Kauai Weather by Month: What to Expect

Kauai Weather Patterns

When you begin to plan your Kauai trip you'll likely want to know which areas offer the most sun and the driest weather. This is especially important to consider during the winter months when the tradewinds bring additional moisture to the islands. Below is an ordered list of the driest/sunniest locations to the wetter locations on the island, year-round. We'll start with the driest.

1. Waimea is probably the driest of all the areas on the island but offers fewer accommodation choices than other locations.
2. Poipu or Lawai, which offer an abundance of accommodations on the South Shore, is your best bet for a dry and sunny vacation. The area averages about 30-40" (76-102 cm) of rain each year.
3. Kapaa on the Eastern (Coconut) Coast is your next best choice, averaging about 50" (127 cm) of rain annually.
4. The fourth location is also the wettest, but offers gorgeous scenery and lush surroundings - it's the North Shore: Princeville, Hanalei, Kilauea, etc. This area gets around 85" (216 cm) each year.

In choosing any of these locations, consider which activities you'd like to participate in. Would you prefer hiking, beach lounging, swimming, or snorkeling? Keep these things in mind when selecting your location. The good news is that Kauai is small enough to reach almost any area of the island within an hour or so. If you find yourself in a rain shower one minute, it'll typically be sunny again just up the road. Ultimately, it's hard to pick a bad location on Kauai to stay for your vacation. Be sure to check our Where to Stay on Kauai article, as well, for more information about each area of Kauai.

Also, you'll find more information about Hawaii weather in our Hawaii Weather and Climate Patterns article.

Hurricane Season on Kauai

Hurricane and tropical storms are historically rare events on/around Kauai, but it’s still important to be prepared for storms if you visit during Hawaii hurricane season - June through November.

The last major storm to significantly impact Kauai was Hurricane Iniki in 1992; it practically devastated the island and residents still talk story about its lasting impacts on Kauai life.

The last few years, especially those with an active El Nino weather pattern, have seen increased activity around the islands, so it’s important to monitor accordingly when planning and taking your trip to Kauai.

Kauai Rainfall Map

The map below should also help you visualize which areas are the wettest and driest on the island.