November is when Honolulu's North Shore transforms into the big-wave capital of the Pacific. Swells that spent weeks building across open ocean start hitting Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline with 4-to-6-meter faces, and the Triple Crown of Surfing competition series opens its first event in Haleiwa. If you time your trip for mid-to-late November, you can watch world-class surfers from the sand at Ehukai Beach Park for free. Daytime temperatures sit around 27.4°C (81°F) with nighttime lows near 21.9°C (71°F), and the trade winds still carry that particular mix of plumeria and warm pavement that greets you the moment you step outside Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
This is technically the start of the wet season, but November's 31mm of rainfall across roughly 8 days tends to arrive as short afternoon showers. They blow through in 15 to 20 minutes, leave the air smelling like wet red dirt and pikake flowers, then the sun comes back. To be fair, the occasional Kona wind pattern can stall over O'ahu for 2 or 3 days and bring heavier, stickier rain from the south. But that happens maybe once or twice in a typical November, and Waikiki Beach dries fast.
Pricing sits in a comfortable window. Summer's family crowds have cleared out, and the December holiday rush has not arrived yet. The first three weeks of November tend to offer rates 15-20% below the annual Waikiki average. That changes around Thanksgiving week, when mainland families fly in and hotel prices in Waikiki climb noticeably. Book before the 20th if your schedule allows it. The Hawaii International Film Festival runs its main screenings in early-to-mid November at venues across Chinatown and Kakaako, which adds a different energy to the city's nightlife for about 10 days.
Why visit in November
- North Shore big-wave season begins in mid-November, with free public viewing at Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Haleiwa. The Triple Crown of Surfing draws top WSL competitors and a carnival atmosphere to the 11-kilometer stretch between Haleiwa and Ehukai Beach Park.
- Hotel rates in Waikiki run 15-20% below the annual average during the first three weeks, before Thanksgiving pricing kicks in. Early November is likely the best value window until April.
- Humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters. Sightings from Makapuu Point Lookout start in late November, and boat tours out of Kewalo Basin Harbor resume for the season.
- Temperatures drop from summer's 29°C peak to a more comfortable 27°C, and the 72% humidity feels lighter than July or August. The trade winds tend to blow steadily at 15-25 km/h, keeping the air moving.
- The Hawaii International Film Festival screens 150-plus films across 10 days in early-to-mid November, with venues in Chinatown and Kakaako offering post-screening events and filmmaker Q&As.
Worth knowing
- North Shore surf conditions make swimming at beaches like Sunset and Pipeline dangerous for non-experts. Lifeguards post red flags regularly, and rip currents pull hard at wave heights above 2 meters.
- Kona wind events, which replace the cooling trade winds 2-3 times per month, bring humid, still air and occasional vog haze from Kilauea on the Big Island. Sensitive travelers might notice reduced air quality for a day or two.
- Thanksgiving week, typically the last full week of November, brings a sharp spike in both crowds and prices. Waikiki sidewalks get noticeably busier, and popular restaurants along Kalakaua Avenue fill up without reservations.
- Sunset arrives around 17:50, roughly 90 minutes earlier than June. Late-afternoon beach time gets cut short, and outdoor dinner plans need earlier reservations to catch the light.
Best for
Think twice if
November in Honolulu feels like a gentle step down from summer. The 27.4°C (81°F) average high still puts you firmly in shorts and slippahs territory, and the 21.9°C (71°F) lows mean evenings on a Waikiki lanai stay comfortable without a jacket. Humidity holds at about 72%, which you'll notice more on Kona wind days when the trades drop off and the air goes still and thick. Rain arrives mostly as brief afternoon showers, often over the Ko'olau Range behind the city rather than on the coast itself. You might get 8 rainy days in the month, but total accumulation tends to stay around 31mm. That is roughly half of what December and January bring.
Seasonal caution
- North Shore surf regularly exceeds 3 meters in November. Rip currents and shore break at Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay are powerful enough to injure experienced ocean swimmers. Obey lifeguard warnings and red-flag postings.
