Maui's Sister Isles: Molokai & Lanai

If you’re interested in a little island hopping during your visit to Maui, this itinerary offers suggestions for excursions to the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai.

Island hopping to Molokai and Lanai

One of the best places to gain a true appreciation for Maui’s beauty is from the deck of a boat. Being offshore allows you to take in the island in total – to realize how miraculous it is that a volcanic eruption millions of years ago surged up from the sea floor to create the tropical paradise we enjoy today.

Taking ferry from Lahaina not only provides breathtaking views of the island, but gives you the opportunity to explore the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai. Ferries depart Lahaina Harbor for Molokai twice daily through Molokai Ferry (details at molokaiferry.com.) Ferries to Lanai leave five times daily with Lanai Expeditions (details at go-lanai.com). The trips take about 45 minutes each way to Lanai, it takes an hour and half each way by ferry to get to Molokai. You can also fly to both islands with regional airlines, or visit them via charter cruises.

Lanai

Once known as the Pineapple Island, Lanai was home to the largest pineapple plantation in the Pacific. Today, although most of its outlying fields have been reclaimed by native vegetation, sweetly serene Lanai City still retains the look and feel of an early twentieth century plantation town. It’s a great place to start your tour of the island.

Home to 3,000 people, the town is charming, friendly, and easily covered in a couple of hours. Built around a tiny city square you’ll find charming local art galleries, boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants.

You’ll also find rental agencies touting one of Lanai’s most popular visitor activities -  a self-guided four-wheel drive exploration of the island’s unpopulated wilderness. From Lanai City, you’ll find yourself a short but thrilling ride away from the island’s most spectacular sights, including the mysterious Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), the snorkeler’s paradise of Hulopoe Bay, and the starkly beautiful Kaiolohia Shipwreck Beach.

For those seeking a more civilized adventure on Lanai, the island’s two luxury resorts offer a variety of refined diversions, including world class spas and award-winning restaurants. And for golfers, the incomparable Experience at Koele and Challenge at Manele course must be played to be believed.

Up for another adventure? The island of Molokai is just a short flight or ferry ride from Lanai… but in many ways, it’s a world away.

Molokai

Compared to sleepy Molokai, Maui is bustling metropolis. But as you will soon discover, it is no less fascinating.

While many come to wander the island’s footprint-free beaches or explore its miles of mountain biking trails, the big draw for day-trippers is a hike to Kalaupapa. If you wish to join one of the excursions, be sure to catch an early ferry out of Lahaina.

Another option is to take a later ferry, spend the night on Molokai, and take the once-a-day trip to Kalaupapa via mule. The journey is as unique as it gets – you climb on a mule and make your way down 1,700 feet of sea cliffs (the highest sea cliffs in the world in fact,) to arrive a remote peninsula that has served as home to generations of those suffering from Hanson’s disease (formerly known as leprosy.) The only thing more inspirational than the scenery is the touching and heroic tales of the colony survivors and their protector, Father Damien.

The mule expedition returns mid-afternoon, which should give you enough time to stop by Kanemistu Bakery for some supremely delicious Molokai Sweet Bread. Served fresh, with your choice of toppings, it’s the perfect pre-boarding snack for your trip back to Maui.  

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