Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Hawaii cruises in May
May is one of the best months: dry, sunny, warm without summer’s humidity, and before families arrive. May 1 is Lei Day, celebrated with flower garlands and music across the islands. Fewer foreign-flagged ships call while most are in Alaska, so this is mainly a Pride of America month, often with better fares.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 74°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii in May: Best time to go
May is one of the best months: dry, sunny, warm without summer’s humidity, and before families arrive. May 1 is Lei Day, celebrated with flower garlands and music across the islands. Fewer foreign-flagged ships call while most are in Alaska, so this is mainly a Pride of America month, often with better fares.
Across Hawaii cruise ports, May brings average highs around 74°F (24°C) and lows near 66°F, with about 2.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 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
- 74°F / 66°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.2 in
- Daylight
- About 14 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.
How May 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 May
| 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 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 80°F | 75°F | 2.0 in | 13 h |
| Kahului (Maui) | 78°F | 74°F | 1.8 in | 13 h |
| Hilo | 80°F | 73°F | 5.8 in | 13 h |
| Kona (Kailua-Kona) | 78°F | 76°F | 3.6 in | 13 h |
| Nawiliwili (Kauai) | 79°F | 75°F | 1.7 in | 13 h |
| Los Angeles | 65°F | 58°F | 0.4 in | 14 h |
| San Diego | 76°F | 58°F | 0.5 in | 14 h |
| San Francisco | 68°F | 51°F | 0.6 in | 14 h |
| Vancouver | 66°F | 52°F | 3.2 in | 15 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 May
Hawaii in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Hawaii?
Yes, it's one of the best months. May is one of the best months: dry, sunny, warm without summer’s humidity, and before families arrive. May 1 is Lei Day, celebrated with flower garlands and music across the islands. Fewer foreign-flagged ships call while most are in Alaska, so this is mainly a Pride of America month, often with better fares.
What is the weather like on a Hawaii cruise in May?
Across Hawaii cruise ports, May brings average highs around 74°F (24°C) and lows near 66°F, with about 2.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Hawaii cruise in May?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. 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 May?
May is also a top month for Bahamas, Bermuda, Pacific Coastal, Galápagos Islands, Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.