February is whale season on the Big Island, and that single fact likely matters more than anything else about this month. Thousands of humpback whales migrate south from Alaska each winter, and February tends to be when the population reaches its peak in Hawaiian waters, with mothers and newborn calves surfacing close to shore along the island's leeward coast. You might spot a breach from a Kohala Coast hotel lanai before breakfast.
This is also the wet season, and the middle of peak tourist season. Island-wide temperature averages sit below 15°C (below 60°F), though those numbers reflect the Big Island's enormous elevation range, from sea-level beaches to the 4,207-meter (13,802-foot) summit of Mauna Kea. Coastal Kailua-Kona typically feels closer to 27°C (80°F) on a February afternoon, while Volcano Village at roughly 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) calls for a sweater. Mainland Americans escaping winter fill the resort corridors of Waikoloa and the vacation rentals along Ali'i Drive, so rates sit at their annual peak. Worth noting, the first half of the month tends to be slightly calmer than the Presidents' Day stretch that follows. The Kona coast stays considerably drier than the Hilo side, and some February weeks pass without a single shower along the western shore.
Why visit in February
- Humpback whale activity peaks in February, with dedicated whale-watching boats running daily out of Kawaihae Harbor and casual shore-watchers regularly spotting breaches from the Kohala Coast.
- Cooler temperatures at elevation make full-day hikes at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including the Crater Rim Trail and the Kīlauea Iki loop, considerably more comfortable than the same trails in summer.
- Kona coffee harvest wraps up in February, and processing-season farm tours let you taste the newest single-origin lots before they reach mainland shelves.
- Winter rains push the windward waterfalls on the Hamakua Coast to near-peak flow, making February one of the most dramatic months for Akaka Falls and the lesser-visited cascades along the Old Māmalahoa Highway.
Worth knowing
- Peak-season accommodation rates along the Kohala Coast and in Kailua-Kona typically run 40 to 60% above the summer baseline, and vacation rental inventory thins out weeks in advance.
- February is one of the Big Island's wetter months, and the Hilo side in particular can see rain for consecutive days, making east-coast beach plans unreliable.
- Vog (volcanic smog) from Kīlauea sometimes settles over the Kona coast when tradewinds weaken, reducing visibility and creating a milky haze that can irritate sensitive airways.
- Mauna Kea summit access closes periodically for ice and snow in February, requiring a check on road conditions before each attempt.
Best for
Think twice if
February sits on the cooler, wetter side of the Big Island's annual cycle. The island-wide average high reaches 13.8°C (57°F) with lows around 4.9°C (41°F), numbers shaped by the island's extreme elevation range from shore to summit. Rainfall averages 85mm across roughly 10 rainy days, at 69% humidity. The windward Hilo coast absorbs the bulk of that precipitation, while the leeward Kona side stays meaningfully drier. Ocean temperatures hover around 24°C (75°F), comfortable for snorkeling and swimming at sea level. Morning cloud cover on the eastern slopes tends to burn off by midday, though brief afternoon showers can develop on either coast.
Seasonal caution
- Mauna Kea's upper slopes can drop below 0°C (32°F) in February, with ice and snow occasionally closing the summit access road above the Visitor Information Station. Check conditions before driving up.
- High surf advisories are common on north and east-facing shores, with winter swells sometimes producing waves of 4 to 6 meters (15 to 20 feet). Swimming at unguarded windward beaches is particularly dangerous this month.
- Flash flooding can occur on the windward side after heavy rains, especially along stream crossings in Waipiʻo Valley and at low-lying sections of the Belt Road near Pepe'ekeo.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 | 6 | 72 |
| Feb | 14 | 5 | 85 |
| Mar | 14 | 6 | 111 |
| Apr | 15 | 6 | 91 |
| May | 16 | 7 | 77 |
| Jun | 17 | 8 | 25 |
| Jul | 18 | 8 | 54 |
| Aug | 18 | 8 | 87 |
| Sep | 18 | 8 | 53 |
| Oct | 17 | 8 | 76 |
| Nov | 16 | 7 | 86 |
| Dec | 15 | 7 | 65 |
Holidays and festivals in February
Public holidays
- Lincoln's Birthday(Lincoln's Birthday)12 February 2027
- Presidents Day(Washington's Birthday)15 February 2027
Best things to do in February
Whale watching from shore or boat
wildlifeThe Kohala Coast serves as a congregation area for humpback whales, and February brings the densest activity of the year. Breaches, tail slaps, and pectoral-fin waves are visible from elevated lookout points near Puako. Boat tours out of Kawaihae Harbor provide closer encounters, with most operators guaranteeing sightings or offering a complimentary return trip.
