The month in detail
What to expect in May
May is peak dry season in Honolulu. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain risk remains low (17% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if June (9.2/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Honolulu. Compared to April: +0.7h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
18°
Sea
25°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
13.0h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 26
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Honolulu is June (9.2/10), 0.3 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Honolulu
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Honolulu
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · United States
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 29°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 25°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 20%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Honolulu ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
United StatesTropical climate with a 9.2 → 8.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
21.31°N · 157.86°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Honolulu?
June is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 9.5h of sunshine and 12.0% rainy days. The months of June & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Honolulu get in June?
Honolulu averages 9.5 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.9/10.
What is the rainiest month in Honolulu?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Honolulu in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Honolulu good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Honolulu scores 8.0/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 8.9/10.
When should you avoid Honolulu?
January is the most difficult month to visit Honolulu, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Honolulu in May?
In May, the sea averages 25°C in Honolulu: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Honolulu in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Honolulu (high), with about 13.0h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.