HULOPO’E BEACH PARK is the site of an ancient village dating back to 900 AD. From this site you can see the island of Kaho'olawe. This beach is believed to be the launching site for canoes traveling from Hawaii to Tahiti, from 900 to 1250. Hulopo'e Bay is a marine sanctuary where you will can spot spinner dolphins, humpback whales, endangered green sea turtles, and lots of other amazing sea creatures. This is the ultimate place for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and sunning yourself on its pristine white sand beach. Hulopoe Beach Park is located approximately 7 miles from Lanai City at the end of Manele Road (Rte. 440) at Hulopoe Bay. This is Lanai's official camping area and only surfing spot. Restrooms, outdoor showers, grills, picnic tables, drinking water are available at the park.

POLIHUA BEACH is a beautiful remote two-mile long white sand beach.  A Jeep is required to maneuver the bone jarring unpaved road that snakes through the Garden of the Gods to the beach. It takes approximately a 30 minutes from the Garden of the Gods entry to the Polihua Beach.   Polihua Beach is great walks and picnics. If you are looking for a beach with some privacy this is a great place to go. Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE BEACH! The sand is soft and you will get stuck! The rental car company charges hundreds of dollars in fees and fines if you get stuck on the beach and you have to get rescued.

LANAI CITY was originally built in the 1920's by the Dole Pineapple Company. The town is decorated with plantation homes painted in a rainbow of colors. The majority of Lanai's population lives in Lanai City. The very small town center of Lanai City is where you will find the islands food stores, launderette, movie theater, Police Station, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

GARDEN OF THE GODS is an isolated upland plateau with boulders scattered about. The Garden of the Gods changes colors with the setting of the sun by taking on a rich red and brown glow in the late afternoon. Even those who visit in daylight say they have spiritual experiences at this site. A million years of wind erosion have created The Garden of the Gods' breathtaking beauty. The Garden of the Gods borders the Palawai Basin which is the floor of the volcano which formed Lanai a million years ago. Dirt plantation roads make this area still passable. Keep an eye out for glimpse of partridges who take shelter in the tall grass. Driving directions from Lanai City center: Head north on Lanai Avenue. As you pass the Lodge at Koele turn left and take the dirt road just after the stables on the left. You will see a rock sign saying "stables". You will see another rock sign down the road a bit saying "Garden of the Gods". Follow the sign. You will pass through deer grates as you enter Kanepuu Forest. As you exit the fenced in area continue on the most well traveled trail. There is a rock sign marking the entrance of the Garden of the Gods.

Lanai is a great place to HIKE and explore. There are trails marked on the free maps you can get once on the island. Check at the activity desk of your hotel for a copy. If you want to go on a guided hike the activities desk can help you to arrange that.

HIKE TO ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS from Palawai Basin. Luahiwa is the site of 20 boulders on a hillside and they are carved with 400 petroglyphs of human figures, dogs, chickens, cows, pigs, and horses. These rock carvings are the best preserved in the islands.  Driving Directions: Take the road from Lanai City to Manele Bay. About 1/3 of the way you will see a group of 6 taller pine trees on the left side of the road. Turn left here onto the dirt road. Drive for 1/2 mile and take a jog to the right, staying on the higher road. 3/10 of a mile along this road you will see a cluster of boulders on the right side at the base of the hill. The petroglyphs cover the rocks along this hillside. Please do not desecrate the petroglyph artifacts by scraping at them or carving your name in the rocks! Click here to view photos of petroglyphs found at this location.

HIKE TO ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS from Shipwreck Beach. There are ancient Hawaiian rock carvings located a short walk from Shipwreck beach. From the old lighthouse foundation follow the trail south for about 200 paces. There is white paint on the rocks marking the trail. You will come across a large rock painted in white paint requesting visitors to not desecrate the petroglyphs. As you pass the rock and descend down the slope look at the large boulder on the right. It is covered with petroglyphs as are many of the rocks in this area. (For driving directions to shipwreck beach see listing under Ocean Adventures). Please do not desecrate the petroglyph artifacts by scraping at them or carving your name in the rocks! Click here to view photos of petroglyphs found at this location.

The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii maintains trails at the KANEPUU PRESERVE where you can enjoy a self guided hike through this unique area. The preserve encompass 462 acres of Hawaii’s last remaining dry land forest containing 48 native species. The Nature Conservancy's literature states: The Kanepuu trail is designed to increase the awareness and appreciation of the dry forest of Kanepuu, one of the last remaining examples of the type of forest that once covered the dry lowlands of all the main Hawaiian Islands. The trail has eight stations with interpretive signs that describe a particular feature of natural or cultural significance in the preserve. The short trail, which takes about 10 - 15 minutes to walk, is easily accessible off the main road out to Keahikawelo (Garden of the Gods). For more information, please call the Nature Conservancy's Honolulu office at (808) 537-4508. Located 6 miles northwest of Lanai City, on the island's western plateau.

