Unique Things to Do in Hawaii in February

Come escape the cold and enjoy the many things to do in Hawaii in February! At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we’re a Hawaii-based travel company with more than 20 years of experience designing custom vacations for first-time visitors. We live here and enjoy Hawaii’s winters every year. We also book Hawaii travel every day, focusing on details most travel sites skip. 

Today, we’re exploring the top activities and addressing the biggest concerns people have about February travel. If you’ve been considering a winter trip to the islands, this is a great place to start, then be sure to check out our full Hawaii Travel Blog with even more valuable information and insider details. 

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Hawaii Weather in February

We get all kinds of questions as we plan Hawaii vacations. And again and again, we are asked about the weather. We’re more than ok with this, because we love talking about Hawaii’s beautiful climates. 

So if you’re hoping to do fun things during a February trip to Hawaii, you’re in luck. The chances are on your side that you’ll have awesome weather while you’re here. In dry, sunny areas (where many of the resorts and activities are), you can look forward to highs in the low-80s and lows in the upper-60s. 

Doesn’t that sound amazing, especially in the dead of winter? Honestly, if you’re traveling from a cold area, your top thing to do in Hawaii this February may be to simply enjoy the weather. And we’re all for that!

Now there are a few weather-related notes that could influence your plans:

In the winter, Hawaii’s famous trade winds arrive less frequently, making way for unpredictable weather patterns. And that’s what causes the biggest concerns for Hawaii travelers. 

“Kona winds” are most common in winter and may peak around February. These occasional fronts reverse Hawaii’s typical trade wind patterns and can bring rain and storm to otherwise arid regions. 

Should this affect your decision to visit Hawaii in February? Probably not. After all, these storms are rare, and they often only hit certain areas of the island. Raining at your hotel? If it’s safe, you can travel to another area of the island to enjoy clear skies and calm conditions. 

If your top thing to do in Hawaii is hiking through jungle areas or snorkeling on the north shore, you may want to avoid February. Rough conditions and flooded trails can persist, leaving you unable to do these things for your entire trip. 

But if your goal is to do a bit of everything and enjoy the islands’ scenery and activities, you should have a full Hawaii vacation in February. And best of all: periodic winter rain very often results in bright tropical rainbows. And that’s well worth it in our book!

February Travel Prices & Crowds

So if the weather is iffy in February, why should you choose it as your travel month? The biggest draws in February are fewer crowds and lower prices. 

Dinner reservations are more open, activities are less crowded, beaches are more serene, and parking is easier (most of the time!). 

Flights and hotels often offer lower prices during February, especially if you avoid the long President’s Day weekend. Hotels do welcome more conventions and corporate travel in February, so you may encounter some trouble with availability because of that. 

This is one big perk of working with local travel agents like Hawaii Aloha Travel. We can help navigate these lower prices and availability so you can have the best trip possible. 

Our Favorite Things to do in Hawaii in February

So we’ve told you about the weather, the crowds, and the prices. Now it’s time to get into it! Let’s discuss the most unique things to do in Hawaii during the romantic, brief, and beautiful month of February. 

Pro tip: Waikiki almost always has great weather – check out fun things to do in Waikiki here!

Chase Rainbows

One of the best things about a February Hawaii vacation is the chance of seeing rainbows. Oftentimes you don’t even have to endure a rainstorm to witness the beauty of a Hawaii rainbow. 

If you see an isolated raincloud, go around it toward the sunlight. Stand with the sun behind you and the clouds in front of you and see if you spot a rainbow. And if you find yourself in the midst of  a refreshing Hawaii rainshower, stick around for the first rays of sunlight, then look up. Be sure to have your camera ready, because this could be the prettiest photo op of your entire vacation. 

Have a Valentine’s Date

Valentine’s Day is an exciting holiday in Hawaii. After all, this is a romantic place with great restaurants, vibrant sunsets, and gentle music. 

Cozy up with your beloved and have a night out on the town, or out on the beach! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a Hawaii valentines date. A picnic on the beach is easy, and doesn’t involve long lines and marked up costs. 

