Monarch Butterflies in Hawaii in May
Yes, May is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Hawaii. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 151 of the 1,837 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Good month for monarch butterflies in Hawaii
8.2%
of yearly sightings
151
records in May
#6
busiest month of 12
1,837
verified records a year
April 8.7%, May 8.2%, June 5.8%. Busiest month is January at 20.4%.
1,837 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
January
375 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 375 | 20.4% |
| Februarypeak | 243 | 13.2% |
| March | 215 | 11.7% |
| April | 160 | 8.7% |
| May | 151 | 8.2% |
| June | 106 | 5.8% |
| July | 60 | 3.3% |
| August | 63 | 3.4% |
| September | 48 | 2.6% |
| October | 61 | 3.3% |
| November | 117 | 6.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 238 | 13% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 1,837 |
In Hawaii, May carries 8.2% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (5.8%) after. The busiest month is January (20.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Hawaii are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch1,837 records
Plan your monarch butterfly trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main monarch butterfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Hawaii.
Viator
Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Hawaii
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see monarch butterflies in Hawaii in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 151 of the 1,837 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see monarch butterflies in Hawaii?+
May is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though January and February is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Hawaii?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, February and December, based on 1,837 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii