Maui in May? The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Island

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We’ll happily take a trip to Maui any month of the year, but I love taking the family to Maui in May. Shoulder season is my favorite time to travel!

Here’s why: visiting Maui in May has a lot of upsides and very few downsides. Maui is the most expensive island to visit any time of the year, but in May you can save a lot on accommodations, it’s one of the less crowded times to visit, and the weather is perfect.

There’s a lot of reasons to love Maui in May, so here are the details you need to know to plan an amazing trip.

You’ve picked a great time to visit Maui, so here are some planning resources for you to jump right into:
– Get a lay of the land using our Maui Travel Guide and dig into the most important Maui Trip Planning details.
– Find a great area or hotel by reading up on where to stay on Maui.
– May is one of the best months to do a snorkeling tour. We’ve done so many and these are our favorite snorkeling tours.
– May is a great time to drive the Road to Hana (that’s where you’ll find Maui’s best waterfalls)

Erica’s Take on Maui in May:

I’m usually a bit sad in May because whale season is over, but May is an exceptional time to visit, even though the whales aren’t here anymore. In particular, I find it to be one of the best times to head out snorkeling and excellent time to drive the Road to Hana on east Maui!

I love visiting Maui in May because it’s part of the shoulder season, which means my husband’s “Three C’s” of travel are all low: Cost, Crowds, and Clouds. We can snag good hotel deals, find space on Maui’s best beaches, and have a good chance of sunny skies in Hana.

If I am going for the best weather and ocean conditions, May is my pick for a great month to visit.

(PS: in case you’re wondering, whale season in Hawaii is from December to March, and Maui is by far the best island to go whale-watching.)

No matter what month you go, we make the best Hawaii videos on the internet (I might be biased). Check out our Maui guide video to know what to expect from Maui in May…and every month:

Is May a Good Time to Go to Maui?

May is actually one of the best times to visit Maui! Costs are lower than average, the sun is shining (but it’s not too hot), and finding a place to lay out your towel won’t be too hard. You also usually have great ocean conditions so you can get out and snorkel on one of Maui’s best snorkeling tours.

Reasons to Go to Maui in May

Lower Costs: There’s a dip in accommodation costs in May before they spike up for the busy summer season. Unless you’re really having to count your pocket change (in which case we suggest Oahu), it’s on par with the more affordable months to visit the island.

Smaller Crowds: May is one of the least crowded months on Maui; in fact, last year it was the 4th least crowded month to visit. If you love fewer crowds (who doesn’t?), May is a great option.

Reasons Not to Go to Maui in May

Not the Cheapest/Least Crowded Month: This certainly isn’t a big deterrent for us, but it’s worth mentioning that there is a cheaper and less crowded month to visit: September through November (before Thanksgiving). But you’ll still have smaller crowds and cheaper hotel rates than the peak summer and winter months.

No More Whale Watching: Humpback whales have headed back up north for the summer, so while there may be a straggler or two in May, you really won’t find any whale-watching tours operating past March. Whale season is my favorite time on the island, so I wouldn’t blame you for opting for a winter trip to Maui.

If you’re not sold on Maui, see if one of the other islands would be a better fit:
The Big Island in May
Kauai in May

Is Maui in May Nice: Weather Data

May is the beginning of Hawaii’s summer season and is about as close to spring as you’ll get on the islands. It’s warm but coming out of the rainy season, so everything is green and blooming. You have pleasant weather, great for outdoor activities — we love the weather in May.

Maui in May is beautiful, but that’s not saying much for a Hawaiian island, so let’s dig into what that actually means.

Is Maui in May Rainy?

Maui receives the least rain of the four major Hawaiian Islands, and in May, you can expect less than half an inch of rainfall on the leeward side of the island and up to 4 inches of rain in Hana.

There is a reason we talk about the north and south or east and west shores as being so different: tradewinds. Tradewinds come from the northeast, bringing rain to that area of the island first, which is called the windward side. Much of it dissipates as it passes over land and gets blocked by mountains and volcanoes, leaving the southwest side of the island drier, which is called the leeward side. The most popular resort areas on the islands are on the leeward sides. For Maui, these are Ka’anapali and Kihei.

How Warm Is It on Maui in May?

