The Best Time to Cruise to Hawaii
Is Hawaii on your must-do list of places to explore? If so, then you are not alone. This exotic destination offers spectacular waterfalls, stunning beaches, and enchanting beauty. It's no wonder that Hawaii is so popular with travellers. And if you’re searching for an immersive experience, a Hawaii cruise is the best way to see everything the islands have to offer. Why settle for experiencing only one island on your Hawaii holiday when you can see them all on a cruise with Norwegian?
Visit the historic site of Pearl Harbor on Oahu. Enjoy a romantic sunset walk along the famed Waikiki Beach. Climb to the peak of Diamond Head where you can experience unbelievable 360-degree views of the turquoise blue Pacific Ocean and the city of Waikiki. Enjoy the superb beaches of Maui. Visit Haleakala National Park and see the dramatic contrast of the subtropical rainforests and volcanic landscapes.
When it comes to planning your Hawaii cruise vacation, you may be wondering when is the best time to cruise to these gorgeous islands. The answer to that question depends on your personal preferences.
Consider the following areas when you're trying to decide when to cruise to Hawaii.
Ready to start planning? Explore all Hawaii cruises.
Hawaii Weather Year Round
If you are mainly concerned with the weather, then you will be happy to know that Hawaii offers excellent weather for cruising throughout the year. Hawaii has only two seasons - winter and summer. Summer lasts from May through October, and winter is from November until April. The temperature is entirely consistent from one season to the next, with only minor changes in temperature.
The average daytime temperature during the winter in Hawaii is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures hover around 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Temperatures fall about 10 degrees lower at night. The rainy season of the year takes place from November through March.
The weather makes it easy to do a variety of activities at any time of the year. You can enjoy outdoor attractions such as Liliuokalani Gardens, intricate ornamental Japanese gardens, no matter when you cruise to Hawaii.
RELATED CRUISES:
7-Day Hawaii Cruise: Inter-island
14-Day South Pacific Cruise: Kauai, Kona & Maui
16-Day Alaska & Hawaii Cruise: Kauai, Kona & Ketchikan
Pricing for Hawaii Travel
Do you want to cruise to Hawaii on a budget? Choosing the right time to cruise to Hawaii can help you save big on your vacation. In fact, cruising to Hawaii with Norwegian will cost you about half of the price of an all-inclusive land vacation.
If you need a fall getaway, the months of September and October are best for cruise pricing to Hawaii. Plus, you can usually find affordable flights to Oahu during these months and take advantage of cruise deals and discounts.
Traveling to Hawaii over Holiday Breaks
Many people choose to cruise to Hawaii over the holiday breaks, some of the most popular times of the year to cruise to this archipelago of islands. You'll find no better winter escape than Hawaii. You can't beat the warm sun and soft ocean breezes of Hawaii during the winter.
The winter breaks are the most popular times to cruise, which means that you'll have a large selection of itineraries to choose from, such as the seven-day round-trip cruise from Honolulu or the 11-Day Oahu Explorer Hyatt Waikiki Ocean View Cruisetour. You'll explore the fascinating ports of Oahu, Hilo, Kahului, Maui, Nawiliwili, and Kauai. Walk among lush rainforests and breathe in the fragrant aromas of tropical flowers. Play a round or two of golf at one of the most scenic golf courses in the world in Kahului, Maui.
Wildlife Viewing in Hawaii
You can see a variety of wildlife on a Hawaii cruise, including humpback whales, green sea turtles, and Hawaiian monk seals. Thousands of humpback whales migrate to the islands from December through April. These months of the year would be ideal for humpback whale watching.
For a chance to see the rare Hawaiian green sea turtles, you can snorkel the waters of Turtle Arches in Maui. Explore the lush reef and note how many of the more than 250 species of fish you can see. Since the water temperature is excellent throughout the year, you can snorkel and swim the waters of Hawaii no matter which month you visit.
Special Events and Activities in Hawaii
Special Events and Activities in Hawaii
If you plan to go parasailing, then you will want to hold off on your Hawaiian cruise from mid-December through the beginning of May. Since the humpback whales are migrating during these months, Maui authorities do not permit parasailing.
If you would like to experience traditional Hawaiian festivals, then plan to visit the islands from early to mid-March. The Cherry Blossom Festival features a variety of special cultural events. It takes place during March. The Honolulu Festival, which regularly attracts more than 80,000 visitors a year, also takes place during March. This festival honors the Pacific, Hawaiian, and Asian cultures with dances and various events held in downtown Waikiki.
Discover why Norwegian has gained recognition for having the best Hawaiian itineraries by Porthole Cruise and Travel magazine. Go ahead: Book your Hawaiian cruise vacation today.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on January 9, 2019. It has been updated for relevant content and itineraries.