What is the best time to visit Oʻahu – for You?

Deciding you want to visit Oʻahu is the easy part – deciding what time of year to go is a more difficult question. Should you escape the mainland cold in winter, or wait until summer, when the rainy season in Hawaiʻi is finished?

Rest assured that there is no bad time of the year to be in Hawaiʻi. So if your personal schedule and availability steers you in a particular direction, go with it. However, if your timing is flexible, understanding the mood and offerings of the different seasons can help influence your decision.

In this article, we hope to paint a picture of what each time of year offers on Oʻahu to help you make the best decision.

Why visit Oʻahu?

Oʻahu is the most populated Hawaiian island (approximately 1 million people), with the international city of Honolulu occupying its south shore. The city offers top-flight cuisine and nightlife and serves as a nice complement to the island’s excellent selection of natural offerings.

While Oʻahu is easily the busiest Hawaiian island, it’s also the most diverse and active thanks to its lively event calendar and evolving metropolitan influence. The surf scene is notorious on the North Shore of Oʻahu, and both the windward and leeward coasts are home to some of Hawaiʻi’s best beaches.

Golden hour, just before the sun sets off Māʻili Beach Park on the west Oʻahu coast. Photo by Pono Lopez on Unsplash

What is the best time to visit Oʻahu?

Seasonal changes aren’t as dramatic as they are on the mainland as far as temperature goes, but there are still significant differences in weather and ocean conditions throughout the year. These differences effect the mood, energy, and opportunities one finds in the islands.

This means that the answer to the question of “when to go” depends on what you want to do while visiting. Some activities, like hiking and beach-going, are not overly impacted by the seasons. You can still go hiking or have a great beach day during the winter months, for example.

But other experiences, such as watching big wave surfers take on the North Shore, are only available certain times of year. Other activities are possible all year round, but at their best during specific months. Of course, the cost of your trip, especially the room rates, will also vary with the time of year.

Watching big wave surfers take on the North Shore is only possible during winter. Photo by Simon English on Unsplash.

Below, we walk through more specific scenarios to help you find the best time to go based on what you want to do:

The best time to visit Oʻahu to see the North Shore:

This is a trick question, since the North Shore brings completely different experiences based on the season.

In summer, most parts of the North Shore are generally calm, calling for long beach days, swimming at Waimea Bay, and safe, family-friendly snorkeling in Shark’s Cove.

In winter, the North Shore becomes one of the most iconic surf destinations in the world, welcoming massive swells that make getting in the water less realistic for the general public. Though swimming is possible at some locations when the conditions cooperate, the swells and currents are much bigger and more consistent in the winter, generally speaking.

Winter and summer conditions at Waimea Bay, one of the most iconic surfing spots in the world, can vary wildly. Image credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

So, when to visit the North Shore really depends on what you want to experience.

• Do you want to see the big swells and best surfers?Then you should visit during wintertime. (If you visit in winter, keep in mind that you can find good swimming on other parts of the island.)
• Or did you want a better chance of floating on your back on a lazy day in the water? In that case, summer is your season!
• Spring and fall bring a mix of conditions on the North Shore, but are generally pleasant and good for swimming.

Summarizing: On the North Shore of Oʻahu, swimming and snorkeling are better in the summer, while surfing takes over in winter. Anytime you visit, always swim at lifeguarded beaches and check with them before entering the water.

The best time to visit Oʻahu to be a beach bum:

The answer to this one is easy: Summertime!

Beach days are readily available in Hawaiʻi during the summer months, with long, sunny days, generally calm ocean conditions, and much less rain than the winter months.

World-famous Waikiki Beach. Image credit: tomasphoto

There’s one caveat to that to keep in mind – those sunny summer days can be quite hot, with temperatures near the 90s in some areas. If you want to sit on the beach but prefer cooler temperatures, visiting in the spring or fall could be a better option, when the days are still nice but not so hot.

Summarizing: The best time to visit Oʻahu for its beaches is in the summer. If you prefer cooler beach temperatures, go for spring or fall.

The best time to visit Oʻahu for snorkeling and other ocean activities:

Generally speaking, winter in Hawaiʻi brings stronger currents, bigger waves, and (slightly) colder water. If you’re looking to snorkel around the islands, spring, summer, and fall are best. This is not to say you can’t snorkel in the winter; there are just fewer options due to some beaches/areas receiving more surf and rough water.

Hanauma Bay is a paradise for snorkelers.

Summarizing: The best time to visit Oʻahu for snorkeling and other ocean activities (boating, sailing) are spring, summer, and fall.

Related: Have a look at our favorite Oʻahu snorkeling spots and at our overview of boat tours on Oʻahu to get your planning started.

The best time to visit Oʻahu “on the cheap”:

For the best deals on room rates on Oʻahu, you’ll want to visit in the spring and fall shoulder seasons.

Summer is peak season, as are the holidays, and early winter attracts snowbirds. Prices decline through late winter into early spring, before they start increasing as summer approaches. Prices decline again after Labor Day until they begin to rise around Thanksgiving.

