The best time to cruise to Hawaii

July 22, 2024

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12 min read

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Hawaii is a year-round cruise destination known for its tropical weather and warm South Pacific waters teeming with sea life, so the best time to cruise to Hawaii is often whenever you can get there. But some months are hotter or rainier than others, specific time periods attract more crowds, and certain seasons are known for signature activities, such as whale watching and big-wave surfing.

Only one major line, Norwegian Cruise Line, offers year-round itineraries, but more than a half dozen others sail cruises to Hawaii from ports on the West Coast and in Hawaii during specific times of year. That means you'll have a greater selection of cruise dates and itineraries in certain months — generally October through April.

But when exactly is the best time to cruise Hawaii?

It depends on what you prioritize. The weather in Hawaii is generally at its most pleasant in April, May, September and October, but if you prefer it hot and dry, the best time to cruise Hawaii is from June to August. The best times to see whales are the winter months (January through March), but you'll likely experience some rain. The best times to cruise for low prices and great value are early November and early December.

It is worth repeating, however, that there isn't a bad time to set sail in Hawaii.

Here's a look at what you can expect when taking a cruise during each seasonal travel period in Hawaii. Knowing the general weather outlook and what natural phenomena or special events will be taking place can help you pick the right time to cruise for your travel group.

Hawaii's seasons

There are two main seasons in Hawaii: summer (May to October, when the average daytime temperature is 85 degrees) and winter (November to April, when the mercury dips slightly to an average of 78-80 degrees). Even at night temperatures rarely drop below 65-75 degrees.

Love to swim and snorkel? Seawater in Hawaii is generally around 74 degrees in winter and 80 degrees in summer, and dolphins frolic in Hawaii's waters year-round. Hawaii's latitude close to the equator also means sunset times have little variation, occurring between 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

The wild card is precipitation, which divides the two main seasons into subsets. (See below.) Hawaii is known for its abundant sunshine and lush, tropical vegetation — and the latter needs rain. So yes, you're likely to encounter some showers during your visit to Hawaii but more so in some regions and during specific months. In December and January, the islands receive almost 3 inches of rain, while the tally is less than half an inch in June, July and August.

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It's also important to note that each of the four major islands typically visited on a cruise — Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii — have what are called windward and leeward sides. The windward sides, which are lusher and greener, get more rainfall, while the leeward sides are generally sunnier and warmer.

For example, on the island of Hawaii, many cruises call on both Hilo, located on the windward side and known for its rainforests and waterfalls, and Kona, located on the leeward side and known for its arid climate and lava landscapes. So, it's possible in a single day to experience endless sunshine on one side of an island and intermittent downpours on the other. But there's a silver lining: The Hawaiian Islands are famous for their incredible rainbows.

What about major tropical storms? Although hurricane season in the central Pacific runs from June through November, storms making a direct hit on the Hawaiian Islands are pretty rare. Just five hurricanes or tropical storms have caused major damage since 1950 — the most notable of which, Hurricane Iniki, devastated the island of Kauai in early September 1992.

Winter: January to March

Winter is peak season for tourism in Hawaii — even though it is also the rainiest period in the islands — so airfares and hotel room rates are apt to be high and popular attractions are likely to be crowded. Still, a chance to escape the cold blanketing much of the mainland U.S. from January to March means it's among the most-desired times to enjoy a visit to the Aloha State. You'll find the most cruise options during these months, and by booking well in advance (at least six months), you can likely snag a good-value cruise fare.

Weatherwise, daytime temperatures are comfortable at around 80 degrees, with nighttime lows of 65. Rainfall averages slightly less than 1 inch a month in Honolulu, but certain ports are more likely to experience showers than others. These include the aforementioned Hilo on the island of Hawaii and Nawiliwili on Kauai, where monthly rainfall averages 4-5 inches in December and January.

Winter is also the season to experience two of Hawaii's most incredible phenomena. One is the annual migration of more than 10,000 humpback whales to the waters around Maui, where females give birth to their young. The other is big-wave season (with swells as high as 30 feet) on the North Shore of Oahu, where professional surfers ride gigantic curls — the Banzai Pipeline being the most famous — during annual surf competitions in January and February.

Other events that can affect flight availability and crowds during this period are the Tournament of Champions PGA golf tournament at Kapalua on Maui and the All-Star Hula Bowl Classic Football Game on Oahu, both of which take place in January. Spring break in March is also a popular time for family vacations in Hawaii, so crowds can be expected.

Spring: April and May

The spring sweet spot, between the winter peak but before the summer onslaught, is a terrific time to take a Hawaii cruise, although there are slightly fewer sailings during these months. Since this is the shoulder season, cruise fares, airfares and hotel rates are generally well priced.

