In November the first big north swells begin to thunder onto the reefs below Princeville, and the cliffs fill with the sound of it. Waterfalls run full on the green ridges above Hanalei Bay, rainbows stack up over the taro fields, and the evening air smells of wet earth and plumeria. It is the month when Kauai’s north shore turns lush and a little wild, a good fit for travelers who prefer hiking, scenery and slow dinners to a strict beach schedule.
What is the weather like in Princeville in November?
November in Princeville is warm and green, with frequent showers that tend to pass quickly. This is the windward north shore, so rain is part of the picture on most days, and the landscape shows it.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 83.0 | 68.1 | 12.9 | 81.0 |
| November | 80.1 | 66.9 | 13.9 | 79.7 |
| December | 77.6 | 65.1 | 13.4 | 78.4 |
Mornings are often the clearest part of the day, with soft light on Hanalei Bay and the mountains standing sharp behind it. Showers tend to roll in off the ocean on the trade winds, soak the lawns for a quarter hour and move on, so a day is rarely a washout, though a few gray, wetter stretches do happen. Daylight now runs a little past eleven hours by mid-month, and because nightfall arrives so soon, choosing what to have for dinner can feel like something you do in the late afternoon.
Afternoons are comfortable for walking in a T-shirt, and evenings are mild enough for a light layer rather than a real jacket. Trails stay muddy and slick after rain, and the red dirt stains, so wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty. Lihue and the south and east sides of the island are noticeably drier, which makes them a handy backup when the north shore is socked in.
Can you swim in Princeville in November?
You can swim for a long time because the water is warm, yet on the north shore the surf shifts character in November, which means your choice of swimming spot counts for more than how warm it is.
Winter swells start to arrive on north-facing shores, and beaches that feel like a lagoon in summer can see powerful waves and strong currents. Hanalei Bay, Anini and the pockets of sand below Princeville can look inviting from the road and behave very differently in the water.
Some days the bay is gentle near the pier, other days the shore break is heavy. Read the signs at the beach, watch the water for a while before you go in, and follow the lifeguards and the flags.
Strong swimmers and body boarders may enjoy the days when the surf is moderate, while families with small children and nervous swimmers do best on the calmest mornings, close to a lifeguard tower. Snorkelers often find better conditions on the drier south and west sides of the island in winter. Pack a rash guard for the bursts of sun that break through the rain, plus a towel to keep in your car.
What to do in Princeville in November
Come November, the north shore’s big-wave season begins, and half the fun is taking it in from a spot that is safe and dry. From the bluffs and the lookouts around Princeville, you can see sets marching in and breaking on the reef, with surfers sometimes paddling out at the spots that are suited to them. Stay well back from wet rocks and ledges, since big waves can reach farther than they look.
The green of the month is the other headline. Rain keeps the cliffs draped in waterfalls, the taro patches in the Hanalei valley glow bright green, and the whole coast looks like a postcard from a wetter century. It is a lovely time for photography, especially in the soft light after a shower, when rainbows are common.
Hanalei town and the valley
The soul of the north shore is Hanalei, just a quick trip from Princeville, heading downhill and over the aging single-lane bridge. The town is a loose collection of wooden storefronts, surf shops, galleries and food trucks, with a pier that looks across the bay to the mountains. Wander the shops in the morning, then settle into a plate lunch or fish tacos on a bench.
The viewpoint above the valley, on the road down into town, is the classic place to see the taro fields laid out like a quilt. In November the colors are at their richest and the clouds often hang low on the peaks. When the surf is up, this is a good day for the town rather than the beach: coffee, a browse through the bookshops, and a slow walk along the pier.
Waterfalls, lookouts and gentle walks
Rain is what makes the waterfalls, so November is a good month to look for them. Roadside lookouts along the highway give views of cascades on the ridges, and the drive itself is a pleasure with the windows down between showers. Princeville also has its own coastal paths and a golf-course edge where you can stroll with ocean views and watch the swells.
Keep to marked paths, since the ground is slick after rain, and respect closed areas. If the park is shut on your reservation date, you get your state park fee back.
Food and slow evenings
Cool, damp evenings suit the north shore’s kitchens. Look for poke bowls, grilled fish, coconut curries and shave ice when the sun peeks out, plus farm stand fruit and baked goods from the markets around Hanalei and Kilauea. Many places are casual, so a dinner reservation matters more for the sit-down restaurants than for the food trucks.
After dark the north shore is quiet. Stars are bright on clear nights, and the sound of the surf carries over the bluffs. Many visitors spend the evening on a lanai with a drink and a view, which is entirely in keeping with the mood of the place.
