Sunrise Hike To Hanauma Bay: We’re always looking for great spots to see the sunrise and drove to the eastside to Hanauma Bay on New Year’s day. Being that this was our first time there we wanted to get there early.
Sunrise was at 7:08am and we didn’t know how long it would take us to get to the top.
(Hanauma bay has a pristine. marine ecosystem and is home to over 400 different types of marine life making it a prime spot to snorkel.)
We parked in the Portlock neighborhood in Hawaii Kai and walked to the entrance to Hanauma bay along busy Kalanianaole Highway. The shoulder is narrow so look out for cars traveling at speed passing the area.
While we walked along the highway, others who knew the area took a shortcut to the hiking trail.
Sunrise Hike To Hanauma Bay
We got to the gated entrance and ducked between the opening in the gate and proceeded along the 1.5 mile asphalt paved road. By this time it was after 6:30am and muted colors started filling the horizon and slowly lit up the sky.
We didn’t want to miss the first sunrise of the year so we hurridly walked up the mountain path to get to a vantage point. We passed people along the way who were settled in their spot to view the sunrise with cameras set up and waiting for the event.
We still had a little ways to go up the mountain and were determined to get a good spot too.
We finally made it to the top; it only took a few minutes before the sun made a grand appearance, and all phone cameras snapped away.
Once the sun was up we explored around the area and hiked down to the cliffside where waves crashed along the open rocky face of the island.
We hiked back up to the top where we learned of yet another hiking trail off this ridge trail that we plan to hike another time.
Hiking to see the sunrise on new year’s day has now become a tradition for us.
It’s invigorating to work towards seeing the first new day in the new year, and being a part of it.
On the way back to the entrance we met a busload of tourists on the trail who would later be going to the beach. Hanauma bay is a popular attraction so go early if you plan to go to the beach as paid parking is limited.
How To Find Hanauma Bay Ridge Hike
If you’re interested in hiking the Hanauma Bay Ridge hike, it’s located at Hanauma Bay State Park, 7455 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825.
Related: What to do on Kauai for the weekend
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