Home/When to Go/Kauai (Hawaii)
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Kauai (Hawaii)

North America · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: Kauai's north shore is fragile and busy: Haena State Park and the Kalalau Trail require advance online reservations, and winter high surf makes north-shore beaches deadly for swimming while flash floods can close Kuhio Highway past Hanalei. Book north-shore access weeks ahead.
Best months
Jan–Mar, Jun–Aug, Dec
Flights from the US
🟢 Non-stop options
Great for
couples · families with kids · multi-gen · adult group · female solo traveler
Seasons at a glance
JanuaryFebruaryMarchJuneJulyAugustDecember AprilMaySeptemberOctoberNovember

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Kauai (Hawaii) month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 65–78°F 6h Moderate (95mm) Peak Lush and green with passing showers, humpbacks offshore and giant north-shore surf.
February 65–78°F 7h Moderate (80mm) Peak Warm winter escape: whales breaching, waterfalls flowing and monster Hanalei swells.
March 66–78°F 7h High (117mm) Peak Green-season rainbows, peak whale watching and thundering north-shore surf.
April 68–79°F 8h Moderate (57mm) Shoulder Showers fade as the dry season opens, seas calm and the last whales roll through.
May 70–81°F 8h Moderate (53mm) Shoulder Sweet-spot month: warm, dry and uncrowded, with the north shore turning glassy.
June 72–83°F 9h Low (41mm) Peak Summer calm settles in, glassy reefs for snorkeling and long sunny beach days.
July 73–84°F 9h Low (47mm) Peak Hot, dry and sunny with calm seas perfect for Na Pali cruises and snorkeling.
August 74–85°F 9h Moderate (54mm) Peak Peak summer sun, warm calm water and the island at its most swimmable.
September 73–85°F 8h Moderate (54mm) Shoulder Warm, dry and quiet, arguably the island's best snorkeling before fall.
October 72–83°F 7h Moderate (97mm) Shoulder Still dry and mellow with low crowds before the winter rains return.
November 70–80°F 6h High (113mm) Shoulder Rains and swells build on the north shore as the first humpbacks arrive.
December 67–79°F 5h High (132mm) Peak Green, rainbow-filled and festive, with whales returning and huge winter surf.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Kauai (Hawaii), month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryPeak65–78°F
  • Whale-watch for humpbacks off the Poipu coast
  • Watch big-wave surf roll into Hanalei Bay
  • Hike to Waipoo Falls in Waimea Canyon
  • Snorkel the calmer south shore at Poipu Beach Park
  • Take in the lookouts of Kokee State Park
FebruaryPeak65–78°F
  • Take a humpback whale-watching cruise
  • Join the Waimea Town Celebration festival
  • Hike the Sleeping Giant (Nounou) Trail
  • Snorkel with turtles at Poipu Beach
  • Drive to the Kalalau Lookout in Kokee
MarchPeak66–78°F
  • Watch and cruise among peak-season humpbacks
  • Celebrate the Prince Kuhio Festival
  • Take a Na Pali Coast helicopter tour over full waterfalls
  • Watch giant surf at Hanalei Bay
  • Hike the rim trails of Waimea Canyon
AprilShoulder68–79°F
  • Cruise the Na Pali Coast as the seas settle
  • Hike the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiai (Haena reservation)
  • Snorkel Kee and Tunnels beaches as surf drops
  • Kayak the taro-lined Hanalei River
  • Take a scenic flight over the Na Pali cliffs
MayShoulder70–81°F
  • Snorkel Tunnels (Makua) and Kee Beach on the north shore
  • Catamaran or kayak the Na Pali Coast
  • Hike the Kalalau Trail into Haena State Park
  • Celebrate Lei Day on May 1
  • Chase views along Waimea Canyon Drive
JunePeak72–83°F
  • Kayak the Wailua River to Uluwehi (Secret) Falls
  • Snorkel the calm reef at Anini Beach
  • Take a Na Pali Coast sunset cruise
  • Hike the Awaawapuhi Trail in Kokee
  • Relax on the golden sand at Poipu Beach
JulyPeak73–84°F
  • Snorkel-cruise the Na Pali Coast
  • Join the Koloa Plantation Days festival
  • Snorkel and SUP at calm Anini Beach
  • Kayak Hanalei Bay and river
  • Hike the Nualolo Trail for Na Pali views
AugustPeak74–85°F
  • Snorkel Tunnels and Anini on the calm north shore
  • Paddleboard across Hanalei Bay
  • Take a Na Pali Coast sunset sail
  • Zipline through the Koloa uplands
  • Hike and picnic in Waimea Canyon
SeptemberShoulder73–85°F
  • Snorkel Poipu and Tunnels in glassy conditions
  • Hike the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast
  • Enjoy the Kauai Mokihana Festival of hula and music
  • Take a Na Pali boat tour
  • Watch the sunset over Waimea Canyon
OctoberShoulder72–83°F
  • Catch the last calm-season Na Pali boat tours
  • Hike the Sleeping Giant Trail
  • Celebrate the Kauai Coconut Festival in Kapaa
  • Snorkel with turtles at Poipu
  • Zipline and ATV through the Koloa backcountry
NovemberShoulder70–80°F
  • Spot the season's first humpback whales offshore
  • Watch the north-shore surf build at Hanalei
  • Hike Waimea Canyon between showers
  • Snorkel the sheltered south shore at Poipu
  • Kayak the Wailua River to its waterfalls
DecemberPeak67–79°F
  • Whale-watch as humpbacks return in force
  • Watch giant winter surf at Hanalei Bay
  • See the Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade
  • Snorkel the calmer Poipu Beach
  • Enjoy the Festival of Lights in downtown Lihue

Ready to plan Kauai?

Noura turns this intelligence into a real itinerary — flights, hotels with perks, and timing dialled in — at no planning cost to you.

More in North America

Compare the timing across nearby destinations.