Lanikai Beach Sunrise: A Top Hawaii Experience

A Lanikai Beach sunrise could become the hallmark event of your Hawaii vacation.

Who else is like me? When I travel, I’m eager for that one thing – that one core experience – that makes the entire trip beyond worth it. You can relax nearly anywhere, you can have quality time nearly anywhere. When I travel, I want something unique and awe-inspiring. 

Maybe it’s an unbeatable meal. Or something I see snorkeling. Maybe scenery I can’t find anywhere else. 

A Lanikai Beach sunrise is one of those experiences that you carry with you for a long time. It could easily become the highlight of your Hawaii vacation. A memory you want to return to again. 

It’s a simple experience, but it does require a little bit of planning. We’re here to help you with that. Whether you love Lanikai or are completely new to this Oahu beach, we’ve got all the info you need to see its sunrise in all its splendor. 

What Makes Lanikai Beach so Special

Lanikai Beach is a scenic and beloved beach on Oahu’s eastern shore. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, Lanikai has a “hidden gem” feel to it, even though it’s mentioned on nearly every travel website and guide book. 

When you get there, you get it. It’s never too crowded, rarely rough, and always beautiful. It’s also the kind of place where you have a full beach day. Bring along snorkel gear, rent a kayak, pack a picnic. You’ll likely want to stay beyond sunrise at Lanikai Beach. 

Curious about this east Oahu treasure? Here’s what you need to know before you hit the sand:

• There is very limited parking at Lanikai. You can read more about accessing Lanikai for a beach day here. 
• Lanikai is located on the east shore of Oahu (called the windward side). It’s about 40 minutes from Waikiki. 
• There are no hotels or condos located on Lanikai Beach. This is a residential area, not a touristy spot. 
• There aren’t any bathrooms or lifeguards at Lanikai Beach. 
• Lanikai is located next to Kailua Beach, which is larger and has more parking. 
• Na Mokulua is the pair of islets located off the coast of Lanikai, lending the beach a stunning backdrop and a quintessential tropical look. 

Sunrise at Lanikai Beach

You have not fully experienced Lanikai Beach until you visit it at sunrise. Since the beach faces east, it’s perfectly situated for a striking morning. 

Oftentimes, vibrant fiery hues fill the sky, illuminating the beach into a glowing oasis. Other mornings offer soft, pastel clouds against a baby blue backdrop. And on lucky days, you get a little bit of both. 

You’ll be out during the cool of the morning. Bring along a coffee and sit on a blanket. Enjoy the peacefulness of a quiet beach in the first light of day. 

See the Sunrise – Timing, Parking, and More

Here at Hawaii Aloha Travel, we often recommend morning outings in the islands. Early birds enjoy lots of perks – fewer crowds, calmer conditions, a jump start on vacation plans. And (best of all!) – gorgeous Hawaii sunrises. 

Lanikai Beach is one of our favorite places to watch the sunrise, but you need to be prepared for this incredible experience. Here’s what you need to know:

Know the sunrise time

The sunrise time at Lanikai Beach ranges from around 5:40 to 7:00 am, depending on the time of year. Summer has earlier sunrises, while winter brings the light a little later. 

This is my favorite website for figuring out sunrise and sunset times in Hawaii. You’ll want to put in “Kailua (Oahu)” as your location. Pick your month, and discover what time the sun will rise during your Lanikai outing. 

Arrive Early

Don’t plan on getting to Lanikai Beach right at sunrise. You’ll need time to park the car and walk to the shoreline. Plus, the moments before the exact sunrise time are incredibly peaceful and scenic. 

Plan to be parking about 30 minutes before the actual sunrise time. This will give you time to settle in and enjoy all the beauty before the light appears. 

Weekdays are Best

Hawaii’s best beaches get especially busy on weekends. If you’re able, watch the Lanikai sunrise on a weekday. This will give you a better chance at parking, and you’ll have a less busy beach once the sun’s up.

Back up plan

You’re enjoying nature, so things won’t always go as planned. Be prepared to park at Kailua Beach if needed (that means planning extra time just in case). 

The weather is typically beautiful at Lanikai Beach, but rain could interfere with your sunrise plans. If this is an important experience for you, don’t save it for the last day. You’ll want a few extra days available as back up in case you can’t make it out as planned. 

Other Ways to See the Sunrise at Lanikai Beach

A simple sunrise at Lanikai Beach is unbeatable. But if you’ve done that before, you might be ready to mix things up a bit. 

Hiking

Another top place to watch the sunrise on Oahu is at the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, which offers sweeping views of the Kailua coastline. Here’s the ultimate guide to the Lanikai Pillbox Hike – it’s got loads of helpful info, whether you want to visit at sunrise or later on in the day. 

Kailua Beach

If Lanikai has too many logistics, you can keep things simple by going to Kailua Beach for the sunrise instead. It offers a similar view and is easier to access. 

SUP or Kayak

For something extra adventurous, watch the Lanikai sunrise from the water. Kailua beach rental shops open up later in the morning, so you’ll need a multi-day rental in order to have your kayak or SUP board in time for sunrise. This also means you’ll need a place to store it and a way to transport it. 

Simple? Definitely not. Worth it? Honestly, I’m just as happy enough watching the sunrise from the sand and then kayaking after day break. But you know what your dream adventure is, and whether it’s worth the work to make it happen!

What to do After the Sun Rises

The sun has risen, and you’ve got the entire day ahead of you. What do you do now?

The top answer: spend the day at Lanikai Beach. We’ve already talked about how great this spot is for swimming, kayaking, SUP, snorkeling, and simply relaxing. Enjoy a beautiful morning at one of the world’s most beautiful beaches!

If you’re ready for a new adventure, you could head over the Lanikai Pillbox Hike. Or another nearby hike, like the Kawainui Marsh Trail.

Hungry after your sunrise spectacle at Lanikai Beach? Kailua town has awesome options for breakfast. Times Coffee Shop is one of our favorites. And don’t miss the shopping in Kailua – you’ll find small boutiques, local grocery stores, unique souvenirs, and a fun local vibe you won’t get in Waikiki. 

Other Places to Watch the Sunrise on Oahu

If you’re always a morning person, you’ll need even more top spots to watch the sunrise. Sure, Lanikai Beach is beautiful enough to return to again and again. But why not mix it up and see what beauty awaits you in another early morning corner of the island? 

• We love sunrise at Waikiki because you get to see the city before it’s busy and bustling. 
• Do the Koko Head Stairs hike early in the morning before it gets too hot, then watch the sunrise from the gorgeous peak. 
• The Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail is an awesome place to watch the sunrise.
• Waimanalo Beach has an eastern-facing shoreline and beautiful scenery. 
• At Kualoa Regional Park, you can watch the sunrise over Mokoliʻi Island (Chinaman’s Hat).

More Oahu Vacation Experiences

Your Hawaii vacation is more than a single sunrise. It’s about every memory you make, from the big events with breathtaking scenery to the little moments between adventures. And we want to help make it happen. 

After all, when you’re stressing over plans and missing the mark with timing, you miss out on all the little things. 

So work with Hawaii Aloha Travel for your next Oahu vacation. We’re local travel agents with respect for the islands and lots of unique knowledge. So we’ll help you enjoy a Lanikai Beach Sunrise, a day island-hopping, a tour of the north shore, or any kind of experience you dream of. 

We’ll see you in Hawaii!