Lanai - Hawaii's Most Enticing Island
Does your idea of paradise include walking a mile on a beach without seeing another person? Removed from the pressures of the outside world, Lanai is a place where relaxation is ever accomplished by the pleasures of the good life.
Visit Lanai to soak up the solitude. Secluded Lanai has few paved roads, no traffic lights and no crowds - just extraordinary beauty. With two upscale resorts, a charming small hotel, miles of backcountry roads and beaches so quiet they seem to belong to you alone, Lanai is the ideal peaceful getaway. Snorkel the calm waters of Hulopoe Bay and look up in time to see a pod of spinner dolphins. Explore the Garden of the Gods,with its mysterious rock formations, in time for a picture-perfect sunset. Take the three-hour drive along the seven-mile dirt road known as Munro Trail to the top of Mount Lanaihale. The views are breathtaking, the air is clear, the pace is easy. Find out for yourself why Lanai is known as Hawaii's Most Enticing Island.
Lanai rises from the ocean in a gently rounded silhouette, most dramatically revealed as the sun inches toward the western horizon. From a distance, Lanai gives few clues to its distinctive beauty. It takes a visit to appreciate the special appeal of the island and to discover the rewards that come with its reputation as Hawaii's most enticing island.
Although it remains off the beaten path, Lanai offers an unparalleled range of activities in a setting that takes full advantage of the island's natural beauty. Reserve a court at Manele's tennis center or set out on an equestrian excursion. Try your hand at sporting clays at one of the country's best facilities that also sports an archery range. Do a sunset sail or charter a boat for a tour around the island. Do a horse and carriage ride and let someone else do the driving.
Head for a snorkel or a swim at beautiful Hulopoe Beach, or depart Manele Harbor for a snorkel or scuba excursion to the pristine waters off Lanai's cliff-lined West Coast. Take a stroll through Lanai City and browse the shops that surround the forested town square. Set out for a casual bicycle ride or more strenuous mountain bike ride on the many trails that crisscross the surrounding 89,000 acres of countryside. Do a cultural ATV tour or rent a 4WD vehicle and set off on an adventure that can take you to the lunar landscapes of Keahiakawelo (The Garden of the Gods), the beachcombing pleasures of Kaiolohia Bay (Shipwreck Beach), or the misty, rain forest heights of Lanaihale. If you're in the mood to relax, how about a spa treatment or yoga class.
In addition, Lanai is well-known for its championship golf course. High above the shimmering waters of Hulopoe Bay, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Manele Golf Course is Lanai's premiere 18-hole layout with a reputation for excellence in design and playability. Built on lava outcroppings, the course features three holes perched on cliffs, enlisting the Pacific Ocean as a water hazard. Manele Golf Course boasts beautiful views of the Pacific. During the winter months, you can spot humpback whales right from the fairways.
By land, sea and sky, Lanai's riches are yours to discover. There are "no worries" on Lanai.
Travel Tips and Tidbits
There's a ferry that runs several times a day both ways between Lanai and Maui. if you're staying on either island, it's very easy to do a day trip to the other to enjoy some of what it has to offer. It's a 50-minute ride and you can enjoy the scenery along the way; especially during whale season.
Dole Park, the town square in Lanai City, is a charming place to visit, with many boutique shops, family-owned eateries and a peaceful, relaxing ambiance. All the shops are worth a visit, so you might want to set aside at least a couple hours to visit several of them, including the Mike Carrol Gallery and Lanai Art Center; Lanai Hula Hut, an eclectic boutique selling handmade jewelry, home decor, apparel and island-style souvenirs; and The Local Gentry, a clothing store that has a lot of great gift items, locally made products and souvenirs.
If you're looking for adventure, Lanai Adventure Park is well worth a visit. You can do a 1200-foot zipline over Kiholena Valley; a guided e-bike tour along your choice of 4 trails, all of which offer spectacular scenery; or why not try the aerial obstacle course, a huge two-story tower with bridges, physically demanding obstacles and challenging mental puzzles.
A popular thing to do on Lanai is to visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, a 3.5 acre "purradise" founded in 2004 to give feral cats a home and to protect the islandʻs many endangered birds. Today, the sanctuary provides food, water and shelter for over 600 cats. No appointment is required and admission is free, but the sanctuary relies on donations from visitors to fund its operations.
Accommodations
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Located on the southern coast of the pristine island of Lanai, the five-diamond Four Seasons Resort Lanai is just a moment away from many of the island's most scenic spots, best reached by foot or 4WD vehicle, and where the Hawaii found in vintage postcards comes vibrantly to life. Spend your days lounging by the lagoon style pools, strolling the botanical gardens, reconnecting body and spirit at the Hawanawana Spa and savoring gourmet cuisine at Nobu or ONE FORTY. From the rugged uplands to the aquatic sanctuary of Hulopoe Bay, the opportunities for relaxation and adventure are endless. Elevate your Lanai experience, beginning with your flight. Lanai Air offers luxury air service connecting Honolulu with the island of Lanai.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Deep in the heart of the Pacific, an all-inclusive wellness resort awaits you on Hawaii's most exclusive island. Surrounded by lush foliage, pine covered mountains and fresh tropical breezes, Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is your Hawaiian base for a journey to well-being. Balancing purpose with play, Sensei connects you with an expert team for an experience that lifts the adventurous spirit and nourishes the whole you. First, they will craft your personalized itinerary. Then, enjoy spa treatments, fitness classes, yoga and meditation, dining by Nobu, cultural immersion and enriching island activities in pursuit of movement, nourishment and rest - all in a beautiful and luxurious Four Seasons setting.
Hotel Lanai
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Hotel Lanai
Built in 1923 by James Dole, who developed the pineapple industry in Hawaii, Hotel Lanai was the first and only hotel on the island of Lanai until 1990. Sheltered under towering Cook Pines on a rise overlooking Lanai City, this recently renovated hotel is a quiet plantation-inspired retreat blending rustic modern style with vintage charm, upscale elegance and natural simplicity. The 11-room property, located steps from Dole Park and next to the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center, invites visitors from around the world to enjoy lush garden views, warm Hawaiian hospitality and island cuisine at its on-site neighborhood restaurant, Lanai City Bar & Grille. A complimentary continental breakfast is served every morning to start your day.