Sharktober: What to Know Before Heading to Hawai’i This Month

Hawai’i’s beautiful weather makes it a great time to visit all year long, especially during shoulder season months when the weather is great, crowds are smaller and prices are lower. But if you’re heading there in October, there are a few things you’ll want to know before you go.

Sharktober isn’t just a cute name, it’s actually a thing. The month earned its nickname due to increased shark activity each year in October. Researchers at University of Hawai’i studied 30 years of data to confirm October has more shark bite incidents than any other month. There is actually an ancient Hawaiian saying: “When the wiiwii tree blooms, the shark bites.”

October falls right in the middle of the wiiwii tree’s blooming season, which means the waters of the Hawaiian Islands will likely be shark-heavy.

Scientists believe the seasonal activities of tiger sharks are the reason for this spike. Sharks are migrating to give birth during September and October, which means there are more of them than usual, and they are looking for safe waters. Not to mention, they’re hungry from the difficult task of giving birth.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid Hawai’i in October; you’ll just want to arm yourself with some information and caution.

• Avoid swimming when sharks are most active (dawn, dusk and night)
• Don’t look or act like prey (sharks are looking for fish, which are colorful, shiny and move fast, so avoid colorful, glittery swimsuits and jewelry, along with excessive splashing)
• Stay close to shore
• Don’t swim in murky water or right after it rains
• Ask locals for tips on the safest beaches to swim

As long as you’re careful and respect the ocean is the sharks’ home, you can have a safe and fun vacation in Hawai’i during the month of October. And, whenever in doubt, Hawai’i’s many resorts have some really great pools!