Best Time to Visit Kauai
Kauai Tips for When to Visit
Wondering when is the best time to visit Kauai? If you've already narrowed down your choices of islands and the Garden Isle is the winner, you're probably wondering what time of year to visit the island.
The best times to visit Kauai, when considering the weather, crowds, demand, and prices, are the months of April, May, August, September, and early October. Some call these Kauai's 'off-season periods' or the 'shoulder months.' But there's more to cover on this topic before you make a final decision.
Below we'll cover visitor arrivals, Kauai's weather and climate, accommodations, rates, and what to expect on a visit during each season on Kauai.
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2023 Kauai Visitor Guides
If you're visiting Kauai soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Kauai Visitor Guides. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well).
Kauai Visitor Arrivals
Typical Kauai Visitor Arrivals (2019 & 2022) - Click to Enlarge
What to Expect on Kauai in 2023
Truthfully, historical trends likely won't mean as much as they did before the pandemic in the near term.
Recent price increases on Kauai will continue to impact flight costs, the costs associated with rental vehicles, and potentially accomodation rates due to increases in local electricity costs (Hawaii generates a significant amount of its electricity from petroleum fuels).
Visiting Hawaii within the next few years, between 2023 to 2024, means you'll avoid the increased crowds projected to return by 2025. As of early 2023, Oahu remains the only island with fewer visitors compared to the same period in 2019, prior to the pandemic. So if you're visiting Kauai soon, you've selected a great time!
For what it's worth, we recently spent a month in Hawaii and we've never seen it bustling with so many visitors, even in the typical 'off-season.' Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, Hawaii appears to be on track for record visitor arrivals in the coming years.
We'll keep you posted... this article will be updated accordingly as things change.
Weather & Climate
Kauai has a remarkably stable weather pattern year-round. During the winter you'll experience highs in the mid-70s °F (23-24°C), while summer temperatures usually get into the mid-80s °F (28-30°C). Kauai is wetter than the other islands and is actually home to the second (arguably THE) wettest spot on the planet at Waialeale. But this lush, verdant atmosphere is what makes Kauai the "Garden Isle."
Kauai's North and East Coasts are together referred to as the windward side; which is typically wetter than the rest of the island. The driest locations are in south Kauai near Poipu or further west towards Waimea and Kekaha. Ultimately, most rain showers are brief and the sun quickly returns; only occasionally does a weather system bring prolonged rain to the island.
Please note that we advise against listening to The Weather Channel since they'll forecast rain every day (which is technically accurate, but it's unlike rain on the mainland - it comes in bunches as we discussed above).
For more information about Kauai's weather and the best regions to stay in, be sure to check out our Kauai Weather article.
Hurricane Season
Hurricane and tropical storms are historically rare events on Kauai, but it’s still important to be prepared for storms if you visit during hurricane season - June through November. The last few years have seen increased activity around the islands so it’s essential to monitor weather conditions when planning and taking your trip to Kauai.
Average Kauai Temperature and Precipitation Charts
Lihue Average Temperatures
Lihue Average Precipitation
Accommodations & Rates
The best deals, accommodations wise, are found during the months of April - May and September - early December. The holidays, especially Christmas, are the busiest time of year and prices will reflect the increased demand. During the spring and fall, visitation is typically down (meaning fewer crowds) and prices will reflect the decreased demand for accommodations.
If you're wondering where the best places to stay are located, be sure to check out our Where to Stay on Kauai article.
Below, we'll cover our Kauai Seasonal Expectations on visiting during each season of the year.
Kauai Accommodation Rate Averages (click to enlarge)
Kauai Seasonal Expectations
Events Updated for 2023
We've included the dates and months that most Kauai events are typically held below, but please be aware that currently, things are subject to change.
Visiting Kauai in January, February, or March
This season is often one of the wettest on-island, but it's certainly not a wash. Temperatures will also be cooler, at least by Kauai standards. Additionally, demand is lower at this period, and the island will likely feel less "crowded" than during the busier summer months or at Christmas time.
Kauai Winter Events:
- Waimea Town Celebration (February) - Kauai's largest and oldest festival, held over nine days, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
- Prince Kuhio Day Celebration (March) - Visitors can enjoy live music, hula, and other activities at Anahola Beach Park.
Be sure to also regularly check our Kauai current event pages for:
Visiting Kauai in April, May, or June
The early spring months of April and May are two of the best months to visit Kauai, in our opinion. The weather is typically fantastic, and rates and visitor demand are down until early June. This is definitely the time of year to find great rates on-island.
Kauai Spring Events:
- Coming Soon...
Be sure to also regularly check our Kauai current event pages for:
Visiting Kauai in July, August, or September
The start of the summer months will be busy - especially in July, but visitors can find great rates and will see lower overall visitation as you head into the months of August and September. The latter two months of this period are a great time to visit Kauai. Temperatures will be warmer in the early summer through August, but only a few degrees higher than normal.
Kauai Summer Events:
- Koloa Plantation Days (July) - Previously held in July 2022. A celebration of Kauai's historic sugar industry boom. Features a parade, floats, riding units, marching band and more.
- Kauai Marathon (September) - A beautiful marathon and half marathon route that follows the Kauai coastline around the island.
- Kauai Mokihana Festival (September) - A week-long festival, held in Kapaa, featuring hula competition, Hawaiian music, and cultural presentations.
Be sure to also regularly check our Kauai current event pages for:
Visiting Kauai in October, November, or December
As with the winter months, a portion of the fall season can be wetter than at other times of the year, especially mid-to-late November and December. Visitation will be down during this period, which typically results in lower demand and prices - the exception, of course, being the last weeks of December around the holidays when prices & demand will increase dramatically. Expect cooler temperatures the further into the fall season you are, though typically the only elevation on Kauai that might require a light jacket is near Kokee and Waimea Canyon.
Kauai Fall Events:
- Holiday Craft Fair (December) - Features a day of holiday shopping & entertainment with NTBG plants alongside Kauai-made products, jewelry, clothing, and more.
Be sure to also regularly check our Kauai current event pages for:
The winter months are the best time take a whale watching tour.
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Our Kauai Suggestions
Our Suggestions for Things to Do
*Kauai monthly Visitor Statistics are provided by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
2023 Kauai Visitor Guides
If you're visiting Kauai soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Kauai Visitor Guides. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well).
