The best places to watch Maui Sunrises and Sunsets

Maui’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes for stunning sunrise and sunset views over the water, with the sun often rising and setting in a fiery orange or red hue. The island’s natural beauty, including its mountains, beaches, and tropical foliage, also adds to the scenic quality. During our trip to Maui, we made it a point to watch as many sunrises and sunsets possible.

The exact time of sunset in Maui varies depending on the season and your location in Maui,. To get the exact time of sunset for a particular day in Maui, you can check online resources such as timeanddate.com or your iPhone’s built-in Weather app.

Here are my recommendations for some of the best sunrise and sunset viewing spots in Maui.

Sunrise during our snorkeling trip with Kai Kanani

• Haleakala Summit: Watching the sunrise and/or sunset from the summit of Haleakala is a breathtaking experience. Reservations are required for sunrise, so be sure to plan ahead. During our trip in March, it was very cold for sunrise. Pack accordingly with winter layers (think: hat, gloves, jacket)!
• Kihei Beaches: Kihei has several great beaches, including Kamaole Beach Park III and Keawakapu Beach, where you can watch the sunset.
• Wailea Resorts: Sip a cocktail during sunset at one of the beautiful nearby resorts. My favorites include Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, and the Fairmont Kea Lani.
• Kaanapali Beach: Near Lahaina, this beautiful beach is a great spot to watch the sunset. You can walk along the beach, sit on the sand, or enjoy a drink at one of the beachfront restaurants.
• Ironwood Beach: This is a secluded beach in Kapalua that offers a beautiful setting for watching the sunset. It’s a bit off the beaten path, so it’s less crowded than some of the other spots on this list.

If you’re interested in a sunrise or sunset adventure, here are two highlights from our trip.

• Go for a sunrise snorkel: Take a sunrise cruise to Molokini Crater, a popular snorkeling spot, and watch the sunrise from the water. It’s a unique and memorable experience. We booked our fantastic sunrise snorkeling trip with Kai Kanani. The picture above is the breathtaking sunrise we were treated to that morning.
• Take a sunset sail: Leave from Maalaea or Lahaina for a sunset sail, where you can watch the sun sink below the horizon while enjoying a cocktail and some appetizers. We booked through Sail Trilogy and it was one of our favorite experiences of the trip.

Tips for Sunrise and Sunset Pictures

These are just a few of the many great spots to watch the sunset on Maui. No matter where you go, make sure to bring a camera and enjoy the stunning views! If you are using an iPhone, here are some tips for taking sunset photos that will be Instagram worthy. 

1. Use the Rule of Thirds: When framing your shot, try to place the horizon on one of the horizontal gridlines created by the Rule of Thirds. This will help create a more balanced composition.
2. Tap to Focus: When taking a photo, tap on the part of the image that you want to focus on. This will help ensure that the subject of your photo is in focus and sharp.
3. Adjust Exposure: To adjust the exposure of your photo, tap and hold on the part of the image that you want to be properly exposed. This will lock the exposure and focus on that area of the image.
4. Use Burst Mode: If you’re trying to capture action or movement, use Burst Mode to take a series of photos in quick succession. To activate Burst Mode, press and hold the shutter button.
5. Edit your Photos: After taking your photos, use editing tools like brightness, contrast, and saturation to enhance your images. You can also use apps like Lightroom to further edit and enhance your photos.

Most importantly, enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets of Maui!