One of the most popular times in Hawaiʻi is sunset, but sunrise might be the most sacred. Sunrise is a time of extreme calm and beauty in the islands when most people are still asleep. If you’re looking to have a Hawaiian beach all to yourself, sunrise is a great opportunity to do so and connect with the mana, or energy, of nature.
Below are some of my favorite spots to watch the sunrise in Hawaiʻi, including hikes, beaches, and unique spots for each island. But first, some tips to make your sunrise viewing a bit easier:
Tips For Seeing A Hawaiʻi Sunrise
If you want to see the sunrise in Hawaiʻi, here are some tips to make it a better experience:
Make your Jet-Lag work for you
If you come to Hawaiʻi from the east, US mainland or Europe, you will most likely experience a bit of jet-lag which will make waking up early very easy — especially during the first few days of your trip.
Early morning is one of my favorite times of the day. This is when you will get a rare peek of Hawaiʻi without large crowds of people. Get yourself a warm drink and see nature wake up slowly. The sunrise is a great bonus.
You can still enjoy a sunrise without actually seeing the sun
Obviously, most beaches and mountain trails that face east will put you in a direct line of sight with the sun; however, a clear view to the east isn’t necessary to enjoy the sunrise.
If you’re staying on the west side of an island, don’t worry. You could drive over to the windward side, but that’s not really necessary. Walking on a west-facing beach during the sunrise is still a great experience, with many colors in the sky and those same peaceful, calm feelings.
It’s all in the timing
Sunrise in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi varies between 05:48 in early June and 07:11 in early January. You can look up the exact time of the sunrise on the Time and Date website.
It will be light outside before sunrise
Whatever time your weather report tells you the sun will rise, you should know that it will begin to get light enough to start your day about 20 to 30 minutes before that time. In Honolulu, there is plenty of sunlight year-round when I leave the house around 5 a.m. for a 20-minute (1 mile) walk to the beach park.
As the sun rises closer to the horizon, soft colors will appear in the sky, a mix of blue, pink, purple, red, and orange. I recommend getting to your viewing area at the beginning of this stage, as the colors can be very beautiful.
Bring a headlamp when hiking
Let’s be honest, hiking in Hawaiʻi can be adventurous and fun and extremely dangerous (even fatal) at the same time. So, that being said, I do not recommend stumbling around in the dark, even wearing a headlamp, for folks not experienced with hiking in Hawaiʻi. But, if insist and you’re setting out on a hike and plan to watch the sunrise from the trail remember to bring a headlamp or flashlight to help you navigate.
Experience sunrise and sunset on the same day
It’s something you most likely don’t get to do often in your daily life, and you can’t ask for a more beautiful place to begin and end a day. For sunset recommendations, check out our guide to the best places to photograph sunsets in Hawaiʻi.
Best Locations On Each Island
Without further delay, here are some great locations for viewing sunrises in Hawai’i.
Big Island
The Big Island has a wide variety of unique sunrise opportunities. Because the sun rises in the east, all of these spots are facing the windward or eastern direction.
Rainbow Falls
One of the most convenient and potentially beautiful sunrise experiences on the windward side is Rainbow Falls. Located just minutes from downtown Hilo and an easy walk from parking, Rainbow Falls gets its name from the rainbows that appear in and around the falls when the rising sun hits it in the morning.
There’s a short staircase that brings you to the top of the falls, but the best viewing area for the rainbows will be from the area in front of the falls, where you are positioned between the falls and the sun.
Tip: After visiting Rainbow Falls, check out another nearby trail, the Waiʻale Trail, to explore another waterfall.
Pololu Valley Lookout
Another great location to see the sunrise is from the overlook at Pololū Valley. You can watch from the overlook, or hike down to the beach and watch the sky light up.
Tip: If you happen to be visiting our islands during whale-watching season (November – April) this is an especially good morning outing, as you can often see whales in the ocean from the trail.
Hilo Bay
You can see the sunrise from many places in Hilo, including the beach parks around Hilo Bay such as Coconut Island and Richardsons, a small black sand beach with pockets of green sand.
Waipio Valley
Located along the Kohala Coast you will find Waipio Valley with views at the overlook that are spectacular. After watching the sunrise from the overlook, you can hike down to Waipio Valley. The trail starts as a paved walkway but quickly turns into a narrow cliffside path.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
The sunrise at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is worth waking up early and is one of the best locations. A good viewpoint is along Crater Rim Drive, which is right by Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Here you will get amazing views of the Kīlauea caldera and Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is a 13,678′ volcano that overlooks the island of Hawaii and has some breathtaking views from the summit. But getting to the summit can be tricky. You could hike to the top of Mauna Loa to watch the sunrise over Hilo bay, but be prepared to camp out. The hike is for experienced hikers that have all the gear/supplies necessary the Mauna Loa Summit Trail is 19.5 miles long!
