Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in February

Temperature: 68-81°F • Average Rainfall: 13 days/month • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day • Sea Temperature: 75°F

Let’s address the elephant in the room first and wrestle that pesky fly out of the ointment. So ok, February is among Hawaii’s wettest months, with rainfall on an average of 13 of the 28 days. Sounds high for sure, but often it takes the form of a a rapid cloudburst or short shower, rather than a biblical deluge that lasts all day. Those who make the leap of faith are often rewarded with mostly dry and sunny weather, with pleasantly balmy temperatures and seas still just about warm enough to comfortably swim in.

Heck, even if you do get unlucky, Hawaii – and especially the island of Oahu – has plenty of fantastic indoor attractions to explore, from art museums and aquariums to regal palaces and moving monuments and memorials to the victims of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attacks. You can save up to 50% on admission to many of these, plus whale-watching excursions, island tours and more with the Oahu pass from Go City. Click here to find out more and choose your pass, or read on for more info on our favorite February Hawaii activities!

Whales are as much a part of traditional Hawaiian culture as poke bowls and hula dancing. Visit the islands in February to find out why, as these majestic creatures make the long annual pilgrimage from Alaska to the (much) warmer breeding and calving grounds of the Hawaiian islands.

By February, humpbacks will already have arrived in their thousands, and the likelihood of spotting one (or several) is frankly way higher than your chances of not seeing any at all. Take a guided boat trip from any of the four main islands for the win.

There are many whale-spotting excursions available, from brief encounters to extended experiences that include lunch and the chance to snorkel with native sea turtles and other colorful critters.

You can, of course, also go it alone. Just grab a decent pair of binoculars and make for one of the many prime whale-watching spots on the islands, including Oahu’s Makapu’u Lighthouse, Kapa’a Overlook on Kauai or, best of all, any point on Maui that affords views of the shallow Auau Channel, home to one of the planet’s largest humpback whale communities during the Hawaiian winter.

So your plans to sip mai tais on Waikiki Beach all day have been rained off. What better opportunity to take a guided bus tour of Honolulu? This comprehensive five-hour experience (included with the Oahu pass, natch) takes you on an immersive journey through Hawaii’s history, including visits to the memorial marking Pearl Harbor’s sunken USS Arizona battleship and a stop at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, set atop an extinct volcano in the extraordinary Punchbowl Crater. Photo opportunities abound in Chinatown and at opulent Iolani Palace and Chinatown, and there’s a chance to grab a selfie with the famous 18-foot bronze statue of King Kamehameha.

Surf’s up in Hawaii in February, when winter swells all but guarantee top conditions for pro boarders. Take lessons along the North Shore, and look out for February’s Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic, a major competition that takes place just around the coast at sunny Makaha Beach.

Prefer to stay on dry(ish) land? Visit the technicolor botanical fever dream that is the Waimea Valley, all tropical plants, archaeological wonders and thundering waterfalls. Or drop by the world-conquering Dole pineapple plantation, where a taste of these golden and oh-so-sweet fruits may prove life-changing. 

There’s plenty more to do along the North Shore in February, too, including guided hikes along the stunning Mokuleia Trail, shoreline fishing experiences, fun hula classes, and cleansing tours of the North Shore Soap Factory set in the historic Waialua Sugar Mill. 

Oahu attractions don’t get much more iconic than the traditional Polynesian luau. These celebratory banquets come with a generous dollop of Hawaiian theater, from hula dancing to explosive pyrotechnics. The best luaus invite guests to join in the fun, donning floral garlands and embracing the aloha spirit with music, dance and – if you’re game – even singing. Unsurprisingly, luaus are hugely popular year-round. But February – low season with fewer tourists around – may be your best time to secure ringside seats and experience the fun without the crowds.

Small, family-run luaus around the islands are often the most authentic. But if it’s pure bombast and top-tier professional live entertainment you seek, you’re more likely to find it in the big resorts and other major attractions including the Polynesian Cultural Center and Ka Moana Luau at the landmark Aloha Tower.

Read our comparison of Ka Moana Luau and the Polynesian Cultural Center here.

Don’t let rain stop play on your February Hawaii vacation. For these magical islands contain more excellent indoor attractions than you can shake your hula at. Immerse yourself in the natural history of the Hawaiian islands (and beyond) at the quite excellent Bishop Museum (pictured above), where exhibits include several million seashells, invertebrates and Pacific and Hawaiian artifacts, plus an extraordinary ‘active’ volcano.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu Museum of Art is one of the largest repositories of Pacific and Asian art in the world. In addition to landmark pieces by the likes of Hokusai and Imaikalani Kalahele, the museum also has plenty of European and American art to ogle, including Matisse, Warhol, O’Keeffe, Bacon and many more.

Last but by no means least, say hey to the many residents of the vast Maui Ocean Center, including everything from shrimps and sea cucumbers to sharks and stingrays.

Looking for even more things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in february? The Oahu pass from Go City has your back, with access to dozens of tours, activities and attractions for one low price. Hit the buttons below to find out more and buy your pass.