Kona (Big Island) in May

In May, Kona (Big Island) averages 26°C (78°F) during the day and 21°C (70°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 28 days of the month see precipitation (224 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

May offers comfortable temperatures in Kona (Big Island), with some rain to plan around.

26°C
Avg high
21°C
Avg low
28
Rain days
224 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Kona (Big Island)

7th
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 4 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Kona (Big Island) (7th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs roughly the same as April (25°C) and warms a further 1°C into June (26°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Kona (Big Island)

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:48 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:52 PM
Day length
13 h 4 min

Times shown for Kona (Big Island) local time (Pacific/Honolulu), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Kona (Big Island) — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Kona (Big Island)'s local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:48 AM – 5:28 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:28 AM – 6:28 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:12 PM – 7:12 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:12 PM – 7:52 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Kona (Big Island) in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Kona (Big Island)'s popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — May in Kona (Big Island)

Shoulder

Kona (Big Island) is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Kona (Big Island)

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
13
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Kona (Big Island) — May

26°C (79°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Kona (Big Island)'s sea swings from 25°C (March) to 27.3°C (September) — May sits at 26°C.

Kona (Big Island) in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 25°C / 76°F 19°C / 67°F 97 mm 23
February 25°C / 76°F 19°C / 67°F 118 mm 22
March 25°C / 77°F 20°C / 68°F 111 mm 23
April 25°C / 77°F 21°C / 69°F 207 mm 27
May 26°C / 78°F 21°C / 70°F 224 mm 28
June 26°C / 79°F 22°C / 71°F 301 mm 29
July 27°C / 81°F 23°C / 73°F 296 mm 30
August 27°C / 81°F 23°C / 73°F 278 mm 29
September 27°C / 81°F 23°C / 73°F 206 mm 27
October 27°C / 81°F 22°C / 72°F 138 mm 25
November 26°C / 80°F 21°C / 70°F 103 mm 22
December 25°C / 77°F 20°C / 68°F 134 mm 23

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Kona (Big Island) in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Kona (Big Island) in May?

In May, Kona (Big Island) averages a high of 26°C (78°F) and a low of 21°C (70°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Kona (Big Island) in May?

May is quite rainy in Kona (Big Island), with about 28 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Kona (Big Island)?

May is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Kona (Big Island) in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Kona (Big Island) for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Kona (Big Island) on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.