Your other option is to drive 17 miles on Saddle Road to the Mauna Loa Observatory, where you’ll hike 6 miles one way to reach the summit. (Note: the Rental Car companies do not allow their cars on Saddle Road.)
Maui
Haleakala Crater
To combat over-tourism, in 2017 the National Park Service started a new reservation system and fee for sunrise viewing. If you want to get into the park for sunrise between the peak hours of 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., you’ll need to pay a reservation fee to receive a permit and a parking space.
You can get your Haleakala Sunrise Reservation here but, because it’s such a popular activity, make sure you get your reservations way in advance.
Koki Beach Park
The sunrise over the island of ‘Alau off the coast of Koki Beach Park is magnificent.
Secret Cove, or Makena Beach
Although best at sunset, Makena Beach is also an amazing sunrise spot due to less crowding. This not-so-secret cove is a short walk down a path, through a rock wall, and out onto the beach. The beach’s crystal clear water, lava rocks, and palm trees make it an idyllic spot to enjoy and photograph the sunrise.
Oneloa Beach
Also known as Ironwoods Beach, Oneloa Beach is a beautiful strip of coastline a quarter-mile long located near Kapalua Resort, and rarely crowded. There may be no better place than this secluded beach to start your morning and watch the sunrise.
Hana Beach Park
Hana can be unpredictable when it comes to weather but you don’t really need clear skies to witness and photograph a beautiful sunrise. Grab a raincoat and get out there regardless of the weather — sometimes a stormy morning can be as beautiful as a bright and sunny one.
Oahu
Here are the top 7 places to watch a sunrise on Oahu:
Waikiki
Waikiki offers a range of sunrise photo opportunities. With a backdrop of Diamond Head and the reflecting lights of Waikiki, you can capture some stunning images.
Koko Head Crater
Koko Head Crater requires climbing many steps, 1048 to be exact, created using railway ties. At the top is a World War II bunker where, once you arrive, you can relax atop the bunker and gaze out into the distance at the panoramic view and sunrise.
Sandy Beach
Just around the bend in the road from Hawaii Kai, just past Hanauma Bay, lies the picturesque Sandy Beach. Here you can view the sunrise over the rocks, tide pools, and breaking waves, and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
The best spot to photograph sunrise at Sandy Beach is from the right side. Head all the way down the beach until you hit rocks. There are tide pools, reflections, and crashing waves all over the place.
CAUTION: Don’t let the soft sand and sparkling waters fool you; the waves are at Sandy Beach are big and fierce, the reef and jagged rocks are radical, and it is known by lifeguards and surfers to cause spinal injuries.
Lanikai Pillboxes
It’s a short, steep climb up to the Lanikai Pillboxes in Kailua, but once there you are presented with an incredible view of the sunrise over the Mokulua twin islands, known as the “Mokes”. Make sure you take your headlamp and go early; it takes about 30 minutes to reach the first “pillbox,” which is a World War II bunker, and another 15 minutes to the second pillbox.
Kualoa Beach
On the Windward side of Oahu, about 20-30 minute drive minute past Kaneohe, you will find Kualoa Beach Park. Here you can gaze out at the island called Chinaman’s Hat. If you’re the outdoor type, you can even rent a campsite and camp overnight while listening to the waves.
Makapuʻu Beach Park
Makapu’u Beach offers a good spot a few hundred yards down from the lookout. Park in the nicely paved parking lot and walk straight down the trail towards the reef. Take a short hike up the Makapu‘u lighthouse trail or pull off the side of the road while driving between Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo to view the best sunrise on Oahu.
Kaena Point
Kaena Point is at the most western point of Oahu and offers incredible photographs and unique wildlife. Travel along the coast through Waianae taking the road all the way to the end; you’ll be at the parking lot of Kaena Point State Park. From there it’s a 30-minute walk along the rocky, lava-formed coast with picturesque tidepools to the gated nature preserve.
Kauai
Poipu Beach
Also known as Shipwreck beach, Poipu Beach is a world-renowned spot and is the perfect location to catch a vibrant sunrise or sunset. Sunrises are best during the winter and spring months at Poipu Beach.
Lydgate Beach Park
Lydgate Beach is a fantastic place to capture a sunrise photo, plus a wonderful place to take the family for a day at the beach which offers a nearby playground that is perfect for kids.
Anahola Bay
Anahola Beach, located in a protected bay, is one of the few overnight camping grounds on the east coast of Kauai. What could be better than waking up to such a magnificent sunrise?
Ha’ena Beach
Ha’ena Beach is located on Kauai’s north shore at the end of Kuhio Highway. This lovely beach is within Ha’ena State Park. You will need to drive here from Hanalei to catch a sunrise but be sure to stay to explore the sea caves, ancient Hawaiian sites, and wonderful trails.
Kapaa Beach Park
Being approximately one mile in length, Kapaa Beach is the perfect spot to take a romantic sunrise walk on the beach with a loved one.
