Aloha! On October 15, Hawaii reopened without quarantine to Americans who meet the pre-travel requirements including a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel. American Airlines now offers an option for a preflight rapid test administered by Care Now at Dallas/Fort Worth-DFW airport before your flight to Hawaii, and surely more advances in rapid testing are in the works. To celebrate this progress, today I'd like to highlight two beautiful islands of our most exotic state!
Let's begin with the neighboring islands of Maui and Lana'i because they pair so perfectly and there's no quarantine or test requirement for travel between the two islands, which are separated by a quick hour-long ferry ride or by speed boat. And there's no airport security to slow down your island-hopping exploration. The photo above is Lana'i as seen from Maui - so close! These islands also make a great combination because Maui is a more developed island with a range of accommodations, dining, and touring, whereas Lanai is more remote and more relaxed. Lana'i is the state's smallest inhabited island, and Maui is quite a large island that takes some time and planning to drive around.
Maui is more than just blissful, relaxing beaches and offers great options for adventure. One of my favorite discoveries when I was on Maui a couple of years ago was the incredibly rare Haleakala Silversword plant. The journey to the top of Haleakala, a massive and dormant shield volcano comprising more than 75% of Maui, is a jaw-dropping spectacle itself, and here you'll find the only Silverswords in the world! Maui also has many active farming communities, where you can visit coffee, dairy, fruit, and lavender farms or go full Maui cowboy at one of the island's ranches.
Another iconic Maui journey is the Road to Hana, and we can customize this so you get the most out of it. A family-friendly version would include the highlights before turning back around halfway. More adventurous travelers can go all the way to Hana on this exceptional drive and then meet with local community members and Hana-based guides for unforgettable hiking, swimming, and waterfalls.
Lana'i is just west of Maui, and they share the same waters, a channel that's world famous for whale watching between December and April when you're practically guaranteed to see whales who come to these warm waters to give birth. It's also the smallest inhabited Hawaiian island and used to be a state-managed pineapple plantation before billionaire Larry Ellison bought 98% of the island in 2012 for $300 million. The island is sparsely populated and has only three hotels, a few restaurants and businesses, and no stop lights. Lanai's natural, unspoiled beauty is the fantasy Hawaii of vintage postcards.
Hotels & Resorts - Maui
Stay at Montage Kapalua Bay in Lahaina for a very family and groups friendly, condo style resort, situated on a legendary oceanfront location. The property feels relatively private, but with all the amenities of a resort. At only 62 suites, it's small compared to other resorts around Hawaii. Kapalua Bay on the northwest coast of Maui can have a little more cloud cover, but the beautiful beach is only a five minute walk away. While no beach in Hawaii is private, because of this resort's unique geography, it's rare to see anyone outside the Kapalua community on this beach.
Another great choice is the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. The property is 22 acres of tropical Hawaiian landscapes and Hawaii's only all suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort. The Wailea coast in the southwest offers larger, more economic options right on Wailea Beach, and it's a lot more central for touring around the island.
Hotels & Resorts - Lana'i
Four Seasons Resort Lana'i overlooks Hulopo'e Bay, where spinner dolphins outnumber the snorkelers. Perched atop a rugged, red lava cliff above a white sand beach, this oceanside resort has a spectacular golf course with three cliffside fairways. With excellent dining and gorgeous rooms, this is one of the top luxury resorts in all of Hawaii.
Sensei Lana'i, a Four Seasons Resort is a secluded wellness wellness resort only for guests age 16 and older. It has more of a mountain lodge vibe and is about 20 minutes from the beach. The focus here is on spa and wellness with excellent cuisine. You can choose to book only a room, or opt for one of their signature wellness packages. What a phenomenal place to unwind before returning home!
Maui Water Experiences
- Private surfing lessons on west coast
- Private catamaran/ sailboat charter for swimming and snorkeling
- Sailing and snorkel day trip to Lanai
- Private submarine expedition
- Deep-sea fishing charter
- Molokini Crater kayak experience
- Makena kayak and snorkel experience in the Wailea area
- SCUBA diving
- Whale watching adventure by kayak, outrigger, catamaran, or yacht
Maui Land Experiences
- Road to Hana adventure and cultural immersion
- Private or group luau
- Private upcountry food and culture tour
- Upcountry coffee and farm tour
- Ultimate Maui helicopter tour
- Maui dining food tour
- Haleakala hiking and driving tour
- Private horseback excursion on a working ranch
Lana'i Experiences
- Private horseback trail ride
- Private surfing lesson with a pro
- Speed boat charter to Maui Day Trip
- Sunset boat charter
- Sail, swim, and snorkel adventure
- Lana'i Island helicopter tour
- Lani'i Island Tour: Garden of the Gods, Sweetheart Rock, Shipwreck Beach
Hawaii Itinerary Suggestions
Hawaii Island Hopping (10 Days, 9 Nights): Maui, Big Island, Oahu
Romantic Luxury Adventure to Hawaii (10 Days, 9 Nights): Maui, Big Island,
Lana'i)
Vacations256 works with exceptional tour operators who add unparalleled value for our clients:
- Expert guides for private tours- historians, naturalists, artists, unique locals
- Exclusive experiences
- Comfortable, sanitized, and luxurious vehicles
- Custom-designed itineraries
- 24/7 real-time support
- Competitive rates at 4 and 5 star properties with strict health and safety protocols
- Deep destination knowledge
- Flexible and worry-free cancellation policies, including 100% refunds until shortly before travel
Contact Vacations256 when you're ready for an Aloha State of Mind and learn more about what I can do for you!