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Hilo

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Travel guide
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Travel guide

Top 10 things to do in Hilo

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Best time to visit Hilo

Data source：Meteostat
Last updated：2025-09

Weather in Hilo throughout the year

  • Spring (March–May): Average 23.1–23.6°C, mild and comfortable climate, moderate rainfall. Common activities: Hiking, whale watching (seasonal), visiting Volcanoes National Park. Recommended clothing: Light long-sleeved shirts, light jacket, comfortable shoes.
  • Summer (June–August): Average 24.3–25.0°C, hot and humid, relatively low rainfall. Common activities: Swimming, surfing, sunbathing, exploring rainforests. Recommended clothing: Light and breathable clothing, shorts, sun hat, sunscreen.
  • Autumn (September–November): Average 25.0–23.6°C, pleasant climate, rainfall ranging from low to moderate. Common activities: Hiking, watching sunsets, visiting coffee plantations. Recommended clothing: Light long-sleeved shirts, light jacket, comfortable shoes.
  • Winter (December–February): Average 22.3–22.9°C, mild climate, but higher rainfall, especially in February. Common activities: Visiting museums, exploring local culture, enjoying local cuisine. Recommended clothing: Light jacket, long pants, rain gear.

Weather in Hilo

Annual average temperature: approx. 23.8°C / Annual rainfall: approx. 2510 mm / Summer humidity: 75%–85% / Rainiest month: February

Hilo weather by month

Month
Temperature (°C)
Rainfall (mm)
January
22.9°C
55.3
February
22.3°C
426.7
March
23.2°C
233.3
April
23.1°C
323.3
May
23.6°C
236
June
24.3°C
133
July
25°C
129
August
24.8°C
187
September
25.1°C
144.7
October
25°C
139.7
November
23.6°C
346.3
December
22.9°C
156.3

7-day weather forecast for Hilo

10/29
Thursday
Light rain shower
26.3°C/22.3°C
10/30
Friday
Light rain shower
25.2°C/22.2°C
10/31
Saturday
Patchy rain nearby
25°C/22.5°C
11/1
Sunday
Light rain shower
24.8°C/20.8°C
11/2
Monday
Light rain shower
24.1°C/20.7°C
11/3
Tuesday
Light rain shower
22.5°C/20°C
11/4
Wednesday
Light rain shower
23.1°C/19.6°C

Hilo travel FAQs and useful info

Is Hilo, Hawaii worth visiting?

Yes, Hilo, Hawaii is worth visiting for travelers who enjoy a lush, tropical environment with rainforests, waterfalls, and a slower pace than the other side of the Big Island, offering a vibrant town experience with attractions like the Hilo Farmers Market, Rainbow Falls, and proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's ideal for those who appreciate natural beauty and local culture over luxury resorts and bustling nightlife, and it serves as a great base for exploring the eastern side of the island.

Is Hilo friendly to tourists?

Hilo is not your typical tourist town but very easy to fall in love with. It is rainy and charming, tropical and laid back. People are friendly, and time here seems to run just a bit slower than on the Kona side of the island.

How to spend a day in Hilo?

For a day in Hilo, explore waterfalls like Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls State Park, visit the Hilo Farmers Market for local goods, stroll through Liliʻuokalani Gardens, or head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can also explore the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, swim at Carlsmith Beach Park, learn at the Pacific Tsunami Museum, or see black sand beaches like Richardson Ocean Park.

Is it better to go to Hilo or Kona?

Choose Kona for a sunny, beach-focused experience with more resorts and tourist amenities, or Hilo for a lush, rainforest-rich environment with waterfalls, gardens, and a local, laid-back vibe. Your best choice depends on whether you prioritize sun, beaches, and activity (Kona) or rainforests, waterfalls, and a more local feel (Hilo).

What are the natural attractions in Hilo?

Hilo is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Visitors can marvel at the majestic Rainbow Falls, where an 80-foot waterfall cascades into an emerald pool, often with a rainbow visible in the morning mist. A short drive away, Akaka Falls State Park offers a loop trail to see the towering 442-foot Akaka Falls and the nearby Kahuna Falls. The Liliʻuokalani Gardens provide a serene Japanese-style landscape with koi ponds and stone lanterns.