Updated: September 1, 2024
Just imagine white sands, turquoise waters, and sunny days. If that sounds like a dream vacation, you must visit Hawai’i in July! Get ready to book your airline tickets and hotel for a summer vacation you’ll never forget because this popular tourist destination is the perfect place to go on holiday with your family.
We’ve compiled all the important information you need to know about visiting Hawai’i in July below, including the weather conditions and climate on all the islands, average prices and crowds, the best things to do, and so much more.
Read on for more information about why July is the best time to visit Hawai’i and how to have a fantastic time in the Aloha State on your trip.
July in Hawai’i: What’s the Weather Like?
July has great weather and less rain than other months, making it the perfect time to visit the Hawaiian islands. Pack your sunglasses and a high-SPF sunblock if you’re booking a trip to any Hawaiian island in July. The Hawaiian Islands sit snugly just below the Tropic of Cancer, which contributes to the tropical weather that many consider paradise.
Despite the high humidity, Hawaii’s northeast trade winds provide cool comfort for residents and tourists alike. The trade winds are high-pressure regions in the northern Pacific that push cool and moist air down onto all the islands.
Fortunately, July is outside Hawaii’s rainy season (this is from November to April). In July, you have only a slight chance of encountering a storm or heavy rainfall. However, big storms can elevate the sea level or produce flooding and mudslides. Although Hawaii’s hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, hurricanes during July are rare.
So, you can expect the climate in Hawai’i to have high temperatures coupled with trade winds creating cooler air temperatures.
What’s the Average Hawai’i Temperature In July?
While you might think that high summer would be the hottest month in Hawai’i, that would actually be during August and September because of the wind direction. This means that July might be the perfect time for you to visit Hawai’i.
The beautiful islands only have two seasons: the summer months, from May to October, and the “winter” months, from November to April. However, the best weather is in July, with an average high of 88° F and only light rainfall.
The average temperature in Hawai’i in July usually doesn’t fall below the mid-70s. Based on data from NOAA, here are the average high and average low temperatures for Honolulu:
Average Temperatures in July from 2010 to 2020:
- High of 88° F
- Low of 75° F
For high temperatures in July, you can expect at least seven days to be over 90° F. For low temperatures, July only has one day that drops below 70° F and rarely drops below 60° F. In addition, July has the highest wind averages of all twelve months at 12.1 mph, with June coming in a close second at 11.8 mph
Here are the average temperatures for each of the islands:
- The Big Island (Hawai’i): 86° F
- Kaua’i: 82° F
- Molokaʻi: 84° F
- Lānaʻi: 79° F
- O’ahu: 84° F
- Maui: 84° F
Additional Facts Regarding the Weather in Hawai’i in July
Here are additional data averages for Hawai’i weather in July:
- Humidity: 75%
- Rainfall: 0.67″
- Cloud Cover: 35%
- Daylight hours: 13.3
- Sunny hours: 9.9
- Average visibility: 6 miles
- Average UV index: 7
How Should You Dress for the Temperature in Hawai’i In July?
Remember, the average high temperature for Hawai’i in July is 88° F. As such, make sure to purchase high SPF reef-safe sunscreen, your sunglasses, bathing suits, and other lightweight essentials like hats, sarongs, or other coverups.
Here is a list of attire that’s appropriate for July weather:
Good weather: For bright days with lots of sun, T-shirts and shorts or light slacks are ideal. Sundresses or maxi dresses are also popular, and you should also bring a sunhat or baseball cap
Rainy days: Although there aren’t many rainy days in July, you could encounter scattered showers. Bring along a light windbreaker or rain jacket to be safe.
Beaches: During the summer season, it will be hot at the beach. Bring a bathing suit, light coverup, and sandals.
Hikes: Bring covered shoes, as no sandals are allowed. Higher elevations, like volcano summits, can get cool, so bring a light jacket. You may also want to bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water.
Luaus: Wear casual attire with sandals or shoes. You may also consider bringing a light jacket or cardigan if you’re going to be outside at night.
What Are Ocean Conditions Like in July on the Hawaiian Islands ( Including North Shore Beaches and the Big Island)?
