In November, the first north swells start to pound the shore at Hanalei, and the smell of wet red earth and plumeria drifts across the cane roads after an afternoon shower. Surfers watch the sets from the pier while families still spread towels on the south side. Kauai is easing out of summer, and this month gives you warm water, green mountains and a slower island before the holiday crowds arrive.
What is the weather like in Kauai in November?
November is warm and fairly mild, with sunny stretches broken by passing showers, especially on the north and east sides. The island is easing from summer into its wetter season, and the air already feels a notch softer than in October.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 83.9 | 73.6 | 5.4 | 81.2 |
| November | 81.2 | 71.3 | 6.8 | 79.6 |
| December | 79.1 | 68.6 | 6.9 | 78.5 |
Mornings are the best hours for a hike or a beach walk, with soft light and a breeze off the trade winds. Afternoons are warm enough for shorts and a swim, though clouds often build over the mountains and drop a quick shower. On most days the rain passes in minutes and the sun comes back, and a rainbow over the valley is a common reward.
Where you stay matters. Lihue and the east side get regular showers, Princeville and Hanalei on the north shore are noticeably wetter and greener, and the south shore around Poipu is usually the sunniest. The Waimea Canyon rim sits in much cooler air that is often damp, giving it the feel of a different climate than the beach.
You can still dine outdoors in a T-shirt during the evening, since it stays warm, but bring something light to throw on when the wind begins to rise. Days are getting shorter, and sunset arrives early in the evening, which leaves a long dinner hour after the light fades. The sea is still comfortable, and it has not yet cooled much from its autumn warmth.
Can you swim in Kauai in November?
Yes, the sea is still warm enough for a long swim or a snorkel, and most people stay in the water without a wetsuit. The temperature is a notch below October but remains very pleasant.
What changes in November is the swell. North and west shores start to see bigger winter waves, so beaches like Hanalei, Haena and Kee are often better for watching than for swimming, and the surf can build quickly. The south shore, around Poipu, and the east side near Kapaa tend to be more sheltered at this time of year, though conditions vary day to day and rip currents can appear on any beach.
Families with young children and nervous swimmers do best on the south side, in the morning, when the water is usually gentler. Anyone planning to snorkel needs to pack a personal mask and fins, and before entering the water, all visitors ought to look at the beach signs and flags and hear out the lifeguards. If a beach has no lifeguard and the waves look heavy, wading and sand time is a perfectly good plan.
What to do in Kauai in November
November is when the island shifts to its winter rhythm. Surf contests and big-wave watching begin on other islands and bring a buzz to the beach towns, while Kauai itself stays low-key. Evenings smell of grilled fish and kalua pork, and farmers markets fill with papaya, bananas, avocados and citrus. Plate lunches, poke bowls and shave ice remain the island staples between hikes and swims.
Humpback whales start returning to Hawaiian waters in the winter months, so you may spot early spouts from a south shore cliff or a boat later in the season. It is a chance rather than a promise, and sightings become more frequent as winter goes on.
The north shore: Hanalei and Haena
Hanalei is a small town in a bowl of green mountains, with a long curved bay, a pier, taro fields and a handful of cafés and food trucks. In November the surf starts to rise, so most visitors come to walk the beach, watch the surfers and have lunch, then drive on toward Haena, where the road ends at the edge of the Na Pali coast.
This is also the wettest side, so go early and expect a shower or two. The greenery is most lush, and waterfalls pour down the cliffs.
Haena State Park requires a reservation, and after Hurricane Lowell passed just west of Kauai in September 2026 and damaged roads, trails and parks, the Hawaii Division of State Parks posts current closures and reopenings on its Important Park Notices page. Check it before you plan a day around any park.
Waimea Canyon and Kokee
On the west side, this vast gorge of red, orange and green is frequently nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. You drive up from the dry coast through changing scenery to viewpoints that look down into folded ridges, with waterfalls visible on clear days. Higher up, Kokee has cool forest and trails.
The rim is cool and often misty in winter, so go in the morning when clouds are usually thinner, and bring a jacket. If the canyon is hidden in cloud, wait a bit, because the view can open suddenly. Because of the storm damage, confirm which parts of the parks are open on the state notices page before you set out.
The south shore: Poipu and Koloa
No part of the island gets more sun than Poipu, which offers golden beaches, tide pools and a rocky coastline where green sea turtles and monk seals sometimes settle on the sand. Keep a respectful distance from the animals, as they are protected. Old Koloa Town, nearby, has shops and casual restaurants under shady trees.
This is the best base when the north is wet or the surf is high. Spend the morning on the beach, take a late lunch in Koloa, and finish at the coast for sunset, when the lava rock turns gold. Families and travelers in search of dependable sunshine will find it a good match. Other easy stops include the Wailua River and its waterfall viewpoint on the east side, Kapaa town with its bike path along the shore, and the lighthouse and wildlife viewing at Kilauea Point on the north coast.
A two-day itinerary for Kauai in November
Day 1 starts on the south side, where the weather is most reliable. Spend the early morning on a Poipu beach, with the swim and snorkel while the water is usually at its gentlest.
