Unlike many other travel destinations around the world, a trip to Hawaii is rarely affected much by the season or month of the year. Yes, there is a bigger swell and whale watching in the winter months, and some months do see more rain than others—but in general, travelers coming to the islands are almost guaranteed to find a whole lot of warm sunshine pretty much year round. That being said, different months in Hawaii offer slightly different opportunities for activities.
Summer kicks off in May in Hawaii and the summer months tend to bring much calmer seas, which means better swimming and snorkeling conditions. It also means if you are prone to sea sickness (like my pops), than you are probably better off taking a catamaran tour of the Na Pali Coast (or other boat tour) in July than in, say January.
What to do in Hawaii in July
Again, because the weather in Hawaii is little affected by the time of the year (translation: it’s pretty much always 80 and sunny here whether it be July or December), the season will affect what kinds of activities that you are able to do. Hawaii basically experiences two seasons, Winter and Summer.
Summer in Hawaii brings calmer seas, better snorkeling, diving, and swimming, while winter brings a bigger swell for those wanting to surf in Hawaii and great whale watching opportunities.
The drier, slightly warmer summer season usually kicks off in May in Hawaii and by July summer is in full swing—meaning you’re likely to have less rain and calmer seas by this time.
- Because July in Hawaii means less wind and warmer temperatures it can be a great time to save a few bucks and go camping in beach camping in Hawaii. For a list of the best campgrounds on Kauai, check out Where to Camp in Kauai: A Guide to the Garden Isles’ Best Spots for Pitching a Tent.
- Because the winter rainy weather has subsided in July, this time of year can be an ideal time to check out the Na Pali coast. With lots of sun, you can choose to Hike the Kalalau Trail, or if you’re not up for the 18-mile hike, you can take a Na Pali Catamaran Tour.
- With calmer seas, July is the perfect time to go snorkeling or diving at Tunnels Beach in Kauai.
- Calmer oceans make for some ideal snorkeling and diving conditions, and snorkeling in Maui is some of the best in the entire archipelago.
- Lots of sunshine also makes for perfect conditions to get outdoors. Visitors to Maui in July can opt to go mountain biking on Kaupo Road or go camping at Haleakala National Park.
Still want to know more about what to do during your vacation to Hawaii in July? Check out these posts:
Holidays, Festivals and Events in Hawaii in July
Korean Festival—Hawaii has strong cultural ties to Korea (there are many people living in Hawaii who are of Korean heritage) and July in Hawaii brings the Korean festival, which features live Korean dance performances, taekwondo (Korean martial arts) demonstrations, and cultural exhibits of Korean artifacts and memorabilia.
This festival also gives visitors the chance to taste some delicious Korean cuisine, including favorites such as kalbi (BBQ shortribs), bibim gooksoo (spicy mixed noodles), and kim chi fried rice. Chow down on you Korean food as you listen to the sound of sogochum (Korean drum dance) and live singers performing traditional and popular Korean songs.
Hale’iwa Arts Festival—If you find yourself on the North Shore of Oahu in the third week of July, make sure you stop by this arts festival, which a non-profit event that features over 130 Juried Visual Artists from Oahu, the Neighbor Islands and several mainland and international locations.
There are also performances that include traditional Hawaiian musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers. There are also cultural history triolley tours, student art displays and children’s art activities.
Kapalua Food and Wine Festival—The last weekend of June/first weekend of Jukly brings the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, the longest-running and most prestigious food festival in Hawaii. The event features fine food and wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza and brings together world-renowned winemakers, top master sommeliers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders. There are themed tastings, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, seminars, and gala evening events.
Makawao Rodeo—Although you are more likely to think of Wyoming than Hawaii when you hear the world “rodeo,” Hawaii actually has a strong tie to cowboys and ranching culture. This is evident when over 4th of July weekend the largest rodeo in the islands takes place at the Kaanaolo Ranch on Maui, where more than 350 cowboys from all over the world come to take place in the Hawaiian style rodeo, complete with rough stock and roping events and rodeo clowns. Before and after the rodeo, enjoy live entertainment and country western dancing.
Prince Lot Hula Festival— The Prince Lot Hula Festival is held annually on the third Saturday of July at the Moanalua Gardens in Honolulu, Oahu. The festival is named after Prince Lot, who reigned as King Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872 in Hawaii. Noted for his energy, perseverance, and strength of will, he promoted the resurgence and preservation of Hawaiian culture in the face of Western criticism. The annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is the largest and oldest non-competitive hula even in the islands.
Ukulele Festival in Hawaii—Held annually in July at Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, the Ukulele Festival attracts thousands of residents and visitors to a free two-hour concert that showcases many of the finest ukulele players in the world, along with Hawaii’s top entertainers, national celebrities, and an ukulele orchestra of more than 800 children.
Weather in Hawaii in July
The great part about booking a vacation to Hawaii is that you will rarely have to worry about what the weather will do on your trip, whether you decide to go in July or February.
Summer temperatures in Hawaii (May through mid-October) are in the 80s and night times from the low 70s to the low 80s. Consistent trade winds keep summer temperatures tolerable. Konas can blow in from the south or west and bring humid, sticky, or sweltering weather and thunderstorms. Showers are short.
The other advantage of coming to Hawaii in July is that the days are longer and you can enjoy more hours on sunlight in the islands.
Getting to Hawaii in July
While July does fall into the high-season in Hawaii, it is not the most expensive time to travel to the islands (Christmas and Spring Break are usually more pricey). While you won’t find the same deals in July as you might in March or October, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting a good deal on flights to Hawaii. There are also always plenty of great deals to Hawaii.
Where to Stay in Hawaii in July
It can be more difficult to find an affordable hotel in Hawaii in July than at other times of the year, as peak travel season to the islands has arrived. However, whether you are looking for a high-end resort, mid-range hotel in Hawaii or even a hostel in Hawaii, you shouldn’t have problems finding something within your budget in July. (Though beach camping in Hawaii is always another option).
Photo of turtle from SWBatzer flickr
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HI Honey,
The weather is actually good in July!! Check this article out.