November is when the lava fields on the Kohala coast go gold late in the day, and the earliest humpback whales start appearing as far-off puffs of spray beyond the resort beaches. Guests walk the shoreline trail at dusk with a drink in hand while the black rock cools under their feet. November brings dry, sunny days to this part of the Big Island, perfect for couples, families, and anyone seeking warm water minus the winter holiday crowds.
What is the weather like in Waikoloa in November?
In Waikoloa, November brings warmth, sunshine and very little rain, as the heat of summer softens just enough for comfortable walks at midday.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 87.2 | 74.0 | 1.0 | 81.3 |
| November | 85.8 | 72.8 | 1.1 | 80.5 |
| December | 83.9 | 70.2 | 1.7 | 79.1 |
Mornings arrive gentle and sunny, as trade winds make the air on a lanai feel nice. By early afternoon the sun on the lava is strong, so shade and sunscreen matter even when a breeze is blowing. You can eat dinner outdoors in just a light shirt because evenings remain so mild, and after sunset a thin layer is all you need.
Waikoloa rests on Kohala’s dry, leeward shore, with the mountains at its back blocking the weather, so rain seldom falls here. When a shower does come, it is usually brief and passes before you have found your umbrella. The wet side of the island is another story: Hilo, on the windward coast, gets far more rain, and the road up toward the volcano can be gray and drizzly while the coast stays sunny.
The light is a pleasure this month. Days are shorter than in summer, with roughly eleven hours of daylight, so sunsets arrive early and turn the sky orange over the water well before dinner. Bring sunglasses, a hat and a light sweater for the evening breeze.
Can you swim in Waikoloa in November?
You can definitely count on a long, comfortable swim because the ocean holds in the low 80s in November, so a wetsuit is not something you will need.
The resort coast has several sheltered spots. Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay) has a gentle, sandy entry in front of the old fishponds, and the sea there is usually calm, though conditions can change. Hapuna Beach, a short drive away, is a wide white-sand beach where the waves can be bigger and more playful. Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea) Beach is a calmer crescent that suits swimming and snorkeling when the sea cooperates.
November is a transition month. North Pacific swells begin arriving later in the season and can make some beaches rougher, even if the day looks sunny. Check the flags and ask the lifeguards before you go in, especially at Hapuna, where conditions can change. Pack a mask and snorkel, plus a rash guard if you plan to stay in a while, and follow reef-safe practices: don’t touch the coral and give protected turtles plenty of room.
What to do in Waikoloa in November
The big draw of the month is the start of humpback whale season. The first whales often arrive in the weeks around now, and you may spot a blow or a breach from a beach, a resort lawn or a boat. Sightings pick up as winter goes on, so in November they are a bonus, not a promise.
The mood in the resorts is relaxed. Kids are in school, the pools are less crowded, and golf courses and tennis courts are easy to get into. Restaurants serve fresh local fish like mahi-mahi and ono, plus poke and shave ice, and the evenings are good for a sunset cocktail on the beach.
Petroglyphs and the shoreline trails
Ancient petroglyphs, the carved images Native Hawaiians left in the rock, are found along the Kings’ Trail and the lava fields around Waikoloa. Walking among them at a gentle pace in the morning is a quiet experience, before the heat builds on the black lava.
Stay on the marked path and do not touch or step on the carvings. Bring water and a hat, because there is little shade out on the lava. The walk is best in the early morning or late afternoon, and it suits anyone who likes history with a view. Pair it with a stop at the fishponds near Anaehoomalu Bay, where herons often stand in the shallows and the old stone walls show how the ancient Hawaiians farmed fish.
Snorkeling, paddling and ocean outings
Calm mornings are perfect for snorkeling at the sheltered bays, where you may see tropical fish and sometimes a green sea turtle resting near the rocks. Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are popular at A-Bay, and the water is warm enough to enjoy a fall in.
Boat trips from nearby harbors also go looking for whales and dolphins as the season begins. A morning departure usually has the smoothest water, and a light jacket helps on the way back.
If the surf looks big, switch to a pool day or a golf round instead. Lifeguards and posted signs decide what is safe on any given day.
Stargazing, golf and an evening out
Clear, dry skies make the Kohala coast a good place to look at the stars. Many resorts hold astronomy evenings, and even from a beach chair away from the lights the sky can be striking.
