SunticUV index in Honolulu today
Honolulu sits close to the tropics, so the UV index runs high all year, including winter. The only accurate figure is a live one for your exact spot: Suntic shows Honolulu's real-time UV index and a 10-day forecast.
Sun and UV in Honolulu
Hawaii's low latitude means the sun is high in the sky year-round, and midday UV regularly reaches very high or extreme levels in every season. Trade-wind clouds drift through but tend to be brief and broken, doing little to reduce overall UV. The surrounding ocean reflects even more sunlight onto beachgoers and surfers.
When is UV highest in Honolulu?
UV is highest around solar noon (broadly 10am to 4pm) and strongest across almost the entire year. The exact peak shifts with the season and the day's weather. For more on this, see when is the sun strongest.
The UV index scale
| UV index | Risk level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Low | Minimal risk. Safe to be outside; sunglasses on bright days. |
| 3-5 | Moderate | Take care at midday. Use SPF 30+, a hat and shade around noon. |
| 6-7 | High | Protection needed. SPF 30+, cover up, seek shade 10am-4pm. |
| 8-10 | Very high | Extra protection. Avoid the sun at midday; SPF, clothing and shade are essential. |
| 11+ | Extreme | Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn quickly; stay inside or fully covered at peak hours. |
UV index categories follow the World Health Organization / US EPA scale.
Staying sun-safe in Honolulu
- There is no low-UV season here, so protect your skin in winter as well as summer.
- Open water and reflective sand add substantially to your UV exposure.
- Reef-safe, broad-spectrum sunscreen protects both your skin and Hawaii's reefs.
Wherever you are, the basics hold: use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, seek shade around midday, cover up, and never let your skin burn. See our sunburn prevention tips.
See Honolulu's live UV index
Suntic turns the live UV index into personal safe-sun times, sunscreen reminders and vitamin D tracking on your iPhone.
