Traveling to Hawaii during May
Weather, Crowds, & Prices for May
May is arguably the best month to visit Hawaii. Weather sits in the 80–85°F range by day and low 70s at night, the rainy season is done, and hotel rates sit in the spring lull before the June–July summer climb. Summer crowds haven't landed yet; watch for a brief Memorial Day weekend bump and a small Golden Week uptick in Waikiki the first week.
May in Hawaii — Quick Take
Verdict: One of the Best — arguably the single best month — ideal weather, low crowds, great prices.
Temps: high 70s–mid-80s°F. Driest stretch of the year begins. Summer crowds haven't landed. Ocean is calm and warm. Shoulder pricing on flights and hotels.
Best for: Anyone who wants the full Hawaii experience at the lowest friction. Hard to go wrong in May.
Hawaii Weather in May
Spring gets a bad rap in a lot of destinations. In Hawaii it's the sweet spot — the winter rainy season is over by May, daytime highs settle into the 80–85°F range, and nights warm into the low 70s after April's cooler evenings. What rain does fall tends to come overnight, brief and on the windward coasts.
The practical upside is that May opens up the whole map. Wetter-side spots that are a coin flip in winter — Hilo, the Hāmākua Coast, Princeville — are easy bets in May. The only cold you'll find is at elevation: Haleakalā and Mauna Kea summit trips still call for a jacket and long pants. Everywhere else, it's beach weather, day after day (the full weather guide has the island-by-island detail).
May Temperatures in Hawaii
Hawaii Rainfall in May
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Hawaii Crowds in May
May is one of the quietest months of the year for visitor arrivals — the spring-break wave is long gone and summer families haven't landed yet. Two predictable blips: the first week brings Japan's Golden Week holiday (you'll notice it in Waikiki, barely anywhere else), and Memorial Day weekend fills resorts for three or four days. Outside those windows, this is about as uncrowded as good-weather Hawaii gets. The arrivals chart below tells the story.
Hawaii Costs in May
May pricing sits in the same lull as the crowds. DBEDT's April 2026 hotel performance report put the statewide average around $370 a night — Oahu near $270, Maui's resort market far higher — and May typically holds near those spring marks before the real run-up begins in June. Expect a short bump over Memorial Day weekend. Airfare follows the same pattern: shoulder-season fares until summer pricing kicks in. The live chart below shows how May compares, and our cost explorer can price your exact dates.
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Hawaii Events & Highlights in May
Lei Day opens the month on May 1 — lei-making contests, royal court processions, and hula celebrations across the islands. Our Lei Day guide covers where to catch the best of it.
At the other end of the month, Memorial Day weekend brings one of the most moving events on the Hawaii calendar: the Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony at Ala Moana Beach, where thousands of candle-lit lanterns go out on the water at sunset. Our Lantern Floating guide and Memorial Day weekend guide have the details.
In between, keep an eye on the Waikiki SPAM JAM — the street festival devoted to Hawaii's favorite canned meat usually lands in late April or the first days of May, so check the official site for this year's date.
That combination — the year's driest weather arriving without summer's crowds or prices — is why May keeps winning the "best month" argument around here.
Book May Tours & Activities
Planning a May trip? Lock in activities early — the best experiences sell out fast.
- Best all-around month for activities — warm water, low crowds, and great tour availability. Browse Hawaii tours.
- Perfect snorkeling conditions at Oahu's top spots and across all islands.
- Shoulder season deals on luaus and guided excursions.
