United States, North America

Hawaii in February

Prime whale watching, especially off Maui. Presidents Day week spikes; otherwise a decent winter-escape month at winter-escape prices.

TradeoffsWarm, highs near 79F (26C), winter showers possible

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

The straight answer

February is a month of real tradeoffs in Hawaii. Prime whale watching, especially off Maui. Presidents Day week spikes; otherwise a decent winter-escape month at winter-escape prices.

Weather: Warm, highs near 79F (26C), winter showers possible
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What February is like in Hawaii

February is warm, with highs near 79F (26C) and the chance of winter showers. It is prime whale-watching month, especially off Maui, and big surf still rolls into the north shores. Crowds and prices stay high, and Presidents Day week spikes both. Calm, swimmable water is easiest to find on south-facing, lifeguarded beaches.

This month suits couples and families looking for a winter escape with whales as a bonus. It is a decent choice, but it is not cheap. If you want the same warm weather for less, April after Easter or May is a much better deal.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Hawaii this month.

Whales in the Maui channels

February is one of the best months to see humpbacks breach and slap their tails, often right from shore.

Winter surf season

Big-wave contests on the North Shore can run on short notice. Go early to avoid traffic on Kamehameha Highway.

Road to Hana

Winter rain makes the waterfalls along the road flow strong. Leave by 7am and pick five stops.

What to pack for February

Binoculars and a zoom lens for whales
A light rain shell
Reef-safe sunscreen
Water shoes for rocky beaches

Our timing tip

Avoid Presidents Day week, when flights and hotels spike; the week before or after is noticeably cheaper.

Book Hawaii for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Hawaii
Opens a hotel search for Hawaii in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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 February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in February

Humpback Whale Season in Maui

Roughly December to April, with the peak from January to March

Thousands of humpbacks come to Hawaii to breed and calve, and the channels off West Maui are the best place to see them.

Humpback whale season

December through April, peaking January through March

Thousands of humpbacks winter in Hawaiian waters, with the Maui channels the epicenter. Morning whale-watch sails run daily in season.

North Shore big-wave season

November through February

When the biggest swells arrive, surf contests run on short notice and traffic on Kamehameha Highway crawls. Go early in the day.

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.

Hawaii in February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Hawaii?

February is a month of real tradeoffs in Hawaii. Prime whale watching, especially off Maui. Presidents Day week spikes; otherwise a decent winter-escape month at winter-escape prices.

What is the weather like in Hawaii in February?

Warm, highs near 79F (26C), winter showers possible.

Is Hawaii crowded in February?

Hawaii is busy in February, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Hawaii in February?

Humpback whale season (december through april, peaking january through march); North Shore big-wave season (november through february).