Rock these 9+ things to do in Lanai (get off the grid too!)

Owned privately by billionaire Larry Ellison, Lanai is known as the “pineapple island” (because of its past pineapple growing industry).

It’s a small Hawaiian island off the coast of Maui – just 13 miles wide by 18 miles long. But despite its postage-stamp size, there are a surprising number of things to do in Lanai.

At the same time, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all. Lanai has no stop lights – imagine that! But its 400 miles of 4-wheel-drive trails get you out into dramatic countryside. And the island has several secluded beaches where you may be the only person soaking up the sun.

Koloiki Ridge hike:

A popular trail is the Koloiki Ridge hike.

This great 5-mile roundtrip hiking trail winds along a mountain ridge through pine forests high up in the hills (where the air is definitely cooler than down by the beach), before opening up to sweeping ocean views.

The official start of the trail is near the Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele. Alternatively, you can start from the Munro Trail (park at the cemetery) – the hike would then be about 6 miles. Give yourself 2 to 3 hours, which allows plenty of time for gawking at the views.

Sweetheart Rock (Puu Pehe) hike:

Down by Hulopoe Beach (at the foot of the beachfront Four Seasons Resort Lanai), there’s an easy walk to Puu Pehe or “Sweetheart Rock.”

It follows the coastline to an 80-foot tall craggy rock formation shooting up out of the water.

Legend has it that Makakehau, a young warrior from Lanai, fell in love with Pehe, a Hawaiian beauty from Maui. He took her back to Lanai and hid her in a sea cave.

But a sudden storm flooded the cave, drowning her in the waves. So he climbed to the top of this rocky outcropping, where he buried her, then leaped to his death in the surging waters below.

2) Bask on Hulopoe Beach

Of course, you’re going to want to spend some time relaxing on beautiful Hulopoe Beach. This is one of the things you can do on Lanai without a car, because the beach is walking distance from the Lanai ferry dock.

Keep your eyes peeled for spinner dolphins that play in the bay!

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The white sand beach is absolutely idyllic! And it’s public. If you take a Lanai snorkeling excursion from Maui, this is the beach you get to enjoy lazing about on.

If you’re a guest at either of the Four Seasons resorts on Lanai, you also get to enjoy their beach club services – like being treated to Evian spritzes and chilled facecloths delivered to you, while you’re lounging on your beach chair.

4) Visit Shipwreck Beach

One of the most visible wrecks you see when visiting the area is the YOGN-42, a concrete fuel barge built for the US Navy in 1942. It was intentionally scuttled in 1954.

And now you see her, listing on her side, rusting away in the salty sea – and making for a very interesting photo!

5) Golf on Lanai

6) Pet a kitty at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary

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7) Explore Keahiakawelo

Known as the “Garden of the Gods,” Keahiakawelo is a vast otherworldly rock garden on the north end of the island.

The ultimate rock garden, this storied place looks like how you’d imagine Mars, with the sun bouncing off red rock towers and spires, formed by thousands of years of erosion.

According to one Hawaiian legend, the boulders were dropped from the sky by gods caring for their gardens.

Another says that this rocky landscape was created after a contest between two priests from Lanai and Molokai. Each had to keep a fire burning on their island longer than the other. The Lanai priest won, using all the trees and bushes on this part of the island to fuel his fire.

Whatever the legend, Keahiakawelo is a remarkable site. You need a four-wheel drive to get to this wild and windswept area (about a 45-minute drive from Lanai City).

8) Suntan in the buff at Polihua Beach

Yes, because Polihua Beach is so remote, you can strip off and sunbathe in the nude here!

But don’t tell too many people about this – we’d like to keep it one of those secret things to do in Lanai. (Note that the water isn’t safe for swimming at Polihua Beach though.)

Like Keahiakawalo (#7 above), this two-mile arc of pristine gold sand beach is also found on the northern part of Lanai, so you can combine visiting both in the same four-wheel drive outing.

9) Go scuba diving

What to do on Lanai underwater? Go scuba diving!

Underwater, Lanai is every bit as captivating as above. In particular, it boasts two signature dive sites with light-filled caverns created from lava tubes – the First Cathedral and Second Cathedral.

Apart from the wonder of diving through these beautiful lava caves and archways, these sites are also rich in marine life. See green turtles, yellow butterfly fish, eels and perhaps even whitetip reef sharks, if you’re lucky.

More Lanai activities?

There are several more Lanai beaches where you can sink your toes in the sand. And the beaches are never crowded!

You can also join a yoga session on the island.

And horseback riding? Yup! Ride through Ironwood forests up in the hills surrounding Koele.

Where to stay

Hotels:

Many visitors stay at one of the two Four Seasons hotels on Lanai: the Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort (the former Lodge at Koele) or the Four Seasons Resort Lanai (at Manele Bay). We’ve stayed at both of these – and can highly recommend these luxury digs!

Recommended reading: See our review of the two Four Seasons Resorts on Lanai

Vacation rentals:

If you’d prefer to have your own private self-contained accommodation with a kitchen, there are some lovely Lanai plantation homes, cottages and condos available through VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner), an Expedia Group company.