The Best Places to Watch a Spectacular Hawaii Sunset

During any time of day, Hawaii is widely considered one of the most picturesque places on the planet. At sunset, Hawaii’s sky is painted red, orange, and pink, making its already-stunning setting all the more magnificent. Let’s look at the top places in Hawaii to catch an awe-inspiring sunset.

Waikiki is Honolulu’s center for entertainment, dining, and shopping. Located on Oahu’s South Shore, Waikiki is perfectly situated to watch the sun dip over the horizon. You can enjoy the views from the area’s beaches, parks, and settings overlooking the water. Waikiki also has excellent rooftop bars and ocean-facing restaurants, ideal for socializing among the colorful glow of dusk.

Sunset Beach Park is a pleasant beach on the North Shore of Oahu, popular for surfers and sunbathers. If you are coming for the day, stick around to catch the unmatched sunset views from the beach. 

Kaanapali Beach, one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, is situated on Maui’s west coast in Lahaina. Visitors to Kaanapali Beach have completely unobstructed views of the Hawaiian sunset. And every night at sundown, there is a traditional cliff diving event at the beach.

Mauna Kea is a vast and active volcano on the Big Island. Its peak, visible across the Big Island, is the highest point in Hawaii. Visitors flock to Mauna Kea to experience spectacular sunset views from its summit, which can be reached by taking a sunset tour or renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle. 

Poipu Beach is a beautiful oceanfront destination on Kauai and one of Hawaii’s best-known beaches. Its crescent-shaped, sandy shoreline is filled with shallow pools of water and attracts surfers, snorkelers, and swimmers. Sunsets on Poipu Beach are a spectacle to behold. 

Anaehoomalu Bay Beach, often referred to as A-Bay Beach, is on the western coast of the Big Island. This peaceful beach rarely sees significant waves and is an idyllic place to catch a sunset with family and friends.

The Lanikai Pillbox Trail might be the ideal place to go if you are willing to work for your sunset views. Also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, this is an elevated hike near Kailua. It may require some physical strain, but the sights throughout the hike are spectacular, particularly during sunset. The views overlook the ocean, providing a perfect vantage point to soak in the departure of the Hawaiian sun.