Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Hawaii cruises in August
August is among the hottest months, with the warmest sea and, in some years, tropical storms passing south of the islands. Hawaii marks Statehood Day on the third Friday of the month. Crowds thin once mainland schools resume late in August, and humid days make early starts on the volcano and canyon tours worthwhile.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 81°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii in August: Good time to go
August is among the hottest months, with the warmest sea and, in some years, tropical storms passing south of the islands. Hawaii marks Statehood Day on the third Friday of the month. Crowds thin once mainland schools resume late in August, and humid days make early starts on the volcano and canyon tours worthwhile.
Across Hawaii cruise ports, August brings average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 72°F, with about 1.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Year-round; humpback whales December to April. Best weather-and-value months April to May and September to October.
- Average high / low
- 81°F / 72°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.9 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights inter-island from Honolulu; 14 to 17 nights from the West Coast
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How August compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Good time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Hawaii weather in August
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6920 | 6920 | 7021 | 7222 | 7424 | 7825 | 8027 | 8127 | 8027 | 7826 | 7323 | 6921 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6217 | 6116 | 6217 | 6418 | 6619 | 6820 | 7122 | 7222 | 7122 | 6921 | 6619 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.1103 | 3.793 | 4.3110 | 3.075 | 2.255 | 1.539 | 1.334 | 1.947 | 2.152 | 2.974 | 3.897 | 4.6116 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
August weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 84°F | 79°F | 2.4 in | 13 h |
| Kahului (Maui) | 81°F | 78°F | 1.9 in | 13 h |
| Hilo | 83°F | 76°F | 4.2 in | 13 h |
| Kona (Kailua-Kona) | 81°F | 80°F | 3.5 in | 13 h |
| Nawiliwili (Kauai) | 82°F | 79°F | 1.8 in | 13 h |
| Los Angeles | 75°F | 67°F | 0.2 in | 13 h |
| San Diego | 92°F | 69°F | 0.3 in | 13 h |
| San Francisco | 76°F | 57°F | 0.0 in | 14 h |
| Vancouver | 77°F | 62°F | 2.4 in | 14 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in August
Hawaii in August: FAQs
Is August a good time to cruise Hawaii?
Yes, it's a good month. August is among the hottest months, with the warmest sea and, in some years, tropical storms passing south of the islands. Hawaii marks Statehood Day on the third Friday of the month. Crowds thin once mainland schools resume late in August, and humid days make early starts on the volcano and canyon tours worthwhile.
What is the weather like on a Hawaii cruise in August?
Across Hawaii cruise ports, August brings average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 72°F, with about 1.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Hawaii cruise in August?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Hawaii?
Year-round; humpback whales December to April. Best weather-and-value months April to May and September to October.. The best months are usually January, February, March, May, September.
Where else can I cruise in August?
August is also a top month for Alaska, Canada & New England, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Sea.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.