In July, the ocean temperatures begin warming up after Hawai’i’s winter. Although you can swim year-round in Hawaii, July is an excellent time because the waters are very warm, almost 80 degrees F.
July is ideal for ocean swimming. In winter, storms in the Northern Hemisphere drive big waves onto Hawai’i’s North Shores, making the conditions only suitable for experienced surfers and swimmers. The South Shore of Hawai’i is perfect for surfers, as the rough winter surf is gone by July.
However, in calmer waters, the July weather makes the water crystal clear and offers the best snorkeling.
Called Lahaina Noon, the sun on Hawai’i only passes directly overhead twice a year, in May and July, when it casts no shadows. It warms the water and makes it extremely clear, creating a unique lighting effect that provides an incredible backdrop for photographers, divers, snorkelers, and swimmers of all kinds.
Here are the average ocean temperatures for the Hawaiian coast:
- Kahului, Maui Island: 79° F
- Hilo, Hawai’i Island: 74° F
- Honolulu, O’ahu Island: 80° F
- Kawaihae, Hawai’i Island 81° F
- Nawiliwili, Kaua’i Island 82° F
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Hawai’i in July?
July is a popular month for Hawai’i travel. Therefore, you can expect higher hotel prices, rental cars, plane tickets, and other expenses.
So, how much should you plan on spending for a trip to Hawai’i in July during the peak summer season? The average price of a seven-day trip is around $2,000 for an individual, $2,986 for a couple, and approximately $4,370 for a family of four.
According to the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the average amounts that people spent both per day and per trip in July are:
- Per person, per day: $192.10
- Per person, per trip: $1,797.10
- The average length of stay is about 9.35 days.
Air Travel
The price you’ll pay for air travel will vary on a few different factors:
- Where you depart
- Where you arrive
- Your chosen airline
Remember, July is a busy time for visiting Hawai’i, so expect airline ticket rates to reflect that.
Car Rentals
The best way to save money on a trip to Hawai’i in July is by booking your car rental as early as possible. If you wait until you’re physically in Hawai’i, you could end up paying hundreds more for your rental than if you had planned ahead.
July is a popular month for tourism, so you may find yourself stuck without a car if you wait too long to book. From mid-June until mid-August, car rentals range from around $200 per week to up to $550.
Hotel Rates
Regarding hotel rates, the Fourth of July weekend is the most expensive and books quickly. Some of the Fourth of July celebrations in Hawai’i draw as many as 50,000 people to one event, so it’s crucial for you to book your hotel or accommodations ahead of time. If you want to save money on your hotel stay, try booking for late July rather than the beginning of the month when it’s bustling.
Is Hawai’i Busy in July?
The number of tourists and visitors in Hawai’i depends upon many factors, such as the season, cultural considerations, the weather, the month, and more. The high season also ends in late March or mid-April. Along with the crowds of tourists, you can expect to see higher rates in terms of cost, too.
The low season in Hawai’i is from the middle of April until mid-June, then again from September until mid-December. Data gathered from the official Hawai’i Tourism Authority for July of 2021 shows:
- 879,551 total visitors by air service
- 578,629 visitors from the U.S. West
- 272,821 visitors from the U.S. East Coast
- 2,817 visitors from Japan
- 1,999 visitors from Canada
- 23,285 visitors from other international markets
- 453,654 visitors to O’ahu Island
- 282,715 visitors to Maui
- 115,946 visitors to Kaua’i
- 149,372 visitors to Hawai’i Island or the Big Island
July is the perfect time to visit Hawai’i not just because of the hot weather but because lots of events are happening during the peak season. In addition, the beautiful, temperate climate and lack of heavy rainfall in July make Hawai’i the perfect place to go.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Hawai’i in July?
Although prices are higher during the Fourth of July, it’s by far one of the best times to visit Hawai’i. The islanders go all-out for America’s birthday, and tourists flock from all over year after year to see the spectacular fireworks and accompanying events.
One of the most popular is in historic Lahaina, known as the Lahaina Entertainment and Fireworks Show. There will be live music and entertainment in Campbell Park in Lahaina, and then at 8 p.m., the fireworks start!