- Kona wind events replace the trade winds 2-3 times per month, bringing still, humid air and occasional vog from Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. Travelers with asthma or respiratory conditions should carry medication and monitor the Hawaii Department of Health air quality index.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 20 | 71 |
| Feb | 25 | 20 | 44 |
| Mar | 26 | 20 | 58 |
| Apr | 26 | 21 | 59 |
| May | 27 | 22 | 60 |
| Jun | 28 | 23 | 17 |
| Jul | 29 | 23 | 18 |
| Aug | 29 | 23 | 25 |
| Sep | 29 | 23 | 19 |
| Oct | 29 | 23 | 28 |
| Nov | 27 | 22 | 31 |
| Dec | 26 | 21 | 72 |
Headline events
Triple Crown of Surfing
Mid-November through mid-December (holding period; first event usually runs late November)
The premier big-wave competition series on O'ahu's North Shore. Three events across Haleiwa, Sunset Beach, and Banzai Pipeline draw the top WSL surfers and thousands of spectators to the 11-kilometer stretch of coast. The first event at Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park typically runs in mid-to-late November, with holding periods that depend on swell conditions.
Best things to do in November
Watch big-wave surfing at Banzai Pipeline
spectator sportWalk to Ehukai Beach Park on the North Shore and watch surfers drop into hollow, left-breaking barrels at one of the most famous waves on earth. The sand is coarse and golden, the spray from 4-meter closeouts reaches the treeline, and the crowd on the beach leans forward with every set. Free to watch from shore, no ticket needed.
November's first major North Pacific swells arrive, activating Pipeline for the season. The Triple Crown holding period opens, and WSL competitors begin their practice sessions.Booking tipDrive to the North Shore before 8:00 to find parking along Kamehameha Highway. By 10:00 on good swell days, the roadside fills up for 3 kilometers in each direction.
Hike Diamond Head Summit Trail
hikingThe 1.3-kilometer trail climbs 170 meters through a volcanic tuff cone to a 360-degree view of Waikiki, Kahala, and the Koko Head coastline. The path passes through a dark 69-meter tunnel and up a steep 99-step staircase near the summit. November's 27°C temperatures make the exposed switchbacks more bearable than summer's 29-30°C.
Cooler temperatures and lower humidity compared to summer. The trail is fully exposed, so even 2°C less makes a noticeable difference on the final push to the bunker.Booking tipReservations are required through the Hawaii DLNR website. Book 2 weeks ahead for early-morning time slots, which fill first.
Snorkel at Hanauma Bay
water sportsThe curved bay sits inside a volcanic crater on O'ahu's southeast coast. The reef shelters over 400 species of fish, and November's calmer south-shore conditions typically mean 9-to-12-meter visibility. The water temperature hovers around 26°C. You'll feel parrotfish brush past your fins and hear the crackle of shrimp on the reef through your snorkel.
South-shore swells are generally smaller in November than summer, making the bay calmer for snorkeling. Visitor counts also drop compared to peak summer months.Booking tipOnline reservations through the Hanauma Bay website are required. The bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Arrive for the first entry slot to get the clearest water before afternoon swimmers stir up the sand.
Explore Chinatown and the Hawaii International Film Festival
cultureHonolulu's Chinatown, centered on Maunakea Street and Hotel Street, hosts several HIFF screening venues in November. The neighborhood's lei stands, dim sum counters, and open-air produce markets run alongside the festival's evening events. The smell of roasting duck and incense from the Kwan Yin Temple sits heavy in the narrow streets.
The Hawaii International Film Festival runs its main 10-day program in early-to-mid November, with screenings and filmmaker events concentrated in Chinatown and nearby Kakaako.Booking tipHIFF passes and individual screening tickets sell through the festival's website. Popular screenings with visiting directors tend to sell out, so check the schedule when it publishes in late October.
