Haleakala Sunrise Tour from Maui: Volcano at 9,740 feet

Stand above the clouds at the summit of a dormant volcano and watch the sun break across the Pacific.

A guided sunrise tour on Maui takes you by minibus to the 9,740-foot summit of Haleakala, a dormant volcano, to watch the dawn from above the clouds. The driver provides narration in English, and the route includes views of Kula's open country slopes and the Haleakala Crater before descending to a sit-down breakfast at a locally owned restaurant in Waikapu. Hotel pickup and drop-off, park admission, and the meal are included. The tour runs rain or shine, and clear sunrise viewing is not guaranteed due to rapidly changing weather at altitude.

Step-by-step itinerary

Haleakala sunrise and local breakfast

• Travel to Haleakala summit
• Watch sunrise at 9,740 feet
• Drive past quaint town and greenery
• View Kula countryside slopes
• Enjoy local breakfast at Mill House

The experience

You start before dawn (either 2:30am in winter or 2am in summer) when the driver picks you up from your Maui hotel. The minibus climbs winding roads through changing terrain for roughly two hours, gaining elevation steadily. At 9,740 feet, you step out near the summit of Haleakala, the house of the sun, a dormant volcanic mountain that rises above most of Maui. The crater spreads below: deep canyons, slopes, and unspoiled terrain that is home to endemic Hawaiian Nene geese and rare Silversword plants found nowhere else on earth. You stand there as the sun rises, the light moving across the landscape and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

The descent takes you through Kula, an open country area of quaint, rustic views and miles of greenery, where the driver points out the terrain and the history of the slopes. By mid-morning you arrive at Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation in Waikapu, a locally and family-owned restaurant set inside the grounds of an old sugar mill. You sit down to a local-style breakfast in a peaceful, country landscape: a real meal, not a quick stop. The whole tour runs about ten hours from pickup to drop-off.

Haleakala is known for rapidly changing weather, dense clouds, and rain, so clear sunrise viewing is not guaranteed. The tour operates regardless of conditions, and refunds are granted only if the tour is cancelled for safety reasons. The high altitude can affect breathing and complicate existing health conditions, so elderly visitors, pregnant women, young children, and anyone with respiratory or heart conditions should check with a doctor beforehand. The roads are rough and winding. If you've gone scuba diving, wait at least 72 hours before this tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your Maui accommodation.
• professional driver/guide narration in English.
• air-conditioned minibus transport.
• Haleakala National Park admission.
• sit-down local breakfast at Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation in Waikapu.

Options for this experience

2 options

2:30am: Winter (10/1-3/31)Guide in English · 02:00 and 02:30Includes pickup

2am: Summer (4/1-9/30)Guide in English · 02:00 and 02:30Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDepartures at 02:00 and 02:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 72

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving early on Maui or have a free morning and want to see the island's most famous landmark without arranging your own transport and timing. The fixed schedule and included breakfast mean the whole day holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the Haleakala sunrise tour pick me up from my hotel?

Pickup happens at 2:30am during winter months (October 1 to March 31) or 2am during summer months (April 1 to September 30). The driver collects you from your Maui hotel and returns you there after breakfast.

Is the sunrise guaranteed on the Haleakala tour?

Clear sunrise viewing is not guaranteed because Haleakala is known for rapidly changing weather, dense clouds, and rain at altitude. The tour operates rain or shine, and refunds are granted only when the tour is cancelled for safety reasons.

What's included in the Haleakala sunrise tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, narration by a professional driver/guide, an air-conditioned minibus, admission to Haleakala National Park, and a sit-down local breakfast at Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation in Waikapu.

How high is the Haleakala summit where the sunrise viewing happens?

The sunrise viewing takes place at 9,740 feet elevation, close to the summit of Haleakala, a dormant volcanic mountain. At this altitude, the air is thinner and weather changes rapidly, so bring layers and stay hydrated.

What do I see on the way down from Haleakala?

On the descent, you drive past Kula, an open country area with quaint, rustic views and miles of greenery, and see sprawling scenic views of the slopes and the Pacific Ocean before arriving at the restaurant in Waikapu.

Can I book port pickup and drop-off instead of hotel pickup for this tour?

Port pickup and drop-off is available as an option at checkout. Contact the tour provider at least 7 days before your tour date to arrange this or any other special requests.