If there’s a “don’t miss” experience on Maui, it has to be watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala.
It can take up to two hours to reach the summit of Haleakala from some of Maui’s resort areas so showing up well before sunrise usually means a 2AM-3AM wake up call.
Reservations are REQUIRED to enter the National Park during the sunrise hours (3AM-7AM) which ensures that you’ll have a parking spot at the summit. Reservations can be made 7 days in advance.
Pack super warm clothes! It gets COLD at the summit. And I don’t mean cold for Hawaii. It’s not uncommon for it to be in the 20s and 30s at that elevation (Fahrenheit) and is pretty windy so it feels even colder.
- Pack motion sickness medications if you’re prone to it. - Take snacks and drink plenty of water. - Take your National Park Passport.
Going up for sunset is a good alternative for those not wanting to do sunrise at Haleakala. It’s a bit warmer, you don’t need reservations, and you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night.
This seems silly to have to say (hey, I’ve read plenty of experiences in Facebook groups), but sunrise and sunsets are NATURAL PHENOMENA so while they always occur, conditions aren’t always good for seeing them.