Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in June

Temperature: 73-88°F • Average Rainfall: 8 days/month • Average Sunshine: 11 hours/day • Sea Temperature: 79°F

June in Hawaii hits more or less the same sweet spot as May: temperatures are in the balmy 70s and 80s, sea conditions are comfortable, and your chances of encountering a cloudburst are vanishingly slim. Better yet, we ain’t yet into the school holidays, meaning you get all the perks of a tropical Hawaiian summer without the crowds. Sure, the rising temperatures are met with rising hotel prices. But as it’s not high season quite yet, savvy travelers may still be able to bag the kind of bargain that will seem unthinkable come July and August.

Longer sunshine hours mean more time to enjoy Hawaii’s many attractions, from pristine sandy beaches and lush botanical gardens to hiking hotspots, snorkeling sites and sightseeing must-dos including the Pearl Harbor museums, Iolani Palace, Polynesian Culture Center and other essential Oahu attractions.

There is a staggering variety of activities in which to indulge on Hawaii’s many beaches. And no better time to do so than in June when the weather is fine and technicolor sunrises and sunsets are pretty much tailor-made for beach yoga and filter-free Insta-perfect photography.

Play ping-pong at Secret Island Beach on Oahu’s windward coast, where you can also kayak out to Mokoliʻi island, also known as the Chinaman’s Hat for its distinctive conical shape. Sip mai tais and people-watch at popular Waikiki. Say hey to the colony of native green sea turtles basking on the sands of Laniakea Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. Go wild for the emerald-green mountain backdrop at Kauai’s Hanalei Bay. Or snorkel the alien underwater world of lava tubes and weird coral formations at Tunnels Beach on Kauai. We could go on, but you probably get the general idea by now: June! Hawaii! BEACHES!

Hawaii’s summer festival season is in full swing by June, with several events worthy of your attention. King Kamehameha Day is an annual celebration of the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Statewide events like hula shows and lei-making workshops take place across the islands either side of the big day, but it’s the June 11 floral parade from Iolani Palace to Kapiolani Park in Honolulu – complete with colorful floats and lei-clad revelers – that draws the biggest crowds.

Hot on its heels, the Pan Pacific Festival is a three-day event that takes place mid-June in Waikiki, bringing Japanese food, music and cultural traditions to the people of Oahu.

Held at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Honolulu’s historic Ford Island, the Biggest Little Airshow is a family-friendly fun-fest that features spectacular flying displays, plus remote-controlled mini jets, candy airdrops over the runway, and plenty more funfair rides, food stalls and live music to keep the punters entertained all day long.

Hawaii’s lush landscapes are jaw-dropping at the best of times, but perhaps never more so than in early summer when the colors are at their most vibrant, and so many tropical and subtropical plant species are in bloom. Hit up Oahu’s Waimea Valley and you’ll soon see what we mean. The valley’s 1,875 verdant acres comprises a sprawling botanical garden with 50+ themed zones and flora than runs the gamut from prickly cacti to sweetly-scented hibiscus, as well as some picture-perfect waterfalls in which to cool off in the midday heat.

Pro-tip: admission to the Waimea Valley is included with an Oahu pass from Go City, which could save you up to 50% on your Oahu and Hawaii sightseeing, and features top attractions like the Polynesian Cultural Center, Ka Moana Luau and access to the Secret Island Beach.

Other popular botanical gardens include Oahu’s serene and oh-so-green Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, set against the backdrop of the Koolau mountain range, and the network of National Tropical Botanical Gardens over on neighboring Kauai.

Al fresco dining is de rigueur year-round in the Hawaiian islands, but there’s no more satisfying time to enjoy your park poke picnic than in the sultry June sunshine. Indeed, such is poke’s popularity here that it could lay legitimate claim to being Hawaii’s ‘national’ dish, its fresh raw fish, crunchy greens and umami soy flavors making it ideal for a quick and satisfying lunch. Try the popular plate lunch for something a little more hearty: a bit like a bento box, it includes traditional Hawaiian kalua pork and creamy macaroni salad with a portion of steamed rice.

Be sure to plunder the farmers’ markets – including Hilo Market on Big Island and the KCC Market in Honolulu – for summer-sweet tropical fruits: Hawaii’s pineapples, melons and mangoes are at their ripest, juiciest best at this time of year. And don’t miss an opportunity (or six) to cool off with a classic Hawaiian shave ice, liberally doused with your syrup flavor of choice. Try stalwart North Shore shave ice purveyor Matsumoto’s for the win.

The lush natural landscapes of the Hawaiian islands are alive to the sound of birdsong year-round, but nesting season (generally in and around June) is one of the best times to spot Hawaii’s feathered friends in their natural habitats.

The climate is also still cool enough in June to pack a field guide and eyeglasses and set out to discover the state’s birdwatching hotspots. The Kauai wetlands are one of the best places to eyeball the endemic nene – aka the Hawaiian goose – as well as other wading birds including herons, plovers and Hawaiian ducks. Spot swallows and shearwaters on the beaches and hit up densely forested areas like Honolulu’s Round Top Reserve for Hawaiian hawks, short-eared owls and colorful honeycreepers. There are marked trails and bird hides in most reserves. 

Looking for more things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in June? The Oahu pass from Go City can save you up to 50% on entry to around 40 attractions, including Iolani Palace, the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Pearl Harbor museums. Hit the buttons below to bag yours!