When Is the Best Time to Visit the Big Island of Hawai‘i?

One of the things that makes the Big Island easy to love is that there is no truly bad time to visit. Temperatures near sea level stay between about 75 °F and 85 °F all year, and trade winds keep things comfortable even in August. That said, the month you pick will shape the price you pay, the crowds you share the island with, and whether you get whales, waterfalls, or both.

Here’s our honest month-by-month take, from people who live and guide here.

The short answer

April–May and September–October are the sweet spots. You get warm, dry weather on the Kona side, shoulder-season pricing, and noticeably thinner crowds at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the popular snorkel beaches. If you care most about humpback whales, come December through March instead.

Weather by season (it depends which coast)

Kona / Kohala (west)

The leeward side is dry and sunny almost year-round. Winter (December–March) brings slightly cooler temps, bigger north-shore swell and the occasional passing shower; summer (June–September) is warmer and flatter. Vog (volcanic haze) tends to be thickest in summer when trade winds drop.

Hilo / Hāmākua (east)

Hilo is one of the rainiest cities in the country — it’s the reason the east side is so lush. Expect showers year-round, with the wettest stretch typically November through March. That rain is what makes the waterfalls spectacular, so don’t count it as a negative.

Whale season: December – early April

Thousands of North Pacific humpbacks migrate to Hawaiian waters to breed and calve each winter. Peak sightings run from mid-January through March. From shore you can often see spouts and breaches along the Kohala Coast; from a boat, encounters are routine. If whales are on your bucket list, plan the trip around this window.

Events worth planning around (or avoiding)

Ironman World Championship — October, Kailua-Kona. Energetic, but hotels book up a year out and town gets busy.
Merrie Monarch Hula Festival — Easter week, Hilo. The most important hula competition in the world. Incredible to witness but book Hilo accommodation 6+ months ahead.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival — early November. A low-key, deeply local celebration.
Holiday / spring break — late December and mid-March carry the year’s highest prices and the busiest beaches.

Shoulder-season math

Flights from the U.S. mainland and Kohala resort rates commonly drop 20–35 percent in the April–May and September–October windows compared with the December–March peak. You’ll also find more tour availability and easier bookings at popular luaus and the manta ray night snorkel — which is our favorite reason to recommend shoulder travel.

What about hurricanes?

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, but direct hits on the Big Island are historically rare. Most named storms weaken before they arrive or pass well to the south. It’s worth buying travel insurance if you’re visiting August–October, but it’s not a reason to skip those months.

Explore the Big Island with Ohana Tours

Whatever month you pick, we’ll build a day that fits the season — whales and waterfalls in winter, dry-side snorkeling and manta rays in summer. Let us know your dates and we’ll send back an honest recommendation for the best single day to see the most of the island.

Whenever you decide to come, the island delivers year-round — our Circle Island day tour runs in every season, and you can check live availability for your dates here.

Ready to plan your trip? Browse our Big Island experiences at ohanatours.com or reach out at aloha@ohanatours.com — we’ll build the itinerary around you.

Mahalo for reading — the Ohana Tours team