Move to Koloa for a plate lunch or a poke bowl in the middle of the day, when the sun is high. In the afternoon, drive west toward Waimea and up toward the canyon rim for the viewpoints, ideally before clouds thicken at the top.
Come back down for sunset on the west or south coast, since daylight lasts a little over eleven hours this month and dusk comes early. Dinner at a casual grill or a fish restaurant in Poipu or Waimea closes the day. If rain moves in, trade the viewpoints for a farmers market, a gallery in Koloa or a long lunch under cover.
Day 2 heads to the north shore. Leave early to reach Hanalei while the light is soft and the surf is easier to watch. Walk the pier, have a coffee, and browse the town, then continue toward Haena for scenery along the road if the park is open and you hold a reservation. Lunch from a food truck or a café in Hanalei fits the mid-day lull.
In the afternoon, stop at Kilauea Point or the Kapaa shoreline path on the way back, then end with dinner in Kapaa or Lihue. If the north is gray and rainy, which is common in November, switch to a museum, a coffee farm or the shops of Kapaa, and save the beach for the next sunny break.
Is Kauai busy in November?
Kauai is moderately busy in November, quieter than summer and well before the main holiday rush. Early in the month you will find easy beaches and tables, while the week around Thanksgiving fills with families, so rooms, rental cars and popular restaurants book up faster then.
As a habit, book rooms and cars early for Thanksgiving week, and a bit later for the rest of the month. Dinner tables in Poipu and Hanalei are easier on weeknights than weekends. Beaches in the morning are usually uncrowded everywhere.
The reservations that matter are the state park ones, such as Haena State Park. If you book for a day when the park is shut, you get your money back, and the latest conditions following the September storm appear on the Important Park Notices page. Because storm repairs can change what is open, do not build a day around a single trail without checking.
What to pack for Kauai in November
Bring layers for balmy afternoons, brief rain, and a chilly, damp canyon edge.
- A light rain jacket, because showers pass quickly but often on the north and east sides.
- Swimsuit and a rash guard, for sun and reef-free swimming days.
- Mineral sunscreen, since the sun is strong even through clouds.
- Sturdy sandals or water shoes for slippery trails and rocky shores.
- Pack a fleece or sweater when you head to Waimea Canyon or out after dark, since temperatures drop.
- A dry bag to protect your phone on beach days.
Good to know before you go
The Central Pacific hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so November is its final month. Hurricane Lowell passed just west of Kauai in September 2026 and damaged roads, trails and parks, so check the state parks notices before you plan hikes. Getting around the island is easiest with a rental car.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State Transient Accommodations Tax | 11.00% | Guests, on lodging |
| Kauai County Transient Accommodations Tax | 3% | Guests, on lodging |
Kauai in November vs October and December
Moving earlier to October gives you a warmer sea, slightly fewer rainy days and a calmer ocean on more beaches, since the big north swells have not yet settled in. It is also a bit quieter, and the season for whales has not started. It suits swimmers and families who want the most reliable beach weather.
Moving later to December brings cooler air, a few more showers and a livelier winter surf scene on the north shore. Holiday crowds arrive, and rooms and cars become harder to find, but whale sightings become more common and the island has a festive mood with lights and seasonal markets. Choose October if the sea is your priority, December if you want winter atmosphere and whales, and November if you want a balance of warm water, lighter crowds and a first taste of winter waves.
Is November a good time to visit Kauai?
Yes, November suits travelers who want warm water, green scenery and room to breathe, particularly those who can be flexible about showers. Travelers who like a calmer Kauai, including hikers, photographers, couples and families, will find it delightful, though people seeking certain dry conditions on the north shore or endless sun might do better on a leeward side of a different island.
Once you land, look at the state parks notices page, grab groceries and fruit from a market, and spend your opening days on the south side, where the sun shines more. Keep the north shore for the clearer mornings, and book anything that needs a reservation first. What stays with you from Kauai in November is the first big swell rolling into Hanalei Bay while a rainbow forms over the taro fields behind it.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00022536, checked September 8, 2026
- Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked September 8, 2026
- sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked September 8, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Tax Announcement No. 2025-03 (Transient Accommodations Tax Law Changes from 2025 Legislative Session), files.hawaii.gov/tax/news/announce/ann25-03.pdf, checked September 24, 2026
- County of Kauai, Department of Finance, Transient Accommodations Tax page, kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Finance/Transient-Accommodations-Tax, checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, County Surcharge on General Excise and Use Tax page, tax.hawaii.gov/geninfo/countysurcharge/, checked September 25, 2026
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00518165
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00513099
- County of Kauai, press release « Hurricane Lowell Update », September 8, 2026, kauai.gov ; DLNR news release of September 16, 2026
- Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks, dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp (home page, avis of October 5, 2026)
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026
To plan your stay
- Things to Do in Kauai: Na Pali Views, Waimea Canyon, North Shore Beaches and Local Food
- Where to Stay in Kauai: Poipu, Princeville, the Coconut Coast and the West Side
- Kauai vs Oahu: Beaches, Things to Do, Weather and Getting Around
- Day Trips from Kauai: Waimea Canyon, Haena and the Na Pali Coast, Wailua and Polihale