Hulopoʻe Beach on Lanaʻi

© Alexander Howard / Lonely Planet

Hulopoʻe Beach

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The island's main beach is kept looking beautiful, with manicured lawns and clean restrooms, thanks to Pulama Lana‘i‘s legion of groundskeepers. Everybody loves this free public beach, and it's one of Hawaii's finest – locals take the kids for a swim, tourists visit on day trips from Maui and many lose track of time here. It's located off Manele Rd (Hwy 440).

The gently curving golden-sand beach is long, broad and protected by a rocky point to the south. The Four Seasons resort sits on a low seaside terrace on the north side. But the beach is rarely crowded, except on weekends, when picnicking locals descend. Picnic tables shelter under palms and there are public restrooms with solar-heated showers. The ferry dock is an easy six-minute walk away.

For the best snorkeling, head to the left side of the bay, where there's an abundance of coral and reef fish. To the left, just beyond the sandy beach, you'll find a low lava shelf with tide pools worth exploring. Look for the protected shoreline splash pool, ideal for children. Don't forget to hike up Puʻu Pehe, to the left of the beach, for an incredible view of the bay and beyond.


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Nearby attractions

1. Puʻu Pehe

0.26 MILES

From Hulopoʻe Beach a path (of around 0.75 miles) leads south to the end of Manele Point, which separates Hulopoʻe and Manele Bays. The point is a…

2. Manele Harbor

0.39 MILES

This harbor, off Hwy 440, is where the ferry from Maui docks. There are bathrooms and a few sheltered picnic tables here, plus a convenience store. During…

3. Manele-Kapakuea Heritage Trail

0.47 MILES

East of Manele Habour is a 0.6-mile trail that leads to the 8m-wide, 2m-high Ka Hana Lawa'a (Fishermen's Temple), stacked with boulders. Fishermen would…

4. Naha

4.58 MILES

Four miles south of Halepalaoa you'll come to Naha, which is both the end of the road and the site of ancient fishponds just offshore. This is a dramatic…

5. Keālia Kapu & Kaunolū

4.63 MILES

Perched around the highest sea cliffs on the island (at 1080ft above sea level) is a vast archaeological site home to the largest collection of ruins on…

6. Kahekili's Leap

4.7 MILES

At the architectural site of Kaunolū you can walk right to the edge of this vertigo-inducing platform and look down to the ocean 63ft below. Kings and…

7. Lanaʻi Cat Sanctuary

5.82 MILES

Easily Lana‘i's most peculiar attraction is this volunteer-run, 3-acre feline wonderland housing 620 cats that have been 'rescued' from the wild. Locals…

8. Lanaʻi Culture & Heritage Center

6.23 MILES

This engaging small museum is the best place to start before exploring the rest of Lana'i. It has displays with cultural artifacts covering the island's…