Maui Weather by Month: What to Expect All Year

Maui weather by month is warm year-round, with average highs around 81°F to 87°F (27°C to 31°C) and average lows around 65°F to 73°F (18°C to 23°C). The bigger planning difference is seasonal: winter brings more rain and large north- and west-shore surf, while summer is generally drier and brings bigger surf to south-facing shores.

Those are island-wide climate patterns, not a promise about the weather at your hotel or beach. Kihei and Wailea are usually drier than Hana, and conditions can change quickly with wind and passing showers.

Quick answer: For the driest, warm beach-weather odds, look at late spring through early fall, especially June through September. Visit from November to March for whale season and winter scenery, but plan for passing rain and check surf conditions before swimming. December and January are warm enough for the beach, though holiday demand can make them less appealing if you want lower prices and fewer visitors.

Maui weather by month at a glance

This table uses WeatherSpark’s monthly averages for Maui for temperature, rain and ocean temperature. They’re useful for comparing months, not for forecasting a particular coast or week. Its rain averages are much lower than island-wide totals reported by another climate guide, which highlights how much results depend on location and dataset. Surf descriptions are seasonal patterns, not monthly wave-height forecasts.

Monthly figures are averages, not guarantees. WeatherSpark uses historical hourly reports and model reconstructions from 1980 to 2016; Kahului Airport climate normals and island-wide rainfall estimates use different locations and periods. For context, Kahului’s November normal is about 86°F high and 68°F low, while NOAA normals cited by Put Together World show 85.8°F and 68.4°F. WeatherSpark, Love Big Island and Put Together World use different climate measures, so treat the table as a planning guide rather than a forecast.

Why the weather changes across Maui

Maui isn’t one uniform weather zone. The west and south resort coasts sit in the lee of mountains, so Kaanapali, Kapalua, Kihei, Wailea and Makena are generally drier than Hana, Haiku and Upcountry. Kahului is a useful climate reference point, but its averages don’t describe every beach or elevation.

The contrast can be substantial: Kahului averages about 16 inches of rain a year, while Hana Airport averages about 72 inches. Kihei averages 11.5 inches, compared with 18 inches in Kaanapali. These are annual location averages, not a prediction for your travel dates. Love Big Island’s Maui weather guide lays out the location differences and advises checking the surf-zone forecast for the specific shore.

Trade winds commonly arrive from the northeast, especially in summer. They can make north-shore beaches windier even when the weather is sunny. The clearest hours tend to be morning on leeward coasts and early afternoon on the windward side, so put a Hana or Upcountry outing on the schedule with some flexibility.

Rain has a similar geography. A quick shower in Kihei doesn’t mean it’s raining across the island, and a wet forecast for Hana doesn’t automatically rule out a sunny beach day in Wailea. For broader planning, our Maui weather guide explains the island’s windward and leeward patterns, while West Maui versus South Maui compares the two main resort regions.

What each month is good for

January

January averages an 81°F high and 65°F low (27°C and 18°C), with 1.8 inches of rain and 76°F (24°C) water in the WeatherSpark dataset. Other sources give slightly different temperature figures: NOAA normals cited for Kahului are about 82°F and 64°F. The practical takeaway is the same: daytime is mild and beach-friendly, while evenings can feel cool after sunset.

January is a strong pick if whale-watching is a priority. Humpback season runs roughly November through April, with the usual peak from January through March. Winter also brings the chance of large surf on north and west shores, so don’t assume a beach that was calm the previous day will stay calm. Hawaii Guide identifies January as a good month for whale sightings and notes that winter rain can make Hana-area waterfalls fuller.

February

February is one of the coolest months by average low, at 65°F (18°C), and averages 1.5 inches of rain. Water averages about 75°F (24°C), which many visitors find comfortable for swimming, though a rash guard can help if you get cold easily. Pack a light layer for evenings and the summit, where conditions are much colder than at the coast.

Whales remain a major reason to come, and the cooler weather suits hikes better than a hot, humid summer afternoon. North and west shore surf can be powerful in winter. If a beach looks rough, choose another activity rather than treating the calendar as a safety signal.

March

March averages an 81°F high and 66°F low (27°C and 19°C), with 1.8 inches of rain in the WeatherSpark series. A separate island-wide estimate identifies March as the wettest month, at 8.9 inches across Maui, illustrating why a single rainfall average can be misleading. Hana and other windward areas tend to be wetter than the resort coasts.

It’s still within the usual peak of whale season, and the greener landscape is a plus if you’re driving east. Leave room in your plans for showers and don’t enter streams or brown runoff after rain. Winter swell may still affect north and west shores.

April

April’s averages rise to 82°F high and 67°F low (28°C and 19°C), with 1.4 inches of rain and 75°F (24°C) water. It’s a transition month: winter whale season is winding down, and conditions are moving toward the drier part of the year. That makes April a useful compromise if you want warm days without peak summer heat.

