If you’re debating between doing Haleakala sunrise vs sunset, you’re in the right place.
You’re probably wondering, which one is better? How do I plan my trip?
Well, I’ve been lucky to experience both Haleakala sunrise AND sunset, so I can break down each one for you!
Let’s dive in.
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What Is Haleakala?
Haleakala is a huge volcano that forms over 75% of the island of Maui.
Not only that, its name means “house of the sun” in Hawaiian.
Legend has it that this is where the demigod Maui stood as he lassoed the sun, slowing its journey across the sky, and making the days last longer.
Nowadays, Haleakala National Park attracts visitors every year as a place to witness one of the most incredible sunrises in the world.
Why are the sunrises so incredible?
Well, Haleakala’s highest point towers above the clouds at 10,023 feet.
And let me tell you… witnessing a sunrise or sunset above the clouds is absolutely breathtaking!
So, this is totally a must-do on your visit to Maui.
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What’s Haleakala Sunrise Like?
We’ll start with sunrise because that’s the most iconic.
Of course, iconic also means popular, and unfortunately popular means crowded.
In fact sunrise is so popular that a reservation is required.
Reservations are only $1 per vehicle, and are booked through recreation.gov up to 60 days in advance.
You can only enter the national park and reach the summit for sunrise (during 3:00 am to 7:00 am) if you have a reservation.
Which brings me to my next point, in order to catch sunrise, you’ll have to wake up EARLY!
Depending on where you’re staying in Maui, it could be up to a two hour drive to Haleakala’s summit.
And even with the reservation system, there will still be quite a crowd.
That means you’ll want to arrive at the summit ideally 1 hour before sunrise in order to stake out a good viewing spot.
So just to recap: you’ll want to look up sunrise time, factor in driving time, and get there an hour early for a good spot.
Pro tip: If possible, schedule Haleakala sunrise towards the beginning of your trip. Chances are, you’re traveling from the mainland, and being jet lagged will help with having to wake up so early!
Okay… so now I’ve really laid out the least fun parts of this whole thing.
On the other hand, a perk of visiting for sunrise is this is when a national park ranger will perform a “mele oli” or traditional Hawaiian chant, to welcome the rising sun.
Even though I didn’t understand the words, witnessing the sunrise along with such an ancient ritual was a truly spiritual experience.
Again, Haleakala sunrise is incredible, and totally worth doing.
Haleakala sunrise reservations here: recreation.gov
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What’s Haleakala Sunset Like?
But what if you can’t get a sunrise reservation? Or what if you literally can’t wake up that early?
Don’t worry, sunset is just as spectacular!
Basically, I think Haleakala’s sunset is totally underrated.
But that’s a good thing, because it draws a MUCH smaller crowd.
Also, no reservations are required, which gives you a lot more flexibility.
Honestly, the coolest part of opting for sunset is sticking around until after it gets dark, and star-gazing above the clouds.
Haleakala’s summit is very high up and remote.
That means no light pollution, and it’s super peaceful once everyone leaves.
The last time I was there, my husband and I busted out a couple camping chairs and a blanket, and sat out in the dark.
Now, star-gazing on top of a volcano is one of my favorite memories in Maui!
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How Do I Get To Haleakala?
Whether you visit Haleakala for sunrise vs sunset, you’ll need to either drive yourself or take a tour.
Haleakala is of course located in Haleakala National Park, on the east side of Maui.
If you’re staying on the west side of Maui, such as in Kaanapali or Kapalua, it’s about a 2 hour drive to the summit.
From Kihei or Wailea, plan on the drive to the summit taking around 1.5 hours.
(If you want to know more about where to stay in Maui, head over to my Maui travel guide.)
It’s important to know that once you’ve entered the park, you still have 30 minutes to go before you reach the summit.
Also, this portion of the drive is windy with no guardrails, but offers incredible views!
If you’re driving in the dark, drive slow and watch for cows wandering into the road.
If you’re driving yourself, you’ll need your own car.
I highly recommend booking a rental car through RentalCars.com.
Personally, I use them every time I plan a trip.
I LOVE that they compare prices across every company at once, which saves a ton of time hunting down the best deals.
Less time researching, more time exploring right??
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What Should I Wear For Haleakala?
If there’s one thing you should take away from this post, it’s to be prepared to be COLD!
You may be in Hawaii, but once you’ve gained 10,000 feet of altitude, temperatures could easily be below freezing.
Especially before dawn and after dusk.
My point is, bring every layer you’ve packed, and probably a blanket if you want to sit outside for any amount of time.
I even packed a beanie and gloves for my last visit, which came in handy at the summit.
Whether you visit Haleakala for sunrise vs sunset, make sure to dress warm!
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What address did you put on your GPS to find it? Working on my itinerary now and want to make sure I get all the details right!
I put ‘Haleakala Observatory’ into Google Maps. The observatory is right at the summit, so it gives you an accurate idea of driving time/distance. 🙂