May is not the hottest month on Maui, but you will get temperatures in the low to mid-80s during the day for a comfortable tropical vacation.

The weather on Maui is hottest in August and chilliest in February/March. May is in the middle — not too hot, not too cold.

West Maui is just slightly cooler than Kihei, so this chart gives a good representation of what you can expect in the major resort areas on the island. Daytime temperatures (green line above) average around 84°F in May, with a maximum temperature of 88°F, and overnight temperatures get no lower than 64°F.

Can You Swim in Maui in May?

You most certainly can swim around Maui in May, and quite comfortably at that! We’ll dig into ocean conditions in the next section, but we have some great resources for our Maui beach bums out there:

• The 17 Best Maui Beaches (with parking, directions, and tips)
• The 12 Best Maui Beach Hotels (+ 5 beachfront condos)
• Dinner on the Beach in Maui: Private Dining and Beachfront Restaurants

Maui wins the seat for the best winter snorkeling compared to the other islands (Kauai wins for May), but we have to get pretty picky to identify a bad time to snorkel around Maui. Check out Maui’s best snorkeling spots as well as the best snorkeling tours around the island.

What Are the Ocean Conditions Like in May?

Maui has unique ocean conditions for visitors compared to Kauai and Oahu, for example. While the ocean is never an inherently safe place, Kauai and Oahu’s north shores are well known for violent ocean conditions and dangerous shore breaks in the winter. Maui’s north shore gets hit with similar conditions, but the resort areas and most of the best beaches are on the West and South shores, which don’t tend to see such severe conditions.

May is the start of Hawaii’s summer season, which means swells head to the south shores of the islands. Maui’s south and west shores infrequently get swells bad enough to keep swimmers out of the water in May.

No matter the time of year, always check ocean conditions and lifeguard flags (if present) before entering the water. You can sign up for the Snorkel Report for Maui ocean conditions, put out by the Snorkel Store. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: if in doubt, don’t go out.

If the waters are safe to enter, the next question is about temperatures. Lucky you, you’ll never need a wetsuit in Hawaii because the ocean temperatures hang out between 76 and 81°F all year. In May, you’ll be splashing in waves that are about 78°F.

When is Hawaii Hurricane Season?

Hurricane season is from June through November, so you’ll just miss it by visiting in May.

Just in case you decide against a May vacation, let me put your mind at ease about hurricanes in Hawaii. Hurricanes rarely make landfall in Hawaii and they seldom cause much damage.

There have only been two hurricanes on record that have made landfall in Hawaii: Hurricane Dot (1959) and Hurricane Inikki (1992), both of which made landfall on Kauai. The last three hurricanes that have caused damage in Hawaii are Hurricane Lane (2018), Hurricane Iniki (1992), and Hurricane Iwa (1982). The majority of the damage from Hurricane Inkiki was on Kauai. 

While a hurricane generally won’t cause damage, you will likely have a day or two of rain and rough ocean conditions when a hurricane is coming near. Not ideal vacation conditions, but it’s not a super common occurrence.

Is May a Good Time to Do the Road to Hana?

May is a great time to drive the Road to Hana! In fact, it’s one of the better times to go as fewer visitors are on the island, meaning less traffic for your drive. Also, with good weather it means it’s not too hot or too wet to hike some of the trails.

We’ve gone to Hana on our own and on tours several times (this is our go-to tour and you get 10% off with our code!), and we have some great resources for you, whether it’s your first or fifteenth time!

If it is your first time heading to Hana, we highly recommend taking a guided tour. The drive isn’t for the faint of heart, with over 600 curves and 46 one-lane bridges, being the driver for this trip probably isn’t your idea of a relaxing vacation. We’ve done many tours and these are our favorite Road to Hana tours that we feel confident recommending.

If you’re having second thoughts, see if the Road to Hana is worth it or check out our full Road to Hana Guide.

If you want to tackle the drive on your own, watch our video above to avoid common mistakes, choose the right route, and brush up on Road to Hana etiquette so you have the smoothest drive possible! We also like opting to stay a night in Hana to break up the drive. Spoiler, our favorite place to stay is the Hana-Maui Resort (read our full review of the Hana-Maui).

How Busy is Maui in May?

