The Best Time to Visit Big Island

Month-by-month weather, crowds, and prices, maintained by Mahalo Travels and reviewed by Courtney Geisel, Travel Advisor.

Quick answer

April-May and September-October; Kona side stays dry nearly year-round. For the lowest prices, look at May and September. Between the cheapest and priciest months, the same week-long trip for two can differ by $2,000.

Best overall

April-May and September-October; Kona side stays dry nearly year-round

Best value

May and September

Worth knowing

None serious: Hilo side is rainy year-round by design

Big Island month by month

Every month links to its full guide. Trip prices are a 7-night estimate for two from our live pricing data, the same numbers our cost breakdown and instant calculator use.

Month	Temps (hi/lo)	Rain	Crowds	Week for two	Verdict	Notes
January	80/64°	Occasional showers	Peak crowds	$5,500	Peak season	Kohala sun, whales offshore, and snow on Mauna Kea's summit some weeks.
February	80/63°	Occasional showers	Busy	$5,400	Peak season	Peak whales; the leeward coast stays reliably dry.
March	81/64°	Occasional showers	Busy	$5,200	Peak season	Spring crowds; volcano viewing after dark stays cool.
April	82/65°	Occasional showers	Busy	$4,600	Good	Merrie Monarch hula week fills Hilo; elsewhere calms.
May	84/66°	Very little rain	Moderate	$4,500	Great value	Dry, quiet, and excellent value across Kona and Kohala.
June	85/68°	Very little rain	Busy	$5,300	Good	Calm seas for manta nights and Kealakekua snorkeling.
July	86/69°	Very little rain	Peak crowds	$5,600	Peak season	Family peak; book manta swims and park lodging ahead.
August	87/70°	Very little rain	Peak crowds	$5,400	Good	Warmest water of the year on the Kona side.
September	87/69°	Very little rain	Moderate	$4,250	Great value	The value month: summer conditions, no crowds.
October	86/68°	Occasional showers	Moderate	$4,400	Great value	Ironman week packs Kona mid-month; otherwise quiet.
November	83/66°	Occasional showers	Moderate	$4,750	Great value	Kona coffee harvest festivals; gentle shoulder season.
December	81/65°	Occasional showers	Peak crowds	$6,250	Peak season	Holiday peak on the Kohala Coast; whales return.

Our picks, by priority

If you want the best of everything

May, September, October, November hit the sweet spot: dry-season weather at below-peak prices. These are the months Courtney recommends first when travelers have flexible dates.

If price drives the decision

May, September bring the lowest rates of the year.

If you're going in peak season anyway

January, February, March, July, December are the premium months: the best odds of perfect weather, and the highest prices and crowds. Book 6 to 9 months out; this is when the good rooms genuinely sell through.

Chat with Courtney to plan your dream Big Island itinerary

Tell her your dates, flexibility, and budget. She watches Big Island rates weekly, picks the right week honestly, and builds the day-by-day plan around it. Free, no obligation.

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FAQs

What is the best month to visit Big Island?

April-May and September-October; Kona side stays dry nearly year-round. If we had to pick, May, September, October, November deliver the best balance of weather, crowds, and price.

What is the cheapest time to visit Big Island?

May and September. The absolute lowest rates usually land in May, September.

What is the worst time to visit Big Island?

There's no truly bad month. None serious: Hilo side is rainy year-round by design

How far ahead should I book a Big Island trip?

For peak months (January, February, March, July, December), book 6 to 9 months out; the well-reviewed properties genuinely sell through. Shoulder and value months are more forgiving, 3 to 5 months is usually fine, and a travel advisor watching rates weekly will catch the promotions either way.

Keep planning Big Island

Big Island travel guide · What a Big Island trip costs · All-inclusive Big Island · Big Island with kids