If you’re planning a trip to Maui, Haleakala is likely coming across your research as a MUST SEE WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE!!! Personally, I was a bit skeptical. My mind was changed once I experienced it. I break down below how we did it and some tips to make the most of your experience.
ahead of time:
First, you will need tickets. We booked our tickets about 2 months in advance. I don’t know how much in advance they typically fill up, but I know there were none available day-of. NOTE: this is different from the park admission fee. We have annual national park passes, so this was free but otherwise would be paid at the entrance.
Secondly, you will need a method of traversing up the volcano. You can either book a tour with a shuttle or drive yourself. The third option would be hiking, but why would you EVER want to do that?!?! We chose to drive ourselves since we had a car and wanted to be on our own timeline.
Finally, you will need to be prepared for the elements. Because the peak is higher than the clouds, it is FREEZING and WINDY all year long. Most people do not pack winter wear for their Hawaii vacation, so consider making the trip in your PJs and bring lots of blankets. Additionally, if you are sensitive to altitude (lower oxygen levels, altitude/motion sickness, or difficult-to-pop ears), take the proper precautions ahead of time!
day of:
If you are driving yourself, you should plan to be at the base of the volcano 60-90 minutes before the sunrise to allow for time to make it up, parking, and finding a spot to watch the sunrise from. Maps it ahead of time, it may be a lot further than you expect (it was 2.5hr from Kihei, meaning we had to leave at 2am to make it in time). Follow the crowds to know what side of the peak the sun will be rising from (try to find a spot near the gift shop). We were wrapped in blankets and in multiple layers and still pretty cold. A warm beverage and folding chair would be great additions if you plan for them!
why we loved it:
Let me set the scene here: I am freezing cold, my ears still haven’t popped, and I am SO tired. This seems like the perfect storm to be having a horrible time. However, I was smiling and laughing like a little kid with the wind whipping my face.
This experience really is magical. Because the clouds are below you, you are guaranteed a beautiful sunrise no matter what the weather is. There are also local Hawaiian singers performing sun salutations as the sun rises. And truthfully, the whole thing is pretty quick to be braving the elements for. From start to finish it was about 30 mins. It felt very spiritual and connected to nature, especially for someone who doesn’t necessarily reach for the nature excursions while traveling.
After you’ve been amazed by the show, there isn’t too much to do on the peak. There is a cute little gift shop worth stopping in. I guess you could hike…. not me though. We took a bunch of photos and then made our way driving back down. In the area, we stopped in Makawao to grab a bite and bev at Espresso Mafia. Waking up early was rough, but meant we started the day on a magical foot. We spent the rest of the day surfing and catching up on sleep on the beach!
So long story short, yes you should definitely add a trip up Haleakala to your Maui itinerary!
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