The best time to visit Hawaii

Hawaii is a dream destination year-round. But if you’re deciding when exactly to visit, it can help to know about things like weather, crowd patterns and the timing of annual events.

Keep reading to learn more about the best times to visit Hawaii, plus how Capital One cardholders can unlock extra travel benefits to make their trip even more rewarding.

What you’ll learn:

• April to October is a great time for beach days and outdoor adventuring in Hawaii.

• Spring, summer and holidays are generally the busiest times of the year.

• The winter is prime big-wave surfing time on Oahu’s North Shore.

• Spring and fall offer warm weather and fewer people for activities like snorkeling and hiking in Maui.

• Eligible cardholders can earn elevated rewards when they use Capital One Travel to book their trip.

If you’re looking for something specific from your Hawaii vacation, the weather can be an important factor to consider. Here’s what to expect and when.

Hawaii’s dry season runs from April to October, offering plenty of sunny, warm days that are perfect for beach time and outdoor adventures. The months of November through March can bring more frequent showers. They’re often brief and localized, though, refreshing the islands’ lush landscapes without usually disrupting travel plans.

Hurricanes are rare in Hawaii, but the official hurricane season runs from June to November. It’s wise to keep an eye on the forecasts if you’re traveling during these months. Planning trips outside this window can offer extra peace of mind.

Hawaii is always a popular destination, but some times are busier than others. 

Holidays, summer vacation and spring break are Hawaii’s busiest travel periods. Popular beaches, attractions and hotels can be crowded during these times. Prices are usually higher too.

Visiting Hawaii during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) can offer more room to explore and unwind. These times balance pleasant weather with smaller crowds.

Each Hawaiian island has its own seasonal highlights. Here are a few to keep in mind, from festivals to natural wonders and cultural experiences.

The Big Island offers lots of ways to enjoy awe-inspiring natural wonders. It’s home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. During the dry season (May to October), you can snorkel crystal-clear waters along the Kona coast or head up to Mauna Kea for unforgettable stargazing under some of the world’s clearest skies.

Visit Honolulu in winter (November to February) for the North Shore and its legendary surf competitions. Spring and fall bring cultural events like the Honolulu Festival, and summer offers long sunny days that are perfect for hiking Diamond Head or relaxing in Waikiki.

Maui truly shines in its shoulder seasons, April to early June and September to mid-November. The weather is warm, the crowds are thinner and rates are more reasonable. This is the sweet spot for enjoying everything from snorkeling to hiking lush valleys or driving the Road to Hana. Winter brings peak whale watching but bigger crowds and higher prices.

Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai offers a slower, more local pace. April to June and September to November generally have fewer tourists and clear skies for exploring Napali Coast trails or kayaking the Wailua River. The quieter months are a good time to visit community events and cultural festivals and experience the island’s rich Native Hawaiian heritage.

If you’re planning to visit Hawaii, consider taking a Capital One travel rewards credit card. Eligible cardholders enjoy smart tools, unlimited miles and other benefits.

• Travel benefits: Venture X and Venture cardholders can receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® when they pay the application fee with their card. And Venture X cardholders can get access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass™ lounges.

• Elevated rewards for booking through Capital One Travel: Venture X cardholders enjoy premium benefits and earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Venture cardholders earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

• No foreign transaction fees: Some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees when you use a credit card to make purchases in a foreign country. Capital One doesn’t charge these fees with any of its U.S.-issued credit cards. View important rates and disclosures.

• Flexible options for redeeming rewards: Redeem miles for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars, gift cards, statement credits and more.

• Travel protections: Cardholders may have access to travel insurance through their credit card. Benefits may include trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage insurance. You can review your guide to benefits for more information on what benefits come with your credit card.

Security features: Capital One cards provide access to security features like fraud alerts, card lock, $0 liability for unauthorized charges and virtual card numbers.

The best time to visit Hawaii will vary depending on what you’re looking for—sun, dry weather, smaller crowds or a particular event. Generally, spring and fall offer the ideal balance of pleasant weather, fewer people and lower rates.

Plus, eligible Capital One travel credit cardholders can enjoy travel benefits to make their trip more rewarding. You can even compare travel credit cards from Capital One.