Visit the North Shore farmers markets
food and shoppingThe Haleiwa Farmers Market runs on Thursday afternoons at Waimea Valley, and the Saturday market at Sunset Beach Elementary draws North Shore residents and visitors. Stalls carry local produce, fresh coconut water cracked on the spot, shrimp from nearby aquaculture farms, and acai bowls. The smell of grilling corn and garlic shrimp plates drifts across the parking lot.
November marks the start of the North Shore surf season, and the markets take on a livelier atmosphere as surf spectators and competitors fill the area. Local harvest items like apple bananas and lilikoi are in season.Booking tipNo booking needed. Bring cash, as some vendors do not accept cards. The Thursday Waimea Valley market runs roughly 14:00 to 18:00.
Whale watching from Makapuu Point Lookout
wildlifeThe paved 1.6-kilometer trail to Makapuu Point Lighthouse offers elevated views of the open ocean channel between O'ahu and Moloka'i. Humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters in late November, and you might spot spouts and breaches from the lookout without binoculars. The wind up top is steady and salt-laced, and the cliff drops straight into blue water.
Late November marks the earliest reliable humpback sightings of the season. The whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaiian waters to breed and calve between November and April.Booking tipFree trail, no reservation required. Go in the morning for calmer winds and better light for spotting whale spouts against the water.
Sunset dinner at a Waikiki beachfront restaurant
diningNovember sunsets over the ocean happen around 17:50, painting the sky behind the Waianae Range in orange and pink. Waikiki's beachfront restaurants along Kalakaua Avenue face due west, and the low sun angle in November creates warm light across the sand. The air cools quickly after sunset to about 22°C, comfortable enough for an outdoor table without getting cold.
Earlier sunset times mean dinner reservations at 17:30 or 18:00 coincide with golden hour, which does not happen in summer when the sun sets past 19:00.Booking tipReserve 3-5 days ahead for beachfront tables at popular spots. Request an outdoor table specifically, as indoor seating misses the view entirely.
What to eat in November
In season: fruit
Apple banana
Local apple bananas from Windward O'ahu farms hit their November stride. Shorter and tangier than the Cavendish variety, with a firm texture and a faint apple-like tartness. Farmers markets at KCC (Kapiolani Community College) on Saturday mornings tend to have the freshest bunches.
Lilikoi (passion fruit)
November falls within lilikoi season on O'ahu, and the tart, floral pulp turns up in everything from butter spreads at farmers markets to shave ice syrups at Matsumoto's on the North Shore. The fruit itself is wrinkly and unassuming, but the flavor is sharp and perfumed.
On menus now
Kalua turkey plate lunch
Hawaiian spin on Thanksgiving that shows up at plate lunch shops across O'ahu in November. The turkey gets the same underground oven treatment as kalua pig, wrapped in ti leaves and slow-cooked until the meat pulls apart. You'll find it at spots like Rainbow Drive-In on Kapahulu Avenue and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue locations island-wide, typically from mid-November through the end of the month.
Haupia
Coconut pudding made from coconut milk and cornstarch, cut into firm squares. It appears at every Thanksgiving table on O'ahu and at plate lunch counters through the holiday season. The texture sits somewhere between gelatin and custard, cool and slippery on the tongue.
Poke
Available year-round, but November's ahi tuna tends to be plentiful. Foodland's poke counter is an island institution, and you'll find variations from shoyu to spicy mayo to limu (seaweed) style. The fish is cut into cubes and mixed to order, bright red and firm.
Regular events in November
Hawaii International Film Festival
HIFF runs roughly 10 days in early-to-mid November, screening 150-plus films from across Asia, the Pacific, and North America at venues in Chinatown and Kakaako. Filmmaker Q&A sessions and post-screening receptions add evening programming.
Early to mid-NovemberVans Triple Crown of Surfing opening eventFree
The first event of the Triple Crown typically opens its holding period at Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park in mid-to-late November, pending swell conditions. Contest organizers call the event on 24 hours' notice when waves meet the minimum height requirement.
