A vacation in paradise requires just 3 ingredients: the beach, a wonderful vacation rental, and the best sunrise in Kauai, all of which you will find during your upcoming Hawaii getaway. Here’s a peek at the top 5 sunrise spots on Kauai:
Follow the Kauai Coastal Path
The Kauai Coastal Path, officially known as Ke Ala Hele Makālae, offers a beautiful 8-mile paved path from which you can enjoy a Kauai sunrise. Following an abandoned 19th-century railway, you will see the sights travelers enjoyed, marveling at the dramatic beauty of the sea and the trees. The best spot to do so is the gazebo at the top of the cliff between Kapaʻa Beach Park and Kealia Beach, offering stunning views of the sea and the sunrise. Winter travelers may also want to return to the elevated sections of the path, where whale watching is popular.
Find a Front-Row Seat to Kauai’s Northern Cliffs
Our next Kauai sunrise spot is located along the 17-mile-long coastline of our Northern Cliffs. Formed millions of years ago, these 4000-foot-high peaks provide a dramatic backdrop to the fire in the sky. You can’t drive a car to the best spots, but you can take a boat, a helicopter, or a hike along the footpath found in Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. Holoholo Charters offers boat tours of the Northern Cliffs, but only at sunset.
For a sunrise viewing, you may want to head to the Hanalei Valley Lookout and watch the world awaken around you. To get there, take the Kuhio Highway towards Princeville. When you pass the Princeville Shopping Center, the turnoff for the lookout will be right near mile marker 0.
Discover a Hidden Kauai Beach Before the Crowds Arrive
Secret Beach in Kilauea may be your favorite hidden beach from which to enjoy the romance of a Kauai sunrise. To get there, you’re going to take the Kuhio Highway towards Princeville, turning right on Kalihiwai Road, then making another right onto an unmarked dirt road immediately after your first right. Follow it to the end, where you will find a small parking lot at the trailhead, which will probably be empty at this early hour.
Watch the Sunrise with Turtles at Poipu Beach Park
The natural encounters you enjoy during your stay can make the Kauai sunrise you are viewing feel even more special, and Poipu Beach Park offers just the right opportunity. Hawaiian green sea turtles call this park home, and as you walk along the shoreline while the sky lightens, you may catch sight of them swimming as well. Additionally, this is a popular resting spot for the endangered Hawaiian monk seals, doubling your wildlife fun.
If you feel like lingering, the sandbar that splits the two beaches here is a great spot to get a tan. Sunbathing is a popular activity and a relaxing way to spend a few hours of your Hawaiian vacation in paradise, and Poipu Beach has been voted the top beach in America.
Catch First Light Over Kauai’s Dramatic Mountains
For the early risers who prefer to be doing something, the Sleeping Giant Trail on Nounou Mountain will bring you to what may be the true best sunrise on our island. To get to the trail, take the Kuhio Highway to Haleilio Road, turning at the Chevron Station at the junction.
Book Your Kauai Journey Today
Whether you’re waking early to hike up Nounou Mountain to catch the sunrise or simply rolling out of bed in one of our Kauai oceanfront condos, your time on Kauai will be unforgettable. Kauai sunrises aren’t just for tourists, and neither are our lovely retreats. Our beautiful properties make wonderful staycation sanctuaries, too.
When you’re ready to make the most of your time on the island, contact Premier Kauai to find the perfect vacation rental for your trip!
