When Is The Best Time To Visit Kauai, Hawaii?

The number one question I get asked most often by travelers is, “When is the best time to visit Kauai?” I always have a difficult time answering this question. My first impulse is to say anytime, but I realize this response is not helpful. Although we do not have the traditional seasons that much of the country experiences, we do have changes throughout the year that could make a difference as to when you make your trip to Paradise.

Weather, animal migrations, crowds and airline prices are all factors that should be considered when deciding the best time to visit Kauai. And, of course, it depends on what you want. For example, if you want to see the humpback whales, then November to April is your best bet. If a boat ride down the Na Pali coast is a priority, months when the swells die down (April to October) are a must. Hikers may want drier weather. Sun bathers will choose different months from people who prefer to stay cool. And, if money is a concern, airline prices definitely fluctuate throughout the year.

Cate Lincoln is a blog writer who has a website called Hula Land. “I used to live on Maui, but it wasn’t until I moved back to the mainland that I realized how overwhelming it was for first time visitors to plan their vacations to Hawaii. I knew a lot about it so that’s when I started my blog. I’ve continued to travel to Hawaii quite a bit and I like to offer advice from a blended local/tourist perspective.” Every Sunday Cate sends out a blog post about something having to do with traveling to Hawaii, not just Kauai. This week her blog was titled, “When is the best time to go to Hawaii?” I was so impressed with her content I asked her if I could share it with you. Keep in mind she generalizes over all the islands but her excellent points about what to expect at different times of the year definitely applies to Kauai. I recommend that you read through what she has to say even if you have already made your reservations. I will link her article at the end of this blog. If you are interested in what more Cate has to offer, you may subscribe to her blog and receive her advice and suggestions every Sunday.

Additional Information about the Best Time To Visit Kauai:

Here I will speak specifically to the weather on the north shore of Kauai. Yes, winter generally brings more rain to our island. Although I feel that the months of November and April tend to be the rainiest, for some reason. A sunny winter day is the best! Clear skies, less humidity, trade winds, waterfalls, rainbows and slightly cooler nighttime hours make for a perfect visit. Unless we have a cold, northern storm, most of the rain comes and goes allowing for plenty of sightseeing and beach time. The waves can be quite large during the winter months but there are always beaches to go to where the waves are not a factor. All this being said, if your idea of the perfect vacation is sunbathing on a beach every day, then summer months would be a better choice for you.

An additional factor that we have on the north shore, which may influence your choice for the best time to visit Kauai, is the albatross. Those of you who follow my blog know how important these birds are to the neighborhood surrounding Honu Point. Past guests have fallen in love with these birds. The adults arrive the first part of November to either find a mate or have their young. Eggs are laid and chicks arrive the end of January. This year we had 12 chicks in the neighborhood. Gradually the chicks grow up with the help of their parents who bring them food until they fledge in July. Just last week the last chick fledged right off of our property! Unfortunately our guests had just left but our garden helper was there to witness this amazing event. For more information about the albatross, find my articles by scrolling through the categories on the right-hand side of this page. Albatross are definitely a reason to consider when deciding on the best time to visit Kauai.

So, in the end, I still think “anytime” is the best time to visit Kauai, but hopefully this article, as well as Cate’s blog, will give you an idea as to when to plan your trip or what to expect when you arrive.

For more of my blogs or to subscribe, go to our Guides page. For more information about our luxury vacation rental, Honu Point, on the north shore of Kauai, go to any other page of this website. We would LOVE you to follow us on Instagram. Mahalo!