SeasonMapWhat's on in Kauai (Poipu), United States through the year
Kauai, United States has 5 curated events through the year — 1 festival, 1 natural spectacle, 1 season, 1 hazard season and 1 local rule. The ones to plan around: Koloa Plantation Days (July) and Humpback whale season (December). July is its peak-crowd month.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Best time to visit Kauai (Poipu): weather, crowds and notes →
Kauai (Poipu) events and crowds by month
| Month | What starts | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| January | Haena State Park reservations | Busy |
| February | — | Quiet |
| March | — | Busy |
| April | — | Shoulder season |
| May | — | Shoulder season |
| June | Central Pacific hurricane season | Busy |
| July | Koloa Plantation Days | Peak crowds |
| August | — | Busy |
| September | — | Busy |
| October | — | Shoulder season |
| November | North shore swell season | Busy |
| December | Humpback whale season | Busy |
January in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in January →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
- Rule
Haena State Park reservations
1 Jan – 31 DecBook earlyKee Beach and the Kalalau trailhead sit inside a capped park: entry, parking and the shuttle are all booked in advance and sell out a month ahead. Walking in past the gate is not an option. Source ↗
Still on: North shore swell season (1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)), Humpback whale season (15 Dec – 15 May)
February in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in February →Quiet — one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in February.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), North shore swell season (1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)), Humpback whale season (15 Dec – 15 May)
March in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in March →Busy — Spring break in United States
Nothing new starts in March.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), North shore swell season (1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)), Humpback whale season (15 Dec – 15 May)
April in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in April →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in April.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Humpback whale season (15 Dec – 15 May)
May in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in May →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in May.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Humpback whale season (15 Dec – 15 May)
June in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in June →Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
- Hazard
Central Pacific hurricane season
1 Jun – 30 NovHawaii is hit rarely, but Kauai is the island that gets hit: Iniki flattened it in 1992 and the north shore roads still close for days when a system passes near. August and September are the months. Source ↗
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec)
July in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in July →Peak crowds — Koloa Plantation Days, Summer break in United States
- Festival
Koloa Plantation Days
17–26 JulMajor festivalCrowdedTen days on the south shore marking the island's sugar-plantation history, with a parade through Koloa on the closing Saturday. It is the one big community festival on Kauai's calendar. Source ↗
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)
August in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in August →Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in August.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)
September in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in September →Busy — Summer break in United States
Nothing new starts in September.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)
October in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in October →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in October.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)
November in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in November →Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States
- Season
North shore swell season
1 Nov – 31 Mar · usuallySurf seasonRiskNorth Pacific swells shut the north shore from November: Hanalei goes to the surfers, Kee and Tunnels stop being snorkelling beaches, and the Na Pali boat tours move round to the west side at Port Allen.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)
December in Kauai (Poipu)
Kauai (Poipu) weather in December →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
- Nature
Humpback whale season
15 Dec – 15 MayThe federal sanctuary season runs mid-December to mid-May, peaking around February. You do not need a boat: the cliff at Kilauea Point and the Mahaulepu coast both work from land.
Still on: Haena State Park reservations (1 Jan – 31 Dec), North shore swell season (1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))