Photography Guide

Golden Hour at Nā Pali Coast

Kauai, Hawaii, United States — Towering sea cliffs on Kauai's remote northwestern shore.

Golden hour at Nā Pali Coast varies from 33 minutes in the morning to 33 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:20 in January to 07:10 in December. Towering sea cliffs on Kauai's remote northwestern shore. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.

Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour

MonthSunriseSunsetGold AMGold PMSunrise °Sunset °
Jan07:2018:1532m32m112° ESE247° WSW
Feb07:0918:3531m31m103° ESE257° WSW
Mar06:4618:4730m30m92° E268° W
Apr06:1818:5830m30m79° E281° W
May05:5819:1031m31m69° ENE291° WNW
Jun05:5419:2332m32m64° ENE296° WNW
Jul06:0319:2532m32m66° ENE294° WNW
Aug06:1619:1030m30m75° ENE286° WNW
Sep06:2518:4230m30m87° E274° W
Oct06:3418:1430m30m99° E261° W
Nov06:5017:5532m32m110° ESE250° WSW
Dec07:1017:5733m33m115° ESE245° WSW

Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.

Explore Nā Pali Coast in Heliora →

See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date

Frequently Asked Questions

When is golden hour at Nā Pali Coast?
Golden hour at Nā Pali Coast varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 33m and evening 33m during the peak month.
What time is sunrise at Nā Pali Coast?
Sunrise ranges from 07:20 in January to 07:10 in December.
What direction does the sun rise and set at Nā Pali Coast?
Sunrise bearing shifts from 115° ESE in winter to 64° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 245° WSW to 296° WNW.
What is the best time of year to photograph Nā Pali Coast?
For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest.
What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Nā Pali Coast?
Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 06:40. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Nā Pali Coast?
Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
Is Nā Pali Coast good for astrophotography?
Milky Way core visibility is limited from Nā Pali Coast due to latitude or light conditions. However, star trails and constellation photography are possible year-round during astronomical darkness. Use Heliora to check dark sky hours for your planned date.

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