In Maui, an August morning brings trade winds that stir the hillsides hued like sugarcane, surf lessons launching first at Kihei, and a plate lunch truck already forming its line by the harbor. Days are long, sunny and warm, and the island runs at a relaxed summer pace. This is a month for family beach days, snorkeling, a drive along the Hana coast and sunsets on the leeward side.
What is the weather like in Maui in August?
August in Maui is hot, bright and almost completely dry along the coasts, with warm nights and a steady breeze off the ocean.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 89.2 | 71.8 | 1.5 | 79.1 |
| August | 89.9 | 72.3 | 1.3 | 79.3 |
| September | 90.0 | 71.2 | 1.0 | 79.8 |
Mornings are the softest part of the day, with light that turns the West Maui Mountains gold and a breeze that makes breakfast on a lanai a pleasure. By midday the sun is strong on the leeward beaches of Wailea, Kihei and Kaanapali, so shade, a hat and a long lunch make sense. Afternoons stay warm into the evening, and dinner outdoors needs nothing more than a light shirt.
Rain is rare on the sunny coasts. When a shower does come through, it passes quickly, and most of that rain falls on the windward side, close to Hana and the slopes of Haleakala, where the greenery lasts all summer long. The summit is another world, cold and windy at dawn, so a jacket belongs in the bag for anyone heading up the mountain.
The light lasts a long time, with daylight stretching well into the evening, which leaves room for a late snorkel or a slow sunset walk. The ocean is warm and welcoming, and you hardly need more than a swimsuit and a rash guard to stay in for a good while.
Can you swim in Maui in August?
Sure, you can take a long, comfortable swim in that warm ocean, and on the south and west shores, August ranks among the simpler months for doing so.
In summer the south-facing and west-facing beaches usually have the gentlest water, and the big surf shifts to other seasons and the north shore. Wailea, Kihei, Kaanapali and Kapalua are the names families look to first, and mornings tend to be calmer than afternoons, when the wind can pick up. Snorkelers often head for the rocky edges of bays where fish gather, and Molokini crater is the classic boat trip.
Conditions change from beach to beach and hour to hour, so read the signs, follow the flags and ask the lifeguard before you go in. Nervous swimmers and young children do best at beaches with a lifeguard and a wide sandy entry. Bring a mask, fins you do not mind getting wet, and a mineral sunscreen, the only kind sold without a prescription in Maui County.
What to do in Maui in August
August is a month of long beach days, ocean activities and early starts for the island’s famous outings. There is no single festival that defines it, but the summer calendar brings county fairs, local craft markets, outdoor concerts and community events in the towns, and the mood is relaxed and family-oriented.
Food leans toward the ocean and the grill. Poke from a market counter, fish tacos, shave ice dripping with tropical syrups and a plate lunch eaten on a seawall are the flavors of the month. Fruit stands along the roads sell whatever is ripe, and a cold drink with pineapple or coconut is hard to resist after a hot morning.
Snorkeling and ocean outings
The ocean is the main attraction in August. Boat trips leave early from Maalaea and Lahaina-side harbors, heading to Molokini or along the coast, and shore snorkeling works well at the rocky points of the south and west shores. Mornings are usually the clearest, with fewer people and a calmer surface.
Sea turtles often graze near some beaches, and you may see them while snorkeling. They are protected, so keep a respectful distance and never touch them. Surf lessons suit beginners on the gentle south-side breaks, while paddleboards and kayaks are good for glassy mornings.
Pair a morning on the water with a lazy afternoon at the hotel pool or a shaded lunch in town. Bring a dry bag, water and a rash guard, since the sun on the water is intense.
The Road to Hana
This winding coastal drive is a full day and one of the great Maui experiences. You pass waterfalls, bamboo groves, black-sand and red-sand beaches, banana bread stands and one-lane bridges, all on the wet windward side where the jungle is green year-round. August is the drier part of the year, so showers are shorter, though the road itself is slow and curvy.
Start early, bring snacks and swimwear, and treat roadside stops with respect, since much of the land is private or sacred. Waianapanapa State Park, with its black-sand beach, needs a reservation, so plan that first if it is on your list.
The drive suits patient travelers who enjoy stopping often. Anyone prone to carsickness should take it slowly and keep the windows cracked for the breeze.
Haleakala at dawn or dusk
The summit of Haleakala is cold and windy even in August, and the view above the clouds is the reason to go. Sunrise is the famous moment, with the sky changing color over the crater, while sunset and stargazing bring smaller crowds and a quiet, wide sky.
