In Kailua, on a morning in March, the ironwood trees along the beach are rattled by the trade winds, and the sand still feels cool underfoot as the first kayaks slide out toward the Mokulua Islands. Bakery boxes get carried down the lane, surfboards lean against porch rails, and the whole town moves at the pace of people who live a block from the water. This is the month to enjoy Kailua as a windward beach town: soft light, a warm sea and an easy, unhurried rhythm.
What is the weather like in Kailua in March?
March in Kailua is warm and breezy with a fair share of passing showers, so you can plan on beach time but should keep a light layer within reach.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 77.9 | 66.5 | 6.8 | 75.5 |
| March | 78.6 | 67.1 | 8.5 | 75.5 |
| April | 79.9 | 68.6 | 6.7 | 76.1 |
Because Kailua is on Oahu’s windward side, the trade winds drive clouds into the Koolau mountains behind town, where they release rain over the slopes and the coast. The showers tend to be short.
A band of gray sweeps in, you get a few minutes of rain, and then the sun returns, often with a rainbow over the ridge. Some days stay bright from dawn to dusk, others are a patchwork of cloud and sun, and the wetter stretches usually come in spells rather than as a single gray week.
Mornings feel fresh and soft, ideal for walking the beach or paddling before the breeze picks up. Afternoons are warm enough for shorts and a swimsuit, though the wind keeps it comfortable even in full sun. Evenings cool just enough that a light sweater or a thin jacket feels good on the patio of a dinner spot.
Daylight lasts about twelve hours, so sunrise comes early enough for a beach walk and dusk arrives in time for dinner without a rush. Expect a sun that is strong even when clouds drift in, so sunscreen belongs in the bag every day.
Can you swim in Kailua in March?
Yes, the sea is comfortable for a proper swim, mild rather than bracing, though the wind and the surf decide how pleasant it feels on a given day.
Facing the open Pacific, Kailua Beach forms a long crescent of soft pale sand, and its trade winds draw fans of kitesurfing, windsurfing and kayaking. Water conditions change with the swell and the breeze, so some mornings are glassy and others are choppy with small waves rolling in. Families often settle near the calmer stretches by the park, while surfers and bodyboarders look for the spots where the waves break.
Nearby Lanikai Beach is narrower and prettier for a quiet dip, with the two small islands offshore as a backdrop. Snorkelers can bring their own gear and look over the shallow, rocky edges when the water is clear, but visibility varies. Follow the beach signs and the lifeguards, who know the day’s conditions, and bring a rash guard if you burn easily, because the wind hides how strong the sun is.
What to do in Kailua in March
March is a good month for being outside in Kailua, with warm days, a soft breeze and green hills after the winter rains. The town has no big festival to organize your trip around. It rewards you for simply doing what locals do, which is beach, paddle, hike and eat well.
Winter is still humpback whale season around Hawaii, so on a clear day you may spot spouts or a breaching whale from a high lookout along the coast, though sightings are never guaranteed. Surf conditions on this side are often more manageable than on the North Shore, which makes the beach more relaxed for casual swimmers on many days.
Kayaking to the Mokulua Islands
The twin islands off Lanikai are the postcard view of Kailua, and paddling toward them is the signature outing. In the morning, when breezes are gentler and the bay is usually calmer, most people launch from Kailua Beach Park and paddle across. The crossing takes some effort, and the open channel is not a place for beginners to wander alone.
The islands are a seabird sanctuary, so landing rules and the habits of the birds matter, and you should respect any signs. Rental shops in town will outfit you and explain the day’s conditions. Expect to get wet, wear a hat and bring water, and plan to be back on shore before the afternoon wind builds.
Walking the beach and Lanikai
A walk from Kailua Beach toward Lanikai is easy and rewarding. The sand is pale, the water shifts from turquoise to deep blue, and the neighborhood behind the beach is full of low houses, hibiscus hedges and quiet lanes. Early morning is best, when the light is gentle and joggers and dog walkers share the sand with a few paddlers.
Many visitors continue up to the ridge trail above Lanikai for the view of the islands, but the path is steep and can be slippery after rain, so sturdy shoes matter. In a wet spell, choose the beach walk and leave the ridge for a clearer day. Respect the residential streets, because parking and noise are sensitive topics in the neighborhood.
Eating and browsing in town
Kailua town is the place for a slow lunch. You will find plate lunch counters, poke shops, bakeries known for malasadas and pastries, shave ice stands and cafés serving acai bowls and strong coffee. Eating from a paper container on a bench or at the beach is part of the experience.
