April is one of Hawaii's quiet secrets. The winter rains ease, the trade winds settle in, spring break ends and prices begin to fall. The last humpbacks are still offshore, and the islands are green after the wet season. For many travellers it is one of the best months of the year.
What is the weather like in Hawaii in April?
April is warm and noticeably drier. In Honolulu the average high is about 83°F (28°C) and the low about 70°F (21°C). Average rainfall in town drops to under an inch, roughly a third of March's, and the steady trade winds keep the air fresh. Windward coasts still get frequent light showers, which is why the waterfalls on the Hāna Highway and the Hāmākua coast are still running.
Is April a good time to visit Hawaii?
Yes. Once Easter and spring break are over, April becomes a shoulder-season month: fewer visitors, easier reservations and lower prices for hotels, flights and rental cars than in winter or summer. The landscapes are lush after the rainy season, and the weather is reliable. If you want good value without giving up good weather, late April is hard to beat.
What is the ocean like in Hawaii in April?
The water is about 77°F (25°C) and slowly warming. Winter swells become smaller and rarer on north shores, while south shores start to see the first summer swells, which suits beginner surfers in Waikīkī and Poʻipū. Snorkeling conditions improve almost everywhere, and by late April some north-shore spots begin to calm down on small-swell days. Always check with lifeguards: a late winter swell can still arrive.
Are there whales in Hawaii in April?
A few. Most humpbacks have begun their migration north by April, but mothers with calves often stay into the first weeks of the month, and sightings from boats remain possible, especially off Maui. By the end of April the season is effectively over until November.
What is on in Hawaii in April?
In 2027 the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo ends on 3 April with its parade and the final night of competition. In years when Easter falls later, the whole festival takes place in April. Hilo is the place to be that week for anyone who loves hula and Hawaiian culture.
April is also a lovely month for gardens and farms: tropical flowers are in bloom, and island farmers' markets are full of mangoes later in the season. On Earth Day, many communities organise beach and reef clean-ups that visitors can join.
Which Hawaiian island is best in April?
Every island is good in April. Kauaʻi is a strong choice as the rains ease and the north shore begins to calm. Maui is ideal for the Road to Hāna, with waterfalls still flowing. The Big Island offers Merrie Monarch early in the month in 2027 and excellent snorkeling on the Kona coast. Oʻahu is quieter after spring break, making Waikīkī and the North Shore more relaxed.
What should you pack for Hawaii in April?
Summer clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses. Bring a light rain jacket for windward hikes and one warm layer for summits. Good walking shoes with grip are useful because trails can still be muddy after the wet season.
Things to do in Hawaii in April
- Drive the Road to Hāna. The waterfalls are still flowing after the wet season.
- Hike on Kauaʻi. Trails dry out as the rains ease; check status first on our Kauaʻi trail map.
- Take a surf lesson. The first south swells bring gentle waves to Waikīkī and Poʻipū.
- Enjoy quieter beaches. After spring break, popular beaches and trailheads are calmer.
- Join a beach clean-up. Many communities organise clean-ups around Earth Day.
- Snorkel Molokini. Calm spring mornings are ideal for the crater; see our Maui snorkel map.
Daylight in April: the sun rises around 6:12 am and sets around 6:50 pm in Honolulu, giving about 13 hours of daylight. Hawaii does not use daylight saving time.
How expensive is Hawaii in April?
After Easter and spring break, April becomes a shoulder-season month. Hotel rates and flight prices usually fall in the second half of the month, rental cars become easier to find, and you have more choice of tours. It is a good month to upgrade to a better room, add a second island, or stay a few nights longer for the same budget.
Hawaii in April with kids
Easter holidays bring families in early April; afterwards, the islands are calm. Late April is a lovely time for younger children who are not yet in school: gentle seas, quiet beaches and warm, comfortable weather.
Tips for visiting Hawaii in April
- Aim for the second half of April for shoulder-season prices.
- Book Hāʻena State Park and Waiʻānapanapa reservations as soon as your dates are set.
- Watch for the first south swells if you want a surf lesson.
- Start the Road to Hāna before 7 am to avoid traffic.
- Trails can still be muddy; wear shoes with grip.
What season is April in Hawaii?
In the old Hawaiian calendar the year had two seasons: Kau, the warm, dry season of long days, roughly May to October, and Hoʻoilo, the cooler, wetter season, roughly November to April, when the trade winds weaken, storms arrive and the Makahiki harvest festival honoured the god Lono. April falls in Hoʻoilo, the wet season: expect more showers on windward coasts, big north swells and, from November to April, humpback whales.
Quick answers: Hawaii in April
Is April a good time to visit Hawaii?
Yes. After spring break, April has fewer crowds, lower prices and warm, increasingly dry weather.
What is the weather like in Hawaii in April?
Warm: about 83°F (28°C) by day and 70°F (21°C) at night in Honolulu, with much less rain than in winter.
Are there still whales in Hawaii in April?
A few, mostly mothers and calves early in the month. The season is over by May.
Is April cheaper than winter in Hawaii?
Usually, yes. Late April is a shoulder season with lower prices for hotels, flights and rental cars.
Hawaii month by month
| Month | Avg high | Ocean | Rain (Honolulu) | Crowds | North Shore surf | Whales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81°F / 27°C | 76°F | 1.8 in | High | Huge | Peak |
| February | 81°F / 27°C | 76°F | 1.9 in | High | Big | Peak |
| March | 81°F / 27°C | 76°F | 2.4 in | High | Big | Peak |
| April | 83°F / 28°C | 77°F | 0.8 in | Medium | Fading | Leaving |
| May | 85°F / 29°C | 78°F | 0.8 in | Low | Small | None |
| June | 87°F / 31°C | 79°F | 0.5 in | High | Flat | None |
| July | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F | 0.5 in | Very high | Flat | None |
| August | 89°F / 32°C | 80°F | 0.8 in | High | Flat | None |
| September | 88°F / 31°C | 80°F | 0.9 in | Low | Small | None |
| October | 87°F / 31°C | 80°F | 1.5 in | Low | Building | None |
| November | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F | 2.2 in | Low–medium | Big | Arriving |
| December | 82°F / 28°C | 77°F | 2.2 in | Very high | Huge | Growing |
Temperatures and rainfall: Honolulu International Airport, NOAA 1991–2020 normals. Ocean: average sea temperature off Honolulu. Rain is much higher on windward coasts and in the mountains.
Planning around a different month? Read Hawaii in March or Hawaii in May, and our guide to the best time to visit Hawaii.
Facts checked October 2026. Event dates change from year to year, so confirm with the organisers before you book.
