Is it better to go to Hawaii in December or January?

Some months bring more tourists and visitors to Hawaii than others. If you're planning a January visit to Hawaii, you may be wondering how busy the state will be during your trip. Compared to late December, when many visitors flock to Hawaii to celebrate the holidays, January is slightly less crowded.



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Thanks to warm daytime temperatures and just as warm ocean waters, winter in Hawaii is the same dream vacation as summer in Hawaii. The average daytime winter temperature sits around 78°F. Compare that to the average daytime summer temperature of 85°F, and most won't even notice the difference.

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The best time to visit Hawaii is between March and September. This is when the islands see the highest temperatures and the lowest amount of rain.

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April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.

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Even though January is one of Hawaii's cooler months, the ocean temperatures are still warm enough to allow you to swim comfortably. You can expect the ocean temperatures to reach around 72 to 76 degrees F, making the water just slightly cooler than the outside temperatures at the peak of the day.

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However, in most cases, rain tends to fall at night in Hawaii. If the rain worries you, consider booking your stay on the leeward side of the islands, as they tend to be drier. You can also look at the islands with the least rain in December, which include Big Island and Maui.

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The Hawaiian Islands' near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74° F (23.3° C), with a summer high of 80° F (26.7° C). Wave action varies dramatically between island coasts and seasons. Summer waters are typically gentle on all beaches.

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Think of what you normally wear when temperatures are in the upper 70s and lower 80s in your home town. That's what would be appropriate for a winter vacation in Hawaii. For us, we wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts for most sightseeing and activities. We don't pack winter coats or heavy sweaters or any winter wear.

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The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well.

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With excellent December weather and classic holiday season markers like Christmas trees and lights, along with fun events celebrating Hawaiian Christmas traditions, it's one of the most unique times to visit the Hawaiian Islands.

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December on Maui is the perfect escape from cold weather. Daytime temperatures remain comfortable in the low-80's and rarely drop below 70 at night. Though December is one of Maui's rainiest months, most rain showers (and large surf) are confined to the island's north shore.

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Hawaii is expensive at Christmas. Hotels, vacation rentals, rental car companies, and flights are at a premium during this busy time of year in Hawaii. For example, hotel average daily rates were 24% or $69 higher than the yearly average during Christmas (source: Hawaii Tourism Authority.)

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Hawaii is on the equator, so it has the same amount of direct sunlight throughout the year. People forget that while traveling to the islands in the winter months, it is not going to be any less direct sunlight than if you were there in the summer.

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For most of Hawaii, there are only two seasons: summer, between May and October, and winter, between October and April.

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Hawaii is a beautiful state with six main islands to explore. Each island has beautiful beaches and natural beauty, but if you're a first-time visitor, O?ahu is the best island to visit. The Hawaiian island that is home to the state capital (Honolulu) has something for everyone.

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Shorts and t-shirt, mostly. Certainly nothing more than chinos/capris and a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt/top. You'll want to bring a light jacket or sweater; evenings can be cool. Rain probably won't be an all-day affair, but the north shore will certainly be cooler, and it gets more rain in winter.

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While airfares to Hawaii during January are not as cheap as those from February to March, you can still find more affordable flights compared to the peak months. January is the time when the holiday rush is starting to subside. Because of this, you can expect to find open seats around mid-to-late January.

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January and February are very similar in Hawaii. On the one hand the ocean is a couple degrees warmer in January and it's slightly less busy (except New Year's week). And we've observed better prices on airfare in January versus February. But January usually has more rainfall.

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