Lanai has Hawaii's best water clarity because it lacks major development, has low rainfall and runoff, and because its coast is washed clean daily by the sea current known as "The Way to Tahiti." But the strong sea currents pose a threat to swimmers, and there are few good surf breaks. Most of the aquatic adventures -- swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving -- are centered on the somewhat protected south shore, around Hulopoe Bay.
Body Boarding (Boogie Boarding), Bodysurfing & Board Surfing--When the surf's up on Lanai, it's a real treat. Under the right conditions, Hulopoe and Polihua are both great for catching waves. Boogie Boards ($10 a day) are available through Adventure Lanai Ecocentre (tel. 808/565-7737 or 808/565-7373; www.adventurelanai.com). The beach shack at Hulopoe Beach has complimentary Boogie Boards for hotel guests (Manele Bay and the Lodge at Koele) only.
Ocean Kayaking--b>Adventure Lanai Ecocentre (see contact information above), offers half-day sea kayak/snorkel adventures (as well as kayak/scuba trips; see below) aimed at introducing beginners to the world of ocean kayaking. The center provides state-of-the-art kayaks (with lightweight graphite paddles and full back-support seats), life vests, the latest in snorkel equipment, dry bags, towels, water, and snacks. After receiving instruction on how to kayak, your group will set off to explore the waters around Lanai, with stops for snorkeling, snacks, and beachcombing. The 4-hour trip costs $89. Rental kayaks are also available, starting at $49 a day or $10 an hour.
Sailing--Trilogy, which has built a well-deserved reputation as the leader in sailing/snorkeling cruises in Hawaii, has a morning snorkel sailing trip on board their luxury custom sailing catamarans. The trips along Lanai's protected coastline including sailing past hundreds of spinner dolphins and into some of the best snorkeling sites in the world. The $110 price (1/2 price for children 3-15) includes breakfast, lunch, sodas, snacks, snorkel gear and instruction. Trips run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:45am to 1pm and Saturday from 10am to 2:30pm
Scuba Diving/ Snorkeling--Two of Hawaii's best-known dive spots are found in Lanai's clear waters, just off the south shore: Cathedrals I and II, so named because the sun lights up an underwater grotto like a magnificent church. Trilogy (tel. 888/628-4800 or 808/565-9303; www.sailtrilogy.com) offers sailing, diving, and snorkeling trips on catamarans, from 8:45am to 1pm, and includes continental breakfast, deli lunch with fresh pasta salad and homemade cookies, and all snorkeling equipment. The cost for a sailing/snorkeling cruise is $95; it's an additional $45 for a one-tank dive. Trilogy offers two-tank scuba diving charters every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for $140.
Adventure Lanai Ecocentre (see contact information above), offers two-tank scuba adventures for $119. Its store in Lanai City, 338 Eighth St., has scuba gear for rent from $69.
Snorkeling--Hulopoe is Lanai's best snorkeling spot. Fish are abundant and friendly in the marine-life conservation area. Try the lava-rock points at either end of the beach and around the lava pools. Snorkel gear is free to guests of the two resorts, and also can be rented from Adventure Lanai Ecocentre; see above for information on the center's ocean kayaking/snorkeling trips and contact information.
On Sundays from 7:45am to 1pm, Trilogy (see contact information above) offers an extraordinary adventure, In the Footsteps of Royalty, where Captain Dustin Kaopuiki, a direct descendent of Lanai's royalty, takes a group on a snorkeling exportation of the waters around the southern coast of Lanai, where King Kamehameha the Great had his summer retreat. The pristine waters are teaming with tropical fish and lava tubes, and spinner dolphins are usually present. Masks, fins, juice, sodas and lunch are included in the $125 price (half price for children 3-15).
Sport Fishing--Jeff Menze will take you out on the 28-foot Omega boat Spinning Dolphin (tel. 808/565-6613). His fishing charters cost $400 for six people for 4 hours, or $600 for six people for 8 hours. He also offers exclusive 4-hour whale-watching/snorkeling charters, which cost $400 for six passengers.
Surfing--Adventure Lanai Ecocentre (see contact information above), specializes in teaching everyone from small kids to grandparents how to surf using lightweight wooden long boards. The 4-hour "Surf Safari" is $89; surfboard rental is $35 a day or $10 an hour.
Whale Watching--Year-round, Trilogy offers 1 1/2-hour adventures on a 32-foot, 26-passenger rigid-hulled inflatable boat. From late December through April they are on the lookout for whales, but the remainder of the year schools of spinner dolphins are featured on this Blue Water Marine Mammal Watch. The cost is $75 (half price for children 3-15).
