See the spectacular evening sky unfold on the famous Poipu Beach coastline and at Spouting Horn. Our latest Kauai video captures favorite sunset moments at Kauai beaches and from our popular Kauai vacation rentals. Every night you can also watch a live view on our Kauai webcam.
Most Memorable Kauai Sunset Locations
Year-Round at Polihale Beach – This rugged classic on the West Shore is located at the end of the road just past our Kekaha rentals. Your reward for driving the last five miles on a sugar cane road with bumps and potholes is a gold carpet of pristine sand that stretches seven miles from Barking Sands to the Na Pali Coast. Look for purples and reds in the evening sky and a spectacular Kauai sunset over Nihihau.
Alternative: If the road is wet or you run out of time for Polihale, stop at Kekaha Beach Park for a similar view.
Summer/Fall at Hanalei Bay – Frequently named one of the best beaches in America, this popular North Shore Kauai beach was featured in The Descendants. Along its crescent shaped bay are many Hanalei rentals fronting this exquisite Kauai beachfront. A popular viewing location is on the walkway out to the pier.
Alternative: Our Kauai condos in the Princeville Resort area have great sunsets behind the mountains to the west and south and a brilliant morning sky. A favorite place to view is from the award winning Hanalei Bay Resort overlooking iconic Bali Hai.
Winter/Spring at Poipu Beach – Always a Kauai family favorite and a Travel Channel top pick, this South Shore Kauai beach offers fantastic choices. The sand is luxurious and many of our Poipu rentals are oceanfront so you can appreciate the beauty of the early morning and evening sky. Another good location is Spouting Horn near the famous Kauai gardens at Allerton and McBryde.
Alternative: Many locals head to Salt Pond Beach for pau hana (after work) in Hanapepe. From anywhere on the beach you can see the colorful sky pictured at the top of this post.
Virtual Kauai Sunsets: Our Kauai webcam perched high above the Poipu coastline offers breathtaking scenes every day. No matter where you are located you can watch our view of the Pacific and feel the magic of Kauai.
Green Flash at Kauai Sunset – Real or Imagined?
As the top of the sun is about to sink, you might catch a second of a green flash if you don’t blink. It happens quick and is subtle. This is the last color seen before the light disappears. You must have a clear Kauai weather day for a chance to see the green light. Thanks to the long horizon over the Pacific, the green flash is easier to see. Real or imagined? Let us know if you see it on your Kauai vacation.
Photo Tips for Taking Kauai Pictures at Sunset
1. Bring a tripod to keep the image from blurring.
2. Objects in the foreground can add interest to the picture and will be illuminated in the glow.
3. Timing is critical – take a picture every 5 minutes at the start of sunset. Colors become richer as the sun approaches the horizon.
If you have any tips on photography or favorite places to view a Kauai sunset or Kauai sunrise, we invite you to share your ideas with us!
4 Responses
I am looking for a 1 bedroom condo and would like a sunset view. Is there anything like that in Nihi Kai villas? Also it appears like some of the villas you look at over the rooflines of the other villas, is there anything with an unobstructed view? Thanks
Aloha Tom, Thank you for your interest in our lovely Nihi Kai Villas. The only one bedroom condo we have would be in the #8 building which is set back and overlooks the resort. Buildings #1,2,3 would be the best ones to see the sunset from unobstructed. What dates are you looking for so I may check the availability? Look forward to your reply.
Mahalo, Galyna
where is the best resort or rental to view the sunset from your room in november?
Aloha Pam,
That is a very good question, and I think you will be very pleased with your stay in any one of our Poipu oceanfront properties listed below. Depending on your traveling dates and our availability, I’m sure we can find you the perfect unit to view Kauai’s beautiful sunset from the comfort of your unit. Each property’s resort page has information and photos.
One of my favorite locations, Nihi Kai Villas is conveniently located right on Brenneke’s Beach. Nihi Kai Villas delivers a variety of ocean views, and since the property is built on a slight incline some of the higher buildings offer panoramic views of Poipu Beach and Kauai’s sunsets.
Our next options are neighboring properties, and they offer direct views of the horizon from sea-level. Poipu Makai, Makahuena, and Poipu Palms are just up the way from Nihi Kai Villas and a short 5 minute walk will take you to Brenneke’s Beach, Poipu Beach Park, shave ice, and restaurants. Poipu Makai; Makahuena and Poipu Palms.
If you are looking for luxury at its best, we also have our Poipu Kapili units. Located near the Sheraton and just a few minutes from Poipu Beach, these units offer great oceanfront and ocean views of Kauai’s sunsets from your very own lounge chair.
If you enjoy being away from it all, our last property Whalers Cove is where you want to be for your Kauai vacation. Located oceanfront on Poipu’s rocky coastline, this property is within walking distance to a quiet beach called Baby Beach just west of Poipu Beach.
My name is Robin and it will be my pleasure to assist you with selecting your perfect Kauai accommodations. Please give me a call at 800.325.5701 or email when it is a good time to call you.