September can be an excellent time to travel to Hawaii. With the possible exception of Labor Day weekend, visitor arrivals for the month of September are below average. When arrivals are low, that means lower airfares, better hotel pricing, and less crowds. Hawaii’s September weather tends to be quite summery. So, all in all, with low crowds, lower costs, and good weather make September a great choice for a Hawaii vacation. Now, let’s look into more of the details you should know for a September 2027 vacation to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.
What are the typical weather conditions for a Hawaii in September?
At most beach resorts, the daytime temperatures average in the mid-to-upper 80°F (31°C). Nighttime feels warm, too, with lows only dipping into the 70s.
On average, September is one of the drier months to visit Hawaii. So, you should be able to enjoy plenty of sunshine.
There is one, weather “hitch” worth mentioning for a September trip to Hawaii. It’s hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean. The good news is that hurricanes and tropical storms rarely make landfall in Hawaii, though the wind and heavy rain can affect the islands. (See frequently asked questions about Hawaii hurricanes.) The 2026 hurricane season was unusually active as forecasted due to an El Nino system, so we are hoping that 2027 will be uneventful.
Where to stay based on the weather of September
The good news for September is that it’s not in the rainy season, so you don’t need to worry about where you should stay to avoid rain.
From our experience, we’ve found September and October to feel quite humid in the Hawaiian Islands. With both the heat and humidity, we highly recommend you stay in accommodations with air conditioning.
Most Hawaii hotels have air-conditioned rooms. We have stayed in two hotels — Hotel Molokai (before they added air conditioning to their garden-view rooms) and Hana-Maui Resort — that didn’t have air conditioning. If we could have changed one thing about those stays, we would have appreciated air conditioning.
If you are opting for a VRBO condo or other vacation rental, that’s where you have to be careful to check if your prospective vacation condo or villa has air conditioning. We’ve stayed in a couple of Hawaii vacation rentals without air conditioning and we really wished we had air conditioning. When searching for vacation rentals, look for filters that allow you to filter for rentals with air conditioning.
Ocean conditions around Hawaii in September
Ocean temperatures are at their warmest in September and October at approximately 81°F (27.2°C) in Honolulu. While the water might feel chilly when you first dip your toes in, these ocean temperatures will feel pleasant after you acclimate.
September is a transitional month where the ocean conditions might begin to shift from the calm summer conditions to bigger swells that come in winter months. Overall, September tends to be more calm that rough.
What to pack for a September vacation in Hawaii
As we’ve mentioned, the weather is hot and humid. We recommend that you pack clothes that will help maximize your comfort. Based on our numerous trips the the Hawaiian Islands, here’s a cheatsheet of what works best:
What to pack for daytime wear for beach or sightseeing
These are the types of clothing that we wear most often during the day in Hawaii:
- Swimsuits (Bring at least two suits per person so that you’ll have a dry suit to wear each day.)
- Swimsuit cover ups
- Rash guard shirts
- Quick-drying, moisture-wicking tops with sun protection (Hanes makes a very affordable performance shirt that we probably have a dozen of between us. It’s their Cool Dri tops. They’re quick-drying, moisture-wicking and they have built in UPF 40 sun protection. I have even used the women’s long-sleeve version as a rash guard.)
- Other shirts, like t-shirts – We recommend wearing light colors that don’t absorb the sun’s warmth as much to help keep you as cool as possible.
- Quick-drying, moisture-wicking shorts, skorts, and/or trousers depending on your activities
- Rainproof, breathable jacket – for examples, for women, highly recommend this Columbia waterproof jacket, which is what I have. For men, this jacket by 33,000ft is a good, affordable option. For kids, this SaphiRose waterproof rain jacket has a lot of great features and is reasonably priced. If you are wondering why you should bring a rainproof, breathable jacket, see our article: Where do you need a jacket or coat in Hawaii?
- Hat or visor
- Sunscreen (See our recommended sunscreens for a Hawaii vacation. Note that you should use a sunscreen that’s Hawaii 104 Act Compliant, meaning that it’s made without Octinoxate and Oxybenzone. Additionally note that Maui County has banned the sale of chemical sunscreens.)
- Lip balm with sunscreen (Our favorite mineral-based lip balm is this water-resistant Burt’s Bees SPF 30 that comes in three tropical flavors.)
