Hawaii Weather in March

You won’t hear many complaints about the Hawaiian weather in March. With daytime average highs in the high 70s and low 80s, sunshine and blue skies await. Some people are surprised by the evening chill, which can dip into the middle 60s along the beach. Just grab a sweater, and you'll be very comfortable. You will find the daytime beaches lovely and the waters warm.

Hawaii consists of several islands, each with its climate. You can expect to see drier weather along the leeward side of the islands as well as cooler temperatures when you are visiting the local volcanoes and mountainous areas. Some of the cooler areas include Kokee on Kauai and Volcano on the Big Island, especially in the evening. At these higher elevations, you might want a light jacket and pants.

Although December is Hawaii's rainy season, March does tend to sit on the medium to high end of the state's average rainfall. Some of the drier areas to stay are south Maui, the southern and southwestern regions of Oahu, and Kohala Coast on Big Island.

Tropical showers can form quickly and vary sharply between windward, leeward, and mountain areas. Carry a light rain layer and use the daily forecast instead of assuming a shower will clear on a fixed timetable.

Hawaii Crowds in March

There are two significant travel periods in March in Hawaii: Spring Break and Easter (if it falls within the month). It’s no secret that Spring Break gets busy in most North American tropical climates, so this should come as no surprise. Easter is another favorite time, but it does not always fall in March.

In general, pre- and post-March break periods are best if you want to avoid crowds, but March is one of the most popular months for Hawaiian travel. That said, you will still be able to avoid areas swarming with tourists, so your trip should work out just fine.

Hawaii Costs in March

Spring-break calendars and Easter timing can move March demand from one week to another. Compare the exact dates and island you want rather than relying on a statewide average. The live DBEDT-backed hotel chart below shows the seasonal pattern, and our cost explorer helps test lodging, airfare, car, food, and activity choices together.

Hawaii Events & Highlights in March

With events happening across all the islands, you might want to plan some island hopping during your visit.

• The biggest March attraction is the winding down of humpback whale mating season. You can get an up-close-and-personal look at these gentle giants around Maui, Hawaii's Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai.
• Oahu is home to the annual Honolulu Festival, one of Hawaii’s premier cultural events. People come from far and wide to experience the rich blend of Asian, Pacific, and Hawaiian cultures.
• Prince Kuhio commemorations can appear on island calendars around his March 26 birthday, but the former festival domain no longer provides a dependable current schedule. Use the island event pages below for confirmed listings.
• The Kona Brewers Festival is a long-running Hawaii Island food-and-craft-beer fundraiser, but its date has moved between March and April. Check our current Big Island March calendar before choosing a weekend around it.

Hawaii in March offers pleasant temperatures, mostly sunny skies, and plenty of activities and events to fill your days and nights.