November in
Honolulu - Oahu still means
daytime highs of up to 84°F and a pleasantly warm
water temperature of 79°F. So the start of the winter season in Honolulu actually means beautiful, mild beach vacation weather. Nights can now get slightly cooler with
lows of 70°F so you might want to pack a sweater. If you are worried about the
rain, luckily it mostly falls during the night in November but it might still be wise to bring an umbrella. As it is now the winter season called ‘Hoolio’ there is likely to be
some more rain, stronger trade winds and higher waves. Yes, higher waves and with those also come all the surf enthusiasts who swear by the beauty of the beaches in Honolulu. The
sun is still out for 7 hours a day.
November is also the last month of the off season. So you might find some great deals - except around Thanksgiving when many visitors come to enjoy the beaches and some sun. November also has lots to offer on the event front - from fashion, food, film and yes of course, surfing! You can check out some of these while you are there: the
Hawaii International Film Festival,
Honolulu Fashion Week or the
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Best Time to visit Honolulu - Oahu
Given Honolulu’s tropic position on Oahu you will find it to be a vacation destination close to heaven on earth - it is never too hot and never too cold - all year round! The sun is out every single day and a beautiful breeze also helps it to never feel too hot. In summer temperatures hobble around in the 80s F and even in winter they rarely drop under the 70s F.
If you are looking for times with fewer visitors and lower prices check out the months from the second half of April to early June as well as the months from September until early December. In the peak season from late June to August it’s busier given the school holidays and drier season with less rain which visitors aim to enjoy. In the winter months from mid December until April, many surfers do visit to enjoy the stronger trade winds and visit the diverse surf events.
Things to know about Honolulu - Oahu
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and situated on the island of Oahu. Hawaii is made up of six islands (Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, Molokai and Lanai) located in the Pacific Ocean. Honolulu is Hawaiian and basically means ‘sheltered bay’. Honolulu has a population of 390,000 and is the only real big city on any of the Hawaiian islands. Honolulu is an exciting place to be - there is lots going on from Chinatown to Waikiki Beach. If you are after a more relaxing and peaceful location for your vacation, other parts of the island of Oahu would be recommended.
Honolulu offers everything a big US city can - from skyscrapers and lots of traffic to art and culture. The big advantage is its location in the Pacific Ocean. You can spend half of the day on Waikiki Beach and then go exploring.
Some of the most exciting sights include:
Aloha Tower
This is a great place to start with as it will allow you to get a great view over Honolulu. Built in 1926, it used to be the highest tower in Honolulu - today it has been overtaken by many of the new skyscrapers. The best part is that a lift takes you up to the
viewing platform for free!
This is the
former residence of the Royal Family of Hawaii and one of the most important sights in Honolulu. Interestingly, it is the only royal palace on any US territory. The 3 tier palace in rococo finish was completed in 1882 and is now a museum. The real highlights of the place are the main hall, the throne room and the blue room.
This is the most visited and simply
most beautiful museum in Honolulu. Founded in 1889, the museum has the best collection of Hawaiian culture in the whole world. It hosts more than 24 million pieces. Highlights are the Planetarium, the Science Center and the big halls. Make sure to give yourself enough time when visiting!
Beretania Street
This is the street for you if you would like to explore some of the most
historic buildings in Honolulu. These include the Washington Palace, the St. Andrews Cathedral and the State Capital.
Chinatown
Chinatown is worth a visit in many cities. In Honolulu it’s of particular interest as it is
one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States. It’s been a key part of Honolulu since the 1850s. It’s a vibrant place full of colour with many bars and clubs.
Kawaiahao Church
The Kawaiahao Church is also called
Westminster Abbey of Hawaii. It is a simply stunning place made of
14000 pieces of coral stones. Well worth a visit!
Ala Moana Center
This is the
shopping paradise of Honolulu!
Art in Honolulu
Art lovers should note that every
first Friday of the month many galleries are open for free and stay open late. Some of the most important galleries include the
Hawaii State Art Museum,
The Honolulu Museum of Art and
the Spalding House.
Lyon Arboretum
Is the most stunning
botanical garden of the University of Hawaii!
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