Is it too cold to swim in Hawaii in January?

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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The perfect year-round escape, Hawaii in winter boasts mild temperatures that rarely drop below 75°F and water plenty warm enough to swim, surf, or play in.

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Water Temperatures Pacific Ocean temperatures on Honolulu shores are warmer than those of Hilo, but both are still swim-worthy at 77 and 73 degrees, respectively. Ocean temperatures in December all around the Hawaiian islands rest comfortably at about 77 degrees.

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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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According to data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the warmest water off Honolulu can be found from July to September—averaging 80 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Honolulu water temperatures drop to only 76 degrees in January, according to NOAA.

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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. It's the perfect time to enjoy the beach or the water.

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With temperatures that summer between 75 and 80 degrees all year, Maui is by far the most reliable place in the U.S. to dive, dunk, swim, and snorkel in comfort.

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Best Time for Snorkeling and Swimming: Great swimming and snorkeling are possible year-round in Hawaii, but during summer months (May through September) water is warmer, waves are smaller, and skies are sunnier, making conditions ideal for these water-based activities.

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August is the hottest month in Hawaii with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F) and the coldest is January at 23°C (73°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 11 in July. The wettest month is November with an average of 124mm of rain.

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Hawaii in February sees ideal temperatures in the 78 to 80 F range. The waters and beaches remain warm and inviting all year round. With this weather, beaches are the perfect spot for sunbathing and water sports.

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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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While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.

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Summer is the best time to take a dip in the warm Hawaiian waters. The ocean temperature hovers around 82°, and the wind and surf are reliably low. Visitors of any experience level can enjoy snorkeling in the clear, calm summer sea.

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