Haleakala Sunrise
A maui sunrise & haleakalā summit experience
EPIC MAUI SUNRISES
For many, sleeping in is one of the perks of vacation. But on Maui, you’ll want to rise early—at least once.
A Maui sunrise is truly magical when viewed from the Haleakalā Summit. From this vantage point, you can witness the stunning morning sun rising above the island shores and watch as the light spreads dramatically across the volcano’s crater floor.
Haleakala Sunrise Tour
Come with us on a Haleakalā Sunrise Tour as we explore the stories of this enchanted realm. Be inspired by the National Park landscape, and immerse yourself in the sacredness of Haleakalā’s summit.
Dress Warmly
At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the summit of Haleakalā is always pretty cold – even if it’s a hot day at the beach. Dress in layers and bring plenty of blankets!
Arrive Early
Do you have your car reservation (recreation.gov) or a tour booked? Sunrise is popular, so arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Check sunrise times here.
Don't Rush Off
Don’t rush off too quickly after sunrise, especially if you want some great pictures. The colors of Haleakalā Valley will grow more vibrant as contrast becomes greater, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
Capture Amazing Photos
It may seem simple enough to point your camera or phone at the rising sun and get “the shot”, but shooting into the sun can get tricky. Learn more about getting the perfect photos.
Watching a Haleakala Sunrise
The summit parking area is divided into 2 separate parking areas. The first parking area is the main area for viewing the sunrise at the crater. Here, expansive views into the crater provide an amazing foreground for the rising sun. On a clear morning, many will line the railing to view this spectacular vista in the cold morning air. With the lava rock walls of the Visitor Center just steps away, it’s easy to duck inside to warm up and view dozens of exhibits and maps of the mountains, including a three dimensional table mounted map of Maui.
Visitor Center
The best place to experience a sunrise on Maui is from the Summit Visitor Center. The dramatic cliffs and outcroppings nearby reflect the beauty of the morning rays, making for incredible photos. Our sunrise tour takes guests here for the event.
Red Hill Observatory
The Observatory at the top of Puu Ulaula (“Red Hill”) is just past the first parking lot and marks Haleakala’s highest point. From here, visitors are treated to beautiful 360 degree views. A stop at Puu Ulaula Overlook is not open to tours during sunrise.
Kalahaku Overlook
Kalahaku Overlook is the least popular spot to watch the sunrise on Haleakalā. It requires a short hike and is located further down the mountain. This spot is not recommended unless you are well-prepared, as hiking in the dark can be risky.
MAUI SUNRISE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
It is recommended that you arrive about 30 minutes prior to sunrise to settle into a great spot. The air will be cold until the first rays of sunshine appear, so be prepared to wait in comfort.
Date |
Haleakala Sunrise |
Maui Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st | 6:56am | 6:00pm |
| January 15th | 6:58am | 6:10pm |
| February 1st | 6:55am | 6:21pm |
| February 15th | 6:48am | 6:29pm |
| March 1st | 6:39am | 6:35pm |
| March 15th | 6:27am | 6:40pm |
| April 1st | 6:12am | 6:49pm |
| April 15th | 6:00am | 6:49pm |
| May 1st | 5:50am | 6:55pm |
| May 15th | 5:42am | 7:01pm |
| June 1st | 5:38am | 7:08pm |
| June 15th | 5:38am | 7:12pm |
| July 1st | 5:41am | 7:16pm |
| July 15th | 5:46am | 7:15pm |
| Aug 1st | 5:52am | 7:09pm |
| Aug 15th | 5:57am | 7:01pm |
| Sept 1st | 6:02am | 6:49pm |
| Sept 15th | 6:06am | 6:33pm |
| Oct 1st | 6:10am | 6:19pm |
| Oct 15th | 6:14am | 6:06pm |
| Nov 1st | 6:20am | 5:55pm |
| Nov 15th | 6:28am | 5:49pm |
| Dec 1st | 6:38am | 5:47pm |
| Dec 15th | 6:47am | 5:50pm |
Tips For Getting An Epic Haleakalā Sunrise Photo
It may seem easy to point your camera or phone at the rising sun and get “the shot,” but photographing into the sun can be tricky. Your best chance of capturing a great photo is actually before the sun crests the far side of the crater rim, which is over 7 miles away. While wide-angle lenses are useful for this dramatic landscape, a telephoto lens will allow you to zoom in on crater details such as cinder cones and intricate cloud formations.
Sunrise exposures can also be tricky. A tripod is important and will help you snap some longer exposures before sunrise. After sunrise, be careful of lens flare when shooting straight into the sun. A good tip to avoid lens flare is to frame either left or right of the sun, depress the shutter button halfway to lock focus and exposure, and – without letting off of the pressure on the shutter button – reframe with the sun in the composition and depress the shutter the rest of the way. This technique will go a long way in keeping the foreground and cloud colors properly exposed without losing detail from an underexposure (dark) photo. For professional style exposures, consider investing in a graduated neutral density filter or bracketing your images for processing HDR (High Dynamic Range) images later.
Best Maui Sunrise Locations
HALEAKALA SUMMIT
The best place to view a Maui sunrise is Haleakala Summit. Some of the very first visitors to Maui, including Mark Twain in 1866, ventured to the summit for sunrise. Today the winding 38 mile Crater Road sees hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. In order to control the impact of so many people visitors to the summit must now make reservations in advance or book a sunrise tour with a certified tour operator like us!
HANA
Unlike Haleakalā Summit, where clouds and valley walls set the scene, the sun rises over the ocean in Hāna, lighting up the horizon, clouds, and ocean with brilliant colors. This breathtaking sunrise is one of the many things that make Hāna “heavenly.” Staying the night and witnessing the sunrise from this side of the island is magical as the rugged and ancient land comes to life. It's a time of day few see, except the residents of Hāna who cherish the start of the day in this amazing part of Maui!
SOUTH MAUI
The sun doesn’t crest the top of Haleakalā until about 30 to 45 minutes after sunrise, depending on cloud cover. If you're at the beach, you can enjoy early morning ocean activities without needing sunscreen. Simply walking the miles of beaches in Kihei or Wailea at sunrise is a beautiful experience. Birds, whales, and waves can be seen in the tranquil calm of early mornings along South Maui's shorelines, creating a serene and picturesque setting.
WEST MAUI
The West Maui Mountains block the direct view of sunrise from this side of the island. However, spectacular clouds over the islands of Lana’i and Molokai can splash beautiful colors across the sky. During a full moon, as the sun rises, the moon sets, creating a breathtaking sight. Keep an eye out for the full moon setting over the ocean or Lana’i for an unforgettable photo opportunity!
CENTRAL MAUI
There are several places to view the sunrise from the central part of Maui which is primarily along the east side of the West Maui Mountains from the Waihee/Wailuku area stretching to Maalaea Harbor. Haleakala sits high on the horizon creating a striking silhouette!
NORTH MAUI
On the northernmost points of the island, you can capture the sunrise over the water in early summer. However, cloud cover often obscures the sun until it rises higher in the sky. If you're on the north shore at sunrise, the most spectacular colors and views are often to the west, where the West Maui Mountains and their cloud cover create a stunning backdrop.
