Visit Haleakala Crater on Your Maui Vacation

So you're planning your Maui vacation and want to see everything but maybe you're not sure where to start. Here's a tip. If you want to experience the features that make Maui unique and incredible, you must see Haleakala Crater.

Maui consists of two mountains, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. Haleakala is much taller and smoother because it is a lot younger, whereas you can clearly see that the forces of erosion have been carving away the West Maui Mountains for countless centuries. The summit of Haleakala reaches an impressive 10,023 feet from sea level. What makes it really special is what you'll see when you get to the top.

Haleakala (which means "house of the sun"), features an enormous crater. How enormous, you might ask? It's about 19 square miles. The city of Manhattan is only three square miles larger. Its size is not the only factor that will amaze you, the landscape will do that too. The Crater is filled with bright orange and red cinder cones that look like miniature mountains with craters of their own. The scene is commonly compared to what one would expect the surface of Mars to look like.

While we're on the subject of celestial bodies, there's something else that makes the Crater special; not just its view of the ocean in all directions, or the neighboring islands, but of the night sky. The distinct white observatories at its peak can be seen from most places on the island. At the summit's altitude, there is very little atmosphere to interfere with the view of the stars.

Another factor which makes the night view so clear is the lack of light pollution which nearly blocks all but the brightest stars across the US mainland. If you think you've seen a clear view of the night sky, spend an evening on the crater. You may re-evaluate the meaning of the word "clear". So many stars are visible, they overwhelm the darkness of the space between them. Whenever a meteor shower is predicted, a number of intrepid stargazers make there way up the mountain to watch. Just be sure you bring warm clothes, even if you only visit during the day. It gets very cold.

Hopefully you've found this information helpful and interesting! We're sure you'll have a great time no matter what you choose to do on your vacation.

As for your vacation rental accommodations, we recommend a stay at the beautiful Honua Kai Resort. If you have any questions, please find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Thanks for reading this week! Aloha!