Hawaii in November
November is a good month to visit Hawaii. A fine value month until Thanksgiving week spikes. First winter swells light up the North Shore for spectators.
Weather
Warm, highs near 83F (28C), windward showers increase
Crowds
Prices
What's on in November
November through February
North Shore big-wave season. When the biggest swells arrive, surf contests run on short notice and traffic on Kamehameha Highway crawls. Go early in the day.
November, in Kona on the Big Island
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. A harvest-season celebration in America's most famous coffee district, with farm tours and tastings.
Things to do in Hawaii
- 1
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.
- 2
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 ↗
- 3
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.
- 4
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 ↗
- 5
Pearl Harbor. Reserve USS Arizona Memorial tickets ahead; walk-up availability is limited. Give it a half day and go early. official site ↗
- 6
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.
- 7
Na Pali Coast, Kauai. See it by boat tour in the calmer summer months, by air year-round, or on foot via the Kalalau Trail's day-hike section, which requires a Haena State Park reservation.
- 8
A proper luau. The good ones book out weeks ahead in peak season. Look for shows that lead with hula and history rather than just the buffet.
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.
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.
Hawaii in November: quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Hawaii?
November is a good month to visit Hawaii. A fine value month until Thanksgiving week spikes. First winter swells light up the North Shore for spectators.
What is the weather like in Hawaii in November?
Warm, highs near 83F (28C), windward showers increase.
Is Hawaii crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Hawaii; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Hawaii in November?
North Shore big-wave season (november through february); Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (november, in kona on the big island).