Dress in layers, with a real jacket, long pants and closed shoes, because the temperature at the top feels nothing like the beach below. A reservation is required for the sunrise visit, so make it before you get there. Pair it with a nap and a slow afternoon on the coast.
In the towns, Lahaina’s harbor area, Paia’s surf shops and Makawao’s cowboy-town galleries make good low-key stops. Upcountry, farm stands, lavender fields and cooler air are a pleasant change from the beach heat.
A two-day itinerary for Maui in August
Day 1 belongs to the leeward coast and the ocean. Start with an early breakfast and a morning snorkel or boat trip while the water is calm and the light is clear. Come back for a lunch of poke or fish tacos in Kihei or Wailea, then rest in the shade through the hottest hours.
In the late afternoon, walk a beach path or try a paddleboard when the wind eases. Stay for sunset on the west or south shore, then have dinner at an open-air restaurant where the evening air stays warm. If a shower rolls in, a gallery, a farmers market or a shave ice shop makes a fine backup.
Day 2 is for the mountain and the upcountry. Go to Haleakala for sunrise if you have a reservation, wrapped in layers, then descend for a late breakfast in Makawao or Paia. Midday suits a wander through farm stands, boutiques and a plate lunch.
Spend the afternoon on a north-shore beach or a short coastal walk, then return for a relaxed dinner. If the weather turns, a cultural museum, a coffee tasting or a long meal in town keeps the day pleasant.
Is Maui busy in August?
Yes, August is a busy summer month, with families filling the beaches before school starts and visitors from the mainland spread across the island.
The most popular areas, Kaanapali, Wailea, Kihei and the Hana road, feel full by midday, while early mornings and late afternoons are calmer. Rooms, rental cars and dinner tables tend to go quickly in the holiday-style weeks of summer, so book early, and expect somewhat easier choices later in the month as school resumes.
The reservations that matter are the ones for natural sites: the Haleakala sunrise and Waianapanapa State Park both require advance booking, and these slots are worth securing before anything else. Boat trips and popular restaurants also fill up, particularly for sunset seatings.
Quiet pockets exist for those who look. Upcountry towns, small beaches off the main strips and early-morning trails stay relaxed even at peak season. A mid-morning start for the beach and an early dinner help you avoid the largest crowds.
What to pack for Maui in August
Pack for sun, water and one chilly morning on a mountain.
- Mineral sunscreen, the only kind sold without a prescription in Maui County
- A rash guard and hat, for long hours on the water
- For sunrise at the summit, pack long pants and a warm jacket
- Water shoes, for rocky entries and Hana-side pools
- A light rain layer, for passing showers on the windward side
- A reusable water bottle, for hot days of walking
Good to know before you go
August sits inside the Central Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Rental cars and rooms are worth booking early, and a car is the easiest way to reach beaches, the summit and the Hana coast. Reserve the sunrise and state park slots first, then build the rest around them.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Hotel guests |
| Maui County transient accommodations tax | 3% | Hotel guests |
Maui in August vs July and September
Moving earlier to July gives you nearly the same weather and sea, but with more families and a livelier summer feel, since school is still out almost everywhere. The beaches and roads feel slightly fuller, and rooms are a bit harder to find.
Moving later to September brings an even warmer sea and a few fewer showers, with a calmer mood as school starts and families leave. Beaches, restaurants and trails feel more relaxed, and it is a pleasant time for couples and anyone who dislikes crowds.
Families tied to school calendars should stay with July or August, while flexible travelers and couples may prefer the quieter end of the season. If the beach is the whole plan, all three months work well.
Is August a good time to visit Maui?
August works great for families, beach lovers, and anyone chasing steady sunshine and warm water.
Those who enjoy snorkeling, boat trips, long evenings and easy outdoor dining will be happiest. Travelers who dislike crowds or want big winter surf and whale watching should look at another month. On arrival, secure the Haleakala sunrise and any state park reservations first, then fill in beach days around them. What makes August special in Maui is the rhythm of long, warm days, early mornings on a calm sea, a drive through green valleys and evenings that linger over the water.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USW00022516, 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
- County of Maui, Mineral Only Sunscreen Maui County (mauicounty.gov/2483), relayed by Maui Now, September 20, 2022, checked September 25, 2026
- Hawaii Department of Taxation, Announcement 2025-03 ; County of Maui, TAT Announcement 2021-01 (mauicounty.gov/2537), checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026