Honolulu: Best Time to Visit, Apr–May & Sep–Oct | Trailwind

City guideUnited StatesBest time to visit Honolulu: Apr–May & Sep–Oct. Waikiki surf and Pearl Harbor history. Weather and timing on Trailwind.

Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Oct

Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Region: Hawaii

Population: 1.0M metro

Currency: USD

Language: English

Timezone: UTC-05:00

Nearest airport: Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL)

The lay of the landHonolulu is the urban heart of Hawaii: Waikiki's surf and skyline, the crater hike up Diamond Head, and the solemn memorials of Pearl Harbor. Beyond the city, Oahu's North Shore breaks and lush windward coast are a short drive. It pairs beach-town ease with real history.When to goThe sweet spot is Apr–May & Sep–Oct. Plan around it and you will catch Honolulu close to its best.Getting thereFly into Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL). From there Honolulu is an easy hop to the center.Know before you go

Hike Diamond Head at sunrise, before the heat and crowds.

Reserve Pearl Harbor's USS Arizona tickets in advance.

Drive to the North Shore for the big winter surf.

What to see

ʻIolani Palace, The ʻIolani Palace was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi beginning with Kamehameha III under the Kamehameha Dynasty (1845) and ending with Queen Liliʻuokalani (1893) under the Kalākaua Dynasty. It is located in the capitol district of downtown Honolulu in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It is now a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

First Hawaiian Center, First Hawaiian Center is the fourth-tallest building in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi and the city of Honolulu, the largest city in the state. It is the world corporate headquarters of First Hawaiian Bank, the oldest and largest bank based in Hawaiʻi. The tower is one of the most well-known buildings in Honolulu, with a striking presence at the center of downtown Honolulu's skyline.

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is the mother church and cathedral of the Diocese of Honolulu.

Honolulu Zoo, The Honolulu Zoo is a 42-acre (17 ha) zoo in Queen Kapiʻolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. It is the only zoo in the United States to be established by grants made by a sovereign monarch and is built on part of the 300-acre (121 ha) royal Queen Kapiʻolani Park. The Honolulu Zoo features over 1,230 animals in specially designed habitats.

Diamond Head, Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. It is known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi, which is most likely derived from lae plus ʻahi (tuna) because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin. Its English name was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who named it for the calcite crystals on the adjacent beach.

Aloha Stadium, Aloha Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Hālawa, Hawaii, a western suburb of Honolulu. Located just south of Aiea off the northeastern corner of Pearl Harbor next to the Kamehameha Highway and the Hālawa station of the Skyline rail system, it was the largest stadium in the state of Hawaii. As of December 2020, the stadium ceased fan-attended operations indefinitely, and placed a moratorium on the scheduling of new events.

USS Arizona Memorial, The USS Arizona Memorial, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and commemorates the events of that day. The attack on Pearl Harbor led to the United States' involvement in World War II.

USS Missouri, Four ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Missouri in honor of the state or river of Missouri:USS Missouri (1841), a sidewheel frigate launched in 1841 and destroyed by fire in August 1843 USS Missouri (BB-11), a Maine-class battleship in service from 1900 to 1922.

Where to eat

Senia, Chinatown fine-dining restaurant from chefs Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush, pairing global technique with local ingredients.

The Pig and the Lady, Chef Andrew Le's Chinatown restaurant built on Vietnamese-French fusion and a busy weekend market stall.

Fête, Chef Robynne Maii's Chinatown restaurant, winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: West.

Highway Inn, Family-run Hawaiian food restaurant serving laulau and poi since 1947.

Helena's Hawaiian Food, Kalihi institution and James Beard America's Classic winner, serving old-school Hawaiian dishes like pipikaula and laulau.

Leonard's Bakery, Honolulu's malasada bakery since 1952, still frying the Portuguese doughnuts fresh all day.

Roy's, Roy Yamaguchi's original Hawaii Kai restaurant, the flagship of Hawaii Regional Cuisine.

Pairs well with

Diamond Head, 4 mi away

Honolulu Zoo, 4 mi away

Aloha Stadium, 6 mi away

USS Missouri, 7 mi away

Frequently asked questionsWhen is the best time to visit Honolulu?The best time to visit Honolulu is Apr–May & Sep–Oct, in United States.Where is Honolulu?Honolulu is in United States. The nearest major airport is Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL).What is Honolulu known for?Waikiki surf and Pearl Harbor history.Honolulu month by month: when to visitWhat to plan a trip around, month by month. Jump to a month: January · February · March · April · May · September · October · DecemberJanuary in HonoluluWhat's on in Honolulu in January: Typical daytime highs around 25°C.

Hawaii Humpback Whales, December 2026 to March 2027

February in HonoluluWhat's on in Honolulu in February: Typical daytime highs around 25°C.

Hawaii Humpback Whales, December 2026 to March 2027

March in HonoluluWhat's on in Honolulu in March: Typical daytime highs around 25°C.

Hawaii Humpback Whales, December 2026 to March 2027

April in HonoluluWhat's on in Honolulu in April: One of the best months to visit Honolulu. Typical daytime highs around 26°C.

Hawaii Humpback Whales, December 2026 to March 2027

May in HonoluluHonolulu in May. One of the best months to visit Honolulu. Typical daytime highs around 27°C.September in HonoluluHonolulu in September. One of the best months to visit Honolulu. Typical daytime highs around 29°C.October in HonoluluHonolulu in October. One of the best months to visit Honolulu. Typical daytime highs around 29°C.December in HonoluluWhat's on in Honolulu in December: Typical daytime highs around 26°C.

Hawaii Humpback Whales, December 2026 to March 2027

Nearby on TrailwindMore to see near Honolulu:

ʻIolani Palace

First Hawaiian Center

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

Duke Kahanamoku Beach

USS Arizona Memorial

Banzai Pipeline

Kaanapali Beach

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