The Ultimate Lānaʻi Day Trip

Here’s your one-day itinerary for exploring Lānaʻi’s’s remote landscapes, local businesses, unique activities and laid-back coastline.

Looking for an island-hopping adventure? Whether you’re a visitor filling a gap in your itinerary or a local seeking a change of scenery, Lānaʻi makes for an easy single-day escape.

Lānaʻi is accessible via direct flights from Oʻahu, Maui and Molokaʻi, as well as the Expeditions Maui-Lānaʻi Ferry service. Flight times vary, but the earliest one from Maui is typically around 8:15 a.m. The ferry departs at the same times every day, with the earliest leaving Māʻalaea at 6:30 a.m. and the latest leaving Mānele at 5:30 p.m.

To maximize your time, take the early boat—and enjoy a scenic one-hour ride across the ʻAuʻau Channel—and arrive on Lānaʻi around 7:45 a.m., then fly back on the last return flight at around 6:45 p.m.

Be sure to prebook a taxi, shuttle, rental car or guided tour to ensure you have ground transportation from the airport or harbor.

For those who want to see as much of the island as possible, having access to a four-wheel drive is essential. Take the approximately 20-minute drive from Lānaʻi City to Keahiakawelo, known as the Garden of the Gods; it’s a red rock garden that offers a close-up look at Hawaiʻi’s geology as well as sweeping views of Molokaʻi. You might even see axis deer or mouflon sheep roaming the hills below.

After traversing the otherworldly terrain, drive another 40 minutes or so to Kaialohia, commonly known as Shipwreck Beach. Here, a World War II fuel barge, intentionally abandoned by the U.S. Navy sits offshore. Due to heavy winds, strong currents and potential debris, swimming is not advised. Instead, walk along the coastline, do some beachcombing or simply enjoy the views.

Once you’ve explored the more remote parts of the island, head back to Lānaʻi City for shopping, activities and lunch.

Deep Hawaiʻi Art is the town’s newest retail space, serving as a gallery and gift shop featuring ocean-themed accessories and art like gyotaku, a traditional Japanese printmaking method in which ink is applied to real fish and then pressed onto paper to commemorate a catch. The Local Gentry is a cute clothing boutique, Lānaʻi Hula Hut is the perfect stop for souvenirs and, if you go on a Thursday or Saturday, you can pop in for the Community Thrift Shop’s limited hours.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you could potentially fit in all three of the following activities:

Lānaʻi Adventure Park features a 1,200-foot zipline and an aerial obstacle course; plan for about 90 minutes there. The Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary, among the island’s top attractions, llows visitors to spend time with and support the care of more than 700 free-roaming rescue cats. Cat lovers could easily spend a few hours in this feline haven.

Lānaʻi Bowl is another new addition to the town and a multifaceted stop, offering bowling, arcade games, a soda fountain and bar, plus an extensive menu of diner-style dishes. Its retro theme brings fun pops of color and a modern design to its historic building in the middle of Dole Park. Hours are extended on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends, when it opens at 11 a.m.—perfect for a delicious lunch followed by a bit of fun.

Spend the rest of the day at Hulopoʻe Beach Park, a public beach located in front of the Four Seasons Lānaʻi and a short walk from the Mānele Small Boat Harbor. Calm days are ideal for swimming or snorkeling (bring your own gear), exploring tide pools and sunbathing. For a short hike, a coastal path leads to an overlook of Puʻu Pehe, or Sweetheart Rock. If you go, be sure to wear sun protection—while it’s barely a 1-mile hike, round-trip, there’s no shade.

For a snack or later lunch, walk up to the resort and pop into Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar for tableside service or The Break for a quick grab-and-go option before heading back to the harbor or airport.

Ashley Probst is a contributor to HAWAIʻI Magazine.