Hilo in May
Great time to visit
May hits the sweet spot with excellent weather and manageable crowds. Prices are reasonable before summer peaks, making it one of the best times to visit Hilo.
Weather
May offers some of Hilo's most pleasant weather with warm days, cool nights, and minimal rainfall. Trade winds keep humidity comfortable while sunshine dominates most days. Brief afternoon showers still occur but are welcome cooling breaks.
29°C high21°C low8 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$165/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Lei Day (May 1)
- •Mother's Day celebrations
- •Memorial Day weekend
May Tips
- •This is prime hiking season - tackle the Kilauea Iki trail now
- •Ocean temperatures are perfect for swimming and snorkeling
- •Book restaurants ahead on weekends as locals enjoy the great weather too
All Months
April through October gives you the best shot at dry weather, but 'dry' in Hilo means 10 inches of rain instead of 15. The trade winds blow strongest in summer, which keeps things comfortable despite the humidity. Winter brings bigger surf to the east side beaches, but also more storms. Here's what locals know: mornings are almost always clearer than afternoons. Plan your waterfall hikes and volcano drives before 2 PM when the clouds roll in. The farmers market runs year-round, but summer brings the best variety of tropical fruits.
Hilo Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
7/10
Families
7/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
5/10
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