No matter which of the Hawaiian islands you’re on, watching the sun disappear into the water while relaxing with your feet in the sand is probably one of the best experiences in life. There are many great places to experience the sunset in Hawaii.
Hopefully, after you have experienced the beautiful sunrises in Hawaiʻi, you will get a chance to view our exceptional sunsets. Below, are some of my recommendations for viewing the sunset in Hawaiʻi.
Tips For Seeing A Hawaiian Sunset
Before I get started on the where, let’s look at some tips to help make your sunset experience in Hawaiʻi great.
Get a Sunrise & Sunset Calendar
The time of sunset depends on the date and your location. For example, in Honolulu on Oʻahu where I live, the sun sets in December at around 5:48 pm but in July, the sun sets at 7:17 pm; nearly 1.5 hours later.
There are a lot of resources out there to help you calculate the exact time of the sunset but I follow the Sunrise Sunset website which even lets you print out a small calendar.
Don’t Worry about East or West
You’ll have the best opportunity to see the sunset into the ocean from a west-facing coast, however, sunsets from the east coast can be just as beautiful when watching the sunset behind the mountains.
Actually, anywhere in Hawaiʻi is a good place to watch the wonderful day turn into a beautiful night, especially if you are in good company. Considering all the great spots in Hawaiʻi, this list could go on forever.
Best Locations On Each Island
And so, without further delay, let’s take a look at some great locations for viewing and photographing sunsets in Hawai’i.
Big Island
ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay
ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay, or A-Bay, is a crescent-shaped beach with ideal conditions for all activities, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, and just plain relaxing. The beach is home to several tide pools, fishponds, and a grove of coconut trees. A-Bay is also home to some of the best sunsets on Big Island.
Mauna Kea
If you want to sit on a volcano and watch the sun go down, you probably need to come to Hawai’i. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and, with the summit at 14,000 feet above sea level, the tallest peak in Hawaii. Come for the sunset, but make sure you stay for the stargazing.
Kua Bay
Kua Bay offers a picture-perfect image of the sunset. Relax on a white-sand beach, the bright blue waters overcast with light pink, orange, and yellow. A sunset at Kua Bay is how paradise is defined.
Kealakekua Bay
Steeped in history, Kealakekua Bay is home to a sacred temple dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono and is also the site where Captain James Cook, a British navigator, arrived in Hawaii. There are two ways to enjoy this sunset; take a towel and lounge on the beach or take a sunset cruise.
Spencer Beach Park
Spencer Beach Park is known for its soft white sand and, unlike other locations to watch the sunset on the Big Island, it’s typically not crowded. Plus, it’s one of the few beaches where you can camp and enjoy a night under the stars.
Maui
Haleakala Crater
Not only is Haleakala Crater a great place to watch a sunrise, but Haleakala National Park is also the first place that comes to mind when choosing the perfect spot to watch the sunset on Maui. Not only is it one of the most scenic places on the island, but it also offers one of the most stunning views in the world.
Kapalua Bay Beach
Head over to Kapalua Bay Beach if you’re looking for a picture-perfect sunset spot. You can spend the day there enjoying the beach and swimming in the ocean and, as the day comes to a close, get ready for a gorgeous sunset. When twilight comes, the surroundings melt into pools of gold and purple.
Lahina Pali Trail
Viewing sunset on the Lahaina Pali Trail requires some strenuous hiking but it’s worth the effort. To get to the viewpoint, you have to hike 500 vertical feet from the Ukumehame trailhead. The panoramic view is breathtaking and possibly on of the best on the island. Plus, depending on the time of year, you may even see whales.
Tip: Don’t forget to take a flashlight or head-lamp along – you will need it for the trip back.
Keawakapu Beach
Another fabulous location where sunsets are enchanting is Keawakapu Beach. Stretching for over a half-mile, this isolated beach offers many spots where you can lay on a blanket and enjoy your time in privacy. Why not enjoy a picnic on this pristine white-sand beach while watching the sun disappear into the ocean?
