Top things you need to know for a July vacation to the Hawaiian Islands

For a July vacation to the Hawaiian islands, prepare yourself for the best of summertime beach vibes. You can be as adventurous or as relaxed as you like on these tropical islands where palm trees sway as the turquoise waves lap the sun-kissed sandy beaches.

What to expect from July weather in Hawaii

Get ready for lots of sunshine for your daytime adventures. Typically, July is second only to June for being the driest months in the Hawaiian islands.

For temperatures, July is one of Hawaii’s warmest months, but the tradewinds help the climate feel more pleasant. You can expect the daytime high temperatures to average in the mid-80s Fahrenheit (roughly 29° to 30°C). Nighttime lows typically dip to the lower 70s Fahrenheit (21-ish °C).

For more weather details, see our Hawaii weather guide.

What to pack for a July vacation to Hawaii

With the warmer weather, you’ll feel more comfortable wearing lighter colors. For your active adventures, like hiking and even some short walks with sightseeing, we advise moisture-wicking, quick-drying clothes.

For evening wear, you can leave the fancy clothes at home because Hawaii’s dress code is laid-back. Ladies might want to pack casual summer dresses or perhaps resort wear tops with nice shorts, skorts, and trousers. For men, we suggest you pack summery shirts, like polos or short-sleeve button downs, along with nice shorts. If you have clothing with “Hawaiian prints” they’ll be perfect for this vacation.

Though it’s summer, you should probably bring a light sweater or jacket, especially if you will be exploring higher elevations like Haleakala on Maui, Waimea Canyon on Kauai, the Pali Lookout on Oahu and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island. (Pro Tip: You’ll likely want to wear a sweater or jacket on your flight to Hawaii anyway. So, bring a jacket or sweater that can satisfy both scenarios.)

Hawaii ocean conditions in July

Ocean temperatures are warm enough for year-round swimming in Hawaii. In July, temperatures are warming up to around 80°F in Honolulu, for example.

Typically, the ocean tends to be the most calm in the summer months compared to the rest of the year. With the calmer conditions, some adventures are more likely to take place. For example, only during the summer months can you take a kayak tour of the Na Pali Coastline or take a boat tour of the Na Pali Coast that departs from the North Shore. (Note boat tours of the Na Pali Coast tend to operate from the South Shore of Kauai throughout the year.)

Though the conditions tend to be calm, no matter what time of the year you visit the Hawaiian Islands, you must respect the power of the ocean. It’s very, very important to know ocean safety.

Experts advise swimming at Hawaii beaches that are monitored by lifeguards. For snorkeling, We recommend you choose an organized-tour company as they are more informed of the safer spots and tend to keep an eye out for their snorkelers’ safety.

Hawaii stargazing in July

Hawaii is an amazing place to stargaze due to the limited light pollution. So, do take advantage of the opportunity to see the stars. Ideally, you’ll want the sky to be as moonless as possible to maximize star and planet visibility.July 10th will be the darkest night. Check for moonrise and moonset times here.

For July, there are a couple of special astronomy events that are occurring:

July 4 – Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation, which makes it the best time to view the planet. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
July 28-29 – The Delta Aquarids meteor shower is at it’s peak on the night of July 28 and morning of July 29.

Natural occurrences in Hawaii in July

Lahaina Noon is a fascinating phenomenon that happens twice a year, in May and July. Lahaina Noon happens when the Sun passes directly overhead for locations on Earth in the tropics. The angle is such that an upright object, like a flagpole, will not have a shadow. See this link for the list of locations, dates and times that you can observe a Lahaina Noon in Hawaii.

Mango season runs from late May to September with peak ripeness occurring in July and August. Check out a farmers market or roadside stand to taste delicious, Hawaii-grown mangos.

There’s no seasonality with volcano activity, but, Kilauea has been erupting in a very interesting on-again-off-again eruption pattern. Since December 2024, there have been 25 different eruption episodes. These episodes have included lava fountains reaching heights of over 1,000 feet (300 meters) in the air. If this pattern continues and you’re vacationing on the Big Island, check to see what’s happening with Kilauea for your opportunity to see this incredible sight.

July events and cultural festivals in Hawaii

There are many excellent cultural festivals and events to include in your July vacation. Additionally, the state of Hawaii will celebrate Independence Day, July 4, with fun family-friendly events and evening fireworks shows. Here’s what’s planned for July 2025:

Oahu Special Events & Cultural Festivals

July 4 – Oahu July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations

July 5 – The 12th Annual Mo’ili’ili Summer Fest

July 6-12 – Waikiki Steel Guitar Week

July 19-20 – The 48th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival

July 20 – International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii

July 24-26 – Queen Liliuokalani Hula Competition Keiki is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the world’s longest-running keiki (children’s) hula event.

Kauai Special Events & Cultural Festivals

July 3-4 – Kauai July 4th Independence Day Celebrations

July 18-27 – Koloa Plantations Days celebrates its 40th anniversary and is one of Kauai’s biggest cultural festivals of the year.

Hawaii, the Big Island, Special Events & Cultural Festivals

July 4 – Hawaii, Big Island July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations

July 25-27 – Hilo orchid Society Annual Show

July 26-27 – The 6th Annual Volcano Village Festival

Maui Special Events & Cultural Festivals

July 4 – Maui July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations

July 10-13 – The 44th Kapalua Wine & Food Festival

Lanai Special Events & Cultural Festivals

July 5 – Lanai Pineapple Festival at Dole Park with entertainment, games, food, crafts and a special drone show.

Molokai Special Events & Cultural Festivals

July 18-19 – Molokai Holokai Ho’olaule’a

Is July a crowded month for a Hawaii vacation?

With summer vacations in full swing, Hawaii tends to get a higher than average influx of visitors. No matter what time of year you go to Hawaii, we always advise you to consider where you’ll need reservations as we don’t want you to miss out on anything. With a higher than average number of visitors in July, it’s even more important to secure reservations. See these articles with recommendations on what you should pre-book.

Additional notes about a Hawaii vacation in July

If you need suggestions for what to see and do on your Hawaii vacation, check out our Hawaii vacation itineraries which ensure you get to experience all the “must see and do” sights and activities.

On average, the daylight hours are longer in June and July, which gives you extra time for your sightseeing adventures.

We hope you enjoy your July visit to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands!