averages 7 rain days. It is a good choice for sunshine rather than a guarantee of dry weather. Pack a light rain layer and keep some flexibility in plans that depend on being outdoors.
What should I pack for a winter visit?
Pack mainly light clothing, plus a light layer for evenings and something for rain. January and February average 24°C by day and 21°C at night, so heavy winter clothing is not suggested by these averages. Include sun protection even during the cooler months.
See also: United States weather by month · where else is hot in September
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Honolulu (Honolulu (Oahu)). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 3.9 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C