Thanksgiving Honeymoon in Hawaii

CabernetHoney

Hi Ladies, I know that there are some Hawaii experts here, so my question to you is: Kauai and the Big Island in November- good or bad? My FI and I are planning to go to Hawaii over my Thanksgiving Break, hooray for working in the education field! And we are considering spending 10 days there, splitting our time between Kauai and the Big Island. My only concern is about the weather during that time frame. I'd love to be able to do all the fun hiking and snorkeling and zip lining and touring the islands that we can, so I've been trying to figure out if we're going to have difficulty because of the weather. Any advice, or any experience with Kauai and the Big Island over Thanksgiving? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!!

daria24

While Hawaii does have seasons, they are not as dramatic as say, Minnesota or New England. The main thing that changes is the strength of the waves-around late November/December is when certain beaches change from being good for swimming to better for surfing. The north shore of Kauai in particular can get a little hairy for swimming around December, but it may also be completely fine. It really varies. 

But the great thing about Hawaii is that there is ALWAYS a beach somewhere on each island that is safe for swimming/snorkeling. If you do any snorkeling tours, they will make sure you are in calm waters. Or you can just gage it by the other people in the water. 

At that time of the year you may be more comfortable in the water wearing a rash guard/swim shirt for a little extra warmth when snorkeling. I was there in June and wore my rash guard most of the time anyway, because with the wind and clouds sometimes you can feel surprisingly cool. 

Really the weather changes aren't so drastic that they would affect your ability to enjoy any activity you want. You may just have to adjust to a different location if the waves kick up. 

Miclan88

We spent the first half of November on the BI. Parts of the day were very warm, but it did get cool at night. The thing I was most surprised about was how cool the water was. It wasn't COLD, but I guess I was expecting it to feel more like the Carribean. like daria24 said, invest in a rash guard. I bought one to avoid sunburn, but it definitely helped keep me warm when snorkeling. Bring a sweatshirt or two. We did the night snorkel with manta rays and I was really glad I had a sweatshirt on the boat ride back!

CMGragain

Airfare zooms on holidays.  Thanksgiving break is the most traveled time of the year, and you will pay more for everything.

LiveLoveHike

Thanks ladies! How strange, I never would have guessed that the water would get cooler! But then again, I've never really paid much attention to water temps in Hawaii! I'm typically a cold person so I always make sure I have plenty of sweatshirts with me. A rash guard is a smart idea, it'll keep me warm and help avoid some sun too :-)

CMGragain, I know that everything is more expensive then :-( but sadly, I work in the education system and my school frowns on me taking a week off during the school year. It's just easier all around to plan it for one of my breaks and I really don't want to wait for spring break for my honeymoon! Lol- plus, I don't want to lose 5 days of sick time when I can avoid it! Hopefully we can find a condo to rent or a hotel with a kitchen so we can cook and save some costs that way! :-)

EDIT: I just realized that my original post was under an old username! Silly Knot! For easier reference- CabernetHoney and LiveLoveHike are one and the same!

CMGragain

I know that Norwegian cruises does a seven day island hopping cruise in Hawaii.  All food is included, but not tips, alcohol, shore excursions (Going to the beach is usually the cost of a taxi ride.)

http://vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=18085

beethery

I know I'm late, but Kauai is still gooooorgeous in November. The snorkeling won't be as great, and I definitely don't recommend playing in the water on the north side of the island during that time (the water gets too rough).

Poipu beach is usually pretty calm year-round, I don't know where you were planning to stay, but the Poipu area is super relaxed and lovely. Please go to Brennecke's during happy hour, get some Tai Chis and dinner, and then walk across the street to enjoy the sunset on the beach

Hit the Snack Shack at Sueoka's Market for a cheap (DELICIOUS) lunch, and then drive over to the Wailua river-should still be calm in November-, rent a kayak to paddle up it, do the little hike to the waterfall (warning: it is super super cold, even in the middle of the summer, so I recommend only going under it on a dare lol), then paddle back. Get lava flows and dinner at Hukilau Lanai over by the coconut marketplace!

I've been to Kauai numerous times, if you need recommendations, message me! If I don't know, or can't think of something, I'll ask my mom. She's the Kauai trip-planning expert.

erinlin25

all I will add is the zip lining in Kauai at the princeville ranch adventure was AMAZING. Have fun planning your trip! I have not been to Hawaii in November, but for the most part they have the traditional tropical weather all year round. You will be going after hurricane season so that is good. We went in September and it was HOT but always rained at a certain point in Kauai everyday. 

dolewhipper

erinlin25 said:

all I will add is the zip lining in Kauai at the princeville ranch adventure was AMAZING. Have fun planning your trip! I have not been to Hawaii in November, but for the most part they have the traditional tropical weather all year round. You will be going after hurricane season so that is good. We went in September and it was HOT but always rained at a certain point in Kauai everyday. 

Correct me if I'm wrong but....when was the last time a hurricane hit Hawaii?

CMGragain

Hurricanes do occasionally hit Hawaii, as do tsunamis.  It isn't a regular thing, though.

daria24

shannonmaya said:

erinlin25 said:

all I will add is the zip lining in Kauai at the princeville ranch adventure was AMAZING. Have fun planning your trip! I have not been to Hawaii in November, but for the most part they have the traditional tropical weather all year round. You will be going after hurricane season so that is good. We went in September and it was HOT but always rained at a certain point in Kauai everyday. 

Correct me if I'm wrong but....when was the last time a hurricane hit Hawaii?

The last major hurricane that did significant damage was Iniki in 1992-it's the reason Kauai is over run by chickens (the hurricane destroyed the chicken coops, unleashes chickens everywhere. Which then bred like crazy). There has been significant rainfall/surf swell since 1992, but not the type of damaging storms that the US East Coast/Caribbean experiences almost yearly.