Where to Watch the Sunset in Hawaiʻi
Want to catch the perfect sunset in Hawaiʻi? Here are some of our favorite spots.
It’s a grand sight, watching the sunset in Hawaiʻi.
As that blazing orb of fire begins to gently dip below the horizon, the dimming sky is filled with color—from pastel pinks to fiery oranges—one last time before the day ends. It’s a magical moment, and one that you’ll love experiencing day-after-day on your trip to Hawaiʻi. And while there really isn’t a bad place to catch the sunset in Hawaiʻi, there are some exceptionally good places to watch this daily show. Here are some of our favorite spots to be when watching the sunset in Hawaiʻi.
1. Sunset Beach, Oʻahu
Sunset Beach.
Photo: Getty Images
With sunset right in the name, it’s no wonder why so many visitors and locals love making the trip to Sunset Beach on Oʻahu’s North Shore to catch the sunset. A long stretch of shoreline, the view at Sunset Beach provides watchers with an unobstructed vision of the horizon, with no pesky buildings or condos that could potentially block your view. As the sun inches below the horizon, be sure to keep an eye out for what many call the “green flash,” an optical phenomenon where the line of the horizon turns bright green mere seconds after the sunset.
2. Keʻe Beach, Kauaʻi
Keʻe Beach.
Photo: Getty Images
Aside from simply being one of Kauaʻi’s best beaches, Keʻe Beach, known as Tunnels Beach, provides visitors and local with some of the best sunset views on the Garden Isle. Situated in Haʻena State Park, which you will need advanced registration to enter (find out more here), Keʻe Beach is perfectly positioned on one of the more northwestern points of the island, perfect for catching the sunset most times of the year. It’s also the perfect place to end your day if you’ve spent the rest of your time in Haʻena State Park hiking the magnificent Napali Coast, via the Kalalau Trail.
3. Haleakalā, Maui
Halekalā.
Photo: Getty Images
Of the premier attractions on Maui, catching a sunset at Haleakalā—which in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) means “house of the sun”—should be at the top of your list of things to do. From the summit, just over 10,000 feet in elevation, you can watch the sun gradually fall below the horizon as the clouds turn into shades of fiery colors and, after it’s all over, gaze down upon the island of Maui as it slowly fades away to darkness. Just be sure to get there early—as the parking lot can get very crowded—and bring a jacket. It gets frigid up at the summit, and you don’t want to be thinking about how cold you are—and how much colder you’ll be once the sun goes down—while trying to watch the sunset.
READ MORE: Breathtaking Places to Catch a Maui Sunset
4. Kailua Bay, Hawaiʻi Island
Kailua Bay.
Photo: Getty Images
One of Kailua-Kona’s premier bays, Kailua Bay on the Big Island is great for sunset views. Why? Well, the beach—and the surrounding area—is known for its exceptionally clear weather and cloudless skies, and that’s perfect for those looking to catch the best sunset views. It’s always a letdown to see clouds on the horizon just as the sun is about to set as it mutes what should be a vivid explosion of color—so playing it safe by hitting up Kailua Bay for your sunset views is always a good call.
5. Waikīkī Beach, Oʻahu
Waikīkī Beach.
Photo: Getty Images
On the south shore of Oʻahu, Waikīkī Beach reigns supreme as being one of the best places to be if you’re looking to catch a breathtaking sunset in Hawaiʻi. A visitor-friendly beach with enough room to find your own spot on the sand, the view of surfers and outrigger canoes in the water as the sun sets, with Leʻahi (Diamond Head) also getting a glow-up from the setting sun, is truly a postcard perfect moment. Not only that, the bars and eateries in the area—there are too many in Waikīkī to list here!—also have exceptional views of the horizon, so if you’re looking to grab a mimosa and watch the day wind down, you’ll have that option as well.
READ MORE: 7 Pretty Places Where You Can Enjoy Sunset Views and Order a Cocktail
