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Things to Do in Lanai

If you’re planning a Hawaii vacation, you probably didn’t consider Lanai. Lanai is one of the least visited of the Hawaiian Islands. However, there are plenty of things to do in Lanai if you plan a day trip from nearby Maui!

The island of Lanai has two main resorts – both Four Seasons properties – but not as much to offer tourists as Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. 

You can always spend a day on Lanai when visiting Maui. There is a ferry that goes between Maui and Lanai. Fun fact: it is the only ferry between the Hawaiian islands.

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a travel agent specializing in Hawaii honeymoons and Hawaii vacations. Contact me today for help with your Hawaii vacation.

If you don’t have a rental car yet, I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental. And yes, you can rent a car in Lanai! Even if you opt to skip the car in Lanai, you can get your Maui rental car here. 

How to get to Lanai from Maui

One of the most common questions I get is about Hawaii Interisland Flights and how to travel between islands. Fun fact: the ferry between Maui and Lanai is the only way to travel between islands without a flight!

The ferry ride takes approximately 45 minutes. When you reach Lanai, the ferry will dock at Manele Harbor. You can also fly directly to Lanai Airport from most airports in Hawaii. Taking a small plane on Mokulele Airlines is always a lot of fun!

No matter how you decide to visit the beautiful island of Lanai, you will enjoy every minute. So, let’s talk about the best things to do in Lanai. 

Where to stay in Lanai

If you want to stay in Lanai, The Four Seasons Lanai and Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, are the main places to stay. 

Things to Do in Lanai

Here are the 20 best things to do in Lanai. As always, in no particular order. 

Take a Sail and Snorkel Tour

This actually starts in Maui, but it’s one way to “visit” Lanai, at least the waters. This 4-hour tour is a great way to see turtles, dolphins, and other sea life!

Relax on Hulopoe Beach

Hulopoe Beach is one of the best beaches in Lanai, and it’s fairly close to where the ferry docks. 

Hulopoe Beach is also perfect for swimming and snorkeling near the reefs. Spinner dolphins can often be seen out in the water. 

See Lanai from a private helicopter tour

You can visit Lanai, but seeing it from the air is a completely different perspective! 

A private helicopter tour is a unique way for up to 6 guests to explore the island – from the air! Maverick Helicopters also offers a tour of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai!

Watch the Sunset Over Kaumalapau Harbor

If you’ll be in Maui overnight, don’t miss a sunset at Kaumalapau Harbor.

Wander Through the Mike Carroll Gallery

Mike Carroll is an artist who originally lived in Chicago. He relocated to Lanai in 2001 and has been creating masterpieces ever since. You can check out all of his art at the Mike Carroll Gallery.

Visit the Ghost Town of Keomuku

The Ghost Town of Keomuku is on the eastern side of Lanai. It was once a fishing village. In the 1800s, it became a sugar-plantation town. After the sugar plantation failed in the 1900s, the town was abandoned.

Today, you can see many abandoned structures. One of the best structures is the restored Malamalama Church.

Go Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is one of the best things to do in Lanai. There are two dive sites with light-filled caverns in Lanai. Both the First and Second Cathedrals were created from lava tubes.

Check Out the Poaiwa Petroglyphs

The Poaiwa Petroglyphs are thought to date back to the 15th century. These primitive rock drawings contain all types of Hawaiian scenes. However, a bird-headed stick figure is often depicted.

To reach these petroglyphs, start at Shipwreck Beach and hike down into Poaiwa Valley. It is approximately a half-mile round-trip hike.

Visit Shipwreck Beach

This beach has more than 12 different wrecks along the shoreline. A few of those wrecks happened by accident, but others were simply left there when the ships were no longer needed.

One of the most visible wrecks is the YOGN-42. It is a concrete fuel barge constructed in 1942 for the Navy.

This is one of the best things to do in Lanai when looking for historical sites.

Experience the Beauty of Shark’s Bay

Shark’s Bay is one of the best places to visit in Lanai. You can see spectacular views from the red lava cliffs that surround the bay.

There is a private cove area down by the water. It is perfect for relaxing on the sand. It’s best to avoid the water here due to the strong current.s

Explore Keahiakawelo

Keahiakawelo is also known as the Garden of the Gods. There are a couple of different legends of how this area came to be. The first states that the gods dropped these rocks from the sky while caring for their gardens.

The other legend says a priest from Lanai and another from Molokai created this magical garden. The Lanai priest won a contest where he had to keep a fire burning the longest. He used every bush and tree on the island to win.

Visit the Cats at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary

One of the most calming things to do in Lanai is to visit the cats at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary. Over the last few years, more than 600 cats have called this sanctuary home. They are affectionately called the Lanai Lions.

Most of these cats were abandoned or feral, with nowhere to call home. In Lanai, there is no animal shelter and no vets, so the cat sanctuary provides housing that is very much needed. Feral cats are dangerous to native birds, so the Lanai Cat Sanctuary solves two problems!

Photo property of Lanai Cat Sanctuary.

You can sponsor a kitty at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, or you can even adopt a kitty and bring it home with you! If you don’t make it to the sanctuary, you can still support them by donating or purchasing merch online!

Take a Walk Along the Fisherman’s Trail

The Fisherman’s Trail is located near the shoreline. The trail begins at Hulopoe Beach and continues to the Manele Golf Course.

Play a Round of Golf

Speaking of the Mandele Golf Course, you can play a round of golf there if you stay at one of the Four Seasons Resorts. Jack Nicklaus designed this golf course, and the ocean is visible from all parts of the course.

You can also check out golf courses on the other islands:

• The 15 best golf courses in Maui
• The 15 best golf courses on the Big Island
• The best Oahu Golf Courses
• The 8 best golf courses in Kauai

Visit the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center

Learning about Hawaiian culture is easy when you take the time to visit the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. This center is filled with maps, old pictures, and artifacts.

Wander Around Lanai City

When you are in Lanai, one of the best things to do is wander around Lanai City. This small town is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat or doing a little souvenir shopping.

Dole Park is right in the middle of town. It is a fantastic spot for people watching or enjoying a picnic.

Venture Up to Sweetheart Rock

Sweetheart Rock, or Puu Pehe in Hawaiian, is one of the best things to see in Lanai. According to the legend, a young warrior fell in love with Pehe. She was from Maui. The warrior hid Pehe in a sea cave.

A storm came and flooded the cave. Pehe drowned. The warrior buried Pehe at the top of this rock before leaping to his death in the water below.

It takes approximately 40 minutes to walk to Sweetheart Rock and back again.

Hike Along the Koloiki Ridge Trail

One of the best things to do in Lanai is hiking, and the Koloiki Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes in Lanai! This one is about 5 miles, but the views are worth it. 

Visit Kaunolu Village

Kaunolu Village was another fishing village years ago. It is now a US National Historic Landmark.

During your visit, you can check out the ruins and the Hawaiian temple. The 60-foot cliff, known as Kahekili’s Leap, is hard to miss. This cliff is where warriors used to dive off the edge to prove their courage.

Things to do in Lanai

Those are some of the best things to do in Lanai. What do you think? Have you visited the Pineapple Isle?

If you need some help planning your Maui or Lanai vacation, reach out! I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. I am selective about how many clients I work with, so reach out as soon as possible for the best availability. You can contact me to learn more.

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