What to Do in Lanai City, Lanai
The island of Lanai, also called the Private Island of Hawaii, offers great and exciting adventures for you and your whole family. Visiting the island of Lanai will surely bring you loads of adventures and majestic sceneries of the wonderful beaches and various sights of nature you will behold in this island. You will encounter a long list of activities to do each day, so make sure you plan your vacation trip to Lanai very carefully and make sure you don’t miss on the ones that are really a must-do when in Lanai City.
Getting crafty at Lanai Art Center
Get a touch of Lanai arts and culture by going downtown to Lanai Art Center, just beside Blue Ginger Bed and Breakfast which is a favorite spot of both tourists and locals for their sumptuous and yet affordable breakfasts they serve. The Lanai Art Center is an all-purpose community arts program on the island of Lanai, sharing arts and cultural experiences by displaying paintings and crafts all around the building. Lanai Art Center is a non-profit art center perfectly suited for tourists and locals who are inclined to doing paintings and joining workshops. They exhibit galleries and offer classes on-site regularly, so if your kids enjoy crafting interesting ornaments, you can visit this art center and let them experience Lanai through the Lanai Art Center's art classes for kids.
Scuba diving at the pristine waters of Hulopoe Beach
Come to one of the most popular scuba destinations in Lanai. Hulopoe Beach is a marine preserve where you’ll see plenty of breathtaking vistas and wherein you can do various underwater activities such as scuba diving. You’ll be delighted to see its long stretch of white sand and scuba underwater with a variety of multi-colored tropical fishes swimming with you. Such a great experience should not be missed.
Lanai snorkeling and dolphin adventure
Discover the world of wild dolphins by cruising via the Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures where you get to do snorkeling under the sparkling clear blue ocean and swim with schools of colorful tropical fish and unique formations of corals. There is a class for beginners so should you want to experience snorkeling at its best, do it in Lanai, where the reefs are safe. You don’t need to worry about your snorkeling gear as the adventure package includes giving out optical masks at no extra charge, as well as other floating equipment. Truly, snorkeling in Lanai is a wonderful experience you will always treasure, what with the sight of many dolphins playing right in front of you, as well as the variety of multi-colored tropical fish like butterfly, parrot, and angel fish. Don’t miss this tour because Lanai is definitely one of the most spectacular snorkeling spots in the islands.
Exploring the bird man of Lanai petroglyphs
Another unique attraction of this beautiful island of Lanai is the Bird Man of Lanai Petroglyphs, located at Kaiolohia Beach, which is more popularly known as the Shipwreck Beach. These Lanai petroglyphs are considered to be remnants of the ancient Hawaiians' mysterious culture, with drawings or carvings on rocks that tickle the curiosity of both locals and tourists, making it a sure favorite spot for both locals and visitors. This spot is actually the most famous petroglyphs attraction in the island, with rock carvings depicting animals, people, and other things. You will not miss going to Bird Man of Lanai Petroglyphs, since it is so visible from the main road.
Horseback riding at Koele
You must never miss out going to “The Stables” at Koele, where horseback riding experience has never been so unique. The Stables at Koele offers diverse horse riding opportunities, while enjoying the breathtaking aura of the beautiful countryside of Lanai. Take Highway 440 to reach these stables. There is also a shuttle service for those staying in nearby hotels.
You may choose from The Koele Trail Ride which is a 1 1/2 hour leisure walking ride with the horse of your choice, going through the woods.
There is also the The Paniolo Trail Ride, which is a 2 hour trip taking its riders through the rusty hills of Koele while getting a glimpse of the forests of Kanepuu. You will experience horseback riding through guava groves and ironwood trees, sometimes, even luckily chancing upon wild animals such as the axis deer, quails, and even the wild turkeys living in the area. Another horseback riding option would be the Mahana Trail Rides which are 2 1/2 hours of exploring while being mesmerized by the scenic views of Maui, Molokai, Maunalei Gulch, and Lanai. A guests’ stop for a leisurely meal is included in this Mahana Meal Ride.
And should your kids be very eager on riding a horse, don’t worry, as there are also children's rides available, with a professionally experienced instructor slowly guiding the child around their gentle and child-friendly horses. These guides are trained to ensure their safety while having the best horse riding experience of their lives.
Hiking on Munro Trail
Plan your vacation trip to Lanai very carefully, not missing out on the top destinations and spots you should visit. Munro Trail is one of the most interesting drives on Lanai, so make sure you include it on your plan. Though the road may be dirty and tiring, the views make it all worth the exhaustion. What makes Munro Trail an exceptionally wonderful experience is that on a clear day, you get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch a glimpse of Lanai’s six beautiful islands while at the top of the trail, 3,370 feet high. Also, hiking off the Munro Trail, you will find another viewing point of a 2,000-feet deep ravine, commonly known as the Maunalei Gulch Overlook, where you get a peek of the beautiful scenic views of Lanai at a 2,000 feet angle.
Strolling at the Garden of the Gods
This tourist spot is seven miles north of Lanai, and can be reached by following the Polihua Trail. Also known as Keahikawelo, Garden of the Gods is a marvelous image of a rock garden simulating a canyon. This is characterized by boulders of varying sizes and shapes. What’s even more amazing about this spot is that its red earth and lava rock formations display beautifully changing colors when the sun sets and its rays strike the rock formations.
Listening to the locals, they would tell the legend about Garden of the Gods, wherein the rocks and boulders were dropped from the sky by the gods tending their gardens, giving the name, Garden of the Gods. The best time to explore this amazing garden of Lanai is during the early hours of the morning, when the sun's rays casts against the boulders, exposing the rocks’ most dynamic shades. It’s going to be a sure perfect photo opportunity for you and your family when strolling on this magnificent garden of rocks.
Biking and hiking around Lanai
Lanai’s scenic pathways are a sure treat for bikers and riders who want to experience Lanai at their leisure. Bike all the way to its top of about 3,370 feet height and catch a glimpse of the magnificent view of the six other beautiful islands in Lanai. Mountain bikes can be rented from rental facilities throughout the island. Truly, Lanai offers only the best of adventures for its visitors.
Golfing in Lanai
A sure favorite leisurely activity of Lanai’s visitors, golfing in Lanai does not require dress codes and tee times. Lanai offers its visitors numerous golf courses, which include a 9-hole casual golf course in the northern side of Lanai City, wherein collection of fees is done trust-based. All you need to do is just show up and play how you want to play. Playing golf at Koele, on the other hand, offers an 18-hole designer golf course, which Hawaii boasts of, with the other top golf course in Lanai, called the Challenge at Manele in Manele Bay Hotel.
Truly, Lanai is a mixture of so many wonders and sights worthseeing. This city offers so many exciting and fun activities to do, not to mention, the luxurious and amazing resort hotels that's worth your while. Lanai City in Hawaii is definitely a vacation place you should visit.