Honolulu in January
Whales and winter waves
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
January is a reasonable month in Honolulu — with trade-offs.
January brings humpback whales offshore and big surf on the North Shore, with high-season prices.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- 19–27°C
- Warm, with passing showers and cooler evenings.
- Crowds
- High
- High season.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Peak rates.
+Humpback whales and big North Shore surf.
–Peak prices and more showers.
My tip for January
Book a whale-watching trip early in your stay in case of rough seas.
- Whale watching
- Surf watching
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
8th of 12 overall in Honolulu, 9th for weather, 9th for space, 9th for value. The emptiest month is September; the best value is May.
See all twelve months for HonoluluPlan around
What’s on in Honolulu in January
- Winter high season
- The most visitors and the highest prices, especially over the holidays.
Mid-December–March
Not set on January?
Even stronger months in Honolulu
Also good in January
Weather
Weather in Honolulu in January
In January Honolulu averages a high of 27°C (81°F) and a low of 19°C (66°F), with about 47 mm of rain or snow over 8 wet days. The warmest month is August (around 32°C) and the coolest is January (around 27°C); the wettest month is March.
- Average high
- 27°C
- 81°F
- Average low
- 19°C
- 66°F
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Wet days
- 8
Climate data: NOAA (Honolulu International Airport, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Honolulu in January: the questions people ask
- Is January a good time to visit Honolulu?
- January is a reasonable month in Honolulu — with trade-offs. It ranks 8 of 12 months in Honolulu overall (9 for weather, 9 for space, 9 for value). The main upside: Humpback whales and big North Shore surf. The main downside: Peak prices and more showers.
- What is the weather like in Honolulu in January?
- Average highs are around 27°C and lows around 19°C. Expect about 47 mm of rain or snow over roughly 8 wet days. Warm, with passing showers and cooler evenings. For comparison, the warmest month is August (around 32°C) and the coolest is January (around 27°C).
- Is Honolulu crowded in January?
- Crowds are high. High season. The quietest month is September.
- How expensive is Honolulu in January?
- Prices are at level 4 of 5 ($$$$). Peak rates. The best-value month is May.
- When is the best time to visit Honolulu?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, September is the best month overall (January ranks 8 of 12). The quietest month is September and the best value is May.
Ready to book January in Honolulu?
Humpback whales and big North Shore surf.
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