Hawaii in January: Weather, Whales, Big Waves and What to Expect

January is Hawaii at its most dramatic. Humpback whales fill the channels, the biggest waves of the year explode on the North Shore, and snow can dust the summits of Mauna Kea while you swim below in 76°F water. It is also one of the busiest, most expensive months of the year. Here is everything you need to know before you go.

What is the weather like in Hawaii in January?

January is the heart of Hawaii's winter, but winter here means warm days and slightly cooler nights. In Honolulu the average high is about 81°F (27°C) and the average low about 67°F (19°C). Expect around eight days with some rain in town, usually short showers that blow through in minutes rather than all-day downpours.

Where you stay matters more than the calendar. The windward (north and east) sides of every island catch the trade winds and most of the rain: Hilo, Hanalei and the Hāna coast are lush for a reason. The leeward (south and west) sides stay much drier: Waikīkī and Ko Olina on Oʻahu, Kāʻanapali and Kīhei on Maui, Poʻipū on Kauaʻi and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the Big Island. Occasional winter storms, called Kona lows, can bring a few days of heavy rain to the whole state.

Up high it is a different world. At the summit of Haleakalā (10,023 ft) dawn temperatures are often near freezing, and Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can be white with snow. If you plan a sunrise or a stargazing trip, bring a proper warm jacket.

Is January a good time to visit Hawaii?

Yes, especially if you want whales, big surf and an escape from a northern winter. The first week of January is still part of the holiday rush, with the highest prices of the year. From around the second week, crowds ease a little, although January stays busy because so many visitors from the US mainland, Canada and Japan come for the warm weather.

Book flights, hotels, rental cars and popular reservations such as Haleakalā sunrise early. Hotel rooms also cost a little more than they used to: since 1 January 2026, Hawaii's new "Green Fee" has raised the state hotel tax to 11%, which brings the total tax on a hotel bill to about 18.7% before any county tax.

What is the ocean like in Hawaii in January?

The water is about 76°F (25°C), cool enough that some snorkelers like a thin rash guard but warm enough to swim every day. The big story is the surf. North-facing shores, from the North Shore of Oʻahu to Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi and Hoʻokipa on Maui, receive the largest swells of the year, with waves at Waimea Bay and Pipeline sometimes reaching 30 feet or more.

That makes January a spectacular month to watch surfing and a dangerous month to swim on north shores. Many beaches that are glassy in summer have powerful shorebreak and rip currents now. For swimming and snorkeling, head to sheltered south and west shores and always ask the lifeguard. Read our guide to ocean safety in Hawaii before you go.

Can you see whales in Hawaii in January?

Absolutely. January to March is the peak of humpback whale season. Thousands of humpbacks migrate about 3,000 miles from Alaska to breed and give birth in Hawaii's warm, shallow waters, and the channel between Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi is one of the densest whale nurseries on Earth. You can often see blows and breaches from the shore at Kāʻanapali, Kīhei, Makapuʻu or Kona, and snorkelers frequently hear whales singing underwater.

Whale-watching boats leave from Lahaina and Māʻalaea harbors on Maui, from Waikīkī and Haleʻiwa on Oʻahu and from Kona. Federal rules require boats and swimmers to stay at least 100 yards from humpbacks.

What is on in Hawaii in January?

Hawaii celebrates New Year loudly, with fireworks over Waikīkī and in neighbourhoods across the islands. Big-wave season is the main event: the holding period for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay runs through winter, and the contest only goes ahead on the rare days when waves are consistently over 20 feet in the bay, sometimes not for years. Professional surfing usually gathers at Pipeline in late January or February.

Golf fans can follow the PGA Tour's Hawaiian swing, usually held on Oʻahu in mid-January. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day long weekend brings extra visitors, so expect busier beaches and parking.

Which Hawaiian island is best in January?

