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The best Hawaii sunset locations

You won’t have to go far to find the best sunset location in Hawaii. There are fantastic spots to watch the Hawaii sunset on every island.

When I was researching the best Hawaii sunset locations, I noticed that most posts tended to focus on one island. In most cases, Oahu.

While Oahu sees millions of visitors every year, there is much more to Hawaii than just Oahu. Here are the best Hawaii sunset locations in Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and of course, Oahu. 

Although Hawaii is beautiful, it can be very dangerous to get stuck in an unfamiliar place, especially after dark. It might be tempting to hike to a remote location to see a Hawaii sunset, but it’s probably not a good idea. 

The best sunset locations in Oahu

Sunset Beach

With a name like Sunset Beach, it’s obvious that you’ll find one of the best Hawaii sunset spots here. Located near Haleiwa, watching the sunset on this beach also made my list of 50 things to do in Haleiwa.

Ko Olina Lagoons

The Ko Olina lagoons are four human-made crescent-shaped beach coves. The lagoons are located near some of the best places to stay in Oahu outside of Waikiki. 

These popular resorts include The Marriott Ko’Olina Beach Club, Disney’s Aulani Resort, and the Four Seasons Ko Olina. 

If you’re staying at a resort in Ko’Olina, this is a great place to watch a Hawaii sunset. 

Makua Beach

Makua Beach is a very secluded beach on the leeward coast of Oahu. Many tourists never see this beach, and you’ll definitely have to rent a car to get there. 

Even though it may not be the easiest beach to access, it’s one of the best places to see a Hawaii sunset on Oahu. 

An offshore reef does not protect Makua Beach so that the surf can be very high. If you’re visiting during the winter, be cautious as this is a great place to watch the sunset but can be dangerous for swimming.

Ehukai Pillbox Hike

This hike is also called Sunset Pillbox Hike because it has some beautiful Banzai Pipeline views and the North Shore coastline.

More places to see the sunset in Oahu:

• Lanikai Beach
• Ala Moana Beach Park
• Waikiki Beach
• Waikiki sunset cocktail cruise

The best sunset locations in Kauai

Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is located on the warm and sunny south shore of Kauai. Many Kauai visitors worry about rain, but you won’t see much rain here! Check out my post about the “worst time to go to Hawaii” to learn more about Hawaii weather.

Several of the most popular places to stay in Kauai, such as the Koloa Landing Resort and Koa Kea Resort, are very close to Poipu Beach. It’s a great place to watch the sunset after a long day of hiking, kayaking the Wailua River, or snorkeling the Na Pali Coast. 

Polihale State Park

I talk about this beautiful and secluded park often because I love it so much! Although the drive to Polihale State Park is rough, it’s very worth it.

You’ll find more locals here than tourists and miles and miles of sandy beaches. It’s a great place to bring some snacks (or wine) and watch the sunset. 

Speaking of the drive, you’ll definitely need a rental car to get to this location and most of the locations on this list. I recommend getting a rental car in Hawaii, no matter what. 

Discount Hawaii Car Rental offers the best prices on rental cars in all of Hawaii. Trust me; you won’t want to wait and pay “tourist prices” at the airport or resorts. 

Hanalei Bay

Famous Hanalei Bay is one of the best places to SUP, learn to surf, or hang out at the beach. It’s also one of the best sunset locations in Hawaii.

If you’re staying at the Hanalei Bay Resort or Princeville Resort, it’s an easy walk down to Hanalei Bay. You might even be able to get a great sunset right from your lanai, depending on your room type. 

More of the best Kauai sunset spots:

• Na Pali sunset dinner cruise
• Ke’e Beach
• Tunnels Beach
• Salt Pond County Park in Hanapepe

The best sunset locations in Maui

Kaanapali Beach

If you’re planning a Maui vacation, there’s a good chance you’ll be staying on Kaanapali Beach. Some of the best places to stay in Maui – such as the Hyatt Regency Maui and Sheraton Maui – are located on Kaanapali Beach.

Kaanapali Beach is also home to one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii, Black Rock. Of course, my favorite snorkeling spot in Maui is Molokini Crater. 

Make sure to choose an ocean view room and watch the sunset from your lanai. In the winter, you might even see whales in the West Maui channel!

Haleakala National Park

Most people think of watching the sunrise at Haleakala National Park, as it is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. However, watching the sunset is just as spectacular! 

You might also want to check out 50 things to do in Maui if you’re looking for even more fun Maui activities. 

More Maui sunset spots:

• Kapalua Bay
• Lahaina Pali Trail
• Po’olenalena Beach Park
• Maui sunset dinner sail

The best sunset locations on the Big Island

Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona (often simply referred to as “Kona”) is one of my favorite places in all of Hawaii. It’s also one of the best places to watch a sunset in Hawaii.

I love Kona sunsets so much that I recorded a video of it a few years ago. 

I also have posts with 25 things to do in Kona and the best Happy Hours in Kona if you’d like to check them out. You could even check out a Happy Hour and then stay for the sunset!

Fairmont Orchid

Any of the resorts along the Kohala Coast are great places to watch the Big Island sunset. However, the Fairmont Orchid stands out as one of the best places to watch the sunset on the Big Island.

Located on 32 oceanfront acres, The 5-star Fairmont Orchid is one of the best places to stay on the Big Island and one of Hawaii’s best honeymoon resorts.

Even if you’re not staying at the resort, you can stop in for some dinner at Hale Kai or Brown’s Beach House and watch the sunset.

Mauna Kea

You might think of stargazing when you think of Mauna Kea, but it’s also a great place to watch the sunset. At 14,000 feet, Mauna Kea is the tallest point in all of Hawaii and even gets snow from time to time. 

More Big Island sunset locations:

• Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Park
• Hapuna Beach State Park
• Kekaha Kai State Park (my favorite beach on the Big Island!)

The best Hawaii sunset spots

There you have it, some of the best places to see a Hawaii sunset. Of course, this is just a starting point. There are so many great places to see the sunset in Hawaii that it would be impossible to list all of them. 

If I missed your favorite Hawaii sunset location, make sure to let me know in the comments! 

Hawaii travel tips

If you’re planning a Hawaii vacation, don’t miss some of my most popular Hawaii travel tips:

• 20 things you should never do in Hawaii
• What is the best luau in Hawaii?
• 10 things to know before going to Hawaii
• Is Hawaii safe?
• What is the best island to visit in Hawaii?

Although I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, I am only taking on a few clients for 2021. You can contact me if you’d like more information. I would recommend starting with my Hawaii travel guide if you plan to DIY your vacation!

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