Visitors planning a trip to Hawaii often ask, "When is the best time to visit the Islands?" The answer seems simple -- anytime! -- but there are a few things to consider before picking a date.
First, you should know, Hawaii has two seasons, summer and winter. The wintertime is considered its rainy season from November to April. However, don't let this discourage you to travel during those months, as there are many sunny days, too. Plus, unless it's a storm, the rain generally doesn't last long.
If you're looking for a bargain, fares to Hawaii are cheaper during the shoulder seasons, around April to May and then again in September to early November. The holidays and summer months are peak times, so if you're aiming to book a trip for New Year's Eve or summer break, look far in advance for a cheaper rate.
Also, there are more people in the Islands during the peak months, especially in July and August, so if you prefer less crowds at popular sights, you might want to look at the shoulder months instead.
Events travel to Hawaii
The other thing to consider is if there is an event or festival you want to time your trip to. For instance, whale season in Hawaii is typically from November through April. The prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival and accompanying craft fair happens in the spring. The Aloha Festivals are in September. The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is in October. And the Kapalua Celebration of the Arts is in March, among others.
Also keep in mind that some popular tourist sites require advance reservations, such as sunrise at Haleakala, Haena State Park, Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay. Even the USS Arizona Memorial recommends reservations if you want to catch the boat to the memorial. If any of these are on your list of must-dos and you have a flexible schedule, then do a quick search to check availability before nailing down the date and booking your flight and hotel.
So really, the answer to the question depends on you. What is it that you want to do and do any of those plans come with any time constraints? If none of that applies, then I'll fall back to my original answer: anytime!