Lanai

Getting there

There are no direct flights to Lanai, but several local airlines offer service from Maui or Oahu. There's also regular ferry service from Maui's Lahaina Harbor to Manele Bay, which takes roughly an hour. Lanai City and the surrounding highlands sit several hundred feet above sea level, making them a bit cooler than the coast areas.

World Class resorts

Visitors to Lanai have two Four Season Resorts to choose from. The Four Seasons Manele Bay perches on a red lava cliff above the soft sands of Hulope Beach. The resort’s golf course more than earns its legendary reputation by using the Pacific Ocean as the ultimate water hazard. Then there’s The Lodge at Koele, which deftly combine rustic charm and 5-star luxury. It’s a true retreat, complete with a stable of well-groomed horses for exploring its mountain trails.

Go exploring

Four-wheel drive and hiking boots are a necessity for exploring Lanai. Rent a jeep in Lanai City, then drive up through the pines of the Munroe Trail to Lanaihale Peak, or down to the native sandalwood, olive, and ebony trees of the Kanepuu Preserve.

Garden of the Gods and Sweetheart Rock

Romance comes naturally in Lanai. The perfect spot for a picnic is overlooking Puu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock), just a short hike south from Hulopoe Beach. The barren landscape of Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods) may seem bereft of the lush sensuality of the rest of the island. But visit these otherworldly rock formations at dusk to be enchanted: the warm orange glow of the setting sun illuminates the stones in shades of brilliant reds and purples.

What are the best resorts in Lanai?

If you are looking for the best resorts in Lanai, try this list:

• Four Seasons Resort Lanai
• Hotel Lanai
• The Lodge at Koele, a Four Seasons Resort

Marine life

Thanks to its protected bay and clear waters, Hulopoe Bay makes for great swimming and snorkeling. Once a royal fishing retreat, mahimahi, tuna and marlin still lure fishermen out to Manele Bay. Meanwhile, seasoned scuba divers pilgrimage to the Lanai Cathedrals, massive lava tubes with “stained glass windows” of turquoise blue water and a full parish of colorful underwater creatures.