Best time to visit the Big Island at a glance
There is no single right month for the Big Island; the right time depends on what you want to do. The coast is warm all year: at the Kona airport weather station, average daily highs stay between about 27 and 31 °C. What changes is rain, and that depends far more on the side of the island than on the month. Hilo in the east gets much more rain than Kona in the west in every month.
For many visitors the deciding factor is the humpback whale season, roughly November to April. If whales are on your list, plan for winter and book one of the whale watching tours from Kona early in your stay, so you have a spare day if the sea is rough.
What matters most for your dates
Four things shape the year on the island more than temperature does.
Whale season
Humpbacks are in Hawaiian waters roughly from November to April or May. For whale watching cruises, late December to early May is the usual window.
Boat tours from Kona →Rain on the east side
Hilo is wet all year, with the most rain on average in November. Kona stays much drier, with the least rain in summer.
Hilo guide →Coffee harvest
Kona coffee ripens and is harvested from August to January. The coffee festival takes place in November.
Things to do in Kona →Hurricane season
The Central Pacific season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Watch the forecast if you travel in these months.
Our pick: whale watching in winter
Humpbacks are in Hawaiian waters through the winter months, and this three-hour cruise is the way to see them.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Seasonal trips on the Big Island
Whale watching cruises from Kailua-Kona in winter and manta ray night snorkels, with live prices and availability.
Big Island weather by month: Kona
Average daily high and low and average monthly rain at the Kona airport weather station, NOAA climate normals 1991 to 2020. These are long-term averages, not a forecast, and they do not apply to the coffee slopes or the mountains.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.4 | 20.3 | 34.3 |
| February | 27.5 | 20.2 | 29.7 |
| March | 27.9 | 20.9 | 24.6 |
| April | 28.4 | 21.7 | 16.0 |
| May | 28.8 | 22.6 | 16.3 |
| June | 29.6 | 23.3 | 19.3 |
| July | 30.1 | 23.8 | 12.4 |
| August | 30.7 | 24.3 | 13.7 |
| September | 30.5 | 23.9 | 13.7 |
| October | 30.1 | 23.6 | 22.6 |
| November | 29.1 | 22.4 | 21.1 |
| December | 27.9 | 21.1 | 26.9 |
Big Island weather by month: Hilo
Same values for the Hilo airport weather station, NOAA climate normals 1991 to 2020.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.9 | 17.8 | 199.6 |
| February | 25.8 | 17.8 | 259.6 |
| March | 25.8 | 18.4 | 322.1 |
| April | 26.1 | 18.9 | 238.8 |
| May | 27.1 | 19.6 | 177.5 |
| June | 27.7 | 20.4 | 185.4 |
| July | 28.2 | 21.1 | 234.7 |
| August | 28.3 | 21.3 | 287.0 |
| September | 28.5 | 21.0 | 221.0 |
| October | 28.0 | 20.6 | 260.1 |
| November | 26.8 | 19.8 | 365.5 |
| December | 26.0 | 18.7 | 306.6 |
Why the east side is wetter
Moist air rises against the windward slopes and drops its rain there, while the leeward side tends to stay drier. Altitude adds further differences on top. That is why the two airport stations look so different. In Kona the wettest month, January, averages 34.3 mm. In Hilo even the driest month, May, averages 177.5 mm, and November reaches 365.5 mm.
For your trip this means: base yourself in Kona if you want dry beach days, and bring a rain jacket for any day on the Hilo side. Our where to stay page compares the two sides.
Cold on Mauna Kea
The coast tables are no guide to the summit. Frost and winter conditions can occur on Mauna Kea at any time of year, so pack warm layers for a sunset or stargazing trip whatever the month. The visitor station sits at 2,804 m (9,200 ft); spend at least 30 minutes there to acclimatize before going higher.
Some Mauna Kea tours include parkas and gloves. Read what is included before you book, and see our Mauna Kea guide for the summit rules.
Whale watching season on the Big Island
Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaiian waters, roughly from November to April or May. For whale watching, late December to early May is the usual window. Treat these months as a window, not as fixed arrival and departure dates. No cruise can promise a whale.
Whale watching cruises leave from the harbor on Kealakehe Parkway north of Kailua-Kona. One cruise of about 2.5 hours carries a hydrophone so you can listen to the whales; another runs about 3 hours with a guide on board. Boats must stay at least 100 yards (about 90 m) from humpbacks, all year round.
Manta rays are a different story: they are not humpbacks, and the whale season does not apply to them. Manta night snorkels are offered outside the whale months too, but no tour can promise a sighting. Details in our manta ray night snorkel guide.
Seasons compared
Based on the climate averages above.
| Period | Kona | Hilo | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to April | Highs 27 to 28 °C, little rain | Wet, March very wet | Whale season |
| May to September | Warmest and driest months | Still wet, May the driest | Hurricane season from June |
| October and November | Warm, slightly more rain | November the wettest month | Coffee harvest, coffee festival, whales from November |
For most visitors who want whales and dry beach days, December to April on the Kona side works well. If you are not tied to whales, the drier summer months in Kona work well too; just keep an eye on the hurricane forecast from June. Comparing islands? See the weather on Maui.
Best time to visit the Big Island: frequently asked questions
Which month is right for the Big Island?
It depends on your plans. For whales choose winter, roughly December to April. For the driest weather in Kona, the summer months have the least rain on average.
Is it always rainy in Hilo?
Hilo gets much more rain than Kona in every month. Even the driest month, May, averages 177.5 mm at the airport station, compared with 16.3 mm in Kona.
When is whale season on the Big Island?
Roughly November to April or May. Whale watching cruises usually focus on late December to early May. Sightings are never guaranteed.
When is hurricane season in Hawaii?
The Central Pacific hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November.
Does Hawaii change the clock in summer?
No. The islands keep Hawaii Standard Time, UTC−10, all year.