The smallest of all the Hawaiian Islands, this former pineapple plantation is now home to a posh resort, a rich and colorful history, and a postage-stamp-size town with some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. There are enough activities here to keep you busy, but you’ll probably be happiest skipping a few and slowing down to Lanai speed.
Day 1: Arrive & Investigate Hulopoe Bay’s Tide Pools ★★★
After settling into your hotel, head for the best stretch of sand on the island (and maybe the state): Hulopoe Beach. It’s generally safe for swimming, and snorkeling within this marine preserve is terrific. The fish are so friendly you practically have to shoo them away; dolphins are frequent visitors. Climb up to the Puu Pehe or Sweetheart Rock lookout. Dine like a celebrity at Nobu.
Day 2: Explore Lanai City & Garden of the Gods ★★★
Head into quaint Lanai City to browse the boutiques and get a colorful history lesson at the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center. Buckle up for a 3 1/2-hour tour with Rabaca’s Limousine Service. Let your driver navigate the rough road down to Polihua Beach, Lanai’s largest white-sand beach. On the way back, linger at the Garden of the Gods to snap photos of the otherworldly landscape at sunset. Finish your day at the Lanai City Grill, listening to live music and dining by the fire pits out back.
Day 3: Enjoy a Day on the Water ★★★
Spend the day with Lanai Ocean Sports on a snorkel sail or scuba adventure along the island’s west coast or at Cathedrals, one of Hawaii’s most ethereal dive sites. At night, savor hand-mixed cocktails and shoot some pool at the Four Seasons Lanai Sports Bar & Grill.
Day 4: Four-Wheel It to the East Side ★★★
Lanai is a fantastic place to go four-wheeling. If it hasn’t been raining, splurge on an ATV or four-wheel-drive vehicle and head out to the East Side. Get a picnic lunch from Lanai City Service and download the Lanai Guide app for GPS-enabled directions, historic photos, and haunting Hawaiian chants. Find the petroglyphs at Shipwreck Beach and forge onward to Keomoku Village and Lopa Beach.
Day 5: Brunch Like Royalty & Visit an Ancient King’s Temple ★★★
Fill your belly at One Forty, where the lavish breakfast buffet’s omelet station, juice bar, and malasada (Portuguese doughnut) fryer should fuel you for hours. Tackle the rugged 4WD road down to Kaunolu Village, where King Kahekili and his warriors famously leapt from the cliffs into the sea. Return your ATV or car in town and catch a movie at Hale Keaka.
Day 6: Choose Your Adventure & Hit the Spa ★★★
Visit the Island Adventure Center to book your preferred activity: a horseback ride through Lanai’s upland forests, a rambling UTV tour through several cultural sites, or a round of golf at the award-winning Challenge at Manele golf course. Cap your adventure with a soothing treatment at the Hawanawana Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai.
Day 7: Spend a Day at the Beach ★★
Soak up the sun at Hulopoe Beach. Grab a book and watch the kids play in the surf. If you feel inclined, follow the Kapihaa Trail along the rocky coast. For lunch, wander up to Malibu Farms and scan the horizon for dolphins or whales.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
