Haleakala Sunrise
Generally most folks make the trek up to Haleakala for the sunrise on the first couple of days due to the time zone difference from their home.
- You need to allow 2-2.5 hours from the Kaanapali area plus trying to be there 30 minutes prior to sunrise.
- Spend an hour hiking into the crater
- Stop for breakfast on the way back down at the Kula Lodge
- Tour on your own Laughing Goat dairy, Ulupalakua Winery, Lavender Farm or Ocean Vodka farm
- Hiking at Hosmer's Grove or one of Haleakala's trails, e.g., Halemau'u trail.
Sunrise Tour operators:
- Roberts Hawaii - <click here> $101 - $120 per person.
- Polynesian Adventure tours - <click here> ~ $122 per person. Hotel pickup, admission to park and full breakfast and return to condo/hotel
- All Maui Tours - <click here> - ~ $122 per person. Hotel pickup, admission to park and full breakfast and return to condo/hotel
- Temptation Tours - <click here> - $225 + per person. Luxury tour - with only 6-8 people in a luxury limo-Van, condo/hotel pickup, light morning snack at the crater rim, a run-of-the-menu breakfast after sunrise.
The sunrise is spectacular and very popular. There are some downsides such as finding your way in the dark, finding a parking spot and sharing the experience with hundreds of people. Plus weather is hard to predict if you will see the sun rise. An alternative is to go up for a Sunset. It will easier to predict the weather and it won't be as crowded. You can do some of the tours and have dinner in Kula or Makawao on the way up in the daylight. If your lucky and there is a full moon while you're here you can plan to see the sunset and the moon rising and then lighting up the crater.