A two-day itinerary for Princeville in November
Day 1 is for the town and the coast. Get going at first light with coffee and a stroll on the Princeville bluffs, where the light is at its clearest and the surf is simplest to read. Drive down into Hanalei mid-morning, browse the shops, and have an early lunch before any afternoon showers arrive.
Spend the afternoon on the pier and, if the water looks gentle and the lifeguard is on duty, a short dip near the shore. Head back up the hill before dusk, since the sun sets early. Dinner can be a relaxed sit-down meal in Princeville, with a lanai and a view if the sky cooperates.
Day 2 is for scenery. Take a slow drive along the highway to the lookouts over the valley and the waterfalls, stopping at farm stands and the small shops in Kilauea. Late morning is a good time for a gentle coastal walk, and a picnic suits the break between showers.
If rain sets in, switch to indoor plans: galleries and bookshops in Hanalei, a long café lunch, or a drive toward drier Lihue for shopping and a museum. Finish with an early dinner and, if the clouds clear, a look at the stars from the bluffs.
Is Princeville busy in November?
Princeville is moderately busy in November, with a quieter first half and a livelier second half as Thanksgiving week approaches.
Early in the month the north shore feels relaxed. You can get a table at restaurants, the trails are quieter, and it is simpler to track down rooms and rental cars. As the holiday week gets closer, families and couples arrive for the long weekend, and the area fills up. Book rooms and cars early for Thanksgiving week, and a little later for the quiet days before it.
Winter surf draws spectators to the lookouts, but the roads are never as crowded as in midsummer. Dinner reservations are wise at the popular sit-down restaurants, especially on weekends. Hurricane Lowell caused damage to parks and trails in September 2026, so certain spots may be shut or have restrictions, and you should look at the state parks notices page before making plans that depend on any particular site.
What to pack for Princeville in November
Pack for warm days, wet spells and muddy ground, and keep things light so they dry quickly.
- A light rain jacket, since showers come and go all day.
- Quick-dry shorts and T-shirts for warm, humid afternoons.
- Shoes with grip for muddy paths and slick lookouts.
- A rash guard and mineral sunscreen for the sun between showers.
- A sweater or light layer for cooler evenings on the lanai.
- A dry bag for your phone and camera on waterfall drives.
Good to know before you go
The Central Pacific hurricane season runs through November 30, so the month closes out the official season. Since Hurricane Lowell passed west of Kauai in September 2026, check the Hawaii Division of State Parks Important Park Notices page before planning a trail or a beach park. Rental cars and rooms tighten up in Thanksgiving week. Lodging carries these taxes.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State Transient Accommodations Tax | 11.00% | Guests, on lodging |
| Kauai County Transient Accommodations Tax | 3% | Guests, on lodging |
Princeville in November vs October and December
Moving the trip to October gives you a slightly warmer sea and air, and the big winter swells have usually not yet arrived, so the beaches tend to be more welcoming. The landscape is a little less lush, and the hurricane season still has another month to run.
December brings cooler air and a sea a shade cooler still, with more of the winter surf on the north shore. Holiday crowds arrive, rooms tighten and the lights go up, and the mood is festive. Waterfalls and green slopes are best, but the days are the shortest of the year.
Choose October if you want warmer days and a sea that is often gentle, though conditions change from day to day and beach to beach. Choose November if you like green scenery, big-wave watching and fewer people early in the month. Choose December if you want a festive atmosphere and do not mind booking early.
Is November a good time to visit Princeville?
Yes, November is a good time for travelers who come for scenery, walks, waterfalls and surf-watching rather than a guaranteed beach day.
Hikers, photographers, couples and anyone who likes a quiet lanai will love it. Surf fans can watch the first big swells roll in. Families with small children who want calm water every day, and sunseekers who need dry skies, may prefer another month or a stay on the drier south side of the island.
On arrival, check the park notices and the beach conditions first, then plan the rest around the weather. November in Princeville is the month when the north shore wakes up, with the first thunder of the winter surf, waterfalls spilling off the ridges, and rainbows over the bay in the late light.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00518165, 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 USW00022536
- 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
- Best Time to Visit Princeville: Weather by Month, Surf, Crowds and Yearly Events
- Princeville in October: Weather, North Shore Beaches and What to Do
- Princeville in December: North Shore Surf, Rainy Days, Whales and What to Do
- Princeville in January: North Shore Surf, Humpback Whales, Weather and What to Do