Humpback migration density in Hawaiian waters reaches its annual high between mid-January and late February, before the northward return to Alaska begins.Booking tipBoat tours fill fast in February. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for weekend departures, and choose morning trips when seas tend to be calmer.
Hiking Kīlauea Iki Trail at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
hikingThis 6.4-kilometer (4-mile) loop descends into a crater that last erupted in 1959, crossing a solidified lava lake where heat still rises through cracks in places. The trail drops roughly 120 meters (400 feet) from rim to crater floor. The national park was established in 1916 and remains the Big Island's most-visited natural attraction.
February's cooler temperatures make the exposed lava fields far more comfortable than the same hike in July or August, when radiant heat off the dark rock adds several degrees.Booking tipNo reservations needed. Arrive before 9am to secure parking at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook trailhead.
Waterfall visits on the Hamakua Coast
sightseeingWinter rains feed the Big Island's windward waterfalls to dramatic flow. Akaka Falls drops 135 meters (442 feet) through a lush gorge at Akaka Falls State Park. Hiʻilawe Waterfall in Waipiʻo Valley is one of Hawaiʻi's tallest, with an estimated total drop of 366 meters (1,200 feet) across two tiers. Rainbow Falls on the Wailuku River in Hilo stands about 24 meters (80 feet) and catches morning light in a way that earns its name.
February rainfall pushes windward waterfall volume to near-annual highs, producing the most dramatic cascades of the year.Booking tipAkaka Falls State Park charges a vehicle parking fee. Arrive early on weekends as the small lot fills by mid-morning.
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay
water sportsThis marine preserve sits about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Kailua-Kona and offers some of the Big Island's clearest underwater visibility. The reef supports spinner dolphins, manta rays, and dense coral cover. Access is by kayak, guided boat tour, or a steep 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) trail from the road.
Winter swells hammer the north and east coasts, but the sheltered Kona coast remains snorkel-friendly with water still warm enough to stay in comfortably.Booking tipKayak rental permits for the bay are limited and enforced. Reserve through a licensed outfitter at least a week in advance.
Kona coffee farm tours in Holualoa
food and drinkThe small hillside village of Holualoa sits at about 430 meters (1,400 feet) above Kailua-Kona in the Kona Coffee Belt. Several working farms offer walking tours of their groves and processing facilities, followed by tastings of the current year's harvest. The smell of roasting beans drifts across the road on processing days.
February marks the tail end of the harvest and the height of the processing season, so you will see beans drying on racks and taste lots that are days old rather than months.Booking tipMost farm tours run weekday mornings only. Call ahead to confirm hours, as some farms pause tours during heavy processing days.
Stargazing at Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
natureThe Visitor Information Station sits at 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) on Mauna Kea's slopes, above most of the island's cloud layer. Free evening stargazing programs offer telescope viewing of planets, nebulae, and galaxies in some of the world's least light-polluted sky. The air at that altitude carries a sharp, cold clarity that feels entirely different from sea level.
February's earlier sunsets and longer nights give more dark-sky viewing time than summer. Winter constellations including Orion sit directly overhead during evening programs.Booking tipPrograms are weather-dependent and cancel without notice. Dress for near-freezing temperatures at this altitude, even if it was warm at the coast.
South Point hike to Papakolea Beach
hikingKa Lae is the southernmost point in the United States, a windswept cliff where ancient Hawaiians built fishing shrines still visible in the rock. A 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) walk south leads to Papakolea Beach, one of only 4 green sand beaches on Earth, colored by olivine crystals eroded from a volcanic cinder cone. There is no shade on the approach.
February's cooler temperatures make the exposed, shadeless hike considerably more tolerable than the same walk in August, when the lava rock radiates heat.Booking tipBring at least 2 liters of water per person. There are no vendors or facilities along the trail.