But if you do want an upscale dinner with your sweetie, be sure to make your reservations well in advance. Valentine’s day brings lots of couples out to restaurants. Also be sure to look out for specials, whether it’s deals, special menu offerings, or musical treats. 

Pro Tip: Many Oahu sunset cruises offer special Valentine’s Day excursions for love birds!

Go Whale Watching

February is peak time for whale watching in Hawaii. In the winter months, humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters to mate, give birth, and raise their young. What does it mean for you? Well, you’ll likely see these giant creatures breaching from the water, jumping and playing and fighting, not far from shore. 

A whale watching tour is almost always worth it, as it will get you an even closer view of whales. But you can also easily watch for free from shore. Hotel balconies, scenic overlooks, and some beaches are great spots to look for whales. 

Witness Big Wave Surfing

There is nothing like watching big wave surfing. I love watching all kinds of sports, but there’s something jaw-dropping about a single person and their small board taking on gigantic, larger-than-life waves. The courage! The style! The enormity! 

The best place to watch big-wave surfing is on Oahu’s north shore. If you’re lucky enough, you could even be in Hawaii during the The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, which only happens when conditions are right and rarely gives more than 2 days’ notice. 

But you can also see big waves (and brave surfers) on any north-facing shore, including on Maui and Kauai. 

Admire the Cherry Blossom Trees

You may be surprised to learn that Cherry Blossom trees bloom in Hawaii during February. These beautiful flowering trees are a springtime icon in the U.S. and Japan, and you’ll find them in certain parts of Hawaii in February. 

Big Island visitors can enjoy the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, which is typically on the second Saturday of February. 

On Oahu, you can find “Sakura” in the town of Wahiawā during February. 

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Hawaii has many big celebrations to celebrate Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year). If you’ve never seen a Lion Dance before, your February vacation may be the perfect opportunity. Lunar New Year’s timing varies from late January to mid February, so time it right and add this fun thing to your itinerary!

Oahu’s Chinatown has the most famous celebration, complete with a parade. But there are also Lion Dances at many Hawaii shopping centers that are easy to access and fun to be a part of. 

Sightseeing in Hawaii in February

February is a great time to sightsee in Hawaii. Mountains are green and lush, oceans often feature dramatic waves, and roads are less crowded with tourists. 

Looking for fun places to take in the sights? Consider hiking to the top of Diamond Head or embarking on the Makapuu Lighthouse trail on Oahu. On Kauai, the north shore is glistening with greens and blues in February. And West Maui is exceptionally beautiful after winter rainfall. 

Most sightseeing is accessible in February unless heavy rainfall has blocked roads. Some hiking trails may be unsafe if there’s a chance of flash floods or slippery conditions, though, so heed all warnings and stay on marked, public trails. 

Indoor Things to Do in Hawaii in February

Rain is rare and brief, even in February. Still, it’s more likely during these winter months and it’s good to have a plan. 

So here are a few of our favorite indoor activities, whether you need to pass a little time during a stray shower, or have a rain-out vacation:

• On Oahu, there are lots of great museums like Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace. 
• Oahu and Maui both have aquariums with indoor exhibits. 
• Happy hour is a great indoor activity for grown ups!
• Rain days are great for shopping! Ala Moana Center is the world’s largest open air shopping center, but there are plenty of covered areas for rain days. 
• Check out an indoor show, like Rock-A-Hula or Blue Note Hawaii. 
• Have a spa day!

Check out more indoor fun on Oahu here!

Planning A Hawaii Vacation in February

February is a wonderful time to visit Hawaii. People are often concerned about the weather, but we’ve seen Februaries full of endless sunshine and summer months full of rain. So it’s not worth planning your trip around the unpredictable (but most often beautiful) Hawaii weather. 

So those who come to Hawaii in February will be treated to special romance, vibrant rainbows, and unique things to do. And if you want help putting it all together, let the team at Hawaii Aloha Travel help you out. We can build custom itineraries and help with travel pain-points that could dampen your trip more than any winter rain shower. 

What do you say? Is a February vacation to Hawaii in your future? Let us know what you think of your trip during this love-filled month!