Maui to Lanai Day Trips
Ferry • Cat Sanctuary • Hulopoe Beach • Lanai City
Spend a day discovering Lanai from Maui.
Choose your ready-to-book itinerary.
Ferry tickets, transportation and trip planning included.
We handle the details. You enjoy the island.
Your Lanai Day Trip, Made Easy With Online Booking
🚢 Round-Trip Ferry
Maui ↔ Lanai
🚐 Shuttle Transportation
Shuttle Options Available
🗺️ Ready-Made Itineraries
Half-day & Full-day options
🌺 Lanai Knowledge
Day Trip Planning & Support
Choose Your Day Trip & We’ll Handle the Details
Pick Your Lanai Experience
Whether you’re coming for the cats, the beach, Lāna‘i City or simply a day away from Maui, there’s a trip for you.
🐈 Lanai Cat Sanctuary
Meet 700 Cats at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary!
Ideal for:
Cat lovers • Families • Animal lovers
🐈🏝️Town + Cats + Beach
Experience More of Lanai in One Day!
You can:
Combine the Cat Sanctuary with Lanai City, Hulopoe Beach & More.
🏝️ Beach + Lanai City
Explore Lanai without visiting the Cat Sanctuary.
You will:
Enjoy Hulopoe Beach, Explore Town and Create Your own Island Experience.
⛴️ Ferry Tickets
Explore Lanai your way.
Your choice:
Book Round-Trip Ferry Transportation and Plan Your island Adventure.
Our Most Popular Lanai Day Trips
Full Day
Lanai Cat Sanctuary | Town, Cats & Beach
6:30AM-5:30PM
Half Day
Lanai Cat Sanctuary | Town & Cats
6:30AM-1:00PM
Half Day
Lanai Cat Sanctuary | Cats & Town
11:00AM-5:30PM
Which Lanai Day Trip Is Right for You?
🐈 Meet the Cats
Then:
Cat Sanctuary Half Day →
🌺 See as much as possible
Then:
Town + Cats + Beach Full Day →
🏝️ Beach + Town
Then:
No-Cat Beach + Town →
⛴️ Explore independently
Then:
Ferry Only →
Why Take a Day Trip to Lanai?
Visit the famous Lanai Cat Sanctuary and spend time with hundreds of rescued cats.
🏝️ Discover Hulopoe Beach
Enjoy clear water, tide pools, snorkeling and one of Lanai most beautiful coastal areas.
🌺 Explore Lanai City
Walk through the island’s historic plantation town and discover local shops and restaurants.
⛴️ Enjoy the Journey
Cross the ʻAuʻau Channel from Maui and make the ferry ride part of your adventure.
One ferry. One day. A completely different island.
What Our Guests Say About Us
“Aloha, Brad! We had an amazing day. Your arrangements and communication were excellent. Clive and Fernando were very helpful. 5 stars for all!! Mahalo!!!”
Guest Feedback
“Brad – Please tell your shuttle company that our driver was the best ever. He was very accommodating and the nicest man ever. Very professional and very knowledgeable. We had the most amazing time today and my grandsons loved the cats and the beach afterwards. Sent from my iPhone”
Guides, Tips, Posts & Resources
Lanai is one of Hawaii’s least-visited islands, and that’s exactly what makes it worth a day trip from Maui.
Just across the ʻAuʻau Channel, a single Expeditions ferry ride from Maalaea Harbor puts you on a completely different island in about 75 minutes — no interisland flight required. From there, your day is yours to shape. Spend the morning at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, home to more than 700 escued cats roaming free in an open-air sanctuary.
Wander Lanai City, the island’s small plantation-era town, with its historic Dole park, local shops, and family-run restaurants. Or head to Hulopoe Beach, a Marine Life Conservation District with clear water, tide pools, and some of the best snorkeling in the islands. Most travelers pair two or three of these into one itinerary — and that’s where we come in. Every Lost on Lanai package includes round-trip ferry tickets and ground shuttle transportation, so you’re not left figuring out logistics on an island with no rental car counters at the harbor.
Whether you’re coming for the cats, the beach, the town, or all three, we’ve built ready-to-book itineraries for half-day and full-day trips, or you can grab ferry-only tickets and explore at your own pace. One ferry. One day. A different Hawaii
Why Book with Lost on Lanai?
