In November, the evening light along Kalakaua Avenue turns copper, the tiki torches flicker on, and surfers paddle out one last time as the sky behind Diamond Head goes pink. The trade winds feel softer, the hotel lanais fill with people holding a mai tai or a cup of Kona coffee, and the beach has room to spread a towel again. Waikiki in November is warm, a little quieter than summer, and ready for long beach days followed by slow dinners outside.
What is the weather like in Waikiki in November?
Waikiki in November is warm and mostly sunny, with a little more rain than in October and a first hint of the winter season. Showers tend to be brief and passing.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 86.8 | 73.1 | 2.9 | 80.7 |
| November | 83.8 | 71.5 | 4.5 | 79.0 |
| December | 81.6 | 68.8 | 4.5 | 78.1 |
The day opens gentle and glowing, and by noon the sun beats down hard enough that you need a hat and sunscreen. Afternoons are warm without the heavy stickiness of late summer, which makes it comfortable to walk the length of the beach or climb up to a viewpoint. Evenings are mild enough for dinner outdoors in a light shirt, though a thin layer is welcome when the breeze picks up near the water.
On Oahu’s leeward side, where Waikiki lies and the climate stays dry, rain typically arrives as a brief shower that floats down from the Koolau mountains, frequently after dark or before dawn, and then a rainbow appears above the Ala Wai. The wetter days are rare enough that they rarely upset a plan, and a shower is a good excuse for a coffee under an awning. Days are shorter now, and the sun sets early in the evening, so the beach light is prettiest in the late afternoon.
Pack for sun first and showers second: a light rain jacket stays in the bag most of the time, while a sun shirt and sandals do the daily work. The sea is still warm, which is why November counts as a swimming month and not only a strolling one.
Can you swim in Waikiki in November?
Sure, in November the water off Waikiki stays close to early autumn’s temperature, so you can enjoy a long, comfortable swim.
The south shore is sheltered from the larger winter swells that hit the North Shore, so the water here is often gentle, with small rolling waves that suit beginner surfers on the longboard breaks near Queens and Canoes. Kuhio Beach has a protected stretch behind its breakwall that families like for small children, though conditions change, and the lifeguard towers and posted flags decide each day. At the Diamond Head end, snorkelers usually make for the rocky edges, since fish commonly collect by the reef, whereas the beach’s middle is largely sand and swimmers.
Every month, the Waikiki Aquarium puts out a calendar that indicates when box jellyfish will probably arrive on Oahu’s south shore. Because they can appear at any time, heed the warnings that are posted and swim only at spots staffed by lifeguards. Bring a rash guard or a light sun shirt, reef-aware habits (stay off the coral), and a bit of patience if a swell is running.
What to do in Waikiki in November
November is the month when Waikiki shifts from the high-summer rhythm into the winter season. The days remain beach-worthy, but the energy turns toward food, music and the lead-up to the holidays, with hotel lobbies starting to look festive late in the month.
Waikiki’s weekly rituals carry on: hula and live Hawaiian music at open-air stages and hotel courtyards, Friday evening fireworks near the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and torch lighting along the beachfront at dusk. Local fall events and craft fairs around Honolulu appear on the calendar, and a few of them land in November, though dates move from year to year, so check listings once you are there. Thanksgiving week brings a family crowd, and restaurants roll out turkey dinners next to the usual poke bowls.
When it comes to food, picture easy island dishes enjoyed outdoors: a plate lunch featuring rice and macaroni salad, a poke bowl from a counter on the Ala Moana side, fresh ahi, garlic shrimp from a truck, and shave ice following a hot walk. At night, many people head to a rooftop or beachfront table for sunset cocktails. Coffee shops and bakeries fill with malasadas and haupia pastries in the morning.
Diamond Head at its calmer, cooler hour
At the beach’s eastern edge, Diamond Head stands tall and offers the classic look back across Waikiki’s skyline and the sea. The hike climbs steadily through a crater and finishes with a stairway and tunnels near the summit, so sturdy shoes and water are a good idea. In November, the cooler air makes the climb easier than in summer, especially in the early morning.
Diamond Head State Monument requires a reservation for visitors, and this is worth sorting out before you plan the morning around it. Go early for softer light and fewer people on the path. The view at the top is wide, with the coast curving toward Koko Head on one side and the high-rises of Waikiki on the other.
Afterward, drop back down for breakfast in Kapahulu, where small local cafes serve loco moco, pancakes and fresh fruit. It is a good morning for anyone who likes a little effort before a beach afternoon, and less suited to people with knee trouble or very small children.
Surf lessons and paddling
Waikiki is where modern surfing grew up, and the long, gentle breaks off the south shore are still the place to try it. Lessons run from the beach stands along Kuhio and Queens, with instructors pushing students into small rolling waves. In November the swell is often moderate on this side, though it varies, so the instructors and lifeguards read the day.
Outrigger canoe rides are another classic, with a crew paddling out and catching a wave back to shore. The same goes for beginners, families with older children, and anyone who wants a tale worth sharing. Bring a rash guard, and plan the session for morning, when the wind is lighter and the water clearer.
