Best Time To Visit Kauai (Island Activities and Festivals)

Kauai is known as the garden isle of Hawaii. This island is naturally beautiful and one of the best destinations in Hawaii for going sightseeing. If you want to book a trip to this Hawaiin island, you may be wondering when the best time to visit Kauai is.

Between April and May or September to October are the best times to visit Kauai. The temperature is best at this time, as the daily highs are around 71 F/ 22 C. September is best for avoiding crowds. In September, flights are $600 cheaper on average, and some hotels are half off depending on where you stay.

Are you interested in planning a trip to Kauai? Today, we’re going to talk about when the best times to visit are. We’ll also give you a monthly breakdown so you get a better idea of when you really want to book a trip to Kauai.

When Not To Travel To Kauai

A trip to Kauai usually involves a lot of outdoor activities. January is the rainiest month of the year, often causing people to have to cancel their plans for the day. While a getaway to a Hawaiin island may sound like a dream during the peak of winter, it’s best to wait until another month to truly enjoy those days on the beach.

When Is The Cheapest Time To Visit Kauai?

The average traveler spends between $1,400 and $2,800 during a week-long trip to Kauai. If you want to save money, the cheapest time to book a trip to Kauai in late August through September. This is when the cost of flights drops by an average of $600.

During peak travel season,  the average cost of a round trip to Kauai is nearly $1,500. However, at the end of August and through September, it’s possible to get a round trip for around $870.

Finding cheaper hotel rooms in Kauai can be tricky. A lot of the hotels and resorts in the area have consistent prices year round. If you do want to stay at one of the luxury resorts, it is possible to find a discount.

For example, the Hilton Garden Inn charges $742 during peak season in December. In September you can book rooms for $346 per night.

Best Time To Visit Kauai: Monthly Breakdown

January: Best Time For A Quiet Vacation

January isn’t the most popular month on the island of Kauai because it’s the wettest month of the year. If you choose to book your trip during this month, it will be much quieter. While you’ll likely run into plenty of rainy days, they are typically followed by nice clear days so you can enjoy outdoor attractions.

Kauai isn’t boring when it rains. On a rainy January day, you can enjoy some of the island’s indoor activities, like shopping, visiting a museum, or spending a day at the spa. The best part of these indoor attractions in January is that it will feel like you have the place to yourself.

• Visit Old Town Historical Center
• Poipu Shopping Center
• Anara Spa

February: A Romantic Hawaiin Vacation

February is the month to celebrate love, and it’s also the perfect time to escape blistering cold weather and relax with your significant other on the beach. There are several charming resorts in Kauai that set the right tone for Valentine’s day, like Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa and The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.

If you’re traveling to the west side of Kauai, you can join in the festivities for the Waimea Town Celebration. This festival takes place every February and features music, cultural presentations, and a lot of delicious food.

• Valentine’s Day
• Waimea Town Celebration
• Visit a local farmer's market

Related Read: 20 Best Romantic Getaways in Hawai

March: Best Month For Hiking

March is a great month for hiking in Kauai because the weather is slightly warmer than the previous two months of winter, but it’s not too hot. The daily average high in March is 71.5 F/ 22 C. This is great weather for exploring the trails in Kauai, like the Makawehi Lithifield Cliff Trail or Awa’awapuhi Trail.

If you’re in Kauai towards the end of March, you can enjoy the Prince Kuhio Celebration on the 26th. Locals continue the celebration for two weeks after the event. There are a lot of fun events at the celebration and visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the culture of Kauai.

• Prince Kuhio Celebration
• St. Patricks Day
• Hiking

Related Read: 25 Top Treehouse Rentals in Hawaii

April: Spring On The Island

When it comes to the weather on Kauai island, April is one of the best times to visit. It’s just as nice and warm as March, but with fewer rainy days. This is a wonderful time of year to go sightseeing, explore the outdoor attractions, or simply spend a day lounging by the beach.

April is also a great month to get a taste of Kauai. The Kauai Culinary Market takes place every Wednesday. Visitors can try gourmet foods from local farmers and vendors.

• Snorkeling
• Sightseeing
• Try authentic Kauai foods

May: Celebrate Lei Day

May 1 is Lei Day and it’s one of the most entertaining days on the island. Visitors can make their own lei for the event. There’s also live entertainment, an assortment of food, and a lei contest. Museums and businesses in the area get into the festivities, allowing you to have fun wherever you go on this day.

The rest of the month is still a lot of fun in Kauai. Temperatures stay mild, around 73.5 F/ 23 C. It’s a great time of year to check out the beach cliffs and take some photos of the beautiful scenery.