Below, we share a graph that highlights the hotel room rates throughout the year, based on data from the past few years. Even though 2020 and 2021 were COVID years and not entirely representative of normal travel (bigger swings in room rates due to pandemic restrictions, for example), we can still see that the summer and holiday season tend to be the most expensive, with spring and fall offering better deals.

Summarizing: The best time to visit Oʻahu on the cheap is the spring months (April/May: after winter, but before school lets out for the summer) and fall (September/October: after kids go back to school through Thanksgiving).

This comparison of the monthly average daily rate hotels on Oʻahu shows that the best time to visit Oʻahu on the cheap is the spring months (April/May: after winter, but before school lets out for the summer) and fall (September/October: after kids go back to school through Thanksgiving).

Related: check out our guide to where to stay on Oʻahu if you are not sure yet if you should stick to a hotel in Honolulu or venture out to more far-away places.

More money saving tips: Another good read is our guide titled “6 Ways to Save Money when Planning a Trip to Hawaiʻi“.

The best time to visit Oʻahu if you want to skip the crowds?

To avoid the crowds, simply visit Hawaiʻi when school is in session. The island tends to be the most crowded during the summer and holiday seasons when kids are on break and families are free to travel. This goes for both visitors and locals; during summer, local families are also more likely to be on the beach/out and about as well.

The time periods immediately following busy seasons are also good options. For example, right after Labor Day or right after the New Year tends to see a dip in crowds. January and February are notorious light months. For more perspective, see the graph below.

Summarizing: The best time to visit Oʻahu to skip the crowds is when school is in session, or directly following major holidays.

Oʻahu visitor arrivals per months for the period from 2017 up to 2022. We omitted 2020 because the severe COVID travel restrictions heavily skew the numbers for that year. September and February are the quietest months, while summertime and December are the most crowded.

The best time to visit Oʻahu for waterfalls?

Want to see Oʻahu’s waterfalls gushing at their peak? Visit in the mid-to-late winter, after the early-winter rain has allowed the rivers to swell. Conditions on hiking trails during this time can be wet and muddy (bring a change of clothes), but it’s worth it to see the immense power on display.

Summarizing: The best time to visit Oʻahu for the waterfalls is toward the end of the winter rainy season in February, March, and April.

Related: The Maunawili Falls trail features on both our Oʻahu lists for favorite hiking trails and favorite waterfalls to visit. Make sure to give Sean a follow on his Instagram for more Oʻahu-related food and hiking content.

The best time to visit Oʻahu for surfing?

Surfing is good any time of year on Oʻahu, but there are variations to be aware of.

• In summer, the south shore is at its best, receiving consistent waves that range from beginner to expert along Waikīkī and the Honolulu shorelines.
• In winter, the North Shore receives the bulk of the swell, offering some beginner opportunities but mostly intermediate or expert waves.
• Shoulder seasons are more muddled in what they offer, with less consistency and more variation. Beginner surfers should not worry too much about the time of year, as “learning waves” are available all year round. Intermediate and expert surfers will want to be more picky and investigate the specific breaks they want to surf.

Summarizing: The best time to visit Oʻahu for surfing depends a bit on your experience level, but you can find waves any time of year. Remember, generally speaking, it’s the south shore in the summer, and the north shore in the winter.

The waves at Waikiki Beach are very suitable for beginners, and many visitors choose to take their first surf lesson here. Image Credit Adam Theo, source.

A Month-by-Month Breakdown of Oʻahu Weather

Wondering what to expect from the weather in Hawaiʻi? Here’s a seasonal breakdown of weather on Oʻahu:

Spring – Late March through May

Expect some leftover rain or showers from the winter, but spring is mostly pleasant, with average temperatures in the high 70s. Ocean conditions along northern and east-facing shores can still be rough at times, though the intensity will be on a downward trend. Waterfalls will be pumped up in early spring after the winter rain.

Summer – June through Early September

Summer brings clear skies and warm temperatures, with averages in the mid 80s. Tropical showers will come and go, often as a welcome cool-down, but it’s less likely one will experience prolonged rain. Ocean conditions are mellow this time of year, with beaches being pleasant and swimmable most days.

Fall – Late September Through Early November

Say goodbye to big crowds and overly hot days as fall sets in, with the average temperature sneaking back into the high 70s or low 80s. The first half of fall brings predictable weather, but late fall has a greater chance of inclement weather due to the start of the rainy season in November. Humpback whales begin to arrive in the islands in October and November, and will stay through March (see our Oʻahu whale watching guide).

Winter – Late November Through Early March

Winter is the rainy season in Hawaiʻi, with all islands receiving a majority of their precipitation this time of year. Temperatures are usually in the mid to low 70s, with locals “getting chilly” at night due to the cool air coming off the ocean. Sunny days are still common, but unstable weather is more likely and rainfall will be more intense during these months. Outdoor activities, while definitely still possible, will be more impacted by the weather, with slippery/muddy hiking trails and bumpy ocean swells.