Crowds on Maui in May take 9th place, which is good news for you! There is just an 8% difference in visitor numbers between the least crowded month (September) and May. By comparison, July is 28% more crowded. Even though it doesn’t win the prize for the least crowded month, you certainly won’t be battling with the crowd sizes you’ll find in July or December. Check out the chart below for a visual.

The busiest month is July, with 237,495 visitors in 2024, and the slowest month is September, with 164,932 visitors. With just 179,233 visitors last year, you’ll enjoy very moderate crowds on Maui in May.

Maui is the second most visited island in Hawaii, and it’s the second largest island at 727 square miles. You’ll still want to make your Mama’s Fish House reservations well in advance, but in May you’ll enjoy quieter beaches and less competition at popular spots!

Is Maui Cheaper in May? 

Maui is cheaper in May! It isn’t the cheapest month, that award also goes to September. May is the 5th-cheapest month to visit Maui, representing a nice little dip in pricing right before the summer price hikes.

It’s worth noting that Maui is the most expensive island to visit year-round, but significant savings are possible. Hotels are 30% cheaper in May than in December, the most expensive month, and vacation rentals are 20% cheaper in May than in February.

We focus on accommodation rates, as that will eat up the biggest chunk of your vacation fund. Pricing for flights tends to follow a similar pattern to hotel rates, but can be a bit more volatile than hotel rates, especially when considering different departure locations.

According to Skyscanner (in April 2025), May is the cheapest month to fly to Maui from San Francisco, but October is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles, and June is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago. We’ll never leave you hanging, though, so make sure you read up on How to Get a Cheap Ticket to Hawaii.

For more budgeting resources, we check costs annually and report to our readers in these three articles:

Things to Do in Maui in May

No matter when you visit Maui, you can expect beach days, swimming pools, shopping, and a variety of outdoor fun like snorkeling. But what else can you do? 

Here are some specific activities to consider on your May vacation:

• Check out the display of leis at the Annual Lei Day Celebration on May 1st
• Participate in a May Day celebration on May 1st at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku
• Taste fresh local fruits at a farmer’s market
• Check out Memorial Day activities
• Enjoy craft beer at the Maui Brewers Festival

And that’s not a comprehensive list. May is a great time to explore the islands and participate in traditional activities that make Hawaii unique. 

The Best Activities in Maui in May

Visiting in May is a great time to get out on the water or enjoy the Road to Hana (or both!).

Here’s even more to do on Maui:

• 31 of the BEST Things To Do On Maui
• 65 Things to Do in Maui with Kids (By Age): Your Family Will Love Them
• 16 Amazing Things to Do in Upcountry Maui (+ Map)
• 15 Amazing Things to Do in Kihei: your South Maui bucket list
• The 14 Best Things to Do on Maui on a Budget

As you explore the site and our YouTube channel, you’ll probably notice that comparing times to visit Hawaii is like splitting hairs, and we think you should visit whenever you can. However, if flexibility is on your side, you’ll want to pick a month like May to go to Maui.

Where to Stay on Maui in May

In the winter we usually tell people to avoid staying on east Maui or even northwest Maui (like in Kapalua). But in May, the winter rains have departed and you can pretty much choose anywhere to stay!

When we head to Maui, we usually stay in either West Maui (Ka’anapali, Napili, and Kapalua) or on South Maui (Wailea or Kihei). We don’t generally stay in central Maui because, while cheaper, we prefer the beaches on the south and west side.

We have a full database of our favorite places to stay on Maui, but a few that really stand out:

• Wailea Beach Resort: home to one of our favorite luaus on Maui, we love the pool and the vibe of this beautiful place.
• Wailea Ekahi: vacation rentals in luxurious Wailea without the luxurious price tag.
• Napili Shores: a vintage vibe and great budget friendly accommodations on one of Maui’s best beaches.

We lived on Maui for 3 years and have done enough trip planning for the both of us. Our Maui Itinerary is a culmination of years of travel to the Valley Isle wrapped up in a 64-page guide. Yes, you read that right, you can trade your 46 open tabs for 1 document to help with every trip-planning decision, as well as fully planned itinerary days.

We update this article annually, don’t miss what’s new! Pin it and follow us for more!