Po’olenalena Beach Park
Po’olenalena Beach Park, also known as Chang’s Beach, is a secret little gem of a spot hidden between the South Maui resorts and the Big Beach area. This is a perfect spot to watch a gorgeous Maui sunset.
Oahu
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki not only offers great places to view and photograph sunrises, but Waikiki also offers great opportunities for viewing and photographing our brilliant Hawaiian sunsets. Plus, as an added bonus, you may even see the “green flash” as the sun disappears below the horizon.
Kaka’ako Waterfront Park
Not far outside of Waikiki, and just down the street from Ala Moana, is Kaka’ako Waterfront Park, a great waterfront park with a perfect view of both sunrises and sunsets. With large rolling grass hills and a long walkway along the water, this is a perfect spot to sit and reflect while watching a beautiful sunset.
Kaena Point
Kaena Point, because of its location at the most western point of Oahu, offers incredible sunrise photography opportunities as well as sunsets along with the opportunity to see and photograph unique wildlife. Kaena Point is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds, but it is remote and it takes a hike to get there.
Tip: Remember to take a flashlight or headlamp along – you will need it for the trip back.
Sunset Beach
It’s in the name — this is one of the top places to view a sunset on Oahu. Located on the island’s North Shore, this beach is great for watching surfers in the winter and swimming in the summer when the waves have calmed down. Grab a spot, sit back, relax and look out over the ocean as soft tones of yellow, pink, and orange span the horizon. But, this beach is very popular and gets crowded so plan to get there early.
China Walls
China Walls is a hidden gem for sunsets on the island of O’ahu. Located in Hawaii Kai, you can enjoy a sunset that overlooks the vast turquoise water. China Walls is also one of the most epic and dangerous surf spots in Hawaii as surfers glide past huge rock walls during each ride.
CAUTION: On days with big ocean swells, the waves crash into the rocks, and the swells can flood the entire area making it very dangerous — there have been more than a few drownings as people are swept off the rocks by the waves.
Tantalus Lookout
This is not your typical beach view of the sunset. Certain spots on Tantalus Mountain, such as Tantalus Lookout, offer a unique and elevated inland view of the setting sun with a picturesque Honolulu in the foreground. Relax on the lawn as you watch the sun setting over the city.
Kauai
Kauai is possibly the most beautiful and unspoiled of the Hawaiian Islands. Here I will share with you several spots known for their unsurpassed sunset views, any of which could be the perfect crowning touch to your Hawaiian vacation.
Polihale State Park
Polihale State Park is one of the best spots on the island’s western side to view a magnificent sunset. The park’s spacious grounds make it easy to find the perfect viewing place for the sun’s descent into the western sky.
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
There is possibly no better place than Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy the setting sun. With its combination of scenic beauty and historic interest, the Wildlife Refuge is home to the historic Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse and is an ideal location to enjoy a glorious sunset.
Kīlauea Point NWR also has one of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the state which makes it the best place for photography and wildlife observation.
Tip: Due to high visitation, limited parking, and being home to many endangered seabirds, Kīlauea Point NWR moved to a reservation system. Tickets are available up to two months in advance and typically sell out a week ahead.
Poipu Beach
The sunset and sunrise views from the world-famous Poipu Beach are especially gorgeous in the spring and winter months. Located on the south of the island, the cove is surrounded by palm trees which create a beautiful arch, and the black rocks on the sand and the deep orange colors from this angle make for a very dramatic sunset.
Kalalau Lookout
There is no more amazing place in all of the Hawaiian Islands than the Kalalau Lookout for sunset viewing. The drive to the site is winding and bumpy but the views make the trip worth the effort. Imagine watching the sun disappearing into the Pacific Ocean while surrounded by dramatic views of a massive canyon.
Hanalei Bay
Located on Kauai’s North Shore, Hanalei Bay is a favorite place to watch the sun go down, especially if you’re visiting Hawaii during the summer or early fall – that’s when the views are best. This is a family-friendly place to swim and Hanalei Town is a great place to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Tunnels Beach
What makes Tunnels Beach special is that it is never really crowded — there is virtually no parking close by. You need to park your car on a side street about a mile away to access the beach. During sunset, you will pretty much be the only people there.