1-Day Lānaʻi Itinerary
Looking for things to do on Lanai? Lānaʻi is a small island off the west coast of Maui. I recently took a day trip there from the island of Oahu and wanted to share my tips for a one-day itinerary. Lānaʻi is a small island with limited things to see and do, so a day trip is the perfect amount of time to enjoy what the island has to offer. Fly in early in the morning, grab your rental car, explore the island, and fly out late the same afternoon.
How to get to Lānaʻi
There are no flights from the Continental United States to Hawaii. Currently, you’ll need to fly to Lānaʻi (LNY) Mokulele Airlines from Oahu’s Honolulu Airport (HNL) or Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG). Prepare yourself for a small plane. The flight I took from Oahu seated just nine passengers and two pilots. The flight from Oahu was just under an hour and there are several departures a day.
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How to get around Lānaʻi
Book your rental with Ace Rent a Car (it’s the only game on the island!) You’re looking at about $200/day for a Jeep rental, which is what you want with all the dirt roads. Worth noting is that the same person who checks you in for your flight on Lānaʻi handles the rental car pickup/dropoff. The general pace of things in Lānaʻi is slower, so pack your patience and be prepared to wait.
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Lānaʻi is a relatively small, easy-to-navigate island. Get a paper map from the car rental place and be sure to take note of which roads are unpaved as it’s not advised to drive on them if it has been raining. Being aware of the weather is important when choosing things to do on Lānaʻi.
There is also a shuttle and private car service option. More information can be found on the Lānaʻi Airport website.
Where to eat on Lānaʻi
The Blue Ginger Cafe is a cash-only restaurant in the heart of Lānaʻi City. Their operating hours can be a bit fluid (some days they open at 6, other days 6:30. Somdays they’re open till 8 p.m., other days until just 2 p.m.) so be sure to check their website for current information. Serving everything from Saimin (Hawaii’s version of chicken noodle soup) and Mahi burgers to pancakes and pastries, the Blue Ginger has options to suit everyone!
PRO TIP: Bring cash (or your debit card) as some places on-island don’t take credit cards (or any form of electronic payment).
You can also pick up sandwiches, salads, snacks, and bottled water at the Lānaʻi City Service Station, located in Lānaʻi City. It’s also the cheapest gas station on the island. It’s also the only gas station on the island, so I guess that also makes it the most expensive gas station on the island! Credit cards are accepted.
Things to Do on Lānaʻi
Honestly, the Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary was the reason I visited Lānaʻi. Crazy cat lady for life, ya know? And it was so, so worth it! Easily one of the best things to do on Lānaʻi.
Over 600 cats roam the four-acre sanctuary in a variety of outdoor enclosures. This keeps not only the cats but local native birds safe. Visits are donation-based and you’ll be given a bag of cat treats upon arrival. And boy do the cats know it! You’ll immediately have half a dozen new best friends when you enter each enclosure. The enclosures are spacious and filled with plenty of room to roam, things to climb, and cozy spots for the cats to snooze in the sunshine.
What It’s Like to Visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary
Spoiler alert: it’s purrfect!
Many of the cats will eat out of your hand and welcome all the petting and brushing you’re willing to give. There are other, more shy cats, who prefer to observe you from a distance, but all of the cats are well-cared for by the team, who even flies in a vet from Oahu to ensure that the cats are in good health.
Located on the northern side of Lānaʻi, Shipwreck Beach, also known as Kaiolohia, is roughly a 30-minute drive from Lānaʻi City. As you get further from town, the roads turn from paved to dirt and get narrower and more winding, but it’s a perfectly safe drive with stunning views! The eight-mile stretch of beach has had numerous ships wrecked along its coast and you can still see the hull of a wrecked tanker on its reef. Shipwreck Beach is not a swimming beach, but one to enjoy wandering and sightseeing. There is no shade, no restrooms, and no concessions, so be sure to pack appropriately.
Keahiakawelo, commonly known as Garden of the Gods, is a rock garden located about 45 minutes from Lānaʻi City. Because it had been raining, the rental car agency advised me to not visit Garden of the Gods due to the condition of the road and I chose to listen to that advice. I’m sad to have missed the storied spot and its otherwordly seeming rock formations caused by centuries of erosion. Guess I’ll just have to go back!
Where to stay on Lānaʻi
If you choose to spend more than a day on Lānaʻi, there are a few lodging options. The primary options are Hotel Lānaʻi, Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi, and Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort. There are also a few bed and breakfast options as well as Airbnbs.
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Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori. But you can call me Lors. I’m a middle-aged New Jersey-born gal, currently based in Orlando, Florida. My background is in editorial travel photography and writing and I've been to more than 30 countries. I’m obsessed with tropical locales and my favorite city is Tokyo. Have camera, will travel! I’m a Disney adult, Lord of the Rings fan, certified crazy cat lady, and sushi addict! I hope this blog inspires your wanderlust. Feel free to follow me on Instagram for snippets of daily life on and off the road.
