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Best time to cruise · Best time to go

Hawaii cruises in September

September is a sweet spot: warm, mostly dry, with kids back in school and lower fares. The Aloha Festivals bring Hawaiian music, a royal court and a floral parade to Oʻahu. Late in the month, ships finishing the Alaska season start repositioning to Hawaii, adding one-way options from Vancouver.

  • Best time to go
  • Avg high 80°F
  • 12 hrs daylight

Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii in September: Best time to go

September is a sweet spot: warm, mostly dry, with kids back in school and lower fares. The Aloha Festivals bring Hawaiian music, a royal court and a floral parade to Oʻahu. Late in the month, ships finishing the Alaska season start repositioning to Hawaii, adding one-way options from Vancouver.

Across Hawaii cruise ports, September brings average highs around 80°F (27°C) and lows near 71°F, with about 2.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 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
80°F / 71°F
Rainfall (month)
2.1 in
Daylight
About 12 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 September compares with the rest of the year

Hawaii weather in September

Average monthly weather in Hawaii cruise ports
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F (°C)692069207021722274247825802781278027782673236921
Low °F (°C)621761166217641866196820712272227122692166196217
Rain in (mm)4.11033.7934.31103.0752.2551.5391.3341.9472.1522.9743.8974.6116
Daylight (hrs)101112131414141312111110
Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall for 2015–2024 from NASA POWER for the area around Hawaii cruise ports, adjusted to sea level; daylight is calculated for mid-month. Real weather on any given day varies.

September weather port by port

PortAvg highAvg lowRainDaylight
Honolulu84°F79°F2.7 in12 h
Kahului (Maui)82°F78°F1.7 in12 h
Hilo84°F76°F4.4 in12 h
Kona (Kailua-Kona)82°F80°F1.8 in12 h
Nawiliwili (Kauai)82°F79°F1.8 in12 h
Los Angeles75°F68°F0.2 in12 h
San Diego89°F68°F0.4 in12 h
San Francisco77°F58°F0.2 in12 h
Vancouver69°F56°F5.4 in13 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 September

Hawaii in September: FAQs

Is September a good time to cruise Hawaii?

Yes, it's one of the best months. September is a sweet spot: warm, mostly dry, with kids back in school and lower fares. The Aloha Festivals bring Hawaiian music, a royal court and a floral parade to Oʻahu. Late in the month, ships finishing the Alaska season start repositioning to Hawaii, adding one-way options from Vancouver.

What is the weather like on a Hawaii cruise in September?

Across Hawaii cruise ports, September brings average highs around 80°F (27°C) and lows near 71°F, with about 2.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.

What should I pack for a Hawaii cruise in September?

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 September?

September is also a top month for Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic.

Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.

Sources: NASA POWER climate data.