Manele Bay, Lanai
Manele Bay is located in the southern coast of Lanai. This beautiful place is divided into two: White Manele and Black Manele. As part of the Marine Life Conservation District, visitors of Manele Bay are asked to take part in the conservation practices. There are so many beautiful places to explore in Manele Bay. Explore the lush greeneries, crystal clear blue waters, and sandy beaches amidst spectacular views of Lanai’s coastline.
White Manele or Hulopoe Bay
At White Manele, or Hulopoe Bay, you will find one of America’s best beaches – Hulopoe Beach. The beach is famous for its golden sand and deep blue waters which will definitely entice you to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply relax with family and friends.
Hulopoe Bay is Lanai’s best location for body boarding, snorkeling, and swimming. The place is also frequented by locals and tourists because of the spinner dolphins and humpback whales that are usually seen here. Because Hulopoe Bay is part of the marine life conservation district, you will find the place as one of the best spots for snorkeling and diving. The abundance of marine life will definitely take your breath away.
At Hulopoe Beach, you will also find facilities like picnic tables, restrooms, barbecue grills, and shower rooms. As a protected site, visitors are asked to help in preserving the beauty of the place.
Hulopoe tide pools
At the east side of the bay, you will find the famous Hulopoe tide pools. The calm clear blue waters and abundant marine life here also attract many visitors. The changing tides – high and low tides – created these tide pools. During high tide, the rocky shores are covered by water. But during low tide, these are exposed. Here you will find hermit crabs, small fish, and sea stars. The pools' calm waters make this a perfect place for exploring. Just be very cautious because the rocks can get really slippery.
Shark's Cove
Another great place to explore in Manele Bay is the Shark’s Cove or Shark’s Bay. This secluded beach is popular for its red lava rock formation. On top of the lava rock, you will get magnificent views of Lanai’s breathtaking coastline. The sandy beach and clear waters are great to enjoy some privacy while reading a book or relaxing by the shore.
Puu Pehe Rock
Puu Pehe Rock, or Sweetheart Rock, is the stunning 80-foot rock seen about 150 feet off the shore. On top of the rock is an ancient structure believed to be part of a Hawaiian legend about a couple. According to the legend, a lovely girl named Pehe lived with her husband in the sea caves. One day, while the husband was away, a very strong storm came to the island. When the husband returned, he was anguished to see his wife’s lifeless body. He climbed the 150-foot rock and buried his wife on top of it. Then, the husband jumped off the rock to kill himself. Another popular name for the rock formation is Lover’s Leap. The cove at Puu Pehe Rock has clear blue waters and abundant marine life as well.
Black Manele
On this side of Manele Bay, you will find the boat harbor. The harbor is surrounded by sea cliffs known as the Pali Lei noHauni. Aside from protecting the harbor from strong storms, the sea cliffs also provide magnificent views of the bay.
Golf Course
If you are a golf enthusiast, you will definitely love to visit and play at the famous golf course in Manele Bay – The Challenge at Manele. This oceanside course will give you majestic views of the ocean. Found at the luxurious Manele Bay Resort, The Challenge at Manele is a 72-par championship golf course. Unveiled in December 1993, the golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus who also designed the famous Experience at Koele.
Located on top of a 200-foot lava sea cliff, the golf course has 18 holes, a driving range, a pro shop, a putting green, and a clubhouse.
Four Seasons Resort
A famous 5-star luxurious resort, the Four Seasons Resort, has breathtaking ocean views, peaceful tropical beaches, and the best accommodation that Manele Bay has to offer. If you stay here, it is like having a piece of Hawaii’s paradise all to yourself. Four Seasons Resort is situated in a secluded area along Manele Bay, which offers a lot of privacy for its guests.
The resort has maintained the natural and breathtaking beauty of its beaches and lush greeneries. Spinner dolphins and humpback whales are usually seen at a distance when in season.
If you want a stress-free vacation that is far from the noise of city life, the Four Seasons Resort is the best place for you. Its relaxing atmosphere, serene and pristine beaches with crystal clear blue waters will definitely make you feel rejuvenated. From the resort, you can have spectacular views of Kaho’olawe and Maui. You might even see the Big Islands from a distance on a clear day.
The resort has 236 spacious guest rooms with garden or ocean views. Each room has a private lanai which has a small dining table with two chairs and a daybed. Amenities in every room include dual-line telephones with voice mail, 40-inch LCD television, rattan writing desk, DVD player, and high-speed Internet access.
During your stay at the resort, you can enjoy the following recreational activities: guided tour of the resort gardens; exercise at the fitness center with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment; fitness classes like yoga, spinning, water aerobics, and Pilates at the Movement Studio; entertainment and video games at the Surf Shack Teen Center which has PlayStation 2 consoles; foosball, pool, darts, or shuffleboard at the Games Room. Aside from all these, there’s snorkeling gear, a putting green, tennis equipment, and a swimming pool with 2 whirlpools.
There are still so many things to do at the Four Seasons Resort. Because of its proximity to Hulopoe Bay, you can enjoy many water sports activities like deep-sea fishing and snorkeling.
There are also many land activities that you can enjoy. One is hiking. There are many fascinating and scenic routes to choose from. You can also go horseback riding across the beautiful landscapes.
If you have children that are 5 to 12 years old, you need not worry that they will run out of things to do at the resort. The Four Seasons Resort has a Kids For All Seasons Program called the Pilialoha Keiki Camp. The program offers different indoor and outdoor activities for children.
Day and night activities are both offered. Some of the daytime activities that your children will surely enjoy are exploring the tidal pools while learning about sea creatures, hiking through the Manele Bay Gardens, and creating things through the arts and crafts classes. And in the evening, your children can go stargazing, singing and join and a karaoke contest, hunting for sand crabs or geckos, and many more.
If you want to simply relax and rejuvenate your body, head off to the resort’s spa and choose among its many different massages, body treatments, and spa services.
The Four Seasons Resort was designed for the entire family. Young and old alike will have a grand time at the resort. And it has the best location for an unforgettable family vacation.
Are you planning on visiting Lanai, Hawaii’s most enticing island? Do not forget to explore these majestic places in Manele Bay. Just remember that the place is a conservation site. You can definitely find beautiful and breathtaking views. But you must help out in preserving its natural beauty. Don't take rocks or plants as souvenirs and make sure to not leave any trash behind. Enjoy your stay at Manele Bay and preserve its beauty at the same time.