The best time to visit Hawaii

Any month can be a great time to visit Hawaii. But while the islands generally have year-round sunshine and balmy temps, with no major seasonal changes, there are subtle differences in the weather, crowds and prices throughout the year. So when you choose to go to Hawaii may depend more on your schedule, the places you want to visit and your budget.

Most visitors travel to Hawaii during school breaks, so summer and midspring are busy. But the busiest time is actually winter – specifically the last two weeks of December through early January – as people flee cold climates for sunny beaches and warm weather. During this peak period, prices for airfare and hotels are the highest. You'll find cheaper rates during late spring and fall, before Thanksgiving.

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In the summer, the average daytime temperature is 85°F; in the winter, it's 78°F. But summer tends to be drier and hotter; winter is often rainy and wet. For more tips and advice, read on before you plan your next vacation to the Hawaiian Islands.

June to August is a busy time, but the weather is perfect

If you want to experience Hawaii at its best, visit during the summer. The days are long and languid, the weather is almost always sunny, and there's so much to do. Because schools are out on summer break, this is the peak season for traveling to the Hawaiian Islands. Expect higher prices on airfare and hotels, and longer lines at popular attractions. Reservations at spots like Hanauma Bay in Oʻahu or sunrise at Haleakalā National Park in Maui may be harder to nab.

Surf is up on south-facing shores – like Waikiki in Oʻahu and Poʻipu in Kauaʻi – and outdoor events and festivals happen on every island. June starts with the annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade through Waikiki. Every weekend, Japanese temples hold bon dances at night, with traditional dancing, music and food. Maui hosts the annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, Maui AgFest and Maui Film Festival.

Every island has a county fair, with keiki (kids) rides, live entertainment and food booths. And surfing is celebrated at the annual Duke's OceanFest in August, a weeklong festival in honor of the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, with surf contests, surf polo, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and Hawaii's only dog surfing competition.

Most plumeria trees will be in full bloom, and it's also mango season, so expect lots of mangoes on menus in restaurants and at farmers markets across the state.

September and October are the cheapest months to visit

Fall is typically the slower season for travel to Hawaii. You'll run into fewer crowds but still enjoy warm temperatures, averaging a high of 88°F. Airfare from the US mainland is usually at its lowest, and finding deals (and rooms) at hotels will be easier.

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Evenings are balmy – perfect for a quiet dinner at an oceanfront restaurant – and the ocean is actually the warmest it will be all year. It's still hurricane season until November, though, with most hurricanes hitting Hawaii in late summer and early fall.

November to January is the best time to escape winter — but expect crowds

It's no surprise that the winter months are Hawaii's busiest. You can still lounge on the beaches and bask in the sun, but the days start getting shorter in late fall, and November, namely Thanksgiving weekend, signifies the start of Hawaii's busiest travel period. Rooms become hard to get, so book early if you're planning a trip to Hawaii during this time. This is also the priciest season, though you can sometimes score deals on airfare.

Winter months bring monster surf to the north shores of all of the islands. Professional surfers flock to Oʻahu's fabled North Shore for contests, including the Triple Crown of Surfing and the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational – both exciting to watch from shore. (Don't attempt to get in the water when the surf's up.) For the Honolulu Marathon in December, thousands of people hit the roads from Waikiki to Hawaiʻi Kai.

Starting in November, humpback whales – called kohola in the Hawaiian language – start their annual return to Hawaii to breed, then birth and nurse calves. An estimated 8000 to 12,000 migrate from Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands' warm, shallow waters from November through April, and the protected marine mammals can be seen from every island.

February and early March are often rainy and slow

Late winter brings good news for budget travelers and anyone looking for a more relaxing vacation: you can often find discounts on airfare and hotels, and beaches, hiking trails and popular attractions aren't nearly as crowded as during the peak summer and winter seasons.

Winter months tend to be rainier than summer, but the showers are usually localized and don't last that long. This is a great time to hit farmers' markets – every island has some – as avocados, citrus, lychee and other tropical fruits are still in season.

Mid-March to early April is an ideal time for families

With the exception of spring and Easter breaks, spring is a slower time of year for travel. But when schools are out, it's another peak season. The prices aren't as high as they are in the summer and winter months, though, and the weather is cool and comfortable, not summery hot – perfect for outdoor adventures with kids.

It's a good time to walk through zoos – the Honolulu Zoo is the largest in the state, and the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens in Hilo is charming, with a playground and botanical gardens. The ocean is fairly calm during this period, making it great for snorkeling and swimming.

And if it rains, there's plenty to do indoors. Oʻahu has a few indoor playgrounds, including Kids City in Honolulu and Kapolei, Hawaii Children's Discovery Center in Kakaʻako, and Keiki Kingdom, with the largest ball pit on the islands. This is also a nice time to take in a luau, which can often be sold out during busier seasons.

May and June are best for couples

Hawaii is one of the most romantic places in the world, and heading there during a slower time – fewer visitors, emptier beaches – makes for an even more magical trip for the lovers out there. Visit before peak summer travel and so you'll likely find cheaper flights and accommodations.