Expect coastal conditions to vary rather than assuming every shore has the same surf. Hawaii Guide lists April among its preferred overall months, citing generally favorable weather and lower demand than peak travel periods. If your plan includes the Road to Hana, check road and weather conditions close to the day you go.

May

May averages an 84°F high and 69°F low (29°C and 21°C), 0.7 inches of rain and 76°F (24°C) water. It’s one of the more appealing shoulder-season choices: warm enough for long beach days, usually drier than winter and not yet in the busiest summer stretch.

Wind tends to pick up during the warmer half of the year, so a sunny forecast doesn’t guarantee glassy water. May is a sensible month for a mixed itinerary of beach time, hiking and a day on the Hana Highway. Hawaii Guide also describes spring as a lower-demand period for flights and accommodation, though actual rates depend on dates and availability.

June

June has the lowest average rainfall in the WeatherSpark table, at 0.3 inches, with an 86°F high and 71°F low (30°C and 22°C). Average water temperature is 78°F (26°C). Another island-wide estimate also identifies June as the driest month, but gives a higher total because it covers Maui as a whole rather than the same dataset and location.

This is a good choice for visitors who put dry beach weather first. South-facing shores can begin seeing summer swell, so don’t assume that “summer” means calm water everywhere. Trade winds and sun exposure matter too; bring sun-protective clothing and plan strenuous outdoor time for cooler parts of the day.

July

July averages an 87°F high and 72°F low (31°C and 22°C), with 0.5 inches of rain and 78°F (26°C) water. It’s hot, bright and often breezy. The wind can be noticeable on exposed beaches and on a boat, even when the air temperature sounds ideal.

South-facing shores can receive larger summer surf, while north and west shore conditions follow a different seasonal pattern. Hawaii Guide describes July and early August as warm and busy, with family travel increasing during school holidays. Book lodging early if your dates are fixed, and check the beach forecast rather than choosing a swim spot by looks alone.

August

August ties for the highest average high in the WeatherSpark table at 87°F (31°C), and it has the warmest average water in this dataset at 79°F (26°C). Rain averages 0.7 inches. If swimming and pool time are the center of your trip, August is an easy month to make a case for, provided you’re comfortable with heat and humidity.

It’s also one of the muggiest months in the WeatherSpark climate summary, with an average 25.6 muggy days. Take shade and water breaks, and don’t schedule every outdoor activity in the hottest part of the day. North and west shore surf may be smaller than in winter as a broad seasonal pattern, but local conditions still need a same-day check.

September

September averages an 87°F high and 72°F low (31°C and 22°C), with 0.8 inches of rain and the year’s warmest average water in the table, 80°F (27°C). It’s one of our stronger picks for a beach-focused trip: water is warm, the weather is still summery and Hawaii Guide describes September as a good month to avoid some summer crowds.

South-facing shores can still see summer swell, so ask locally and check the official surf-zone forecast before swimming or snorkeling. September can feel humid, but the tradeoff is warm ocean water and less pressure to plan around winter rain. It’s also a good month to compare hotel dates across the month rather than assuming every week will cost the same.

October

October averages an 86°F high and 71°F low (30°C and 22°C), with 1.0 inch of rain and 80°F (27°C) water. It remains warm enough for swimming, and it’s often a useful shoulder-season month. The WeatherSpark summary calls October the cloudiest month by its cloud-cover measure, so don’t read “lower rain average” as a promise of uninterrupted blue sky.

Rain chances start to increase as the wetter season approaches, but showers are often local. Hawaii Guide describes October and early November as potentially good value periods compared with busier travel dates. This is a good time to build a flexible itinerary, especially if you’re combining the beach with a Hana or Upcountry day.

November

Maui in November still feels warm: average daytime highs are in the mid-80s and coastal lows are in the upper 60s. WeatherSpark puts the average at 84°F high and 69°F low (29°C and 21°C), with 1.3 inches of rain and 78°F (26°C) water. For Kahului, NOAA normals cited by Put Together World are 85.8°F and 68.4°F, with about 1.81 inches of rain across roughly nine days with measurable precipitation.

November is a transition, not a washout. Showers become more likely, particularly on windward parts of the island, while leeward resorts can stay comparatively dry. Larger surf episodes begin on north shores by November, so the ocean may be rough even when the beach looks inviting. Never enter rough water based on a monthly average.

Whale season begins, with early arrivals possible from November through April; the usual peak is later, from January through March. Early November is generally quieter than late November, December or January, according to visitor figures cited by Put Together World. Thanksgiving dates and holiday travel can change the picture, so check room availability before you commit. For a deeper month-specific plan, see our Maui in November guide. Maui Ocean Center’s November guide also describes the month as the start of whale season and recommends a light rain layer.

December

Maui in December averages an 81°F high and 67°F low (27°C and 19°C), with 1.6 inches of rain and 77°F (25°C) water in WeatherSpark’s figures. Kahului normals cited by Put Together World show a December high near 83°F and low near 66°F, with 2.80 inches of rain across about ten days. These datasets differ, but both point to warm days, mild evenings and a greater chance of rain than in summer.

