Best time to visit Big Island
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart recolours live for your heat & sea limits 27°C · sea 29°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Default 29 °C is the Beach Climate Index "bathtub" line (Morgan et al.) — where the sea stops being refreshing and starts feeling like a warm bath.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Big Island
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Big Island).
- 1
Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand - 2
Big Island, Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park Safari - 3
Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour - 4
Go Surf Hawai'i (Kona Coast) - 5
Private Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Eco Tour - 6
Kona Shore Excursion: Dolphins & Captain Cook Reef Snorkel - 7
Guaranteed Dolphin/Whale Watch - 8
Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves - 9
Kona Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail - 10
Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail - 11
Exclusive Landing with Spectacular Big Island Helicopter Tour - 12
Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Snorkel Combo in Kealakekua Bay - 13
Kona Catamaran Snorkel Sail with Lunch - 14
Snorkel With Giant Manta Rays In Kailua Kona - 15
Kona Tradewind Catamaran Day Sail - 16
Polynesian Cultural ATV Tour in Kona - 17
Dolphin, Sea Cave, Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay Reef Snorkeling - 18
Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch - 19
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History - 20
Big Island: 8-Zipline & Suspension Bridge Waterfall Adventure - 21
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel - 22
Kona’s Best Morning Snorkel: Captain Cook & Kealakekua Bay - 23
KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings - 24
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour - 25
Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour - 26
Hawaii Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour - 27
Big Island: 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience - 28
Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars - 29
Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach - 30
Big Island: Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona
Last refreshed 2026-08-16.
Similar climatesPunta Cana84% · Holetown83% · San Juan82%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Big Island (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Big Island's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20–26 | 28 | 15 | 185 | 12.3 | 75% | 13 | 236 | 6 | Moderate | 6 |
| Feb | 19–25 | 27 | 15 | 219 | 14.6 | 74% | 13 | 224 | 6 | Moderate | 5 |
| Mar | 20–26 | 28 | 17 | 233 | 13.7 | 75% | 13 | 238 | 7 | Moderate | 5 |
| Apr | 21–26 | 29 | 16 | 234 | 14.6 | 77% | 11 | 236 | 7 | Quiet | 4 |
| May | 22–26 | 30 | 21 | 292 | 13.9 | 79% | 12 | 259 | 6 | Quiet | 3 |
| Jun | 22–26 | 30 | 25 | 404 | 16.2 | 82% | 12 | 262 | 5 | Moderate | 2 |
| Jul | 22–27 | 31 | 23 | 375 | 16.3 | 80% | 12 | 283 | 6 | Moderate | 1 |
| Aug | 23–28 | 32 | 20 | 294 | 14.7 | 78% | 12 | 277 | 7 | Peak | 2 |
| Sep | 23–28 | 32 | 19 | 244 | 12.8 | 78% | 11 | 251 | 6 | Quiet | 3 |
| Oct | 22–28 | 32 | 15 | 187 | 12.5 | 76% | 11 | 252 | 6 | Quiet | 4 |
| Nov | 21–27 | 31 | 11 | 138 | 12.5 | 74% | 12 | 225 | 5 | Quiet | 6 |
| Dec | 20–26 | 29 | 13 | 172 | 13.2 | 74% | 12 | 229 | 4 | Moderate | 6 |
UV Index in Big Island by Month
UV index in Big Island peaks at 7 (high) in March, dropping to 4 (moderate) in December. March, April, May, July, August, September have high UV — SPF 30+ and sunglasses recommended.
Best months in detail
January
6/1020–26°C (feels 28°C) · 15 rain days (185h) · 236 sun hours · 75% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
November
6/1021–27°C (feels 31°C) · 11 rain days (138h) · 225 sun hours · 74% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
December
6/1020–26°C (feels 29°C) · 13 rain days (172h) · 229 sun hours · 74% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
February
5/1019–25°C (feels 27°C) · 15 rain days (219h) · 224 sun hours · 74% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
March
5/1020–26°C (feels 28°C) · 17 rain days (233h) · 238 sun hours · 75% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
April
4/1021–26°C (feels 29°C) · 16 rain days (234h) · 236 sun hours · 77% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
May
3/1022–26°C (feels 30°C) · 21 rain days (292h) · 259 sun hours · 79% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
June
2/1022–26°C (feels 30°C) · 25 rain days (404h) · 262 sun hours · 82% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
July
1/1022–27°C (feels 31°C) · 23 rain days (375h) · 283 sun hours · 80% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
August
2/1023–28°C (feels 32°C) · 20 rain days (294h) · 277 sun hours · 78% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
September
3/1023–28°C (feels 32°C) · 19 rain days (244h) · 251 sun hours · 78% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
October
4/1022–28°C (feels 32°C) · 15 rain days (187h) · 252 sun hours · 76% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Big Island
When is the best time to visit Big Island?
January is the highest-scoring month (6/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 20–26°C (15 rainy days). The top three months by score are January, November, December.
What is the worst time to visit Big Island?
July is the lowest-scoring month (1/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 22–27°C (23 rainy days).
Is Big Island too hot in summer?
7 months (May, June, July, August, September, October, November) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Big Island?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in October and peaks in August. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Big Island have good weather but fewer tourists?
November (climate 6/10, crowd index 29) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Big Island by month?
UV peaks at 7 (high) in March and is lowest in December at 4 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 6, Feb 6, Mar 7, Apr 7, May 6, Jun 5, Jul 6, Aug 7, Sep 6, Oct 6, Nov 5, Dec 4.
What is the UV index in Big Island in March?
March is the peak UV month in Big Island, with a daily-peak UV index of 7 (high). Apply SPF 30+, wear sunglasses, and seek shade during midday hours.
How high can UV get in Big Island on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. March is the worst case: typical days average UV 7 (high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 10 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.