- For daytime shoes, we recommend flip flops for the beach and pool and close-toe, performance sandals for hiking and sightseeing. See our guide to the essential shoes for a Hawaii vacation.
What to pack to wear for evening/ dinner in Hawaii
For evening wear, you can leave the fancy clothes at home because Hawaii’s dress code is casual. Ladies might want to pack summer dresses or perhaps resort-wear tops with nice shorts, skorts, or trousers. (See this page for examples of resort wear for women for a Hawaii vacation.) 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 to wear on your Hawaii vacation.
For more expert packing tips we’ve developed from our many trips to Hawaii, see our Hawaii vacation packing guide. We provide many more packing recommendations, including specialized shoes and gear to bring for tours.
Activities and adventures to include in a September visit to Hawaii?
With warmer ocean conditions and sunny weather, you can have your pick of great adventures. Check out our tried-and-true Hawaii vacation itineraries for all the best activities and sightseeing to enjoy.
- Oahu vacation itinerary
- Maui vacation itinerary
- Kauai vacation itinerary
- Hawaii (Big) Island vacation itinerary
With ocean conditions tending to be more calm than rough, September is one of the last months of the year for certain boating tours. On Kauai, those tours would be kayaking the Na Pali Coast or take a catamaran tour of the Na Pali Coast that departs from the North Shore. (Note that, conditions permitting, catamaran tours from Kauai’s south shore operate throughout the year.) On Maui, you’re more likely to be able to take a snorkel tour to Honolua Bay.
Park advisories for September 2027 – TBD
Between the state and national parks, it seems that there’s always a park that’s being improved or repaired. For state parks, check this page for updates on closures.
What special events and festivals are going on in Hawaii for September 2027?
To immerse yourself into Hawaii’s rich culture, consider attending a festival. Several great cultural festivals take place in September. Of particular note are the annual Festivals of Aloha that are held on most islands between September and October.
Oahu Cultural Events in September 2027
September TBD: Queen Lili’uokalani Birthday & Hawaii History Month Celebration
September TBD: Aloha Festivals
September TBD: Celebrations of the 52nd anniversary of the Honolulu Community Garden Program at Foster Botanical Garden
September TBD: Kalo & Awa Festival
Maui Cultural Events in September 2027
September TBD: Festivals of Aloha events including Wailuku First Friday and Aloha Friday at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, plus the Richard Ho’opi’i Leo Ki’eki’e Falsetto Contest.
September TBD: La Ulu breadfruit festival
September TBD: Kumai Ka Hula (Maui’s premier adult hula competition)
September TBD: The 35th Annual Celebration of the Arts
September TBD: The 25th Annual Richard Ho’opi’i Leo Ki’eki’e Falsetto Contest
Big Island of Hawaii Cultural Events in September 2027
September TBD: Paniolo BBQ & Slack Key Celebration
September TBD: Annual Queen Lili’uokalani Festival is typically held on the first Saturday in September.
September TBD: The 41st Annual Kupuna Hula Festival
September TBD: Kona Orchid Society’s Fall Orchid Show
September TBD: Kings’ Shops 35th anniversary sunset Kanikapila concert
September TBD: Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaii Paniolo Festival
September TBD: Hawaii Keiki Rodeo
Kauai Cultural Events in September 2027
September 5: The 18th Annual Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon
September TBD: Mokihana Festival is a weeklong Hawaiian culture festival.
Stargazing and night sky viewing in Hawaii in September 2027
Hawaii is an outstanding place to stargaze due to its limited light pollution. For September, here are some events taking place:
- September 15: This moon will be full on this evening.
- September 24: Look for Mercury low in the western sky just after sunset.
- September 30: New (no) moon will the the darkest night making it ideal for stargazing
Are there any natural occurrences or seasonal experiences that happen in Hawaii in September?
Mango season runs from late May to September. Check out a farmers market or roadside stand to taste delicious, Hawaii-grown mangos.
Rainbow Shower Trees are in bloom in Hawaii. Their large and colorful blooms are wonderful.
More articles to help you make the most of your Hawaii vacation in September and beyond, too!
- Is September a good month for a Hawaii vacation?
- Hawaii weather
- What to pack for a Hawaii vacation
- Is this your first time visiting Hawaii? If so, check out our first-time visitor’s guide to the Hawaiian Islands.
- Don’t forget the reservations needed to access parks and other activities:
