nWelcome to Lāna‘i, a unique and lesser-known Hawaiian island famed for its serene beauty and adventure opportunities. Often referred to as the Pineapple Island, Lāna‘i holds historical significance as a major pineapple plantation. Here are the best Lanai attractions you can find on this quiet little island.
Aerial view of Lanai, Hawaii featuring Hulopo’e Bay and beach, Sweetheart Rock (Pu’u Pehe), Shark’s Bay, and the mountains of Maui in the background (Shutterstock)
Introduction to Lāna‘i
A Mormon colony. A pineapple plantation. An American billionaire’s retreat. Lānaʻi’s had a curious past.
Just nine miles off the coast of Maui, there’s a quiet island shaped like a little apostrophe. This is Lāna‘i—Hawai‘i’s smallest inhabited island, home to just around 3,000 residents and countless stories.
In the mid-1800s, a group of Mormon settlers made Lāna‘i their home until about seventy years later when James Dole, founder of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, purchased it. Lāna‘i was transformed into the largest pineapple plantation in the world, earning it the nickname, Pineapple Island.
Pineapples became more than just a crop—it was integral to Lāna‘i’s identity. Outsiders rarely ventured there, assuming it was little more than rows of golden fruit and a factory. Even today, many Hawai‘i locals have never set foot on Lāna‘i, despite its quiet charm and unique culture.
From Pineapples to Tourism
In 2012, tech billionaire Larry Ellison, co-founder and former CEO of Oracle Corporation, purchased 98% of Lāna‘i for a reported $300 million. The final fruit was harvested in 2008.
Ellison envisioned something entirely new for Lāna‘i and began reshaping the island from a sleepy plantation town into an exclusive eco-luxury destination.
Former plantation workers, now welcome travelers who arrive by ferry from Maui or land at the island’s small airport. With a population just shy of 3,000, Lāna‘i remains deeply connected to its roots.
Though part of Maui County—alongside Moloka‘i and uninhabited Kaho‘olawe — Lāna‘i has carved out its own identity. It’s an island of contrasts, where off-road trails and windswept cliffs lure adventurers, while world-class resorts pamper those seeking tranquility and indulgence. Whether you come for rugged exploration or five-star luxury, Lāna‘i has both.
Luxury Lānaʻi Accommodations and Amenities
Even though Lānaʻi is a small island, there are plenty of ways to spend your money on luxurious and comfortable accommodations. The serenity and privacy of Lānaʻi beaches are ideal settings for small weddings and romantic honeymoons.
The 1920s-era Hotel Lānaʻi, the five-star Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi at Manele Bay and Four Seasons Sensei Lānaʻi in Lānaʻi City all know how to pamper visitors. The Four Seasons offers especially unique experiences, including hiking the Koloiki Ridge Trail, which starts at the resort. There’s also gourmet dining and wellness-focused amenities. At Sensei, guests can enjoy spa treatments, yoga sessions, nutrition consultations, and curated wellness programs.
For those looking to hit the green, the Four Seasons is also home to the spectacular Manele Golf Course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this cliffside course ranks among the top golf destinations in Hawai‘i. Whether you’re chasing birdies or soaking in the scenery, it’s a standout experience that showcases the island’s beauty with every swing.
Beach chairs and umbrellas await the visitor to the island of Lanai, Hawaii (Shutterstock)
Traveling to Lāna‘i
Air Travel
There’s no direct flights to Lāna‘i from the continental U.S., so you’ll have to fly to Honolulu (HNL) or Kahului Airport in Maui (OGG), where you can connect to Lāna‘i City airport. (LNY) with Hawaiian Airlines.
You can also charter a private flight with Lāna‘i Air. They offer luxury air service for guests of the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i. These flights are the quickest way to connect between Honolulu and Lāna‘i, and are customized to each guest’s arrival time.
Ferry Service to Lāna‘i From Maui
If you are already on Maui, you can travel to Lāna‘i’s Mānele Harbor from Maui’s Ma‘alaea Harbor through the Expeditions Ferry Service. There are five daily roundtrips with the boat ride taking about an hour. Advanced reservations are required.
Rental Car: Exploring the Island
You’ll need to rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle if you plan to explore by yourself. Of the 400 miles of roads on the island, only 30 miles are paved. Options include Dollar Rent a Car and Lāna‘i Cheap Jeep & Subaru Rentals in Lāna‘i City. Jeep rentals typically range from $225 to $300 per day.
With a sturdy vehicle, you can venture off the beaten path and discover hidden gems inaccessible by regular cars. Whether you’re navigating the red dirt roads to Polihua Beach or climbing the Munro Trail, having a reliable 4WD ensures you won’t miss any of the island’s breathtaking sights.
Lanai, Hawaii. Garden of the Gods (Shutterstock)
Lanai Attractions
Lāna‘i is a haven for outdoor adventures, offering a range of activities such as hiking, ziplining, and other experiences that allow visitors to connect with the island’s rugged landscapes that provide the perfect escape from urban life.
Hulopo‘e Beach and Mānele Bay
On the southern end of the island, one of the most celebrated destinations on Lāna‘i is Hulopo‘e Beach. This protected marine reserve boasts clear waters, golden sand, and tide pools teeming with aquatic life and maybe a sea turtle or two. Just offshore, lucky visitors can spot spinner dolphins playing in the bay, and during the winter months, humpback whales often make a majestic appearance. Snorkeling is a remarkable, uncrowded experience.
Pū‘u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock)
A short hike from Hulopo‘e Beach leads to one of the most iconic landmarks on the island— Pū‘u Pehe, or Sweetheart Rock. Towering 80 feet out of the sea between Mānele and Hulopo‘e Bay, this sea stack is steeped in legend. According to local lore, a heartbroken warrior leapt to his death after losing his beloved, their tragic tale forever memorialized by this natural formation.
The short trail to Pū‘u Pehe offers panoramic ocean views and is especially stunning at sunrise and sunset, when the colors of the sky illuminate the coastline. It’s a must-see for romantics, photographers, and hikers alike.
Lāna‘i City
Unassuming and full of character, Lāna‘i City is the island’s only town and a charming reminder of its plantation days. Built in the 1920s by pineapple magnate James Dole to house workers, the town retains its vintage appeal. Plantation-style buildings, colorful boutiques, cozy cafés, and local art galleries feel like they’ve been plucked from another era.
Visitors can stroll around Dole Park, the central green space surrounded by restaurants and boutiques. It’s the best place to get a taste of local culture and mingle with residents. The absence of traffic lights in Lanai City adds to its charm, which make for quiet streets and a leisurely stroll. While in town, make sure to visit Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center, which offers fascinating exhibits on the island’s history, from ancient Hawaiian settlements to the pineapple plantation era and modern developments.
Visit the Mike Carroll Gallery
Art enthusiasts will find inspiration at the Mike Carroll Gallery, a gem nestled in the heart of Lāna‘i City. This inviting space showcases a vibrant collection of local artwork that captures the island’s natural beauty and cultural soul. Mike Carroll, a Chicago native who moved to Lāna‘i in 2001, quickly fell in love with its tranquil landscapes and close-knit community. His oil paintings reflect the island’s essence—from misty uplands to sunlit shores—with striking detail and warmth. Beyond Carroll’s own work, the gallery features a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and one-of-a-kind pieces by other local artists.
Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods)
One of the most surreal and visually striking landscapes in all of Hawai‘i awaits on the northwest side of Lāna‘i. Keahiakawelo, often called the Garden of the Gods, is a windswept expanse where massive boulders, sculpted by time and nature, dot the crimson earth like ancient relics. It’s also a mystical site rooted in legend. According to Hawaiian tradition, the terrain was shaped by a spiritual showdown between two kahuna (priests), each striving to keep their sacred fire burning longer than the other. The result is a place that feels charged with energy and steeped in lore.
The area is best visited during the late afternoon when the setting sun casts dramatic shadows and rich golden hues across the rock formations. From Keahiakawelo, you can also enjoy distant views of neighboring islands Maui and Moloka‘i in the distance.
Shipwreck Beach on the Pacific Ocean
On the northeastern coast of Lāna‘i lies a long stretch of rugged coastline known as Shipwreck Beach. True to its name, this eight-mile beach is home to the remains of a World War II-era oil tanker that ran aground on a reef in the 1940s. Though the waters are too rough for swimming, the beach offers an eerie, scenic walk and a fascinating photo opp.
Shipwreck Beach is also a great place for beachcombing, hiking, and spotting native Hawaiian monk seals basking in the sun (keep your distance!). Just inland lies Kaunolu Village, a sacred site once visited by King Kamehameha I that’s protected by the National Park Service.
Munro Trail
For those seeking a bird’s-eye view of the island, the Munro Trail offers a breathtaking drive or hike through the upland forests. The 12.8-mile dirt road climbs to Lāna‘ihale, the island’s highest peak at 3,366 feet. From various lookouts, you can see five of the six major islands on a clear day: Lāna‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and the Big Island.
The trail passes through native ʻōhiʻa lehua forests and offers opportunities to spot native birds like the ʻapapane and ʻamakihi. The terrain can be rough and muddy, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle and sturdy hiking boots are essential.
Polihua Beach
If you’re looking for absolute solitude, Polihua Beach on Lāna‘i’s north shore is the perfect escape. This remote, two-mile beach is often deserted, a wild and windswept Lanai attraction. While the waters are too dangerous for swimming due to the currents, it’s ideal for peaceful reflection and shell collecting.
Getting to Polihua requires a 4WD vehicle, as the road is rugged and crosses through the Garden of the Gods. The journey itself is an adventure, with dramatic shifts in scenery from red desert-like plains to coastal sand dunes.
Koloiki Ridge Trail
Another spectacular hike on Lāna‘i is the Koloiki Ridge Trail, a moderate five-mile round trip that starts near the Sensei Resort. The trail winds through lush forests of Cook pines and opens up to sweeping views of Maunalei Gulch and the northern coastline.
The Koloiki Ridge Trail offers the opportunity to connect with Lānaʻi culture, as the island’s beauty and heritage are deeply intertwined. The ridge provides a unique contrast to the arid landscapes elsewhere on the island, and it’s a great spot for birdwatching and plant identification. It’s accessible for most hikers and showcases the island’s surprising ecological diversity.
Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary
Animal lovers adore Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary, a 3.5-acre, open-air shelter home to over 600 rescued cats near the airport. Visitors can cuddle, feed, and play with the cats affectionately known as “Hawaiian Lions.”
It’s a fantastic stop for families and offers a meaningful way to support conservation efforts—by helping protect endangered Hawaiian birds through the humane management of Lāna‘i’s stray cat population. Unexpected and unforgettable, it’s one of the island’s most delightfully surprising attractions. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged, and visitors are welcome daily.
Exploring the Poaiwa Petroglyphs
For a connection to Lāna‘i’s past, visit the Poaiwa Petroglyphs—centuries-old carvings etched into lava rock by Native Hawaiians. Tucked within a quiet, scenic valley, this sacred site offers a window into the spiritual lives of the island’s early inhabitants.
Reaching the petroglyphs requires a bit of a hike, but you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the island. Once there, the petroglyphs unfold like a silent storybook, depicting human figures, animals, and symbolic shapes carved directly into stone. It’s a humbling, powerful place—one that grounds your Lāna‘i visit in the deep roots of Hawaiian culture.
Sunset Catamaran Sail: A Romantic Getaway
For an unforgettable romantic escape, set sail on a sunset catamaran cruise around Lāna‘i. As the boat glides along the coast, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of neighboring Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific. When the sun begins its descent, the sky erupts into color, casting a magical glow over the water.
Final Thoughts
Lāna‘i may be the least developed of Hawaii’s major islands, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. Its quiet charm, dramatic landscapes, and blend of adventure, and luxury create a one-of-a-kind escape. Unplug and discover a side of the islands that few get to experience.
Come to relax on an empty beach. Explore ancient cultural sites. Immerse yourself in high-end wellness. Lanai’s attractions offer an unforgettable escape that feels a world away from the bustle of modern life. With the diverse beauty of Lānaʻi being open to more and more travelers, the Pineapple Isle might have to find another nickname.
