What Is the Best Month to Go to Kauai?
Kauai is thought to be the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain. Hundreds of years of enduring the weather typical to this part of the world have left it covered in incredibly dense rainforests, green valleys and lush hills and mountains, earning this destination the nickname ‘Garden Island.
Such a beautiful part of the world gets its fair share of visitors, who come to experience the unique scenery, enjoy the picturesque coastline and appreciate the rich culture of the communities who live on the island. Kauai is also known however for being one of the rainiest islands in Hawaii, which means that you’ll have to plan your vacation carefully if you’re hoping for as much dry and sunny weather as possible.
Choosing the best time to visit Kauai will really depend on what you’re hoping to get out of your trip, as different seasons are better suited to different activities. To make the decision easier, here’s our month-by-month breakdown of the best time of year to go to Kauai.
Kauai in January
The start of the year is one of the coolest months in Kauai, but when you consider the usual tropical climate of the island, this doesn’t mean particularly low temperatures. Highs during the day can reach 71°F, while the average low during the month is around 53°F.
As well as being a relatively cold time of year, January is also one of the wettest months on the island as it falls in the middle of the Kauai rainy season. There’s an average of fifteen days of rain, with more wet weather likely around the North Shore of the island, so if you want the best chances of dry weather then staying on the west and south coasts is recommended.
Despite being part of the rainy season in Kauai, January is still one of the busiest times of the year in terms of tourism. If you don’t like lots of crowds when you visit somewhere new then this may not be the best time of year for you to visit, as plenty of tourists will be exploring the island and enjoying the warm weather.
Kauai in February
The weather in Kauai in February is much the same as in January; warm temperatures and high chances of short but sudden rain showers. The average number of rainy days drops a little, with usually only 13 days of the month experiencing showers, so your chances of getting caught in a storm are still relatively high if you come to the island this month.
Tourism starts to tail off in February in Kauai as families return to school and most people go back to work, so the island will be a little quieter. It’s a great time to visit if you’re planning a lot of indoor activities and aren’t too bothered about spending time on the beach, but travelers hoping for a sun-drenched stay will be better off booking a trip later in the year.
Kauai in March
March marks the final month of the rainy season in Kauai and sees temperatures start to rise even as the weather remains very wet. The average high during the day in March is around 78°F, which will feel very warm and humid when there’s a storm in the air.
There’s an average of around 16 days of rain in Kauai in March, so you’ll need to pack waterproof clothes and prepare for your vacation plans to be affected by sudden, heavy showers across the island. Chances of rain are always lower on the south coast and the weather here will be warmer, so staying here is your best bet if you’re hoping to spend some time on the beach.
Prince Kūhiō Day is celebrated across all the islands in Hawaii on March 26th each year, so if you’re in Kauai at this time, be sure to join in with the parades, events and live music.
Kauai in April
April sees the peak Kauai rainy season come to an end, although the island is known as the wettest place in Hawaii for good reason, and this doesn’t mean that you’re totally clear of showers. It also starts to get warmer on the island, with low temperatures of 69°F and highs reaching up to 79°F.
There will still be rain on around half the days of the month in April, so it isn’t the best month to visit Kauai if you’re hoping for as much dry and sunny weather as possible. However, April is part of the low season for tourism on the island, so it’s an excellent time to visit if you want to have attractions to yourself and enjoy more of a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere during your stay.
Kauai in May
May is generally considered one of the best times of year to go to Kauai, as the month falls in a sweet spot between high seasons for tourism and during one of the best periods of weather on the island. Levels of tourism are still low before the peak in the summer, making it a great time for sightseeing or visiting some of Kauai’s most popular towns.
The weather in Kauai in May is relatively dry and warm, with highs reaching up to 81°F and lows usually staying around 70°F. It will feel humid throughout the day, so ensure that your accommodation has air conditioning and pack lots of light layers so you can stay cool when out and about.
May is perhaps the best time to visit Kauai for snorkeling, as popular diving spots won’t be too busy and the weather conditions will be great for spending long periods of time underwater.
Kauai in June
As summer begins, June marks the start of the Kauai high season for tourists coming to the island on vacations. Schools are out for the summer, and for the next few months you can expect to see plenty of families on the island enjoying the activities on offer and filling up the beaches.