Mid-to-late November (holding period opens)Waikiki Holiday ParadeFree
Held on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving, this parade runs along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Marching bands, floats, and hula halau move through the main drag while spectators line both sides of the street. The parade typically starts at 19:00 and runs about 90 minutes.
Friday after ThanksgivingKona Coffee Cultural Festival events
While the main festival is on the Big Island, O'ahu coffee shops and roasters in neighborhoods like Kaimuki and Kakaako run November tasting events and promotions tied to the Kona harvest. Worth noting if you want to sample single-origin Hawaiian beans.
Throughout NovemberBest places this November
Banzai Pipeline and Ehukai Beach Park
beachThe world's most photographed wave breaks about 70 meters offshore. In November, 4-to-6-meter swells transform this stretch into a natural amphitheater. The sand is coarse, the shore break heavy, and the crowd on big days fills the beach 3 rows deep.
North ShoreHaleiwa Town
townThe gateway to the North Shore surf breaks. Old plantation-era storefronts line Kamehameha Highway, housing shave ice shops, surf gear stores, and art galleries. Matsumoto Shave Ice has operated here since 1951. The harbor at the west end of town launches boat tours for whale watching and shark cage dives.
North ShoreDiamond Head State Monument
landmarkThe 231-meter volcanic tuff cone offers the most recognizable view in Hawaii. The summit trail passes through military-era bunkers and tunnels built in 1908. November's slightly cooler mornings make the exposed 1.3-kilometer climb less punishing.
KapahuluHanauma Bay Nature Preserve
natureA horseshoe-shaped bay inside a volcanic crater, home to over 400 fish species. The reef sits in shallow water, making it accessible to beginning snorkelers. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays for reef recovery. November's calmer south-shore conditions improve visibility.
Hawaii KaiMakapuu Point Lighthouse Trail
hikingA 1.6-kilometer paved path to a clifftop lighthouse with views toward Moloka'i and Lana'i. Late November brings the first humpback whale sightings of the season. The wind at the top is constant and the trail has no shade, but November's 27°C makes it tolerable.
WaimanaloChinatown
neighborhoodHonolulu's oldest commercial district, centered on Maunakea Street. Lei stands, dim sum restaurants, open-air markets selling fresh fish and tropical fruit, and the Kwan Yin Temple all sit within a few walkable blocks. In November, the neighborhood doubles as a HIFF screening hub.
DowntownWaimea Bay
beachA deep, crescent-shaped bay on the North Shore that transforms dramatically between seasons. November's first big swells send waves crashing over the 7-meter jumping rock. The bay faces due north and catches every North Pacific swell directly.
North ShoreAla Moana Beach Park
beachA 40-hectare park with a protected reef that keeps the swimming area calm even when the North Shore is firing. The 800-meter-long beach has fine white sand and the water stays warm at 26°C in November. Locals fill the park's pavilions for weekend barbecues.
Ala Moana
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Insider tips
The North Shore parking situation on big swell days is genuinely difficult. If the surf forecast shows 4 meters or above, leave Waikiki by 7:00 or you'll spend 45 minutes circling Ehukai Beach Park. An alternative is parking at Sunset Beach and walking the 2-kilometer shoreline path to Pipeline.
KCC Farmers Market at Kapiolani Community College on Saturday mornings (7:30 to 11:00) is where Honolulu chefs shop. Arrive before 9:00 for the best selection of local produce, poke samples, and freshly cracked coconuts.
November's earlier sunsets create better conditions for evening photography from Tantalus Lookout (Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park). The viewpoint sits at 330 meters elevation and overlooks all of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the harbor. Golden hour light hits around 17:15.
If you are staying in Waikiki and want to reach the North Shore without a car, the Route 52 bus (Circle Island) runs from Ala Moana Center to Haleiwa. The ride takes about 90 minutes each way, and the fare is far less than a rideshare to the North Shore.
