Haleakala Sunrise Spectacular: Legendary Views + Local Breakfast
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Witness the dawning of a new day atop Haleakala (the house of the sun) a dormant volcanic mountain overlooking Maui on the east side. Deep canyons and slopes and unspoiled terrain are home to endemic Hawaiian Nene geese and rare Silversword plants.
You'll be transported in a comfortable mini coach to 9,740 feet elevation, close to the summit to witness the ultimate sunrise; a spectacular show of lights and colors. The sunrise tour is an unforgettable experience and a definite must-do on your Hawaii vacation. On the descent, marvel at sprawling scenic views of Kula and the Pacific Ocean on your way to breakfast at local favorite, Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation in Waikapu.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please contact the tour provider at minimum of 7 days prior to the tour date for ADA and all special requests.
Haleakala is known for rapidly changing weather conditions and dense clouds and rain are common. As a result, clear viewing of the sunrise is not guaranteed, and the tour operates rain or shine. Refunds will be granted only when the tour is cancelled for safety reasons.
The high altitude at the summit area may complicate health conditions and breathing difficulties. Elderly visitors, pregnant women, young children, and those with respiratory or heart conditions should consult their doctor prior to touring. Walk slowly and drink water to avoid dehydration. If you have gone scuba diving, you should wait at least 72 hours before going on this tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Tour narration by a professional driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Breakfast
Pick-up and drop-off at specific Maui hotels
Haleakala National Park admission fee
Gratuities
Port pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Haleakala Crater
Home to the world’s largest dormant volcano; over 30,000 acres. The park is known for its endemic and rare flora and fauna, scenic drive and stunning views.
Majestic views of the crater at 9,740 ft. Viewing of the sunrise takes place here.
Options
2:30am: Winter (10/1-3/31)
Pickup included
2am: Summer (4/1-9/30)
Pickup included
Reviews
2,068 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A chance to be above the clouds!
rosemarieo602,
Nov 4, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed the sunrise tour. It was as being as close to heaven as you can get. We were above the clouds. Preston was our guide. He gave us a lot of history on Maui. He told us about the crater, the tales of the area, local plants found only on the mountain. We had terrific weather. It was 49 degrees and no wind. Preston said that was warm. We were layered but if it was any colder or any wind (which they say is likely more often than not) we would have been freezing. Bring a lined coat and gloves. Then layer under that. I had a scarf that helped.
Spectacular sunrise at Haleakala
aswins326,
Nov 4, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00We were one of the fortunate bunch to have seen the sunrise on a bright sunny day. The view was spectacular and loved the whole trip. Big shout out to Preston, our tour guide, did a fantastic job. He gave lots of facts about Haleakala, their history, ecosystem, etc., and kept the whole tour funny and interesting!
Preston was a great experience guide!
Michael E,
Nov 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00First, our guide Preston was Great. He knew a few tricks to get us the best experience. There are other groups that went up with other tours, so he put us in the best position to view, and made sure we were warm (It gets pretty cold). He pointed out some other surprising events that occur along with the sunrise as well. As far as sunrises go, it was amazing. Highly recommended. Our experience was clear as we were far above all of the clouds. Be aware that this is not always the case, so check weather forecasts. This was a great experience!
Spectacular!
Suseela J,
Oct 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was an excellent experience. Preston was knowledgeable and informative. He gave us lots of great tips and told us lots of great stories and explained a lot of fascinating history on the way down. It’s important to note that if you are planning to make this trip, you need to bring lots of warm layers. It gets quite cold and windy up there. It also often is wet so you to make sure your outer layer is at least water resistant. We went on a dry and “warm” day but it was quite cold and windy despite wearing 3 layers (including a puffer coat) and two pairs of pants. Bring a beanie, gloves and thick socks because the cold air sneaks right into your shoes! It’s a wonderful experience, so don’t let the weather stop you from taking it all in and spending as much time out there as possible!
We hope Preston is your guide and dress warm!
666ethann,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour with beautiful views! Perfect amount of time at each stop with amazing, knowledgable narration from Preston! Remember to dress warm as it gets ridiculously cold (40-45 degrees on our tour). Thank you again Preston, we appreciate you!
