United States, North America

Hawaii in August

First half is still summer-peak; crowds fall fast once mainland schools resume mid month. Statistical peak of the Pacific hurricane season, so watch forecasts.

TradeoffsHot for Hawaii, highs near 88F (31C)

Na Pali Coast cliffs, Kauai, Hawaii — HawaiiPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Hawaii. First half is still summer-peak; crowds fall fast once mainland schools resume mid month. Statistical peak of the Pacific hurricane season, so watch forecasts.

Weather: Hot for Hawaii, highs near 88F (31C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What August is like in Hawaii

August is hot for Hawaii, with highs near 88F (31C). The first half is still summer peak, but crowds fall quickly once mainland schools resume mid month. It is also the statistical peak of the Pacific hurricane season, so keep an eye on forecasts. Prices stay high early, then ease.

This month suits families who can only travel in summer, and smart travelers who can pick the last two weeks. If you want the best value and the quietest beaches, wait for September or October. Keep bookings refundable in case a storm moves in.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Hawaii this month.

Late August calm

Once schools go back, beaches and restaurants suddenly feel empty.

Warm water everywhere

The ocean is near its warmest of the year.

Pearl Harbor

Go early in the morning and reserve USS Arizona Memorial tickets ahead.

What to pack for August

Light, breathable clothes
Reef-safe sunscreen
A rain jacket in case of tropical storms
Snorkel gear

Our timing tip

Plan for the second half of August and buy flexible bookings in case a tropical storm comes through.

Book Hawaii for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Hawaii
Opens a hotel search for Hawaii in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Hawaii
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Hawaii
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Hawaii for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Hawaii

Full guide

Snorkel a leeward reef

Morning is the calm, clear window nearly everywhere. Book protected spots like Hanauma Bay or a Molokini boat trip ahead; both cap daily visitors.

Tickets and tours →

Haleakala sunrise or sunset

Sunrise entry requires an advance reservation with the park. Sunset needs no reservation and is nearly as good, with a fraction of the alarm-clock pain.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Road to Hana

Leave by 7am, pick five stops instead of twenty, and consider staying a night in Hana to have the coast after the day-trippers leave.

Tickets and tours →

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Whether lava is visibly flowing varies month to month and year to year. The crater rim, steam vents, and lava tube deliver regardless; check park alerts for current activity.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Pearl Harbor

Reserve USS Arizona Memorial tickets ahead; walk-up availability is limited. Give it a half day and go early.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Watch winter surf on the North Shore

From roughly November through February, giant swells hit Oahu's north side and the world's best surfers follow. Free, unforgettable, and strictly a spectator sport for visitors.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Travel in May or September through October. These months move the needle more than any tactic inside a peak-season trip can.
Do famous spots at dawn: Hanauma Bay, Lanikai, the Pipeline overlooks, and Haleakala all belong to early risers, and Hawaii's early sunsets make dawn starts easier than they sound.
Reserve the capped attractions the moment your dates are set: Hanauma Bay, Haena State Park and the Kalalau day hike, Haleakala sunrise, and Pearl Harbor all limit daily entries.
Stay leeward, day-trip windward. The dry-side resorts deliver reliable pool-and-beach days, and the lush sides are best visited early, before tour buses and afternoon showers.

Know before you go

Hawaii has no closed season: hotels, restaurants, beaches, and parks run all year. Seasonality here shows up in prices and ocean conditions, not shutters.
Winter surf effectively closes north- and west-facing beaches to swimming from roughly November through March. Lifeguarded south-shore beaches stay swimmable; obey posted warnings, because the ocean here is genuinely dangerous when it is up.
Several marquee natural sites require advance reservations with limited daily slots: Haleakala sunrise, Haena State Park on Kauai, Hanauma Bay on Oahu, and Diamond Head for non-residents. Book these before you book dinner.
Volcano viewing is never guaranteed. Eruptions at Kilauea start and stop; the national park remains open and spectacular either way, but plan the trip around the park, not around seeing lava.