Lanai Travel Tips

Keep in Mind...

These ferries aren't magical, just expensive Daytrippers will most likely rely on the Maui-Lanai ferries that cost $30 each way. See the ferry company Expedition's website for more details.
Four-wheel drive is a necessity You'll need an off-roading vehicle to fully explore Lanai, since there are only 30 miles of paved road. Driving the Munro Trail is a traveler favorite.
It's drier than the other islands Lanai receives about 34 inches of precipitation annually -- much less than the other Hawaiian islands. Expect to see eucalyptus trees and pine forests rather than lush jungle.

When billionaires are fighting over something, you know it's special. That's the case with Hawaii's most exclusive island, Lanai. Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO, has been trying to lay his hands on some Lanai real estate for some time. David Murdock, CEO of Castle & Cooke, who controls about 98 percent of Lanai, refuses to let it go. But don't let this clash of titans stop you from visiting.

Here is where Mother Nature puts on quite a show, providing remote beaches, otherworldly rock formations and colorful underwater reefs. You'll probably need an off-roading vehicle and a taste for adventure to reach them -- top sights like Shipwreck Beach and the Munro Trail are literally off the beaten (or paved) paths. Cool down from exploring the terrain at one of Lanai's posh hotels -- Murdock brought two Four Seasons Resorts to the island -- where you can expect to be spoiled rotten with exceptional cuisine, first-class service and comfortable accommodations. With all this, how can you resist the coveted charms of tiny Lanai?