Spectacular!
sumeja727,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00The entire experience from start to finish was truly wonderful. Preston was a wealth of knowledge and was so informative. He hung around and answered any questions before, during and after the actual sunrise. The breakfast was delicious and the entire experience was very well organized. We went on what was considered a warm and dry day but it was still quite cold. So it’s imperative to dress appropriately in layers and make sure your top layer is at the very least water resistant. It can get extremely wet and windy up there!
Stunning Experience with an excellent guide
Rob H,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was Preston. Preston was an absolute blast. He was incredibly informative, fun, easy going and an excellent guide. We got more out of this trip than I even expected because of him. Of course the views at the top were absolute stunning. This is a visual experience where words don't feel like they can do justice. I feel like this is a must if you visit Maui. Its so surreal to see the sheer scope of this whole view. Word of advice, we had what was considered a pleasant morning at the top which had very little wind and was in the mid 40s. People would be best prepared to dress in thicker clothing and jackets cause even my wife and I with long undershirts and hoodies got a touch chilly. I heard that it can be even colder and more windy up there so please dress a bit heavier, at least if you are too warm, you can remove a layer.
A great experience
andykR9658AN,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Preston was amazing! The tour was great, the sunrise was amazing, the breakfast phenomenal (recommend the pancakes), and would highly recommend the sunrise (just be sure to dress in layers and be prepared for 40 degrees. on a good day, at the top)! My only criticism would be that we drove from where we were staying in Kihei all the way to Kapalua (Ritz-Carleton) passing multiple pick up points on the way from other hotels.
Immaculate sunrise. Timelapse video turned out great!
landonk989,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00The sunrise was amazing! Our tour guide Preston was very knowledgeable and entertaining! He made sure we got the most out of our experience! Make sure you wear layers because we went with perfect weather and it was still very chilly due to the wind.
One of “Must Do” trips!
darwilljinn,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Visiting Haleakalā is one of several things you must do if you are visiting the island of Maui - this tour by Polynesian Adventures was a fantastic way to do that. As with any adventure, a bit of sacrifice and compromise is required - I was picked up at my hotel at 3:50am, which is actually reasonable given that I was staying in central Maui. Others on the tour were collected earlier - it just depends where you’re staying. The trip up the mountain takes about an hour, and in the early hours there isn’t much to see except the city lights that you’re leaving behind. I will say this about the weather - they recommend layers, and it’s a good idea. I am well acquainted with the cold, thought I had enough layers to handle the expected conditions - but hadn’t considered that the temperature on the island the rest of the week had been high 20’s (Celsius), and the near 0 was a bit of a shock to the system! My hands stayed in my pockets when I wasn’t taking photos ;) On entering the car park at the top of the mountain, our tour guide was explicit about where we were not permitted to go (which was absolutely fine - the car park is right at an optimal viewing point) and sent us on our way. We had arrived about 20 minutes before sunrise and the sky was just starting to brighten. Several other people were present - self driven and from other tour companies. We all waited together in anticipation, and because it’s an open space there were opportunities to quietly get to know other observers (if you’re into that sort of thing!) Although there was a bit of cloud cover, we were still treated to a spectacular sight. Some of the local men commenced a chant when the sun broke through the clouds, and wished us all well as the day commenced. My advice to travellers - even if it’s a bit cloudy, even if the sunrise itself is obscured, make the most of the time you have at the lookout - you might just be missing the best stuff if you leave as soon as sunrise is “done”. On return to the bus our driver had tea, coffee, and snacks available for us. The trip back down was well paced, with opportunities to stop and take photos of the island, and to get off at the visitors centre. Even though it was closed, it was a good stop. The breakfast stop as well was nothing short of fantastic - a good meal, in a fantastic venue, at the base of the mountain on the other side of Maui. I got a lot of mileage today! Finally, my tour guide Wayne was awesome! The guy had a lot of local knowledge, and also a lot of general knowledge that he shared with us all throughout the trip. I learned a lot about the recent history of Maui - the sorts of things you’d only get in conversation with someone who has been here for a very long time. Highly recommend!
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Operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours