My Hawaiian Getaway to Paradise

The first step is to decide where and when you want to visit in o’ahu is in my opinion is the first very first step. Deciding what time of year to visit o'ahu is more difficult question. To me, it comes down to personal preference.

The first question: Should you escape the cold winter?

Second Question: Do you wait until the glorious summer and the raining season in Hawaii is finished.

Truth be told in my opinion and hawaiians will tell you there is no bad time of the year to be in Hawai’i. So if your personal schedule and availability steers you in a particular direction, go with God. However, if your timing is flexible, understanding the mood and offerings of the different seasons can help influence your decision.

Why did I choose to visit O’AHU

The city offers top-flight cuisine and nightlife and serves as a nice complement to the island’s excellent selection of natural offerings.

While Oʻahu is easily the busiest Hawaiian island, it’s also the most diverse and active thanks to its lively event calendar and evolving metropolitan influence. The surf scene is notorious on the North Shore of Oʻahu, and both the windward and leeward coasts are home to some of Hawaiʻi’s best beaches.

The overall vibe for me is just fantastic I have visited three times and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere around me. The tour street vendors love international tourists I feel Australians are their favourites and will do special deals.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OʻAHU TO SEE THE NORTH SHORE:

For me this is a trick question, since the North Shore brings completely different experiences based on the season.

In summer, most parts of the North Shore are generally calm, calling for long beach days, swimming at Waimea Bay, and safe, family-friendly snorkelling in Shark’s Cove.

In winter, the North Shore becomes one of the most iconic surf destinations in the world, welcoming massive swells that make getting in the water less realistic for the general public.

Though swimming is possible at some locations when the conditions cooperate, the swells and currents are much bigger and more consistent in the winter, generally speaking.

So, when to visit the North Shore really depends on what you want to experience.

Do you want to see the big swells and best surfers? Then you should in my opinion you visit during wintertime.

Spring and fall bring a mix of conditions on the North Shore but are generally pleasant and good for swimming.

In Summary:

On the North Shore of Oʻahu, swimming and snorkelling are better in the summer, while surfing takes over in winter. Anytime you visit, always swim at lifeguarded beaches and check with them before entering the water. SAFETY IS BEST.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OʻAHU TO BE A BEACH BUM:

The answer to this one is easy: for me it’s Summertime!

Beach days are readily available in Hawaiʻi during the summer months, with long, sunny days, generally calm ocean conditions, and much less rain than the winter months.

There’s one caveat to that to keep in mind – those sunny summer days can be quite hot, with temperatures near the 90s in some areas. If you want to sit on the beach but prefer cooler temperatures, visiting in the spring or fall could be a better option, when the days are still nice but not so hot.

In Summary:

The best time to visit Oʻahu for its beaches is in the summer. If you prefer cooler beach temperatures, go for spring or fall.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OʻAHU FOR SNORKELING AND OTHER OCEAN ACTIVITIES:

Generally speaking, winter in Hawaiʻi brings stronger currents, bigger waves, and slightly cooler water. If you’re looking to snorkel around the islands, spring, summer, and fall are best. This is not to say you can’t snorkel in the winter; there are just fewer options due to some beaches/areas receiving more surf and rough water.

Summarizing:

The best time to visit Oʻahu for snorkeling and other ocean activities such as boating and sailing are spring, summer, and fall. We can still see that the summer and holiday season tend to be the most expensive, with spring and fall offering better deals.

In Summary:

The best time to visit Oʻahu on the cheap is the spring months (April/May: after winter, but before school lets out for the summer) and fall (September/October: after kids go back to school through Thanksgiving).

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OʻAHU IF YOU WANT TO SKIP THE CROWDS LIKE ME?

To avoid the crowds, simply visit Hawaiʻi when school is in session. The island tends to be the most crowded during the summer and holiday seasons when kids are on break and families are free to travel. This goes for both visitors and locals; during summer, local families are also more likely to be on the beach/out and about as well. Although in saying this I did not find the crowds too much of an issue to prevent me from doing or getting around where I wanted to go.

The time periods immediately following busy seasons are also good options. For example, right after Labor Day or right after the New Year tends to see a dip in crowds. January and February are notorious light months.

In Summary:

The best time to visit Oʻahu to skip the crowds is when school is in session, or directly following major holidays.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OʻAHU FOR WATERFALLS?

If you want to see Oʻahu’s waterfalls gushing at their peak like me, then the best time to visit is in the mid-to-late winter, after the early-winter rain has allowed the rivers to swell. Conditions on hiking trails during this time can be wet and muddy from experience it is a really good idea to bring a change of clothes but it’s worth it to see the immense power on display.

In Summary:

The best time to visit Oʻahu for the waterfalls is toward the end of the winter rainy season in February, March, and April.

ATTENTION SURFERS: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OʻAHU?

Surfing is good any time of year on Oʻahu, but there are variations to be aware of.

In summer: the south shore is at its best, receiving consistent waves that range from beginner to expert along Waikīkī and the Honolulu shorelines.

In winter: the North Shore receives the bulk of the swell, offering some beginner opportunities but mostly intermediate or expert waves.

The Shoulder seasons: are more muddled in what they offer, with less consistency and more variation. Beginner surfers like myself need not worry too much about the time of year, as “learning waves” are available all year round. Intermediate and expert surfers will want to be more picky and investigate the specific breaks they want to surf.

Summarizing:

The best time to visit Oʻahu for surfing depends a bit on your experience level, but you can find waves any time of year. Remember, generally speaking, it’s the south shore in the summer, and the north shore in the winter.

By Michelle Heynen