Sunrise at Haleakala

Haleakala at sunrise is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. You have to get up very early in the morning and dress warmly as you are traveling up to 10,000 feet and even on Maui it gets cold at the elevation.

One of Maui’s most memorable experiences, seeing the Haleakala sunrise from almost 10,000 feet above sea level does take some planning. Here are a few tips to make the most of your Haleakala expedition.

Come Early
Depending where you get started from on Maui, it can take you up to two hours to drive the Haleakala Highway (HI 37) and then up the winding Haleakala Crater Road leading to the summit of Haleakala. It’s an early wake-up call, but the reward is well worth it.

Drive past the Park Visitors Center at 7,000 feet to get to the Haleakala Visitors Center at 9,740 feet. Try to arrive at the Haleakala Visitor Center no later than a half hour before the sun rises — earlier for a good spot. In the summer the sun rises as early as 5:38 AM, in the winter as late as 6:55 AM. The color of the sky and clouds before daybreak are stunning.

Bring Warm Clothes
This is Hawaii but it gets very cold at the summit. The temperature drops 3º for every 1000 feet of elevation, so at the Haleakala Visitor Center’s 9,740-foot elevation (where most people watch the sunrise) it’s about 30º colder than at sea level. Be sure to bring pants, shoes, layers of clothing, and blankets. Temperatures are often in the 40-degree range.

Pick Up Breakfast
Although there are restroom facilities there is no food or gas sold within the park. So fill up your tank and bring some food and drink for an early morning breakfast. And most importantly don’t forget your camera.