A Saturday farmers market is a long-running local habit, and shops sell aloha shirts, beachwear and local crafts. Browsing is easiest in the late morning, after the beach and before the afternoon showers, when you can duck into a boutique or a bookshop if the sky darkens. If the rain settles in, a movie, a long coffee or a visit to a local gallery makes a good fallback, and the drive over the Pali to Honolulu is short enough for a museum afternoon.
A two-day itinerary for Kailua in March
Day 1 is for the water. Start with a coffee and a pastry in town and be on the sand early, when the beach is quiet and the light is soft. Paddle toward the Mokulua Islands or rent a board while the wind is still gentle, then swim near the lifeguard tower. By midday, drift into town for a plate lunch or a poke bowl.
Spend the afternoon on the sand at Lanikai, reading in the shade and watching kayaks come and go. Dusk falls shortly after twelve hours of daylight have run their course, so eat dinner at an outdoor table with a sweater in your bag. If the rain comes, take shelter in a café or browse the shops on the main street.
Day 2 is for walking and tasting. Begin with a morning walk along the neighborhood lanes behind the beach, then try the ridge trail if the ground is dry and the sky is clear. Cool off with shave ice or an acai bowl, then drive to a lookout on the coast to scan the water for whales.
In the afternoon, visit a neighborhood bakery for malasadas, stroll through the shops, and end with a long dinner at a casual restaurant. On a rainy day, take the short drive over the mountains to Honolulu for a museum, then come back for sunset if the clouds break.
Is Kailua busy in March?
Kailua is moderately busy in March, with a steady flow of visitors and locals but none of the crush of the winter holidays or summer.
Spring break brings families from the mainland, and weekends fill the beach with local families, paddlers and kitesurfers. Parking near the beach can be tight on sunny weekends, so arriving early or choosing a weekday helps. Restaurants fill at lunch and dinner on the busiest days, and popular spots are easier with a reservation.
Most visitors stay in vacation rentals and small inns in Kailua rather than big resorts, and those are in demand around school breaks. Book early if your dates overlap with spring break, and a bit later if you travel in the quieter weeks. Rental cars on Oahu are easier to find outside the holiday windows, but arranging one ahead is a sensible habit.
Remember that your lodging carries the state and county accommodations taxes, which affect your final bill. The calmest hours are early morning, when the beach belongs to walkers and swimmers, and the late afternoon, when day-trippers head home.
What to pack for Kailua in March
Pack for warm days, a steady breeze and the occasional shower, and keep the bag light because everything here is casual.
- A light rain jacket, because showers pass through often on the windward side
- Mineral sunscreen and a hat, since the breeze hides how strong the sun is
- A rash guard and swimsuit for kayaking and beach time
- Sturdy sandals or trail shoes for the wet, slippery ridge path
- A light sweater for cool evenings at an outdoor table
- A dry bag for phone and keys on the water
Good to know before you go
March falls outside the official hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Rain and wind shape the weather most, and having a rental car helps you get to trailheads and nearby beaches with less hassle. Parking in residential streets near the beach is limited, so follow the signs.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Guests staying in Kailua lodging |
| Oahu county tax | 3% | Guests staying in Kailua lodging |
Kailua in March vs February and April
Moving a few weeks earlier to February gives you slightly cooler air and fewer rainy days, with the same sea temperature and more of the winter whale season still ahead of you. The beaches are quieter before spring break, and rooms are generally easier to find.
Moving to April brings a touch more warmth, a slightly warmer sea and noticeably fewer rain days, and the hills are still green from the winter. Spring break crowds begin to thin and the whale season winds down, so spouts become less likely to spot from shore.
If you want the best chance of dry beach days, April is the safer choice. If whales matter to you or you want a quieter town, February suits you better. March sits in the middle and works well if your dates are fixed and you accept the odd shower.
Is March a good time to visit Kailua?
Yes, March is a good time to visit Kailua if you like warm days, a breeze and a relaxed beach town, and you can live with a few showers rolling off the mountains.
It suits paddlers, walkers, families and anyone who would rather spend the day on sand and water than in a resort. It is less ideal for travelers who need guaranteed dry skies or who want a lively nightlife, since Kailua winds down early. On arrival, start with the beach at dawn and a coffee in town, and rent your kayak or board for the first calm morning. What makes March special here is the mix of green mountains still soaked from winter, a warm sea and the lingering chance of a whale spout out past the Mokulua Islands, all seen from a beach where the trade winds never quite stop.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00513117, 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
- NWS Honolulu (HFO), Climate of Hawaii
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Announcement 2025-03 ; City and County of Honolulu, OTAT FAQ, checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026