Haleakala Crater, 2022
MONDAY, August 1, 2022 2:41:00 AM
Haleakala Crater is one of the most beautiful locations on Maui. Its surreal, moon-like landscape is amazing to behold, especially when seen from the air. The brilliant colors of the sand and the unique cinder cone formations formed from more recent eruptions are an awe-inspiring sight not to be missed.
Haleakala is not a typical crater, but was formed by eons of erosion that eroded away the summit, and continued small eruptions that filled back in the valley. And, although Haleakala is expected to erupt again, don’t worry; it will not do so any time soon! Here are some more interesting facts about Haleakala:
House of the Sun
- Haleakala means “House of the Sun,” and in Hawaiian legend the demigod Maui slowed the decent of the sun by lassoing it from the summit.
- It can take well over two hours to reach the summit of Haleakala in a car.
- The elevation of Haleakala is 10,023 feet.
30,000 acres
- Haleakala National Park consists of over 30,000 acres of public land.
- The Haleakala Observatory is Hawaii’s first astronomical research observatory and is one of the world’s most important observing sites because of Maui’s clear skies and great seeing conditions.
- The windward side of Haleakala consists of wet, lush rainforest, receiving 120-400 inches of rain per year and is home to many beautiful waterfalls.
- On the leeward side of Haleakala is a dry forest, which receives less than 60 inches of rain. Due to fires and invasive animals, only a few patches of this terrain remain
Silversword
- Ahinahina, or Haleakala Silversword, is a native plant that only grows on Haleakala.
- Haleakala is also home to the Nene, an endangered goose that at one time only had a population of 30 and now has a population of about 250.
- Haleakala can get quite cold, with average highs in the 60s and average lows in the 40s year round. Temperatures can dip below freezing and you can sometimes see a dusting of snow on the summit during the winter.
Considering the beauty and uniqueness of Haleakala, it’s no surprise that there are over 1 million visitors to the park each year. Instead of spending two hours in a car on a winding road (and braving the freezing temperatures in the winter!) to visit Haleakala, why not see the wonders of the crater from the air? Here is what some guests have said about seeing the crater with Air Maui:
“This experience was exceptional from start to finish. Safety was emphasized and service was prompt. Our pilot Nathan was awesome and provided points of interest and history. Views were unlike any other. Many waterfalls to be seen as well as valleys, crevices, and dazzling coastlines. Highly recommend the doors off experience. My family sat 4 in the back and we all had great unobstructed views. 2 o the era sat in front with the pilot. It was perfect!” – Noreen P
“Wow! What great fun this tour is! The views are spectacular and you’ll see things you can only see from the air” – Sightsee427772
“Loved it! Worth every penny. Took the doors off your, out pilot Captain Vince was amazing, engaging, knowledgeable, relaxed and safe. I’ve recommended this tour to all my friends. My cheeks were hurting for hours after from smiling so much.” – Marko M
“Absolutely worth it, definitely recommend this – was an awe inducing experience and despite the hefty price tag, I still think its worth every penny. We had Captain Vince as our pilot who provided us with a calm, engaging and knowledgeable tour.” – Zahra S
“Worth every penny. Capt. Kirk was a great pilot and guide. He was informative, and injected humor throughout the flight. The vistas of the valleys, the cliffs, the waterfalls were amazing and that you would otherwise not be able to visit.” – Nicholas Cifelli
Take a second to visit our tours page to learn more about our Hana/Haleakala tour, or call us directly at 877-238-4942 and let our dispatchers help you pick the perfect flight for you. We look forward to hearing from you