Quick Links

Hawaii is a place where one can enjoy an exciting adventure anytime one visits. With so many lush forests, towering mountains, beautiful beaches, and scenic hiking trails, there is always something unique to do any time of the year. But while activities such as hiking, stargazing, attending a Luau, relaxing by a beach, visiting a volcano, and camping can be done all year round, one has to know the specific activities that come with the different seasons in Hawaii. Without further ado, here’s what to expect in Hawaii during different times of the year.

Brief Information About Seasons And Weather In Hawaii

Hawaii is not a regular place that comes with all four seasons. In Hawaii, there are two main seasons - Summer and Winter. Summer lasts from May to October, while Winter lasts from November to April. It rains all year round in Hawaii, but the wettest period of the year is winter, and this precipitation comes in the form of rain with little or no snow. With this in mind, it will be easy to understand what activities one can do during these seasons of the year.

Winter - May To October

Activities that can be done in Winter are dependent on the weather conditions of the island. With winter being the wettest period of the year, many activities that can be done revolve around the water, but there are still a lot of things to do on land and in the lush jungles of the islands. These activities, however, are best done during winter.

Big Wave Surfing

Surfing is one of Hawaii’s signature activities. All year round, the waters in Hawaii are overcome with waves that are great for surfing. In Summer, however, the waters are usually calm on many beaches but not free of waves. Strong trade winds and winter storms in the Southern Hemisphere can bring large swells during summer, but this only happens occasionally.

In winter, on the other hand, the waves in Hawaii are monstrous, especially on Oahu’s North Shore. With some waves rising to 10 m high, this time of the year sets one of the best stages for big wave surfing in Hawaii. The same beaches that seemed so calm and harmless in summer become very active and extremely dangerous during winter. While many of the beaches in Hawaii produce monstrous waves that are best suited for experienced surfers, there are so many beaches around the island for amateur surfers.

These monstrous swells that reach the shore of Hawaii originate from the storms of the North Pacific Ocean. Oahu is perhaps the best place to enjoy this exciting activity in Hawaii, but Maui, Kaui, and almost all other islands in Hawaii have places where these huge swells can be experienced.

Related: Surfing In Hawaii: How And When To Catch The Best Waves On This Pacific Island

Whale Watching

Winter is Whale watching season in Hawaii as the North Pacific humpback whales come to the waters around the Hawaiian islands from December through April to mate and give birth to their young. With these creatures measuring up to 60 feet (18 m) long and weighing approximately 45 tons, their presence makes the waters exciting. When they perform their acrobatics and create those thunderous splashes, it's a surreal sight to behold.

In Hawaii, humpback whales are traditionally known as Kohola, and they have been a crucial part of the culture for ages. Maui and Oahu are some of the best places for whale watching in Hawaii, although Kauai also offers great opportunities for whale watching.

Experience A Hawaiian Christmas Holiday

Christmas is a joyful time in Hawaii, and it is a unique experience one must experience at least once. Christmas in Hawaii, like in many parts of the world, falls in winter, and while there might not be snowy and white streets in the Hawaiian islands, there are certainly Christmas trees and sounds of jingle bells everywhere. Travelers in Hawaii during this time of the year will enjoy a Christmas holiday filled with delicious food and a lot of time on the beach surfing and swimming.

Related: 10 Indisputable Reasons You Should Be In Hawaii Right Now

Summer - October To April

Summer in Hawaii is an exciting time to be outdoors as the calm waters, and hot temperature creates a stage to enjoy some of the most exciting activities in Hawaii such as these.

Snorkeling And Diving

Snorkeling and diving are exciting things to do in Hawaii as the waters are endowed with unique corals and beautiful sea creatures, but this is not something one can do at any time of the year. During winter, the large swells are so dangerous that they even pose grave dangers to large ships on the water. With waves rising more than 10 m high, people diving or snorkeling in the water can easily be crushed by the monstrous waves or pulled into the open ocean and given a free ride to Tonga or some random island in the Southern Hemisphere. This makes summer the best time to do any swimming-related activity in the Hawaiian islands. Things to see while diving or snorkeling in the Hawaiian waters include - manta rays, sea turtles, and lots of tropical fishes.

Note that the waters around Hawaii are never totally free from waves; hence it will be important to ask the locals before jumping into the water.

Hiking and Camping

Hiking and Camping are great all year round in Hawaii but perfect in Summer as the islands are dryer and brighter. This time of the year is an opportunity to hike on lush trails and camp beside beaches. Some dangerous trails, such as the Kalalau trail, are best hiked in summer when the trail is dry, and the atmosphere is bright. When such trails are wet, it might be a route to hades for unlucky hikers.

Watching Sunrise And Sunset

The Sunshine in Hawaii might be merciless during summer, but this fierceness is what makes it beautiful during sunrise and sunset. For travelers visiting during summer, this is one of the best experiences to have in Hawaii. No matter which Hawaiian island travelers find themselves, there’s always a place to enjoy beautiful views of the sunrise and sunset. Some places, however, offer more scenery than others, and some of these places are Kaena Point in Oahu, Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, and Sunset Beach in Oahu.

Learning How To Surf

Summer is the best time to learn how to surf in Hawaii because once it’s winter, no one is safe on the water. Not even the experts.

Sailing

Sailing is an activity that connects one to the ancient history of the Hawaiian people, whose ancestors were known to be amazing sailors. With calmer waters and consistent winds, this activity is exciting during summer.