However, if it’s warm weather you’re after then June is the best time to go to Kauai, with average high temperatures of 83°F and lows of 74°F. Things only get hotter from here, so if you’re looking for warm weather that isn’t too unbearable at the peak of the day, June is a great time to visit. It’s also the driest point of the year, so it’s a brilliant month to go out and hit the beach.
Bear in mind that June is also the start of the Kauai hurricane season, which lasts until around November. Chances of severe tropical storms aren’t particularly high, but it’s still worth considering when booking your trip.
Kauai in July
July is a popular month for summer holidays, which is what brings many tourists to Kauai at this time of year. The weather is pretty similar to in June, with highs of around 84°F and lows around 74°F, with chances of rain starting to increase quite a bit as the month progresses.
July is in the middle of the peak summer season on the island, so it’s not the best month to visit Kauai if you’re hoping for peace and quiet, especially on the southern coast. However, the warm and usually dry weather is perfect for popular activities like diving, hiking and visiting attractions along the beachfront.
Kauai in August
The sunniest month in Kauai is August, with average highs around 85°F that only tend to drop by a few degrees in the evenings. There are still regular rain showers across the island, especially inland and on the north coast, but these tend to be very short-lived and are unlikely to interrupt any of your plans.
In August most schools around the world have broken up for the summer holidays, so it’s the busiest month on the island for families. If you’re looking to visit Kauai at a quieter time then it’s a good idea to hold off your trip for a month or so, as things will be much less busy once autumn starts and children are back at school.
August is in the middle of the hurricane season in Kauai, but the chances of a severe tropical storm remain pretty low.
Kauai in September
Despite being the first month of fall, September is still one of the warmest months of the year in Kauai. The average high temperature is still 85°F and the average low is 75°F, with relatively high levels of humidity that means it feels warm throughout the day on the island.
After the busy months of the summer, the levels of tourism start to drop off in Kauai in September, which makes it a great time to visit if you prefer to spend your vacations in locations in their off-season. A key event that is usually held this month is the Kauai Mokihana Festival, which celebrities Hawaiian culture with all kinds of displays and events.
Kauai in October
The high temperatures of the summer gradually start to tail off in October, so if you’ve been looking for the best time to travel to Kauai to avoid the peak of the heat, now is a great time to visit. The likelihood of rainfall increases, and there is still a small chance of hurricane activity.
With daily highs of around 83°F, October is still a great time to explore the famous landscapes of Kauai that give it its reputation as being one of the greenest islands in Hawaii. You may have to dodge a few rain showers, but conditions are still ideal for spending time on the beach, enjoying sporting activities or even taking helicopter rides up to the mountains over the dense rainforests.
Kauai in November
November is one of the quietest months when it comes to tourism on the island, making it the best time to visit Kauai if you’re after a relaxing vacation. It’s still warm and quite rainy like in October, with an average of about 18 days of rain and high temperatures of 83°F. Make the most of the quiet before the rush of crowds in December and visit some of the island’s most popular tourist attractions, as well as spending sunny hours on the beach.
Kauai in December
Visiting hot and tropical islands is a popular choice for travelers wanting to get away in the final month of the year, which is why Kauai in December is such a busy time. The last two weeks of the month in particular are really busy with people on their Christmas holidays, so be sure to book well in advance if you’re planning on joining them for a festive break.
The weather in Kauai in December is milder and wetter than earlier in the year, although this doesn’t have much of an effect on the island’s popularity. The average high temperature is around 71°F, but this will drop to 53°F in the evenings which will feel a lot cooler and require a few layers to stay warm when you’re outdoors.
Summary
The tropical climate of Kauai means that there are only two distinct seasons on the island; wet and dry. The temperature doesn’t differ much between these two, so even if you do visit when there are higher chances of rain showers, the dry periods in between can still be enjoyed because of the very warm weather.
Choosing the best month to visit Kauai really comes down to how busy you want the island to be and whether rain showers are going to disrupt your plans. Once you’ve decided on this you can choose a month that fits your criteria and start booking a trip to one of Hawaii’s most beautiful travel destinations.
If you’re planning a trip to Kauai and are looking for luxury holiday accommodation, Pure Kauai offers a wide range of outstanding properties. Get in touch with our team to find out more and start planning your dream vacation.
Published on Tuesday, November 15, 2022