Start of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Big Island in May
Big Island edges warmer than April, with highs of 54°F (12°C), lows of 41°F (5°C) and about 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain.
It scores 62/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 54°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 5.4 in (138 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 55 min
- Comfort score
- 62/100 · Good
What May feels like
Cool days top out near 54°F (12°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 41°F (5°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.4 in (138 mm) across the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – October).
- Comfort improves from 51/100 in April to 62/100.
- May sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Hawaii Paradise route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 54°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Big Island in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Jet-black sand beach where green sea turtles haul out to rest.
Why now May scores 62/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Walk crater rims, steam vents and lava tubes around active Kīlauea.
Why now Highs near 54°F and 5.4 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Restored royal grounds and place of refuge on a lava shoreline.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
4-mile loop through rainforest and across a still-steaming crater floor.
The Rim at Volcano House
Park lodge dining room with windows over Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Nearby in May
- Maui in May~97 mi · highs 70°F, 1.5 in rain · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, drier
- Kailua & Lanikai in May~185 mi · highs 78°F, 1.3 in rain · 13°C (24°F) warmer by day, drier
- Waikiki in May~185 mi · highs 80°F, 1.9 in rain · 14°C (26°F) warmer by day, drier
- Oahu in May~200 mi · highs 78°F, 1.9 in rain · 13°C (24°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,145 m to Big Island's ~2,652 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Big Island in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Big Island?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 62/100 against a best of 71 in June – October. Expect highs of 54°F (12°C) and 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Oct window our Hawaii Paradise route recommends.
How cold is Big Island in May?
Average highs are 54°F (12°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Big Island in May?
Yes: about 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 71.5 in (1816 mm).
What should I pack for Big Island in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 54°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Big Island
Routes in season in May
- Hawaii Paradise Apr – Oct
Planning Big Island in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.