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Experience the magic of twilight above the clouds with a guided or self-paced sunset tour of Haleakalā. Choose from intimate astronomy excursions with telescopes, dinner tours, or budget-friendly audio guides.
Free Cancellation Watch the sunset from the 9,740-foot summit of Mt Haleakala for a quieter alternative to the morning crowds.
Free Cancellation Watch the sunset from Haleakalā’s summit followed by guided stargazing through a telescope in a small group setting.
Free Cancellation Watch the sunset and stars from Haleakala’s 10,000-foot summit on a guided tour with dinner from Kula Bistro.
Free Cancellation Explore Haleakalā’s sunset and stars at your own pace with GPS-guided stories of Hawaiian history and legends.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Haleakalā — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A Haleakalā sunset tour takes you above the clouds to the 10,023-foot summit of Maui's massive shield volcano. You will experience panoramic views of the island, dramatic volcanic landscapes that look like Mars, and incredible stargazing as day turns to night, all without the early wake-up call required for sunrise.
Stand at the Puʻu ʻUlaʻula summit and watch the sun dip below a thick blanket of clouds. The high elevation provides a sweeping, unobstructed vantage point of the Pacific Ocean.
Look down into a massive 2,600-foot deep erosional depression filled with red cinder cones. The terrain is completely barren and lunar-like, offering incredible photo opportunities.
Thanks to the high altitude and lack of light pollution, the summit is a premier natural observatory. Many sunset tours include time to view the Milky Way and use high-powered telescopes.
The journey to the top takes you through Maui's Upcountry, passing through changing climate zones, eucalyptus groves, and historic ranch towns like Makawao and Kula.
Keep an eye out for the endangered Hawaiian nēnē goose and the striking silversword plant, a rare species that only grows on the slopes of Haleakalā and nowhere else on earth.
Planning your Haleakalā sunset experience requires some preparation, especially regarding the extreme weather and high altitude. Here is what you need to know before booking your tour.
You can choose from fully guided bus or van tours that include dinner, specialized small-group astronomy tours with telescopes, or budget-friendly self-guided audio apps if you prefer to drive yourself.
Unlike the highly restricted sunrise hours (3:00 am to 7:00 am), you do not need a special $1.00 vehicle reservation to visit Haleakalā for sunset. However, parking lots fill up fast, which is why taking a guided tour is stress-free.
Guided tours typically include the $30.00 per vehicle National Park entrance fee in their ticket price. If you purchase a self-guided audio tour, you will need to pay this fee at the gate via credit or debit card.
Temperatures at the 10,023-foot summit can be 30 to 50 °F colder than at sea level. Warm clothes are absolutely mandatory, including a heavy jacket, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and ideally a beanie and gloves.
The high elevation can cause altitude sickness and breathing difficulties. These tours are not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health, and scuba divers must wait at least 72 hours after a dive before ascending.
There is no food or drinking water available for purchase inside the park. Many guided tours include a stop for dinner (like at Kula Bistro), but if you book a tour without food, you must pack your own meals.
The summit building and main visitor centers are wheelchair accessible. Several guided tours can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, but you must contact the tour provider at least 7 days in advance to arrange ADA requests.
Most commercial sunset tours offer a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Keep in mind that tours operate rain or shine, and refunds are only given if the operator cancels for safety reasons.
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| Guided Sunset with Dinner | Small-Group Astronomy Tour | Self-Guided Audio Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 to 7 hours | 5.5 hours | Flexible (4-6 hours) |
| Includes | Hotel pickup, professional guide, park admission, dinner | Guide, telescopes, warm drinks, chairs (BYO dinner) | GPS audio app, offline map, stories and navigation |
| Price from | $256 - $314 | $245 | $19.99 |
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Haleakalā National Park's Summit District is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This makes it incredibly easy to plan a sunset visit, as you are not restricted by closing gates.
Sunset times vary throughout the year, typically occurring around 5:30 p.m. in the winter months and closer to 7:00 p.m. during the summer. If you want to stay for stargazing, plan to remain at the summit for at least an hour after the sun goes down.
Visitor center hours vary: Headquarters Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, while the Haleakalā Visitor Center near the summit closes earlier, usually operating from sunrise until 12:00 pm.
The summit of Haleakalā is located about 38 miles from Kahului Airport. The drive takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and your starting location on the island.
You will travel via the Haleakalā Highway, a winding and steep road that gains over 10,000 feet in elevation. There is absolutely no public transportation that services the park. You must either rent a car or book a commercial tour.
If you are driving yourself, be aware that there are no gas stations inside the park. Ensure your tank is full before leaving towns like Pukalani or Paʻia. Driving an electric vehicle is highly discouraged as the steep climb drains batteries quickly and there are no charging stations.
The drier summer months are generally the best time to visit the summit for sunset. These months offer the most stable weather and clear skies, which are ideal for both watching the sunset and subsequent stargazing.
Winter months can bring extreme weather to the summit, including heavy rain, thick cloud walls, bone-chilling hail, and even freezing temperatures. Visibility can drop to zero very quickly.
If you are driving yourself, plan to arrive at the summit 2 to 3 hours before the actual sunset time. While reservations aren't required, the parking lots at the Puʻu ʻUlaʻula Overlook and Haleakalā Visitor Center fill up rapidly in the late afternoon.
The park has made significant efforts to accommodate all visitors. The Park Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakalā Visitor Center, and the summit building are all wheelchair accessible. Accessible restrooms are available at these centers as well as at the Kalahaku Overlook.
The Puʻu ʻUlaʻula Overlook can be accessed via a steep ramp, though assistance is highly recommended. Most hiking trails in the park are unpaved, rocky, and steep, making them unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Health Warning: The extreme altitude (up to 10,023 feet) means the air is thin. Elderly visitors, pregnant women, and anyone with respiratory or heart conditions should consult a doctor before ascending. Walk slowly and take frequent breaks to avoid altitude sickness.
Facilities at the summit are very limited. The most important thing to know is that there are no food or drink concessions anywhere inside the park. You must bring all your own meals, snacks, and water, or book a tour that provides dinner.
To protect the fragile volcanic ecosystem and respect the sacred cultural significance of Haleakalā, visitors must strictly adhere to park rules.
No, you do not need a reservation for sunset. Vehicle reservations are only strictly required for entering the Summit District during the sunrise hours between 3:00 am and 7:00 am.
Most guided bus or van tours include the $30.00 per vehicle National Park entrance fee in their ticket price. However, if you purchase a self-guided audio tour app, you will need to pay the entrance fee yourself at the gate.
You must dress in warm, heavy layers. Temperatures at the 10,023-foot summit can drop 30 to 50 °F compared to sea level, often reaching near freezing. Bring a heavy jacket, long pants, closed-toe shoes, a beanie, and gloves.
No, it is highly dangerous to ascend to the 10,023-foot summit immediately after scuba diving due to the risk of decompression sickness. You must wait at least 72 hours after your last dive before taking this tour.
Yes, if you stay after dark. The sun sets around 5:30 p.m. in winter and 7:00 p.m. in summer. If you wait about an hour after sunset, the sky becomes incredibly dark. Some tours even specialize in astronomy and provide high-powered telescopes.
There are absolutely no food outlets, restaurants, or vending machines inside the park. You must either book a guided tour that includes dinner or pack your own food and water before driving up.
It is highly discouraged. There are no electric vehicle charging stations inside the park, and the steep 38-mile climb to the summit consumes a massive amount of battery power, leaving many EVs stranded.
Many guided tours are wheelchair accessible, and the park's summit building and main visitor centers have paved, accessible pathways. If booking a tour, you must contact the provider at least 7 days in advance to arrange ADA accommodations.
Weather at the summit changes rapidly, and dense clouds or rain are common. Tours operate rain or shine, and clear views of the sunset are not guaranteed. Refunds are generally only provided if the tour is canceled by the operator for safety reasons.
The Haleakalā Highway is a steep, winding road with many switchbacks, and driving it back down in the dark after sunset can be intimidating for some. Booking a guided tour allows you to relax while a professional driver navigates the mountain.
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Travel to the 9,740-foot summit of Mt Haleakala on Maui's east side for an evening above the clouds. Located within Haleakala National Park, this volcanic peak offers a panoramic view of the island's lowlands as the sun sets over the Pacific. Choosing a sunset tour avoids the heavy traffic and early wake-up calls associated with the park's famous sunrise. You will have ample time to explore the summit area and watch the colors shift across the crater before the stars appear in the high-altitude sky.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, Korean, Japanese, English, Chinese (China), Italian, French, Spanish
This 5-6 hour excursion limits groups to seven people for a more personal experience within Haleakalā National Park. During the drive to the summit, your guide shares insights into Maui’s volcanic geology and the specific bird and plant species that survive in the park’s various climate zones. After watching the sunset from the top of the mountain, you will use a telescope to observe the stars and planets. The high elevation and lack of light pollution provide a clear view of the night sky. The guide also assists with night photography settings on your phone or camera to help you document the stars. Because temperatures drop significantly at the summit, the tour includes heavy coats, seating, and hot beverages to keep you comfortable throughout the evening.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This guided tour travels through Maui’s Upcountry and into Haleakala National Park, ascending to the 10,000-foot summit. On the way up, we stop at Kula Bistro to collect dinners to be eaten at the peak. Throughout the drive, Certified Interpretive Guides provide context on the island’s history and the unique culture of the Upcountry region. Once inside the national park, the discussion covers the area's volcanic geology and rare ecology, alongside stories of Hawaiian mythology and traditional ocean navigation. After the sun sets, you will remain at the summit to observe the night sky from one of the world's premier stargazing locations.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Cantonese, English, French, Spanish
This GPS-led audio tour guides you through the park’s transition from sunset into some of the clearest stargazing conditions on earth. As you drive, the app provides turn-by-turn directions to the best viewpoints while sharing stories of Hawaiian history and the legends tied to these landscapes. The tour works entirely offline, using your phone’s GPS to trigger narration and music automatically based on your location. This allows you to explore at your own pace, choosing which stops to linger at and which to skip. Once purchased, the tour never expires and can be used as many times as you like without needing a data connection.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English