What to eat in February
In season: fruit
Ka'u tangerines and navel oranges
Hawaiian citrus peaks in winter. Ka'u district tangerines reach their sweetest around this time, turning up at roadside stands and the Hilo Farmers Market for a few dollars a bag.
On menus now
Fresh ahi poke
Winter yellowfin tuna runs bring notably fresh catches to fish counters in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. February poke, made from fish pulled in hours earlier, tastes markedly different from frozen-and-thawed versions served during slower fishing months.
What to drink
Fresh-crop Kona coffee
The most recent Kona coffee harvest finishes processing around February. Farms in the Holualoa area sell bags from the newest lots, and the flavor difference from older stock is noticeable to anyone who takes their coffee seriously.
In markets
Roasted macadamia nuts
Macadamia harvest season wraps up around February. Roadside stands along the Hamakua Coast sell freshly roasted batches, still warm, at lower prices than the packaged tourist versions in Kona gift shops.
Breadfruit (ulu)
Part of a winter harvest cycle on the Big Island, breadfruit appears at farmers markets prepared as chips, mashed, or slow-roasted. The texture falls somewhere between a dense potato and fresh bread.
Regular events in February
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage FestivalFree
An annual celebration of Japanese heritage in the upcountry ranch town of Waimea (Kamuela). The festival features taiko drumming, mochi pounding, bonsai displays, and food vendors around Church Row Park, where cherry trees gifted from Japan bloom in late January through early February.
First Saturday of FebruaryChinese New Year celebrations in HiloFree
Downtown Hilo hosts lion dances, firecrackers, and food stalls marking the Lunar New Year along Kamehameha Avenue and near the waterfront. The date shifts annually with the lunar calendar, landing anywhere from late January to mid-February.
Varies by lunar calendar (late January to mid-February)Presidents' Day weekendFree
The federal holiday on the third Monday of February creates a 3-day weekend that draws a noticeable spike in mainland visitors, especially families with school-age children. Expect higher occupancy at Kohala Coast resorts and busier trails at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from Saturday through Monday.
Third Monday of FebruaryBest places this February
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
national parkThe park extends well beyond its best-known hiking trail. The Thurston Lava Tube, steam vents along Crater Rim Drive, and the Devastation Trail across a volcanic cinder field are all within a short drive of the visitor center. Cool February mornings produce visible steam plumes from the caldera that dissipate during warmer months.
Volcano VillageHulihee Palace
museumBuilt in 1838 as a vacation retreat for Hawaiian royalty, this coral-stone palace sits on Ali'i Drive in the heart of Kailua-Kona. The collection of royal artifacts, koa wood furniture, and Hawaiian quilts provides a useful indoor option on rainy February afternoons.
Kailua-KonaPunalu'u Beach
beachThis black sand beach on the Ka'u coast is one of the few reliable spots where Hawaiian green sea turtles haul out to bask in the afternoon sun. The sand formed from basalt fragments ground fine by wave action. Peak-season crowds tend to concentrate on the Kohala Coast and Kailua-Kona, leaving this southern beach comparatively quiet.
Ka'uWaimea town
townThe upcountry ranch town sits at about 800 meters (2,600 feet) in the island's interior, surrounded by cattle ranches and cool air that smells of eucalyptus. Cherry trees along Church Row typically bloom through early February, and the town's small dining scene is stronger than you might expect for a community of roughly 10,000 people.
Waimea (Kamuela)Downtown Hilo waterfront
neighborhoodHilo's bayfront area along Kamehameha Avenue is where the Chinese New Year celebrations unfold when the lunar calendar places them in February. Banyan Drive, lined with trees planted by notable visitors since the 1930s, curves along the edge of Hilo Bay. The town's older wooden storefronts and independent shops give it a quieter, less resort-oriented feel than the Kona side.
Hilo
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Insider tips
Whale watching from shore is often as productive as a paid boat tour. The elevated lookouts near Puako give wide sightlines where breaches are visible to the naked eye. Save the boat tour fee for days when whales are not showing close to the coast.
The Hilo Farmers Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings has better prices and less tourist markup than the Kailua-Kona market at the Old Airport. Arrive before 8am for the best selection of winter citrus and fresh lilikoi.
Vog tends to blow toward Kona when tradewinds weaken, which happens more often in winter. If your Kona coast morning looks milky and hazy, drive 45 minutes upslope to Holualoa or across to the Hilo side for clearer sky.
For a cheaper alternative to the Kohala Coast resorts, look at vacation rentals in Captain Cook or the Kealakekua area, roughly 30 minutes south of Kailua-Kona. Nightly rates tend to run significantly less, and you are closer to the South Point region and several strong snorkeling spots.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking all accommodations on the Hilo side without checking rainfall patterns. Hilo receives roughly 3 to 4 times more rain than the Kona coast in February. If beach days matter, base yourself on the western side and day-trip to Hilo for waterfall visits.
- Planning a Mauna Kea summit trip without checking road conditions first. The access road above the Visitor Information Station closes for ice and snow multiple times most Februaries, and 4WD rental vehicles cleared for summit access cost considerably more than standard rentals.
- Underestimating driving distances on the Big Island. The island covers 10,432 square kilometers (4,028 square miles), and a drive from Kailua-Kona to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park takes roughly 2.5 hours each way via the southern Belt Road. Trying to see both coasts in a single day leaves you exhausted and stuck in the car.
Practical tips for February
Book accommodations and rental cars at least 6 weeks before a February trip. Inventory on the Kona coast tightens by early January, and rental car shortages on the Big Island are a recurring peak-season problem. Presidents' Day weekend draws a noticeable spike in mainland families, so expect busier trails and longer restaurant waits from that Saturday through Monday. Gas stations in rural areas like South Point and the northern Hamakua Coast close by early evening, so fill up in Kailua-Kona or Hilo before heading out for the day. Tipping at 18 to 20% is standard at sit-down restaurants across the island. Solo travelers will find the Big Island manageable and welcoming, with a solo-traveler safety score of 7.8/10 (see /research/solo-safety/). For general orientation, transit options, and neighborhood overviews, Wikivoyage's Big Island article at https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Big_Island is a reliable starting point.
FAQ
Is February a good time to visit the Big Island?
February is a good time if your priorities include whale watching, volcano hiking in cooler weather, and waterfall visits at peak flow. It is not the best month for budget travelers or those who want guaranteed dry weather every day. The humpback whale activity is a genuine draw that you cannot get in the summer months, but you will pay peak-season prices for the privilege. If the whales are not a priority, the drier and warmer months from June through September offer better all-around conditions at lower cost.
What is the weather like on the Big Island in February?
The Big Island's weather in February varies enormously depending on where you are. The island spans from sea level to over 4,000 meters, so altitude drives temperature more than anything else. At the coast on the Kona side, expect warm and mostly dry conditions suitable for beach days. On the windward Hilo side, count on more frequent rain and cooler air. The summit of Mauna Kea can see freezing temperatures and snow. Pack for multiple climates even within a single day of driving.
Is the Big Island crowded in February?
February is one of the Big Island's busiest months, particularly along the Kohala Coast resort corridor and in Kailua-Kona. Mainland Americans escaping winter make up the bulk of visitors, and the Presidents' Day long weekend is the busiest stretch. That said, the Big Island is large enough that popular trails and beaches rarely feel as packed as Waikiki on O'ahu. The southern Ka'u coast and the upcountry Waimea area tend to feel quieter even during peak weeks.
Can you see snow on Mauna Kea in February?
Snow on Mauna Kea is possible and fairly common in February. The summit regularly receives winter storms that leave a visible layer on the upper slopes. The access road closes when conditions become icy, which happens multiple times in a typical February. The Visitor Information Station lower on the mountain remains accessible and is the usual destination for most visitors, as the summit road requires 4WD and can close without warning.
Is it warm enough to swim on the Big Island in February?
At sea level on the Kona coast, yes. The ocean stays warm enough for comfortable swimming and snorkeling through the winter months. The sheltered western beaches remain calm, while the windward Hilo side and north-facing shores see rougher surf and larger swells that make swimming risky at unguarded spots. Stick to protected bays and beaches with lifeguards if you are not experienced with Hawaiian ocean conditions.
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