Maui in February? Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Visiting
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Since we’ve become full-time Maui residents, our friends and family are always asking us what the best month to visit is. We’re putting together a month-by-month guide to help you decide exactly when to visit beautiful Maui.
You’re likely here because you’re wondering whether it’s a good idea to visit Maui in February (or you’ve already booked your trip and you’re looking for the best things to do in February).
Visiting Maui in February is a great idea because you’ll escape bad weather in another part of the world, the island is less crowded, the whales are here in full force, and you’ll get some beautiful, warm days. Drawbacks include hotel rates are high and there is a higher chance of rain and cloudy days.
Here we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting Maui in February: the weather, the crowds, the cost, and some of the best things you don’t want to miss.
What’s Maui Like – Maui Weather in February
First, the good news: the weather in Maui is probably warmer than wherever you’re coming from.
Hawaii is the only state in the tropics and while this doesn’t mean you’ll go without seasons, there’s not a huge difference between them.
The average high is around 80°F and the average low will be around 65°F.
Not bad for the middle of winter!
Of all the islands, Maui is the island with the least rainfall. Yes, it does still rain here, but not as much as say, Kauai.
That said, there’s definitely a warmer, drier, sunnier season (summer) and a wetter, cloudier, and colder season (winter).
Before we get into the details on the weather, you can find everything you need to know about visiting Maui during any time of year on our complete Maui Guide page. Where to stay, what to do, eating, drinking, and more…the guide has you covered.
What’s Maui weather like in February? Here are all the stats you need to know:
The average high in Ka’anapali is 79, in Kihei (near Wailea), it’s 81, and in Hana it’s 78. The average low in Ka’anapali is 66, in Kihei it’s 63, and in Hana it’s 64.
Because I live here, February is considered sweater and soup weather. For anyone visiting from other parts of the US, you’ll be just fine in a t-shirt and shorts.
Bottom line, when it comes to the average temperature in February: it’s balmy and lovely. So yes, visiting Maui in the winter is a good idea.
But just because it’s warm doesn’t mean it’s always sunny.
Get The Maui Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Maui.
You’ll notice that there’s a little dip in the average rainfall in February, but keep in mind that it’s a short month. Maui does get rain in the winter but don’t worry, there’s plenty to keep you entertained if you want to stay out of the rain.
Your best bet for rain-free weather during any time of the year is to stick to the West and Southside of the island, specifically Ka’anapali and Wailea (this article will help you choose between the two spots). This is the leeward side of the island, and it gets significantly less rain than anywhere else in Maui.
That’s probably why most of the hotels and vacation rentals are concentrated in these two areas.
We have a full where to stay on Maui guide. Plus, if you’re coming with kids, these 10 resorts should be on your short list to consider.
And for good measure, I wanted to include the ocean temperature stats. You can swim in the ocean without a wetsuit year-round. The ocean temperature in February is 75, the lowest that it is all year, but still extremely comfortable for a swim.
February isn’t looking like a terrible weather option, especially if you’re escaping rough weather back home.
Is Maui Crowded in February?
Ready for some great news? Maui isn’t a crowded island in February. If you’ve ever tried to go somewhere during peak season, you know that this is a big deal. Why?
- The two most popular luaus aren’t booked up months in advance
- You can actually find parking at most of the best snorkel spots (still get there early, of course)
- Activities will still be available for you to book last minute, like whale watching, snorkeling tours, and sunset cruises
- You can get into our favorite restaurants and navigate around the grocery store without it being too crazy
- The beaches aren’t packed so you can plan to visit all of the best beaches on Maui without much trouble (and in case you’re wondering, these are the 17 best beaches on Maui)
As you can see from the data below, February isn’t the slowest month for visitors, but it’s below average. And I would personally prefer not to visit an island when it’s filled to the brim with people.
If you agree, February could be a good choice for a visit.
Is February Cheaper on Maui?
If you’re looking for a hotel room, February is the cheapest winter month on Maui. But hotel rooms are significantly more expensive than what you’ll find in the spring or fall-winter is the most expensive season on Maui.
