Lanai Beach Guide

Lanai Beaches

Lanai beaches range from calm snorkeling bays and quiet coves to tide pools, remote shoreline views and rugged coastal scenery, from Hulopoe Bay and Manele Bay to Shipwreck Beach, Polihua Beach and Huawai Bay.

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Lanai Beaches Overview

The island of Lanai has a coastline of about 47 miles (76 km). Lanai beaches are never crowded since there is just one small town on the entire island – Lanai City – which has a population of just a little over 3,102 people (2010 Census). Visitors to Lanai Island are also few compared to the other Hawaiian islands.

The best swimming beach on Lanai is Hulopoe Bay, located on the island's south shore. Even though Lanai is a small island, it has one of the longest white-sand beaches in Hawaii – Polihua Beach – which stretches for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on Lanai's north shore. However, it is characterized by high winds, rough water, strong currents and unpredictable surf, which makes swimming unsafe. Beach sand in Hawaii comes in all kinds of shapes and colors. Read more about Hawaiian beach sand composition.

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Beach directory

Lanai Beaches

Browse Lanai beaches by area and activity, from famous surf breaks and snorkeling coves to quieter local beach parks, family beaches and scenic shoreline stops.

Huawai Bay

Huawai Bay is a secluded south Lanai beach reached by the Po'opo'o Fisherman Trail, with salt-and-pepper sand, tide pools, sea cliffs and deep offshore water.

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Hulopoe Bay

Hulopoe Bay is Lanai's best-known beach, a crescent of white sand near Manele Bay with calm-season clear water, tide pools, protected marine life and a short trail to Pu'u Pehe.

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Kahemano Beach

Kahemano Beach is a remote east Lanai shoreline off Keomuku Road, with shallow reef, rocky water, reef shark stories, quiet coastal views and rough-road access.

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Keomuku Beach

Keomuku Beach is a remote east Lanai shoreline known for fishing, beachcombing, fringing reef, historic village remnants, kiawe trees and rugged coastal views.

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Lopa Beach

Lopa Beach is a remote east Lanai shoreline near Keomuku Road, with long white sand, Loko Lopa fishpond, bird sanctuary habitat, shallow rocky water and rough trail access.

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Manele Bay

Manele Bay is Lanai's main harbor and ferry gateway, with a small beach area, marine preserve waters, boat traffic, nearby Hulopoe Bay and south shore views.

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Naha Beach

Naha Beach is a remote east Lanai shoreline near Keomuku Road, with an ancient fishpond, kiawe trees, shallow rocky water, strong currents and quiet coastal history.

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Polihua Beach

Polihua Beach is Lanai's longest white-sand beach, a remote northwestern shoreline with wide dunes, Molokai views, winter whale watching and dangerous no-swim ocean conditions.

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Shark's Bay

Shark's Bay is a small south Lanai cove reached from Hulopoe Bay, with red lava cliffs, Pu'u Pehe views, a quiet sandy pocket and rocky water that is unsafe for swimming.

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Shipwreck Beach

Shipwreck Beach, also known as Kaiolohia, is a remote north Lanai shoreline with a rusting offshore wreck, long coastal views, rough-road access and unsafe swimming.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best beaches on Lanai?

Popular Lanai beaches include Hulopoe Bay, Manele Bay, Shipwreck Beach, Polihua Beach, Huawai Bay and several remote east shore beaches.

Which Lanai beach is best for snorkeling?

Hulopoe Bay is Lanai's best-known snorkeling beach, especially when ocean conditions are calm. Manele Bay also offers nearby marine preserve waters and boat access.

Which Lanai beaches are remote?

Polihua Beach, Shipwreck Beach, Keomuku Beach, Lopa Beach, Naha Beach and Kahemano Beach are remote beaches that may require rough-road access or careful planning.

Are all Lanai beaches safe for swimming?

No. Some Lanai beaches have strong currents, rocky water, reef, rough surf or remote conditions. Always check the ocean before entering and avoid no-swim areas.

Which Lanai beach is near Pu'u Pehe?

Hulopoe Bay and Shark's Bay are near Pu'u Pehe, also called Sweetheart Rock, on Lanai's south shore.