The type of Hawaiian vacation you are planning can help determine the optimal time for your visit. If you are taking a family vacation, check family-friendly resorts to see when they run their children's programs. If you are going on your honeymoon, you might prefer a less crowded time of year like spring or fall. And if you are looking for an adventure, you can find that almost any time.
Hawaiian weather has basically two seasons, summer from May to October and winter the rest of the year. But temperatures do not vary much, with average highs of 85 degrees in summer and 78 degrees in winter. The water temperature ranges from 74 degrees in winter to 81 in summer. And pack the sunblock -- even in winter, the UV index is 6 or 7.
Airfare and hotel accommodations are often more expensive during the high season, from mid-December to mid-April. If you want to travel during this time, you can get a slightly better deal if you avoid the time between Christmas and New Year's, and Easter week. Those are also often the most crowded with families, who take vacation during school breaks.
The Hawaiian hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. But hurricanes in the islands are rare; the last major hurricane to hit Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki, which caused destruction on Kauai in September 1992. Since hurricanes can usually be predicted in advance, you can reduce your risk by purchasing trip insurance. If it looks like your Hawaiian vacation might be marred by a hurricane, you can change the travel time.
Surfers and surf watchers seek big surf, when waves can reach 40 or 50 feet high. Winter is the time for big surf in Hawaii, with Oahu's North Shore known for some of the largest waves on the planet. But summertime waves are very tame. Though you may not enjoy surfing in summer, this is the time to snorkel through caves and coral reefs, swim with turtles, and plan your return to see big surf.
