5 Best Hawaii Tourist Off-Season Things to Do [#1 Costs Less Than Sushi]
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Hawaii’s Water Is 80°F in Summer and 76°F in Winter
Hawaii’s “off-season” does not mean winter. This is because Hawaii doesn’t have the classic off-season you get in America.
Instead, Hawaii’s tourism calendar looks more like this:
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mid-Dec – early Jan | Peak — Christmas/New Year |
| Jan – March | Busy winter tourism; whales are a major draw |
| April – May | One of Hawaii’s true off-seasons going into their summer |
| June – August | Summer vacation peak |
| September – mid-November | Other major true off-seasons coming out of their summer |
| Thanksgiving | Short spike |
| December holidays | Peak again |
Why Trust Us?
We don’t rank excursions we like. We pick the ones people love.
That means checking Google ratings, review volume, trusted travel publications, recurring complaints, recurring praise, and reading Reddit threads where people are much more likely to say, “This one was the best,” or, just as importantly, “Don’t waste your money.”
So, yes, you can trust us. But our recommendations aren’t asking you to take our word for it.
They’re asking you to trust the people who’ve already taken these excursions.
1. Whale Watching Waikiki by Living Ocean Tours
If I had to pick just one Hawaii off-season activity, whale watching would be #1.
Hawaii’s humpback season runs from December into May, which means April—and sometimes part of May—gives you an overlap of off-peak tourism and whales still out there doing whale things.
So if you go in the quieter spring stretch, you’re after the Christmas crowds, after much of spring break, and before the big summer vacation rush.
On Living Ocean’s Whale Watching Waikiki Cruise, you can see mothers with calves, young whales practicing their moves, males pursuing females, and sometimes several whales traveling together. It’s those little peek-a-boo moments when something the size of a bus disappears under the boat… and you have absolutely no idea where it’s going to come up next.
That’s why whale watching is so perfect for the off-season. You’re avoiding one crowd while arriving just in time for another—the 30-ton kind.
2. Watch North Shore Big-Wave Surfing
The North Shore is roughly a 1-hour drive from Waikiki. And November through February is the sweet spot for enormous waves. Waves can reach 30 feet+—roughly the height of a 3-story building—and on exceptional days they become even more monstrous.
Instead of a tour, you can simply sit and watch. But “up close” means from safely back on the beach.
Sit on the sand. Shoes off. Something cold to drink. Then watch a surfer start paddling and suddenly hear someone beside you say, “Ohhh, he’s going!” Sunset Beach has a huge stretch of sand, while Pipeline is incredible if you want to see those famous hollow barrels up close. Of course, these are not waves you wander into for a quick swim.
3. Visit Waterfalls, Rainforest, and Lush Landscapes
Hawaii’s wetter season falls largely during America’s winter, with November through March generally the rainiest stretch. But that rain isn’t something tourists have to “put up with.” It’s one of the reasons Hawaii looks like Hawaii.
Moist trade winds hit the mountains. Clouds form. Rain falls—particularly on the windward sides—and suddenly you’ve got valleys dripping with vegetation, tropical plants growing on top of tropical plants and waterfalls spilling down mountains.
So when should you go?
I’d actually favor the spring off-season—April and into May.
Going just after Christmas sounds logical because you’re in the wet season, but there’s a problem: the tourists haven’t necessarily left yet. Hawaii still gets plenty of winter visitors in January, February, and March. April is more interesting. And on Oahu, you don’t have to travel 100 miles to see the difference. Move from the drier leeward side toward the windward mountains and the scenery can change dramatically within one island.
4. Waikiki Sunset Cruise by Living Ocean Tours
You’re still in Hawaii. And the ocean is still one of the biggest reasons you flew here.
So if you’re visiting during that first off-peak stretch, coming out of America’s winter and heading toward summer, but you don’t feel like snorkeling, I’d get on a Living Ocean’s Waikiki Sunset Cruise.
Plenty of people will still snorkel. Around Waikiki, winter ocean temperatures are typically about 75–77°F (24–25°C). But maybe you’ve already snorkeled.
Fair enough.
A sunset cruise keeps you where you came to be: out on the ocean.
And this works during both of Hawaii’s quieter travel periods. Spring and fall are specifically recommended for Oahu because of comfortable temperatures, good ocean conditions, and fewer crowds.
But here’s the question: is a sunset cruise really an off-season activity?
No.
It’s an every-season activity—including off-season.
5. Food / Honolulu Without Peak-Season Crowds
My final off-season choice isn’t really one attraction. Well… maybe it is. Kalakaua Avenue.
Because sooner or later, Waikiki pulls you onto this street. Walk it for a mile or so and you have Hawaii coming at you from both sides: Waikiki Beach and the Pacific in one direction; hotels, restaurants, shops, cafés and open-air gathering places in the other. The official Hawaii tourism site calls Kalakaua Waikiki’s main strip, with dining, shopping, entertainment and resorts running along it.
And none of that is seasonal. Duke’s restaurant doesn’t suddenly become Hawaiian in October. Hula Grill doesn’t stop serving fresh fish because it’s May.
So why put this on an off-season list?
Because during the busiest weeks, everybody wants the same thing: “Dinner around 7?” “Let’s walk on Kalakaua.” “Let’s go down to Waikiki Beach.”
But when you come in the quieter spring or fall periods, there are fewer crowds.
You can walk through the International Market Place, stop for local fish, poke, or something made with island produce, then keep wandering.
Best Hawaii Tourist Off-Season Things to Do FAQs
What are kid-friendly things to do in Honolulu, Waikiki?
Family things to do in Honolulu usually include snorkeling, visiting the Honolulu Zoo, a sunset cruise, and exploring the Kualoa Ranch.
Are there free things to do in Honolulu, Waikiki?
Yes. Some of the best things to do in Honolulu cost nothing. You can relax on Waikiki Beach, watch the sunset over the Pacific, hike Diamond Head (small entry fee for non-residents), or explore Kuhio Beach and its evening hula shows.
What are the best evening activities in Honolulu?
Popular evening things to do in Waikiki include beachfront dining, live music along the strip, and the Friday night fireworks display. Likewise, fun family things to do in Honolulu include sunset cruises and luaus, which are traditional Hawaiian feasts.
Do you need a car for things to do in Waikiki?
Not necessarily. Many things to do in Waikiki are within walking distance of major hotels. For activities outside the immediate area—like North Shore tours or Pearl Harbor—shuttles are widely available.
What outdoor activities are popular for families in Honolulu?
Outdoor family things to do in Honolulu include surfing lessons, snorkeling tours, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking Diamond Head, and boat cruises along the coastline.