Maui is the best island for whales, with calm, sunny weather in Kīhei, Wailea and Kāʻanapali. Oʻahu is best for watching big-wave surfing on the North Shore, with sheltered swimming in Waikīkī. The Big Island's Kona and Kohala coasts are the driest and sunniest places in the state, and the island offers snow-capped mountains and volcano views on the same day. Kauaʻi is at its greenest and wettest; the south shore around Poʻipū is the place to base yourself. See our guide to which Hawaiian island to visit.

What should you pack for Hawaii in January?

Light summer clothes, a swimsuit and reef-safe mineral sunscreen, plus a light rain jacket and one warm layer for evenings and windward days. If you plan to visit Haleakalā, Mauna Kea or the high country, add a fleece, a hat and long trousers. Water shoes help on rocky shores, and a rash guard makes long snorkels more comfortable in winter water.

Things to do in Hawaii in January

• Watch big-wave surfing. On a big day, the beaches at Waimea Bay, Sunset and Pipeline on Oʻahu's North Shore are the best free show in Hawaii. Stay on the sand.
• Go whale watching. Take a boat from Lahaina or Māʻalaea on Maui, or watch from shore at Kīhei, Makapuʻu or the Kohala coast.
• See snow from a beach. On clear mornings you can swim on the Kona coast and see snow on Mauna Kea.
• Catch sunrise above the clouds. Haleakalā sunrise needs an advance reservation; bring winter clothes.
• Snorkel the sheltered side. Kahaluʻu on the Big Island, Wailea on Maui and Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu are winter-friendly.
• Hike on dry days. Diamond Head, Kīlauea Iki and the Waiheʻe Ridge are excellent; see our Oʻahu and Big Island trail maps.

Daylight in January: the sun rises around 7:11 am and sets around 6:10 pm in Honolulu, giving about 11 hours of daylight. Hawaii does not use daylight saving time.

How expensive is Hawaii in January?

January is high season. The first week, still part of the New Year holiday, is among the most expensive times of the whole year for flights and hotels; prices soften slightly from mid-month but stay well above the autumn shoulder season. Rental cars can sell out on Maui and the Big Island, so book them with your flights. To save, look at condos with kitchens in Kīhei, Waikīkī or Kona rather than resorts, eat plate lunches and poke from local shops, and remember that whale watching from shore and watching big-wave surfing cost nothing at all.

Hawaii in January with kids

January is a good month for families who can travel outside school holidays. Children love whale watching from shore, tide-pooling at low tide and gentle beaches such as Ala Moana and Kamaʻole. Avoid north-shore beaches with small children: the shorebreak can be dangerous. Read our guide to the safest beaches for families.

Tips for visiting Hawaii in January

• Book Haleakalā sunrise the moment the reservation window opens; January slots go fast.
• Keep one flexible day in your plan: a Kona-low storm can wash out a beach day or close a trail.
• On north shores, enjoy the surf from the sand. Swim only where a lifeguard says it is safe.
• If you visit Mauna Kea, the summit road may close for snow and ice. A 4WD vehicle is required above the visitor station.
• Mid-January to the end of the month is quieter and better value than New Year week.

What season is January 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. January 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 January

What is the weather like in Hawaii in January?

Warm and mostly sunny, with average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows around 67°F (19°C) in Honolulu, plus short showers on about eight days. Windward coasts are wetter; leeward coasts stay drier.

Can you swim in Hawaii in January?

Yes. The ocean is about 76°F (25°C). Swim on sheltered south and west shores, because north shores have big winter surf and strong currents.

Is January whale season in Hawaii?

Yes. Humpback whales are in Hawaii from about November to April, with the peak from January to March.

Is January expensive in Hawaii?

The first week of January is among the most expensive times of the year. Prices ease slightly later in the month but January remains busy.

Hawaii month by month

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 December or Hawaii in February, 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.

• NOAA NCEI / NWS Honolulu: 1991–2020 climate normals, Honolulu International Airport
• NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
• Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety
• Afar: Hawaiʻi's Green Fee and the 2026 hotel tax increase
• National Park Service: Haleakalā permits and sunrise reservations
• Eddie Aikau Foundation: The Eddie