Museums, markets and the aquarium
When a shower blows through, Waikiki has gentle indoor options. Set by the Diamond Head side of the shoreline, the Waikiki Aquarium offers a look at Hawaiian reef life and makes an easy hour or two for kids. Nearby, the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park are good for a stroll between showers, with big banyan trees for shade.
Evenings, the International Market Place and the shops along Kalakaua offer browsing, from aloha shirts and lauhala hats to local chocolate and coffee. Farmers markets around Oahu, including ones a short drive from Waikiki, sell fruit, baked goods and flower leis, and make a good morning outing. Hours and prices vary, so confirm locally before you go.
| Site | Open |
|---|---|
| Waikiki Aquarium | See posted hours |
A two-day itinerary for Waikiki in November
Day 1 is for the beach and the waterfront. Begin your day early by grabbing a coffee and strolling along the sand as the light stays gentle and surfers head out to paddle. Spend the late morning swimming or taking a lesson near Kuhio Beach, then break for a plate lunch or poke bowl in the shade.
In the afternoon, stroll Kalakaua Avenue for the shops and the International Market Place, and make time for shave ice. The sun sets early in November, with about eleven hours of daylight in the middle of the month, so aim to be on the sand or at a seaside bar by late afternoon. Dinner can be a beachfront table with live music and hula, and the torches get lit as the light fades.
If rain moves in, shift to a long lunch, then the shops and a hotel lobby bar with Hawaiian music. Day 2 turns to the east end. Rise early for the Diamond Head hike with your reservation, then have a hearty breakfast in Kapahulu. The cooler morning makes the climb gentler than in summer.
Spend the afternoon at the aquarium and Kapiolani Park, where you can rest under big trees and watch kite flyers and families. Late afternoon is for a canoe ride or a last swim, then an early dinner somewhere with sunset views. If the weather turns, the aquarium and a slow museum visit in Honolulu make a dry plan, and a coffee at a bakery fills any gaps.
Is Waikiki busy in November?
Waikiki is moderately busy in November, calmer than summer and the winter holidays, with a spike during Thanksgiving week.
Early and mid-November tend to feel relaxed, with room on the beach and easier tables at popular restaurants. Thanksgiving week brings families and a livelier crowd, and the final days of the month lead into the holiday rush. Conferences and sports events can fill hotels for a few days at a time, so rooms and rental cars sometimes tighten without warning.
As a habit, book early for the Thanksgiving week and later for the quiet stretches before it. Popular dinner spots with ocean views fill first, so reserve those a little ahead. For Diamond Head, the reservation rule matters and is worth settling as soon as your dates are firm, since morning slots go first.
What to pack for Waikiki in November
Pack light, with sun and the odd shower in mind.
- A light rain jacket, because showers pass through quickly
- A rash guard or sun shirt, for hours in the water
- Pack mineral sunscreen plus a hat, because the sun at midday packs a punch.
- Sturdy sneakers for the Diamond Head climb
- A light layer for breezy evenings on the waterfront
- Sandals and a quick-dry towel for 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. The week of Thanksgiving is when you should reserve rooms and tables first, since that is the busiest stretch, and the simplest way to move around Waikiki itself is on foot.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| State transient accommodations tax | 11% | Hotel guests |
| Oahu county tax | 3% | Hotel guests |
Waikiki in November vs October and December
Moving the trip to October gives you a slightly hotter, drier Waikiki with the warmest sea of the three months. The beach is still easy, and the crowds are lighter before Thanksgiving, which suits sun seekers who want the most reliable swimming days.
December brings cooler evenings, a little more rain and the holiday crowds, with festive lights along the avenue and higher demand for rooms. Winter surf builds on the North Shore, which draws visitors who want to watch big waves, though the south shore stays gentler than the north. Choose October for peak beach weather and fewer people, December for lights, holiday spirit and the surf season, and November for a balance of warm water, easier tables and a calmer feel before the holiday rush.
Is November a good time to visit Waikiki?
November is truly an ideal month for a Waikiki getaway, above all for those seeking balmy seas, easygoing sands, and a blend of alfresco hours and tasty meals.
It suits couples, families outside the school-break weeks, first-time surfers and anyone who likes to hike in cooler air. Travelers who want a guaranteed dry, hot week or the biggest holiday atmosphere may prefer another month. On arrival, sort out your Diamond Head reservation and pick a morning for a surf lesson, then leave the rest loose. What stays with you is the end of the day, when the sky over the water turns gold, the torches are lit along the beach, and ukulele music drifts from a courtyard as the surfers come in.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991-2020, station USC00519397, 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, Announcement 2025-03 ; City and County of Honolulu, OTAT FAQ, checked September 25, 2026
- Waikiki Aquarium, Box Jellyfish Calendar, checked September 25, 2026
- NWS Honolulu / Central Pacific Hurricane Center, « 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook », weather.gov/hfo/hurricaneOutlook2026, checked September 24, 2026