Watching the sunrise from Haleakala is an incredible sight. For starters you’re up a 10,000 ft volcano which is not an everyday experience. The scenery around you is dramatic and when the sun rises above the horizon and lights up the clouds below you, it’s breathtakingly beautiful. From the summit you’ll have panoramic views, which include the island, the volcanic crater and the ocean.
Sunrise, by it’s very nature, is early, and the drive up the volcano is a little slow and windy, with parking limited at the top. This article is all about getting you there on time, stress-free, ready to soak in that awe-inspiring moment. Read on to find out when you ought to leave based on where you’re staying on island.
And, if you’d rather not juggle all this yourself, then there is the option to book yourself on a Haleakala tour – more on that below.
1. Book your sunrise reservation in advance
Firstly, don’t forget your reservation, to enter Haleakalā National Park between 3:00am and 7:00am, you must have:
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A park pass (or annual pass)
The reservation must be purchased in advance. They are available up to 60 days in advance and costs $1 (at time of writing).
This reservation is in addition to a normal park pass (or annual pass) which can be purchased ahead of time or at the gate (cashless only).
2. Parking is limited so arrive early to get a good spot
The summit parking lots fill early and once full, cars are parked progressively farther down the mountain. This means you’ll have to walk longer to get to the good viewing spots, and remember it’s cold and dark before the sun rises!
This is why locals and frequent visitors say “go early”, not because of traffic, but because parking determines your entire experience. When shoud you arrive?
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A strong chance at summit parking
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Time to settle in, walk viewpoints, and layer up
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Zero rushing in the dark
3. Sunrise and Travel time from where you are on the island
We’ve put together some approximate drive times to help you plan your journey based on where you’re staying on the island. These are just a guide so always check the route yourself before you go!
Check the sunrise time for when you plan to go. It varies by about 1.5 hours throughout the year, with the earliest sunrise in June starting from 5:30am.
This table below is based on sunrise at 6am, so do adjust accordingly.
Haleakalā Sunrise Planning Table
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Where You’re Staying
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Approx. Drive Time
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Target Arrival Time
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Suggested Departure Time for 6am sunrise
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Kahului / Airport area
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~1 hour
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4:30am for 6am sunrise
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3:30am
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Upcountry (Makawao / Pukalani)
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~45–50 minutes
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4:30am for 6am sunrise
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3:40am
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Kihei / Wailea (South Maui)
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~1.5 hours
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4:30am for 6am sunrise
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3:00am
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West Maui (Lahaina / Kāʻanapali)
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~1.45–2.15 hours
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4:30am for 6am sunrise
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2:10 – 2:40 am
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4. Make the most of jet lag
If you’re coming to Maui on vacation and you’re traveling from the east – e.g. East Coast US, or Europe, then your body clock might mean you find yourself naturally getting up early. Booking a sunrise trip early in the vacation can make a lot of sense as you’re already awake and with nothing else to do. As your body clocks adjust later in your trip, you might not feel so eager about the early wake up!
5. Can I take a tour instead?
Yes. Tours remove parking stress entirely, and if you don’t want to drive in the dark, a tour is worth considering.
There are also lots of bonuses to booking a tour. Some tours cover multiple destinations e.g. Iao Valley and upcountry.
FAQs
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Use the “arrive by” feature rather than “leave at”
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Build in buffer time
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Some travelers find Apple Maps more reliable in Maui
However, you may be:
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Parked farther down
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Need to walk longer distances in the cold
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Have fewer viewing options
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No reservation required
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Fewer crowds
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Still dramatic views
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Stargazing afterward