Beat the Cold Weather Blues with Winter Travel to Hawaii
Hawaii is a lovely and mesmerizing area of the world and has been a top vacation destination for almost a century. Whether one chooses an Exotic Estates Maui villa or oceanfront condo, the beautiful Aloha state offers something for all budgets and lifestyles.
If you plan to travel to Hawaii to escape the cold and snow, you will be pleased to discover that the weather in Hawaii mostly stays the same throughout the year. This makes Hawaii an ideal location, regardless of when you decide to travel. Below is some handy information about Hawaii's weather and tips about its most popular attractions and activities!
Hawaii Seasons and Weather
Hawaii has only two seasons, which Hawaiian natives have named Hoolio and Kau. These refer to winter and summer, respectively, but even during Hawaii winter weather, temperatures rarely drop below 75°F, which means the island offers an ideal climate for most individuals year-round.
The warmest months are May through October, with an average daytime temperature of 86°F. From November to April, weather winter Hawaii temperatures typically range from 75 to 80°F, with the rainiest months being March and April. Rainfall is less common on the southern and western coasts of most Hawaiian Islands.
On some islands, such as Oahu, it may rain on one side of the island, and it may be sunny on the other. In any case, Hawaii is tropical, so a passing rainshower is always in the cards and can be a treat on a hot beach day. In this way, you are virtually guaranteed sunny weather if you are willing to do a bit of beach hopping or just enjoy the beautiful island weather as it comes and goes!
Activities and Attractions
Before you book your Exotic Estates villa, you should give some thought to the types of attractions and activities you enjoy ensuring you choose the best location. Although you can always contact one of our villa specialists to help you plan a custom Hawaiian holiday, the following are some favorite activities among visitors and locals alike.
Whale Watching
Hawaii is an ideal state for the sport of whale watching. It is also the only state in the US where humpback whales can be seen traveling with their young. The best time to spot whales is between November and May, but the peak season for this activity is January through March. Some of the best spots to watch for whales are Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai, the Sanctuary Education Center on Maui, and the Halona Blowhole on the eastern shore of Oahu.
One of our favorite homes for enjoying whale watching is Kaanapali Beachfront Grand Estate.
Year-Round Blossoms
If you are a flower lover, you will be thrilled with the island's lush, tropical greenery and flowers. Even during Hawaii's winter weather, tropical flowers bloom continuously, making a walk through one of the state's many parks and gardens an ideal activity.
Every Exotic Estates vacation villa features native tropical plants and flowers, and renting a private villa allows you to enjoy the beautiful scents and sights all to yourself!
Marketing Manager, Shanon Searls, enjoying fresh limes at a private villa on Maui
Festivals
Even though Hawaii is not about snow and typical winter scenes (except at the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island at over 13,000 ft!), winter holiday festivals are across the Hawaiian Islands. This is because the winter weather in Hawaii is so mild that it is like summer in other parts of the country. For this reason, outdoor festivals can be held during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and other traditional American holidays.
Among the most popular is the yearly Honolulu City Lights Festival, which takes place in the center of Honolulu from the beginning of December to the start of January each year. Here, you can enjoy a 50-foot-high Christmas tree decorated with thousands of lights and a beautiful display of wreaths and community-decorated trees inside the town hall. Hawaii is also terrific to welcome the New Year, with festivals and celebrations in virtually every major city and town.
Surfing
During winter, the north shores of the Hawaiian Islands receive massive swells that attract the world's best surfers. The North Shore of Oahu is legendary for its massive waves and breaks. If you are in Hawaii during winter and hear that the Banzai Pipeline is "going off," head up to enjoy a ring-side seat to an incredible spectacle. Read our own Johnny's Wiki Wiki Oahu Guide for a planning a day trip on Oahu to take in surf and more.
Places of Historical Interest - Oahu
Pearl Harbor National Memorial - The Arizona Memorial
If you visit Oahu, consider visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which is home to museums and the stirring Arizona Memorial. The National Park Service has created an incredible park for all to visit. Entrance to the park and the Arizona Memorial is free, and visitors are certain to walk away with a greater appreciation of what occurred there on December 7th, 1941, and how it still reverberates today.
Iolani Palace
Located in Honolulu, the Iolani Palace is a wonderful attraction for families. A visit to the palace is a great way to learn about Hawaiian history, the Hawaiian monarchy, and how Hawaii became a US territory and, ultimately, the 50th state. Constructed in the late 1800s during King David Kalakaua's reign, the Iolani Palace is a National Landmark regarded as the United States' sole royal structure.
Read our article on Visiting Oahu and Honolulu for more detailed information on Pearl Harbor, Iolani Place, and other spots of interest.
Dole Plantation
The Dole Plantation is admittedly a touristy site. But if you've got kids, it could be just the ticket for an afternoon of outdoor fun. You can attempt to navigate one of the largest garden mazes in the world, take a tram ride through the plantation grounds, or indulge in some fresh pineapple, which is sold at various times on the plantation's property.
Planning Your Getaway - Holiday Season is Peak Season
The winter holiday season is the peak season for Hawaii rentals and hotels. Fights are often more expensive during winter holidays. However, booking your getaway at least eight months in advance can help you save money, regardless of the time of year you plan to travel.
Shanon Searls inspecting Maui properties
Additionally, many visitors discover that renting a private home or condo is the best choice when traveling with family or a group. This allows guests to enjoy privacy and the comforts of home while saving on food and other items.
Regardless of what type of vacation you have in mind, you are sure to be pleased with the beauty and charm of the lovely Aloha State!
All photos property of Exotic Estates