• Lei Day
• Kauai Community Caring Day
• Plant Swap Sundays

Related Read: How Much Does A Trip To Hawaii Cost?

June: Best Month For Beach Days

June is the beginning of the summer season in Kauai, with the daily temperature consistently being over 80 F/ 26.5 C. While there will be more tourists in the area enjoying the summer weather, the busy season isn’t at its peak yet. There are some beautiful beaches along Kauai, and this is one of the best times of the year to spend the day at them.

Kauai is also beautiful during the evenings in June. Temperatures rarely drop below 74 F/ 23 C. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a late-night dinner on the patio and sip on wine. It’s also a beautiful time of year for stargazing.

• Evening walks
• Stargazing
• Kamehameha Day

July: Learn About Kauai’s Culture

Kauai has a very interesting culture that travelers enjoy learning about. In July, the Koloa Plantation Days celebrations take place. This event lasts for 10 days, and during the festival, people can learn more about the history of the island. There is also some amazing art to check out and live music.

During the Koloa Plantation Days festival, there are some really fun events. Every year there is a big parade. There are also golf tournaments and a rodeo.

• Koloa Plantation Days
• Makai Music and Arts Festival
• Kauai helicopter tour

August: Best Time For a Family-Friendly Trip

August is one of the best times to plan a trip with the kids to Kauai. There are a lot of fun events for people of all ages during this month. Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair is held every August. This fair features amusement park rides, exhibits, vendors, and more fun events.

There is also a Kauai Island Crafters Fair in August, where you can find an assortment of handmade items. This time of year is also when the summer weather is in effect, so you can enjoy time with the family relaxing at one of the beaches.

• Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair
• Scuba diving
• Visit the waterfalls

Related Read: The 15 Best Waterfalls in Hawaii

September: Best Month For Summer Fun (Without Summer Crowds)

One of the top months to visit Kauai is in September because the crowds have died off, but the summer weather hasn’t. There is still plenty of sunshine for beautiful beach days and afternoons on the trails. Since there are fewer crowds at the beach, it will be quieter for a relaxing day.

Restaurants, shops, and other attractions will also be less crowded than in previous months of summer. You won’t miss out on fun festivals either, as Kauai Mokihana Festival and the Hawaii Line Dance Festival are in September.

• Enjoy shaved ice
• Paddleboarding
• Kauai Mokihanan Festival

October: Best Month To Indulge

There is a lot of delicious food to try when you visit Kauai, and October is one of the best months to indulge. During this month, the annual Kauai Coffee and Chocolate Festival is held. There are many delicious samples to satisfy your sweet tooth. The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival also takes place at the end of the month.

The days start to cool off a bit in October, but it’s rare for the temperature to drop below 80 F/ 26.5 C. Beach days are still relaxing this time of year. Since there aren’t as many visitors this time of year, you can be first in line for fun activities like snorkeling and tubing.

• Kauai Coffee & Chocolate Festival
• Halloween events
• Quiet beach days

November: Best Month To Learn About Wildlife

The wildlife in Kauai is fascinating. November is a great month to learn more about the wildlife in the area because this is when whale watching season begins. You can spot blue whales in Kauai, which is the biggest whale species in the world. Some other animals you can spot include sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and orcas.

During November, you can also have fun at the Kauai Veterans Day Parade and Fair. There are several custom floats at this event that attract people from all over the island.

• Kauai Veterans Day Parade and Fair
• Whale watching
• Tour the Fern Grotto

December: Christmas in Kauai

You won’t see snow for Christmas in Kauai, but it’s a wonderful destination for an island holiday in December. Every December, there is the Waimea Lighted Christmas parade. You can also see a variety of holiday decorations when walking around Kauai. Some other fun holiday celebrations include the Lights on Rice Parade and Festival of Lights.

Aloha Santa is another fun holiday event that’s hosted by Kauai Coffee. This Christmas party has activities for people of all ages, so kids can have just as much fun as the adults.

December also provides beautiful weather along Kauai, with a daily average high of 71 F/ 21.5 C. It’s a wonderful time of year to explore the trails and beach cliffs without getting too hot.

• Holiday shopping in Kauai
• Festival of Lights
• Aloha Santa party

When Is Hurricane Season In Kauai?

Hurricane season in Kauai lasts from June through November. Luckily, this island doesn’t receive a lot of tropical storms, and hurricanes are rare. However, it’s important that visitors are prepared. Always monitor the weather when traveling this time of year to plan your activities accordingly.