Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Hawaii cruises in January
January is the heart of whale season, and humpbacks breach in the channels around Maui almost daily. It’s also the wettest stretch of the winter, though showers favor the windward sides of the islands, like Hilo, while Kona and Kahului stay sunnier. Giant winter swells pound north shores, making some beaches unsafe for swimming. West Coast round trips are plentiful.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 69°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii in January: Best time to go
January is the heart of whale season, and humpbacks breach in the channels around Maui almost daily. It’s also the wettest stretch of the winter, though showers favor the windward sides of the islands, like Hilo, while Kona and Kahului stay sunnier. Giant winter swells pound north shores, making some beaches unsafe for swimming. West Coast round trips are plentiful.
Across Hawaii cruise ports, January brings average highs around 69°F (20°C) and lows near 62°F, with about 4.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best 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
- 69°F / 62°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.1 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights inter-island from Honolulu; 14 to 17 nights from the West Coast
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How January 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 January
| 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 |
January weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 78°F | 73°F | 2.6 in | 11 h |
| Kahului (Maui) | 76°F | 73°F | 1.9 in | 11 h |
| Hilo | 79°F | 71°F | 4.0 in | 11 h |
| Kona (Kailua-Kona) | 78°F | 76°F | 2.3 in | 11 h |
| Nawiliwili (Kauai) | 77°F | 73°F | 1.8 in | 11 h |
| Los Angeles | 64°F | 56°F | 3.3 in | 10 h |
| San Diego | 69°F | 53°F | 2.5 in | 10 h |
| San Francisco | 58°F | 46°F | 5.1 in | 10 h |
| Vancouver | 42°F | 34°F | 13.0 in | 9 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 January
- Caribbean in January
- Eastern Caribbean in January
- Western Caribbean in January
- Southern Caribbean in January
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in January
- Panama Canal & Central America in January
- South America in January
- Galápagos Islands in January
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in January
- Antarctica in January
See every destination for January, with a port weather map →
Hawaii in January: FAQs
Is January a good time to cruise Hawaii?
Yes, it's one of the best months. January is the heart of whale season, and humpbacks breach in the channels around Maui almost daily. It’s also the wettest stretch of the winter, though showers favor the windward sides of the islands, like Hilo, while Kona and Kahului stay sunnier. Giant winter swells pound north shores, making some beaches unsafe for swimming. West Coast round trips are plentiful.
What is the weather like on a Hawaii cruise in January?
Across Hawaii cruise ports, January brings average highs around 69°F (20°C) and lows near 62°F, with about 4.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Hawaii cruise in January?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. 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 January?
January is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.