The average hotel room will run you $420 in February. That’s $100 more than what the average hotel room in September will cost. September is the cheapest month for a hotel room on Maui.
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority Infrastructure Report Note: using 2019 data because it’s the last normal year of data we have to look at.
When looking at vacation rentals, February leads with the highest cost per night of the entire year.
The average cost for a vacation rental in February is $290 per night. Compared with the least expensive month of November, at $219 per night. You’re going to spend a lot more for the same hotel room.
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority Infrastructure Report *December is 2018 Data
Though, you should also consider that while winter is pricey, you can also scoop up some of the best airfare deals out there. Two years of Skyscanner data shows that the cheapest month to fly to Hawaii is January…and February isn’t much more expensive than that.
Read our The Cheapest Time to Fly to Maui article for details. Spoiler: January is the cheapest, followed by February.
Get The Maui Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Maui.
How to Travel to Maui in February for Less
But let’s dig into that data a little more. When we looked at select hotel rates day-by-day during the month, we found that prices spike around President’s Day.
In 2020, that day falls on February 17th. As you can see from the chart below, the highest hotel prices for the month are February 12 – 20th.
To illustrate, we’re showing the 2019 daily rates for the Aston Ka’anapali, which show that the rates in February range significantly, from $303 per night during the lowest days to $508 per night during President’s Day weekend.
Head to Maui anytime aside from the middle of the month, and you’ll see some moderate prices for hotel rooms that are competitive with what you can expect to pay during other months.
What to Do on Maui in February
You can do all of the most popular activities on Maui every month of the year. But there are some that are extra special in February:
- Whale Watching: If you’re here from mid-December to mid-April, one of the most popular things to do on Maui is whale watching. You can view these beautiful creatures by trail, by boat, by kayak, or by raft. We have a 10% off coupon for one of our favorite whale watching tour (use code HVG at checkout).
- Maui Whale Festival: For 40 years, the Maui Whale Festival hosts events to inspire and promote the protection of humpback whales during the peak of the annual migration. Check out the Maui Whale Festival website for dates and events throughout February.
- Concert Cruises: As part of February’s Whale Festival, there are a number of special concert cruises featuring live music, food, and (hopefully) humpback whales.
But really, even if you’re just considering visiting in February, you need to read our Maui whale watching guide. It runs you through the ins and outs of visiting during this very special time of year.
For a listing of more events in February, be sure to check the calendar of events on GoHawaii.com.
Is February a Good Time to Go to Maui?
Reasons Why You Should Go to Maui in February:
✅ The opportunity to score some flight deals
✅ A less crowded island means you can see the sights with fewer people around
✅ It’s the peak of whale season, with a number of whale festival events to enjoy
✅ You can escape the cold on the mainland
✅ Outside of the mid-month hotel cost peak, you can still find some reasonably priced accommodations
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Go to Maui in February:
❌ You have a higher chance for rain and cloudy days when compared to other seasons
❌ Hotel and vacation rentals are very expensive in the days around President’s Day weekend
Despite the costs and the rain, February can still be a great time to go to Maui. There are fewer visitors, so the island won’t feel as crowded. Whale season is at its peak, which for some people can be reason enough to visit the island.
Plus, if you’re escaping cold weather elsewhere, February can make for a perfect winter break.
Make Your Maui Trip Easy
Visiting Maui during any time of the year can take a lot of planning. That’s where our itineraries come in: they take away the stress of planning to help you have the best trip possible.
Our itineraries map out excursion days where you visit the best spot — beaches, historical sights, restaurants, snorkeling spots, farms, and more — on a well-planned out route. Plus, we provide tips on parking, when to go, and how long to stay.
“I just wanted you to know that my family and I purchased the Maui itinerary and we are wrapping up 12 days on the island. We did so much of what you recommended and it was awesome for everyone. We have three college-age kids and everyone enjoyed the things that you suggested, including the restaurants. Thanks for all of the work that you put into this.” – Gunnar
Get The Maui Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Maui.