The sea temperature at Waikiki (Hawaii) today is 26.5 °C (80 °F) – refreshing to pleasantly warm water, ideal for most people. The usual October average is 26.9 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 26.4 to 26.6 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 27.3 °C to 26.5 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 24 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.7°C / 76.5°F | 25.1°C / 77.2°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F |
| February | 24.5°C / 76.1°F | 24.7°C / 76.5°F | 24.9°C / 76.9°F |
| March | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 24.6°C / 76.3°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| April | 24.5°C / 76.1°F | 24.8°C / 76.7°F | 25.2°C / 77.3°F |
| May | 25.0°C / 77.1°F | 25.2°C / 77.4°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F |
| June | 25.6°C / 78.2°F | 25.9°C / 78.5°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F |
| July | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 26.3°C / 79.4°F | 26.5°C / 79.6°F |
| August | 26.4°C / 79.6°F | 26.7°C / 80.1°F | 27.0°C / 80.7°F |
| September | 26.4°C / 79.5°F | 26.9°C / 80.3°F | 27.2°C / 80.9°F |
| October | 26.5°C / 79.6°F | 26.9°C / 80.4°F | 27.2°C / 80.9°F |
| November | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 26.2°C / 79.2°F | 26.3°C / 79.4°F |
| December | 25.2°C / 77.3°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.9°C / 73.3°F | 23.5°C / 74.2°F | 23.9°C / 74.9°F |
| February | 22.6°C / 72.6°F | 23.1°C / 73.5°F | 23.5°C / 74.2°F |
| March | 22.6°C / 72.7°F | 23.1°C / 73.7°F | 23.5°C / 74.3°F |
| April | 22.9°C / 73.2°F | 23.4°C / 74.2°F | 23.7°C / 74.7°F |
| May | 23.5°C / 74.3°F | 24.1°C / 75.3°F | 24.4°C / 76.0°F |
| June | 24.2°C / 75.6°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.1°C / 77.2°F |
| July | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.3°C / 77.5°F | 25.6°C / 78.1°F |
| August | 25.0°C / 77.0°F | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 26.0°C / 78.8°F |
| September | 25.1°C / 77.3°F | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F |
| October | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 25.8°C / 78.5°F |
| November | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.1°C / 77.2°F |
| December | 23.6°C / 74.5°F | 24.0°C / 75.2°F | 24.3°C / 75.8°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Waikiki holidays
Stretching along the south shore of Oahu, Waikiki is the beach district of Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, with roughly 3 km of sand running from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to the foot of Diamond Head. High-rise hotels, shops and restaurants line Kalakaua Avenue, the main street just behind the beach.
Beaches
Kuhio Beach, in the middle of Waikiki, has a low breakwall that holds back the waves and creates calm, shallow pools that suit children. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, at the western end by the Hilton Hawaiian Village, is sheltered by a reef, so its water is usually gentle as well. Towards Diamond Head, Queen's Beach and Sans Souci Beach near Kapiolani Park are quieter, with snorkelling over the reef, and the long, slow waves offshore are where many visitors take their first surfing lesson.
Things to do
Diamond Head State Monument, the volcanic crater that closes the view east of Waikiki, has a steep trail to a summit lookout over the coast; visitors from outside Hawaii should check the current entry and parking reservation rules before going. On Kuhio Beach stands the bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the Olympic swimmer who spread surfing around the world. Pearl Harbor National Memorial, with the USS Arizona Memorial, lies about 20 km to the west, and Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu was the residence of the last Hawaiian monarchs. Hanauma Bay, a snorkelling reserve in a volcanic crater on the east coast of Oahu, has set opening days and a reservation system, so check the current rules before planning a visit.
Weather and best time to visit
At Waikiki the sea stays above 24 °C / 75 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Waikiki is warm all year, and the north-east trade winds usually keep the heat in check. The drier months run roughly from April to October, while November to March brings more showers, most of them short. Summer swells from the south bring surf to Waikiki itself, whereas the big waves of winter break on the North Shore. The Christmas holidays and the summer school break are the busiest times.
Hotels and where to stay
Hotels line the beach along Kalakaua Avenue, and more affordable options stand a few blocks inland towards the Ala Wai Canal. The western end of Waikiki near Fort DeRussy and the Hilton Hawaiian Village is close to the Ala Moana shopping centre, while the Diamond Head end by Kapiolani Park is calmer.
Signature hotels: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Kalia Road) · Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach (Kalakaua Avenue)
Airport and getting there
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) lies about 15 km west of Waikiki, usually 25 to 45 minutes by taxi or shuttle depending on traffic, and TheBus public buses also link the airport with Waikiki. Honolulu is the main gateway to Hawaii, with inter-island flights to Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii.