United States, North America

Hawaii in September

The islands' quiet secret: summer weather, autumn prices, warm water, and the year's thinnest beaches. Keep an eye on tropical systems.

BestWarm and calm seas, highs near 87F (31C)

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

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Hawaii. The islands' quiet secret: summer weather, autumn prices, warm water, and the year's thinnest beaches. Keep an eye on tropical systems.

Weather: Warm and calm seas, highs near 87F (31C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What September is like in Hawaii

September is Hawaii's quiet secret. Highs are near 87F (31C), the water is warm, the seas are calm, and the beaches are the emptiest of the year. Prices drop after Labor Day. The Aloha Festivals celebrate Hawaiian culture, mostly on Oahu. It is still hurricane season, so watch for tropical systems.

This month suits couples, homeschool families, and anyone who can travel during the school year. It is one of the best months to go. Only families tied to school calendars will struggle to make it work. Keep bookings flexible in case a tropical system passes nearby.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Hawaii this month.

Aloha Festivals

A celebration of Hawaiian culture with a floral parade and free community events, mostly on Oahu.

Empty beaches

With summer crowds gone, even popular spots feel quiet.

Warm, calm water

Great conditions for snorkeling and paddleboarding.

What to pack for September

Snorkel gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
A light rain jacket
Comfortable sandals

Our timing tip

Travel after Labor Day for the best prices, and choose refundable bookings in case of a tropical storm.

Book Hawaii for September.

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

What's on in September

Aloha Festivals

September, primarily on Oahu

A statewide celebration of Hawaiian culture with a floral parade and free community events, landing conveniently in the best-value month.

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.

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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.

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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.