Beaches of Lanai & All-inclusive beach resorts of Hawaii

Lanai, Hawaii, offers over 18 miles sandy shore and crystal clear water, consequently the beaches of Lanai allow excellent sun bathing, snorkeling and watching of marine life. It has also a few well developed all-inclusive beach resorts dotted with comfortable hotels.

A beach guide of Lanai should include:

ArrowHuawai Bay

This small but beautiful bay is located below the Manele golf course. Few tourist see this lovely area, it is mostly frequented by local fisherman because is very difficult to access this beach from the Po'opo'o Fisherman Trail. The tiny sand beach is isolated and surrounded by small sea cliffs. The water offshore is deep, blue and hosts excellent snorkeling and scuba diving when the sea is calm.

ArrowHulopo'e Beach

This protected beach is the safest place on the island and allow excellent swimming. It's beautiful white sand beach and underwater coral formations makes it the central recreational area on Lanai. The Manele Bay Hotel sits on the bluff overlooking one of the best all-inclusive beach resorts of the island. The beach is located in a protected Marine Life Conservation Area and there are many colorful fish as well as unique coral formations. To the left of the beach is Pu'u Pehe Rock, also known as "Sweetheart Rock".

ArrowPolihua Beach

This beach is located approximately 11 miles north of Lanai City. It's accessible by vehicles only from the Polihua Trail, at the end of Polihua Road. This beach is one of the most famous green sea turtle nesting beaches in Hawaii and a very good place to watch the whales. Water conditions can be extremely hazardous and for this reason is not very safe for swimming, especially if you are not an experienced swimmer. When the water conditions are right surfing here is great, but only if you are an expert surfer.

ArrowPuu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock)

It can be reached following the shoreline from the left side of Hulopoe Beach. This beach is a large cove lined with a white sand beach. A sea stack known as "Sweetheart Rock" lies offshore. According to legend, Puu Pehe, a young girl, drowned in a sea cave. Her lover, with help from the Gods, carried her body to the summit and buried her beneath. The cove's very clear waters contain abundant marine life affording excellent swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.

ArrowSharks Bay

Sharks Bay is a small area located to the left of Hulopo'e Beach, far away by the all-inclusive beach resorts of the island. It's divided by a red lava rock tongue of land that go out into the ocean. This area of lava is a perfect place to hike and to obtain great views of the coastline. The cove is sandy and secluded from the main beach area, so it's a perfect area for picnic or sunbathing. Swimming here is not recommended due to strong currents and numerous rocks. Shark's Bay is separated by a small rock outcropping from Shark's Cove, a much smaller crescent of sand. Shark's Bay is much easier to reach and offers awsome sights.

ArrowShipwreck Beach

One of the most interesting hikes on Lanai is the trek down Shipwreck Beach. The beach stretches over miles of northeast coast of Lanai fronting the Kalohi Channel, wich separates Lanai from Molokai. This channel is known for its strong currents and numerous reefs. Many ship disappeared along this channel - thus the name, Shipwreck Beach. One wreck is the World War II Liberty Ship whose hulk clings to reef close to shore. This vessel was not the result of an accident, withstands the ocean currents and waves and stay on the reef from over 50 years. The first recorded shipwreck was in 1824 when the British ship "Alderman Wood" foundered on a reef. Two years later an American ship, "London", caring a cargo of gold and silver sunk along this coast. It is uncertain how much gold and silver was ever recovered!
This beach actually consist from sand, lava rock and boulders. It is a great place for beach combing, especially the eight mile section that fronts Molokai. Due to trade winds this area is continuously windswept and hammered by currents from Kalohi and Auau channels. The beach is guarded by a wide reef, so swimming in this area is extremely unsafe. Blasting trades come through the Pailolo channel, which separates Maui and Molokai, creating incredibly strong currents in the area. These waters propel considerable flotsam onto the beach. An entire fishing village, the Federation Camp, was built here.