Golf courses carved through the lava stay green against the black rock, and the cooler air makes a round more comfortable. The shopping centers at Waikoloa Beach hold shops, casual restaurants and, at times, hula and live music in the evenings.
A two-day itinerary for Waikoloa in November
Day 1 starts with a walk early in the morning on the shoreline trail close to the resorts, while the air stays cool and the lava looks soft in the light. Move on to a late breakfast and then snorkeling at a sheltered bay while the sea is at its calmest. Once midday hits and the sun is highest, return to the pool or a shaded lanai to eat lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the petroglyph fields and the old fishponds, then settle on a beach for the sunset, which comes early in November. Dinner can be fresh fish at a casual restaurant, followed by a stroll under a clear sky.
Day 2 starts with a morning whale-watching trip or a paddleboard session, while the water is smoothest. Plan a long lunch at a resort restaurant, then spend the afternoon at a wider beach such as Hapuna, checking the flags and the lifeguards before swimming.
End with a golf round or a stargazing session after dinner. If a rare shower rolls through, shift to a spa treatment, a shopping center or a long indoor meal, and the clouds will usually clear soon.
Is Waikoloa busy in November?
Not especially, since November is a quieter stretch between the summer family weeks and the winter holidays.
You can enjoy the beaches and pools with less hassle, snag restaurant tables more easily on short notice, and track down rooms with greater ease than during the holiday weeks. The exception is the week of Thanksgiving, when families and visitors from the mainland fill the resorts, so that stretch is worth booking early.
Outside Thanksgiving, you can book on a shorter horizon, though popular whale tours, special dinners and rental cars still go faster than you might expect. Booking those a few weeks ahead is a good habit, and early booking is wise for anything that falls on a weekend.
Conferences and cruise days can bring crowds to the shopping centers and some beaches on certain days, but the resort coast is large and quiet corners are easy to find. For national park visits or special trails that need reservations, check the official notices before you go.
What to pack for Waikoloa in November
Pack for sun, warm water and mild evenings, with a bit of cover for the breeze.
- Swimsuits and a rash guard, for long sessions in warm water.
- A mask and snorkel, for the sheltered bays.
- Mineral sunscreen and a hat, since the sun on the lava is strong.
- A light sweater or jacket for the evening breeze and boat rides.
- Sturdy sandals or closed shoes for the lava trails.
- Bring a reusable water bottle on paths where there is hardly any shade.
Good to know before you go
The Central Pacific hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so November is the last month of it. Hawaii is rarely hit, but keep an eye on forecasts. Thanksgiving week is the main crunch, so book flights, rooms and a rental car early for those days. Hotel stays carry the following taxes.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State Transient Accommodations Tax | 11.00% | Guests of hotels and rentals |
| County of Hawaii Transient Accommodations Tax | 3% | Guests of hotels and rentals |
Waikoloa in November vs October and December
Moving the trip to October gets you slightly hotter, drier days and a warmer sea, with the Ironman World Championship in Kona drawing crowds to the coast. Whale season has barely begun, so sightings are less likely than later on.
December brings cooler air, a touch more rain and a slightly cooler sea, but also more whales and the winter holiday rush. Rooms and rental cars fill up fast, and rates reflect the holiday weeks. Evenings feel crisper, which some travelers prefer.
Choose November if you want the calmest, quietest and sunniest mix, with the whales starting to appear. Shift to October for the warmest water and the Ironman atmosphere, or to December if whales and festive lights matter more than space.
Is November a good time to visit Waikoloa?
Absolutely, particularly for vacationers seeking sunshine, balmy seas and a relaxed rhythm minus the throngs of summer and the holidays.
It suits couples, families with school-age kids on a break, golfers, snorkelers and anyone who likes long beach days. It is less ideal if you want big winter surf or peak whale watching, which come later in the season.
On arrival, start with a gentle swim at a sheltered bay and an early evening walk along the shoreline to get your bearings. Keep the first day light and let the dry, golden weather do the work. What stays in the memory from November here is the late light on the lava, the first whale spout on the horizon and a quiet beach at sunset.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00518422, 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 Hawaii, Department of Finance, Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) page, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/transient-accommodations-tax-tat (live returned HTTP 403 on request, read via Internet Archive Wayback Machine snapshot dated August 14, 2026, same official content), 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 USW00021510
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00021504
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026