What's Winter Really Like in Hawaii?
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What's Winter Really Like in Hawaii?

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, this beautiful island state offers something for all budgets and lifestyles.

If you plan to travel to this enchanting area to escape the cold and snow, you will be pleased to discover that the weather in Hawaii does not change very much throughout the year. This makes it an ideal location, regardless of when you choose to book your getaway. Below are some essential facts about Hawaii's weather, as well as some tips about its most popular attractions and activities!

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. 

John Di Rienzo - Exotic Estates View from Maui to Lanai


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 be raining on one side of the island, but you can simply travel to the other side and find abundant sunshine. 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!

Activities and Attractions

Exotic Estates 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 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.

Whale Watching Exotic Estates

A couple of our favorite homes for enjoying whale watching are Turtle Beach Villa and Lahaina Oceanfront Estate. Both offer exquisite ocean views and guests can take in the picturesque sights from sunrise to sunset!

Exotic Estates Turtle Beach VillaExotic Estates Turtle Beach Villa

Exotic Estates Lahaina Oceanfront EstateExotic Estates Lahaina Oceanfront 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 winter weather, tropical flowers bloom continuously, making a walk through one of the state's many parks and gardens an ideal activity.

Exotic Estates Flora and Fauna

Our Manoa Canopy Villa offers the perfect escape to a lush Hawaiian valley behind Waikiki and is a great home for those looking for a secluded Oahu vacation home that is close to town yet surrounded by tropical forest. Walking into this unique home, the first striking features is the entry atrium, complete with a tree growing in the space, reaching up towards the floors above!

Exotic Estates Manoa Canopy VillaExotic Estates Manoa Canopy Villa

Every Exotic Estates vacation villa features native tropical plants and flowers and renting a private villa allows you to enjoy the beatiful scents and sights all to yourself!

private villa lemon tree maui exotic estatesMarketing 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 still very popular on many of Hawaii's islands. This is because weather winter Hawaii is so mild 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.

Christmas In Hawaii with Exotic Estates

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 beginning 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 a terrific place to welcome in the New Year, with festivals and celebrations taking place in virtually every major city and town.

Surfing

The winter Hawaii offers to surfers is a definite crowd pleaser, as the waves from January through March are not only exciting to watch, but ideal for surfing competitions. The North Shore of Oahu is legendary for its large waves and it still attracts some of the world's best surfers. Check out the following locations if you plan to hon your surfing skills while visiting Hawaii:


Hookipa, Maui – stay at our Maui Winds to be close to some of the best waves in Maui!

Exotic Estates Maui Winds

North Shore, Oahu – Sunset Beach House can accommodate up to 12 people and features 20,000 sq. ft.!

Exotic Estates Sunset Beach House

Our Waiki Surf Villa is close to downtown and is the perfect option for those looking to catch some waves and be close to the downtown culture of Waikiki!

Waikiki Surf VillaExotic Estates Waikiki Surf Villa

Hanalei, Kauai – Our Hanalei Bay House is only two minutes’ walk from the Hanalei Bay Peir

Exotic Estates Surf House Kauai

Sightseeing

The Arizona Memorial

Arizona memorial exotic estates luxury vacation rentals

If the weather winter Hawaii offers has drawn you to Oahu, consider visiting The Arizona Memorial when sightseeing around the island. A trip to this location is especially enjoyable when you take a guided tour. This is because native touring guides provide educational facts about the impressive monument and intriguing points about its history. 

Iolani Palace

Located in Honolulu, the Iolani Palace is a wonderful attraction for those with even the slightest interest in Hawaiian history. Built in the late 1800s during King David Kalakaua's reign, the Iolani Palace is a National Landmark, and regarded by numerous historians and archaeologists as the United States’ sole royal structure.

Dole Plantation

Dole Plantation Exotic Estates

If you have a fun-loving nature, you should spend a morning or afternoon touring the infamous Dole Pineapple Plantation located on Oahu. At this fun and interesting attraction, 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

If you want to enjoy winter Hawaii style, you should plan your getaway carefully! For example, peak season prices for a Hawaiian vacation rentals can be quite high, and flights are often more expensive during winter holidays. However, booking your getaway far in advance can help you to save a substantial amount of money, regardless of the time of year you plan to travel.

Shanon Searls inspecting Maui properties

Additionally, many visitors discover that renting a private Maui villa is the best choice when traveling with family or a group and allows guests to enjoy privacy and the comforts of home. While all-inclusive packages are a decent choice, those looking to enjoy the authenticity and culture that Hawaii has to offer might prefer to be in a private villa and purchase their own food from local farmer’s markets and grocery stores and cook together as a family in a private, gourmet kitchen.

Regardless of what type of vacation you have in mind, you are sure to be pleased with the beauty and charm of the lovely island state of Hawaii!

All photos property of Exotic Estates

Blog Subjects: Hawaii, Holiday Travel