Explore the Haleakala Volcano Crater in Maui

Most cruise ships that call at Hawaiian ports stop on the island of Maui in Kahului or Lahaina. Each Hawaiian Island holds its own magic, and a visit to Maui offers unique experiences. One of the best shore excursions, especially if your time is limited, is a trip to the summit of Haleakala, the magnificent volcano that rises over 10,000 feet above sea level.

Making the Trip

Haleakala is recognized as the world’s largest dormant volcano, with its last eruption occurring in the 1790s. This incredible National Park spans 33 miles in width and 24 miles in length, showcasing a main crater measuring 7.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, substantial enough to hold an entire city! To fully appreciate this site, allocate at least a half-day for the trip. Options include a shore excursion or renting a car for the scenic drive to the summit. If you choose to drive, prepare for a lengthy, winding road to the top (and back down).

Getting an early start is advisable, as the sunrise view is often breathtaking. Typically, clouds roll in as the day progresses. Remember to pack a jacket since temperatures can drop significantly at almost 2 miles high! Arriving by 2:30 am will ensure you catch the sunrise, which equates to 7:30 or 8:30 am on the East Coast, a much more reasonable hour.

What to See on Your Way There

The journey to the Haleakala summit is remarkable. The 37-mile road ascends from sea level, showcasing various climates and flora en route to tundra-like conditions at the top. It is the only road in the world that climbs over 10,000 feet within such a short distance. As you drive toward the crater’s rim, you transition through verdant forests filled with flowers, cactus, and eucalyptus trees. The protea plant, a significant commercial crop in Hawaii, lines the route, alongside picturesque pastures filled with horses and cattle. Eventually, you will reach the entrance to Haleakala National Park at 6,700 feet above sea level, where stopping at the park headquarters for maps and other informative resources is highly beneficial before heading to the Haleakala Observatory Visitors Center located at the crater’s edge.

Why it’s Worth it

The breathtaking view from the crater rim is a sight to behold, with vibrant hues of browns, reds, grays, and more creating a magnificent panorama. Throughout the day, the color of rust-colored cinder cones shifts dramatically as sunlight travels across the landscape. Many visitors describe sunrise at Haleakala as a profound, soul-stirring encounter. When conditions are clear, the afternoon crater takes on muted tones as dusk approaches. Even if the early morning experience eludes you, the effort to visit the volcano is rewarding at any time of day, revealing a stunning, almost lunar landscape. On clear days, vistas extend indefinitely over the vast Pacific Ocean, with views of the majestic Mauna Kea volcano visible more than 100 miles to the southeast.

As you begin your descent, make sure to stop at the Kalahaku lookout. This vantage point provides outstanding views of the crater on one side and western Maui on the other. Keep an eye out for the exquisite silversword plant, a botanical rarity that thrives on lava rock at high altitudes, its range limited to Haleakala and high volcanic regions on the Big Island of Hawaii. These unique plants can take 20 years to bloom, culminating in striking pink and lavender flowers perched atop sword-like leaves between June and October. After flowering, they die and disseminate seeds into the volcanic cinders.

You might also have the chance to spot a NeNe bird, the state bird of Hawaii, a close relative of the Canadian goose. The NeNe is an endangered species, affording it special protection.

Cruise Options

For those aiming to explore Hawaii, various cruise options are available. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) operates year-round seven-day voyages roundtrip from Honolulu, being the only cruise line that sails to Hawaii without requiring a foreign port. Other cruise lines, including Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean, also feature Hawaii on their itineraries, generally as part of spring or fall cruises from California or Mexico to Alaska.