November and December see around 200 of the world’s best surfers arrive in Hawaii to prove themselves.

They have stickers, they have talent, they have youth and they have a lot of photographers who want to take their photo.

When you add that to the fierce locals and normal tourists, you can see why it might be a good time to avoid.

We advise to arrive mid December, that way you might still luck into the final of the Pipe Masters and then settle in as all the pros leave town.

The time between Christmas and New Year often feature great waves and very little crowds, while January and February have the classic offshore days and consistent swell. The locals are (hopefully) surfed out and life is a whole lot easier.