For visitors to O’ahu, check out the O’ahu North Shore July 4 Festival and Fireworks Show, featuring a vintage car show, live music, food vendors, hula entertainers, contests, fireworks, and more.
Kailua Night Market
However, fireworks aren’t the only events happening in Hawai’i. Once July rolls around, the surfers will move to southern shores, whereas snorkelers and swimmers will swarm the North Shore beaches.
Waikiki Beach, on O’ahu, remains one of the most popular travel sites for tourists, and the island offers plenty of activities for visitors. The Kailua Night Market on O’ahu features evening fun and festivities, including local arts and crafts, entertainment, and food vendors.
Can You Go Whale Watching in Hawai’i in July?
Whale watching is another very popular activity for people visiting Hawai’i, but the best time for it is between February and March after the calves are born.
While you can see humpback whales from any of the islands, you have a better chance of spotting them off Maui’s western shores. Unfortunately, you may not see any whales in July, as all the humpback whales have migrated back to Alaska.
Prince Lot Hula Festival
Don’t feel bad about missing the whales, though. July is home to the popular annual event known as the Prince Lot Hula Festival, which is the largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai’i. Locals have been celebrating this festival since 1978, and it runs on the third week in July.
The celebration honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, who was King Kamehameha V in the late 1800s. The Prince Lot Hula Festival celebrates the King’s actions to commemorate Hawaiian traditions during a period of cultural decline due to Western influences.
Activities in Kailua
If you’re visiting Hawai’i in July, why not stop at Kailua-Kona, right on the Big Island? You can try snorkeling on King Kam (Kamakahonu) beach or any other good spots in the Kona district. Another idea is to try out a Manta Ray night dive! Shoppers will love to stroll down Ali’i Drive, which has many local shops and boutiques, to get souvenirs.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
July is perfect for Hawai’i travel, and is there any better way to experience the wonder and beauty of the Aloha State than by visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park?
The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and on holidays. You can go day hiking on paths, explore the back-country, or even go on a tour, such as the Crater Rim drive or the Chain of Craters road tour.
We recommend booking tours early because July is a busy time for Hawai’i tourism and may affect availability. With the warm weather and lack of rainfall in July, it’s the best time to experience Hawai’i’s volcanoes. It can get cool on the summit, so bring a light jacket.
Ka’anapali Beach in Maui
Ask any local: spending time at the beach is a must if you’re visiting Hawai’i in July. One of the best beaches to visit during the summer is Ka’anapali Beach in West Maui, where you can find almost all seaside resorts.
The beach consists of three miles of gorgeous white sands and leads right up to Black Rock, a hot spot for scuba divers and snorkelers. Other popular water activities on Ka’anapali beach include jet-skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing.
Waimea Bay
Waimea Bay is on the north shore of O’ahu, right across from Waimea Valley. If you’re visiting O’ahu in July, it’s a must-see and the perfect spot for swimming.
The bay is home to the Jump Rock, which offers a 20- to 40-foot cliff dive from its summit. July is the best month to swim at Waimea because the winter brings rough surf and large waves that make it unsuitable for most swimmers.
Do Any Restrictions Exist on Hawai’i Travel?
Fortunately, U.S. visitors no longer have restrictions on Hawai’i travel. As of June 2022, you no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test pre-departure or recovery documentation. However, non-U.S. citizens still must show proof of vaccination to enter Hawai’i.
Also, the federal government and Hawaiian government have ended the indoor mask mandates.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Hawai’i In July
If you ask us, the best time to visit Hawai’i is in July, right at the peak of the high season and when the days are sunny and hot. The July weather makes Hawai’i a true tropical paradise, with temperature averages in the mid-80s and lows that never drop under 70°F. Even though July is technically hurricane season, Hawai’i doesn’t see many storms of that magnitude, although you may see some rain here or there during your trip.
If you plan to visit Hawai’i in July, we recommend going at the beginning of the month so that you don’t miss the Independence Day celebrations. However, despite the bigger crowds, July is one of the best times to visit Hawai’i.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your lei ready and book your tickets now!
Related