KEOMUKU VILLAGE was the population center of Lanai in the late 1890's, but now lies abandoned. In ancient times, farmers and fishermen inhabited portions of the fertile north coast and the adjacent valley of Maunalei. In 1898 the Maunalei Sugar Company announced plans to build a sugar plantation, boosting Lana'i's population from 174 to nearly 900.   The initial vision of prosperity gave way to a series of setbacks after the sugar company destroyed a heiau (temple) in order to build a railway along the coast. This brought predictions of failure. Maunalei Sugar shut down in 1901 and little remains today except the steepled Malamalama Church, now restored and offers a glimpse of the island's past. Take HI 440 (Keomuku Road) towards Shipwreck Beach. When the paved road ends take the East branch sand road. It is about a 45 minute drive from where the dirt road starts to the church at Keamoku and another 45 minutes to the end of the road at Naha.

KOLOIKI RIDGE HIKE is a five-mile round-trip beginning behind The Lodge at Ko`ele. The hotel concierge will provide you with a hiking guide. The trail is easy to follow with many trail markers with the trail head starting uphill from the golf course clubhouse, winding along the ridge above Kaiholena Valley. As the trail ascends, it passes the golf course fairways and leads to the "Cathedral of Pines," a tall stand of Norfolk Island pine trees. The trail continues on into Hulopo`e Valley and connects with the mountain ridge Munro Trail. Turn right onto the Munro Trail heading to Kukui Gulch. It passes through a thick patch of yellow ginger on the opposite side of the road from Kukui Gulch. The next marker is at an area of colorful eroded bare hills. Around a sharp curve there is a straight stretch of road. Not far past the curve keep an eye out for the trail marker and take a left. The trail here heads through a tunnel of low thicket branches that leads to Koloiki Ridge. Out of the trees, the trail opens to beautiful vistas of east Lanai, including Naio Gulch and Maunalei Valley. Continue on to a stand of Norfolk Island pines at trail’s end on Koloiki Ridge. Return to The Lodge at Ko`ele the same way. This hike takes approx. 3 hours round trip. Please note that it is important to check with the hotel concierge regarding hiking and nature walk trails. Restricted areas may change on a day-to-day basis due to conservancy, hunting, or hazards caused by the weather. Notify the concierge of your destination, departure time and expected time of return, and check in upon completion of your activity.

MUNRO TRAIL is named for the New Zealand naturalist who planted the first pine trees on Lanai, George Munro. The 16-mile round trip trail is about a mile from Lanai City and ascends through lush rain forest and deep canyons. The trail leads to Lanai's highest point, Lanaihale, at 3,370 feet above sea level. The summit is engulfed in Norfolk pines, eucalyptus, ironwood, ferns, and wildflowers. On a clear day the islands of Maui, Molokai, Oahu can be seen. This trail is used by hikers and 4-wheel drive vehicles. The trailhead is at the Lanai Cemetery outside of Lanai City, past the Lodge at Koele. This trail is often closed to vehicles when it becomes too muddy. Check with the renal car company daily before attempting to drive the road. Steep penalties and fees are imposed if you go on the trail when it is closed.

MANELE BAY HOTEL is located on the bluffs above Hulopo'e Beach which offers spectacular ocean views with an occasional glimpse of whales. This 250-room hotel has beautiful grounds to enjoy a relaxing stroll and  is also home to one of the world's greatest golf courses, the "Challenge at Manele," designed by Jack Nicklaus. Call 808 565-3800 for more information.

THE LODGE AT KO’ELE is located at a higher elevation than the Manele Bay Hotel and offers the ambiance of an English country estate with a Hawaiiana flavor. The grounds are beautifully sculpted with a pine-tree-lined entrance that leads up to the hotel and hillside gardens. It has an orchid conservatory and long porches with wicker chairs to relax and enjoy the scenery. If you enjoy golf, the Lodge at Ko’ele’s golf course has been rated #1 in the world. This is a great place to relax in style. Call 808 565-3800 for more information.

HOTEL LANAI is a 75 year old Plantation Hotel overlooks Lanai City's tall Norfolk pines. It features Chef Henry Clay's Signature Restaurant specializing on wild game and seafood dishes. Rooms are $95+ per night. Call 808 565-7211 or toll free at 800 795-7211 for more information or reservations.

CAMPING is a more rustic way to enjoy Lanai. The campground is located approximately 7 miles from Lanai City. There are six campsites located 150 yards off beautiful Hulopoe Bay. This is an excellent spot to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and dolphin spotting. Public payphones, restrooms, outdoor showers, grills, picnic tables, and drinking water are available. You must come prepared because there are no stores near by and no bus service to the campground. To get to the campground you can rent a car, rentals are a minimum of $100 per day. Taxi service is also available from Lanai City to the campground for $10 per person one-way. There is tent camping only, cabins are not available. Permits are required - please contact Castle & Cooke Resorts at 808-565-2970 for permits and reservations. (Applicants for permits must be age 18 or older. It is recommended that reservations be made at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance of camping trip.) Rates: $5 per person per night plus one-time permit fee of $5.00. Maximum stay allowed is 6 nights (7 days).