The spam musubi at 7-Eleven in Hawaii is legitimately good and made fresh in-store. It is a reliable grab-and-go option for early-morning drives to the North Shore or trailheads.
Avoid these mistakes
- Swimming at North Shore beaches in November without checking lifeguard flag conditions. Red flags mean stay out of the water, full stop. Even knee-deep wading at Pipeline can result in a powerful shore break knocking you down on a 3-meter day.
- Booking a Waikiki hotel for Thanksgiving week at shoulder-season rates and expecting availability. Rates jump 25-30% that week, and the popular mid-range hotels along Kuhio Avenue book out early. Reserve by September for holiday-week stays.
- Driving to the North Shore on a weekend afternoon and expecting a quick trip. The two-lane Kamehameha Highway backs up for 3-5 kilometers between Haleiwa and Waimea on big surf weekends. Saturday or Sunday return drives to Honolulu can take over 2 hours.
- Skipping sun protection because it is overcast. The UV index at 21°N latitude in November still reaches 8-10 on cloudy days. A cloud-covered burn is the most common tourist injury on O'ahu.
- Expecting Waikiki to feel like a remote tropical escape. Waikiki is a dense urban beach neighborhood with high-rise hotels, heavy foot traffic on Kalakaua Avenue, and city noise. If you want quiet, book on the Windward side in Kailua or on the North Shore.
Practical tips for November
November sits in a pricing sweet spot for the first three weeks. Waikiki accommodation runs below the annual average until Thanksgiving week, when rates climb sharply. Book flights and hotels for early-to-mid November by September to lock in lower rates. Rental cars are essential for North Shore trips, as bus service is infrequent and parking fills early on swell days. Reserve a compact car in advance, as walk-up rates at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport counters tend to run higher. The Biki bikeshare system covers Waikiki and surrounding neighborhoods for short trips, with stations every few blocks along Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues. Pack a light rain layer for afternoon showers, but do not overpack cold-weather gear. November nights rarely drop below 21°C. For Hanauma Bay visits, book your timed-entry reservation online as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, as morning slots for Wednesday through Sunday fill up 1-2 weeks out.
FAQ
Is November a good time to swim at Waikiki Beach?
Waikiki's south-facing shore stays generally calm through November, with small waves typically under 1 meter. The water temperature sits around 26°C. That said, occasional south swells can push wave heights up for a day or two, so check the surf report on the morning of your visit. The stretch near the Moana Surfrider tends to be the most sheltered.
How crowded is Honolulu in November compared to December?
The first three weeks of November see noticeably fewer visitors than December. Waikiki sidewalks and restaurants are busy but manageable, and popular attractions like Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay have shorter wait times. Thanksgiving week brings a spike as mainland families arrive, but it still does not reach December holiday levels. Book ahead for that last week if possible.
Can I see whales in November in Honolulu?
Humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters in late November, migrating from Alaska. Sightings from shore at Makapuu Point Lookout are possible in the last week or two of the month, though they become more reliable in December through March. Boat tours out of Kewalo Basin Harbor start running for the season around this time, though operators may cancel on days without confirmed sightings.
What should I wear in Honolulu in November?
Lightweight, breathable clothing works for daytime. Temperatures hover around 27°C with 72% humidity, so cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics are most comfortable. Bring one light long-sleeve layer for air-conditioned restaurants and evening breezes. A packable rain shell handles the brief afternoon showers. Reef-safe sunscreen is required by Hawaii law, and you will need it even on overcast days at this latitude.
Is it worth renting a car in Honolulu in November?
A rental car is valuable if you plan to visit the North Shore for surf viewing, hike trails beyond Diamond Head, or explore the Windward coast. For visitors staying in Waikiki and focusing on the beach, shopping, and nearby restaurants, the Biki bikeshare and TheBus Route 2 and 52 cover most needs. The North Shore drive takes about 45 minutes from Waikiki without traffic, but can stretch past 90 minutes on big-surf weekends.
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