Winter surf builds on north and west shores, and whale season is underway. The Christmas and New Year weeks are the main downside if you want a quieter or less expensive visit: Hawaii Guide says those dates can be exceptionally busy and costly compared with the slower fall trend. For details on conditions and planning, read Maui in December.

What about January?

Maui in January is a warm-weather winter trip, not a tropical guarantee of calm seas. Expect average highs around 81°F to 82°F and lows around 64°F to 65°F (27°C to 28°C and 18°C), depending on the dataset. It’s a top month for whale watching, but winter storms can bring rain, and north and west shores can have large surf. See our January guide for a closer look at winter conditions and whale season.

Rain, surf and choosing a beach

There isn’t a reliable month-by-month surf-height table in the sources used here, so treat the surf column above as a seasonal overview. North and west shores can see surf over 25 feet many times in winter, while south-facing shores can reach about 10 to 15 feet in summer. Those figures describe possible seasonal conditions, not a forecast for a specific beach or date. Love Big Island recommends checking the National Weather Service Hawaii surf-zone forecast for the shore you plan to visit.

Don’t swim or snorkel just because a beach appears in a travel guide. Check posted warnings and conditions that day, ask a lifeguard where available, and stay out of water that looks rough or brown. Brown water and streams feeding it can carry storm runoff; wait until the water clears and the Hawaii Department of Health confirms it is clear. No monthly average can tell you whether a specific entry is safe.

For beach planning, use the forecast to choose between coasts rather than forcing a single beach into the itinerary. The north shore is windier, and winter surf can make exposed areas unsuitable for swimming. South and west Maui often have better odds of beach weather, but kona winds can bring rain to otherwise dry leeward areas. Our guides to Maui beaches and Maui snorkeling can help you compare locations, but always verify conditions on the day.

Rain is most likely during the wetter season, which WeatherSpark defines as roughly mid-October through late April. That doesn’t mean weeks of rain. Showers may be brief and localized, and a wet stretch in Hana can coexist with sun in Kihei. Build a backup plan for outdoor days instead of canceling an entire trip over a general island forecast.

Which month should you choose?

Choose June through September if dry weather and warm water matter most. June is the driest month in the WeatherSpark averages, while September has the warmest average water. July and August are hot, humid and can be busy, particularly around family travel dates.

Choose April, May or early October for a shoulder-season balance. These months offer warm coastal weather, and published travel guidance identifies spring and early fall as periods with lower demand than peak winter or summer dates. The weather is not guaranteed, but you’re less tied to holiday travel weeks.

Choose November through March if whale watching, winter scenery or waterfalls are a priority. You’ll trade a higher chance of rain and winter surf for the main whale season and greener windward scenery. January through March are the usual peak whale months, while November offers early arrivals and can be quieter early in the month.

Think twice about late December if your dates are flexible and you’re trying to avoid crowds. The weather can be pleasant, but Christmas and New Year are among the busiest and most expensive periods. If you do travel then, compare lodging dates and book key plans early rather than expecting a last-minute bargain.

What to pack and check before you go

For the coast, pack light clothing, swimwear, sun-protective clothing and a light layer for evenings. Add a compact rain jacket if you’re visiting from late fall through spring or spending time on the Hana side. If you’re heading to Haleakala, coastal temperatures are a poor guide: summit conditions can be far colder, with lows in the 30s°F noted for Haleakala-type elevations. Bring a warm jacket, hat and long trousers for a sunrise visit.

For ocean activities, check the surf-zone forecast and beach notices on the day. Maui County rules cited by Put Together World ban the sale, distribution and use of non-mineral sunscreen; bring mineral sunscreen and consider a rash guard, hat and sunglasses. For whale watching, dress for wind on an open deck, and keep the legally required distance from humpback whales: boats, swimmers, paddleboards and drones must stay at least 100 yards away. Put Together World’s November planning guide cites the county sunscreen rule and the federal whale-distance requirement; confirm current rules with Maui County and NOAA before your trip.

Rain can also affect stream crossings and the Hana Highway. Don’t enter swollen streams or waterfalls, and don’t drive through floodwater. Check road and park updates before a day trip, and leave room to turn around if conditions are poor. Weather is only one part of the decision; time, road conditions and ocean warnings matter too.

How we researched this

We compared historical climate averages and NOAA normals with published Maui weather guides, plus NOAA and National Weather Service guidance cited for whale season, surf and safety. The figures are averages from different locations and time periods, so we’ve identified disagreements rather than presenting them as one precise forecast.

We also checked the cited guidance on Maui County sunscreen rules and seasonal travel patterns. We did not receive payment from any business mentioned.

Before you go

Pick your month for the trip you want, then choose a base and beach based on the conditions you find that day. For the best odds of dry beach weather, start with the south or west coast and late spring through early fall; for whales, plan around winter and keep a rain backup. Check the local forecast, surf warnings and road conditions shortly before each outing, because Maui’s monthly averages cannot tell you what any one beach will be like today.