Top Things to Do in Lanai Hawaii for a Memorable Family Trip
You know that one place that quietly surprises you and completely captures your heart? That was Lanai for us. Just a short ferry ride from Maui, this tiny, stoplight-free island turned out to be one of the most peaceful and adventurous places we’ve visited as a family. No crowds. No chaos. Just wide-open spaces, lava trails, and unforgettable memories. If you’re craving something slower, wilder, and beautifully unpolished, these were our favorite things to do in Lanai Hawaii with kids.
Best Snorkeling & Scuba Diving Spots in Lanai
We started our Lanai trip at Hulopoe Bay, where the kids waded into crystal-clear water and squealed at every fish, crab, and sea cucumber they spotted. It was shallow, calm, and perfect for our four-year-old’s first real snorkel session.
Meanwhile, my husband (who lives for adrenaline) booked a dive to the Lanai Cathedrals, a lava tube dive site where light filters through like stained glass. He came back speechless, soaked, and already planning his next trip.
For families with a mix of cautious floaters and adventurous divers, Lanai’s underwater world is full of moments that make everyone happy.
Top Lanai Surf Spots with Bonus Beachside Safari
Okay, full honesty, none of us are surf pros. But that’s the beauty of Lanai. We found Lanai Surf School and Safari, and they made the whole thing accessible and stress-free. They picked us up, gave us a scenic island tour, and took us to a remote beach where the waves were gentle enough for us to try without pressure.
We watched the kids ride little ripples while local instructors high-fived every effort. Even I gave it a go and managed to stand up once (yes, there’s video proof).
Why I Loved Surfing in Lanai:
- No crowds watching you wipe out
- The safari part? Genuinely fun and educational
- The staff knew how to talk to kids and nervous moms
- We all left sandy, salty, and smiling
- It felt like a true Hawaiian adventure, not a tourist activity
Best Lanai Hiking: Lava Trails & Scenic Mountain Views
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know we’re a hiking family, but Lanai’s trails hit different. They’re quiet. Wild. Wide open. And not once did I have to dodge crowds or wait for a photo spot.
We hiked part of the Munro Trail to Koloiki Ridge, where you can see Maui and Molokai in the distance. It was manageable for my oldest and stroller-friendly enough for a sturdy carrier.
Later in the trip, my husband ventured (in a 4WD) out to Halulu Heiau and the Garden of the Gods at sunset. He came back with glowing pictures of glowing rocks, and a “you have to see this next time” promise.
Horseback Riding in Lanai: Scenic Trails & Wild Deer
One of my personal highlights? A morning at The Stables at Koele. We booked a beginner-friendly ride, and it ended up being one of the most peaceful hours of the trip. The kids were surprisingly focused, and the trail led us through groves of guava trees and past open meadows where we spotted axis deer and wild turkeys.
What I didn’t expect? The view from the top. We could see Molokai across the channel, and the breeze was just cool enough to feel like we were in another world.
If you’re traveling with animal-loving kids or just want a slower, screen-free afternoon, this ride was everything I didn’t know we needed.
Lanai Tours & Adventures: Build Your Own Island Day
We dedicated one full day to what we now call “explore-everything mode.” We rented gear from Adventure Lanai Ecocentre, bikes, snorkels, even a sea kayak, and pieced together a custom island tour just for us.
For the grand finale, we joined Ocean Riders for a boat trip around the island. We saw spinner dolphins, waved at Hawaiian monk seals, and floated near tidepools and a historic shipwreck. It was part wildlife safari, part geography lesson, and 100% unforgettable.
Lanai is the kind of place where you don’t need a set plan, just curiosity, a little gear, and plenty of sunscreen.
- Great for Families: Educational, adventurous, and full of surprises
- Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, monk seals, tidepools & a shipwreck
- Rent-Your-Own Gear: Bikes, snorkels, sea kayaks from Adventure Lanai
- Private Boat Tour: Scenic island views with Ocean Riders
- DIY Itinerary: No tight schedule, just follow your family’s vibe
If you’re looking for luau lines and all-inclusive resorts, Lanai probably isn’t your place. But if you want to snorkel with your kids in a quiet bay, ride horses past wild deer, hike to a ridge with no one else around, and hear your children say, “This is the best day ever”, then trust me, Lanai belongs on your list.
The things to do in Lanai Hawaii may not come with brochures and big billboards, but they’re the kind of experiences that linger long after you return home. It’s peaceful, playful, and full of island magic.