The weather is also more than likely to be ideal, with just an inch of rain or less per month on Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii and about 2 inches on Kauai. Temperatures will be in the high 70s to mid-80s.

Spring also marks the tail end of humpback season; cruisers on April and even early May sailings might be able to spot a few of these mammoth creatures hanging around before beginning their long journey up to Alaska. Travelers can also spot sea turtles on all the islands but especially around Maui and Lanai, as the waters warm with the approach of summer.

Traditionally, Japanese travelers have visited Hawaii in late April and early May during "Golden Week," when four Japanese holidays occur over a period of seven days. May 1 is also a statewide holiday in Hawaii known as Lei Day.

Summer: June to August

Summer is actually Hawaii's busiest season since the islands are extremely popular with both families and honeymooners. They are also at their warmest and driest. That's great if you like the heat (daytime highs approach 90 degrees in July and August) and prefer to swim in water that's almost as warm as the air. Calmer waters on the north shores of Oahu, Maui and Kauai also mean that some beaches are great for more than just surfing. And on land, less rain means safer trail conditions if hiking is on your Hawaii must-do list.

But summer is also least busy when it comes to cruise ship arrivals, with only Norwegian and Princess Cruises offering sailings from June to August (when most cruise lines move their Pacific-based ships to Alaska). Hotel occupancy is extremely high, so pre- and post-cruise stays can be pricey.

Summer festivals include the Ukulele Festival Hawaii on Oahu in July, Duke's OceanFest in Waikiki in late August and Koloa Plantation Days on Kauai in July. Bon season, an Obon dance tradition handed down by Japanese plantation workers, means bon dance events are held throughout the islands during the summer months. King Kamehameha Day (June 11) is a popular annual holiday in Hawaii.

During this time, turtles are also abundant in Hawaii's warm, calm waters since it's nesting season, while dolphins frequent Hawaiian waters year-round. So, while you'll miss the chance to see wintering humpback whales, there's still plenty of sea life to spot.

Early fall: September and October

Early fall is another shoulder season that offers good weather (as noted above, Hawaii is generally not in the path of storms during the central Pacific hurricane season) and fewer crowds. Cruise tourism to Hawaii begins to pick up again as cruise lines reposition ships from Alaska, and it's possible to find good-value fares during this time by booking well in advance or even last-minute. Airfare and hotel rates for pre- or post-cruise stays should be lower, too.

Weatherwise, September's rainfall is similar to that of the summer period, totaling less than half an inch on Maui, an inch on Oahu and the island of Hawaii, and 2 inches on Kauai. Rainfall is double those amounts in October but still less than in November and December.

Events to keep in mind when booking a cruise in September or October are the Ironman triathlon world championships, held annually in early October in Kona on the island of Hawaii, and several food and wine festivals, including the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, which takes place in late October in Honolulu.

Late fall: November and December

Late fall and early winter in Hawaii bring a major influx of tourists over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's breaks. But the weeks in between are great times to snag deals on Hawaii sailings — early November for a less-harried ambience and early December for lower cruise fares and airfares. Yes, December is Hawaii's rainiest month, but it doesn't rain every day and certainly not all day. (The rain comes in small bursts and mostly after dark.) Temperatures can dip into the 60s at night on some islands.

Once the calendar page hits mid-December, however, Christmas and New Year's crowds begin arriving, and cruise, airfare and hotel room prices skyrocket. If you're on a tight budget or crowds annoy you, it's best not to book a holiday cruise.

Events to keep in mind include the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on the island of Hawaii in early November and the Honolulu Marathon in early December.

If a post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas cruise in Hawaii sounds appealing, you're apt to encounter the arrival of the humpbacks during the first two weeks of December. The waves on Oahu's North Shore also begin to swell, making for dramatic photos. And seeing this palm tree-studded paradise decked out in holiday decorations, along with abundant tropical poinsettias in full seasonal bloom, makes for a memorable travel experience.

Bottom line

The best time to cruise Hawaii is the season or month that best suits your schedule, interests and/or budget.

If abundant sunshine is paramount (and you don't mind sharing paradise with lots of fellow visitors and are OK if temperatures approach 90 degrees), think summer — although you'll have fewer cruises from which to choose, and hotel rates will be high.

If you're looking to escape the cold and want to see whales, big waves and tropical Hawaii at its most lush (and don't mind a bit of rain), opt for winter, when most major cruise lines sail the islands. Again, expect to pay a premium, especially for a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay.

The two shoulder seasons, April-May and September-October, offer up a happy medium with pleasant weather and generally good prices. Lulls during early November and early December mean preholiday deals on flights and cruise fares are often available. These last three time periods are all the best times to cruise for overall value — even if you might miss seeing whales and ginormous North Shore waves.

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