🏝️ Local Knowledge, Not an AI bot
We are Hawaii based and lived on Lanai. We know it firsthand — the ferry schedule, the shuttle timing, which itinerary fits in a day. You’re booking with people who’ve done this trip themselves, not a bot.
🚐 Everything Handled, Start to Finish
Ferry tickets, shuttle transportation, and a ready-made itinerary — all included, all arranged before you arrive. No rental car reservations, no piecing together logistics on an island with no car rental counters at the harbor.
📱 Real Support Before and During Your Trip
You’ll get directions and trip details after booking, plus a reminder text the afternoon before your reservation. If your plans change or the ferry’s affected by weather, you’re reaching an actual person — not a support queue.
🐈 A Trip That Gives Back
A portion of every booking is donated to community organizations, including the Lanai Cat Sanctuary. When you book with us, you’re not just visiting Lanai — you’re helping support it.
🌺 12+ Years, 10,000+ Guests, One Island
Family-operated since 2014, Lost on Lanai has helped more than 10,000 travelers cross the channel to Lanai — and we’ve spent over a decade learning how to make that day count.
Purrs & Pampering: Why Your Next Day in Maui Should Be Spent on Lanai
A day-tripper’s guide to the Town, Cats, Town & Spa itinerary from Lost on LanaiHighlights One ferry, one day — depart Maalaea at 6:30 AM, arriving back around 6:45 PM Two stops in Lanai City plus 3 unhurried hours at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, the #1-rated...
Why You Should Visit the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary from Maui | Day Trip Guide
A day-tripper’s guide from Lost on LanaiA Lost on Lāna‘i Day Trip Guide Why You Should Visit the Lāna'i Cat Sanctuary from Maui Book & We Give Back Why do Visitors Keep Coming Back to the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary? At a Glance What: Visit the Lāna’i Cat...
More Resources:
- FAQ’s Tips & Info Visiting the Lanai Cat Sanctuary
- Maui to Lanai Day Trip Guide
- Parking at Maalaea Harbor
- Maui to Lanai Ferry Schedule & Info
- Tips for 1/2 Day – Day Trip – Tips for Full Day – Day Trip
- Guide Restaurants
- Guide Shopping
- Day Trip to Lanai | Quick Summaries & Info for Itineraries
- Info Hulopoe Beach
For More Info - Check out these FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a rental car reservation on Lāna’i?
A: No — all of our day trip packages include round-trip ferry transportation and ground shuttle service on Lāna’i, so you don’t need to rent or reserve a car. Just show up at Maalaea Harbor and we arrange the rest.
Q: What’s the difference between the Half Day and Full Day trips?
A: Half Day trips focus on either the Cat Sanctuary, Lāna’i City or Beach and run about 6 hours door to door. Full Day trips can combine the Cat Sanctuary, Lāna’i City, and Hulopoʻe Beach into one longer itinerary, giving you more time on the island. Compare all itineraries →
Q: Is the ferry ride rough or seasick-prone?
A: The Expeditions ferry crosses the ʻAuʻau Channel between Maui and Lāna’i in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Conditions vary with weather, and some late afternoons can be choppier than others. If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking preventive medication before departure and sitting in the rear section of the lower cabin for the best ride.
Q: What if the ferry is cancelled due to weather?
A: Ferry cancellations are rare but can happen. If your scheduled crossing is cancelled by the ferry operator, we’ll help you rebook or receive a refund per our cancellation policy.
Q: Can I visit the Cat Sanctuary without booking a full package?
A: Yes — you can book Ferry Only tickets and visit the Cat Sanctuary independently or choose one of our packaged trips that includes shuttle transportation directly to and from the sanctuary.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: We recommend booking at least a few days ahead, especially during peak season, since ferry departures and shuttle seats are limited. Same-day availability isn’t guaranteed.
Q: Will I receive additional information & directions after I Book?
A: Yes – There is an info and directions message included at the bottom of your booking receipt and we also send an info & reminder text message to you late the afternoon before your reservation.
Q: I have another question – How can I contact you?
A: You may contact us via our Contact Form HERE → or via email at info@lostonlanai.com
Ready to Discover Lanai?
One ferry. One unforgettable day.
Leave Maui behind for a day and discover Lanai’s beautiful coastline, historic town and famous Cat Sanctuary.
Choose your itinerary, book online and let Lost on Lanai help with the details.
🚢 Round-trip ferry options • 🚐 Transportation options • 🐈 Cat Sanctuary trips • 🏝️ Beach & town itineraries
Not sure? Read the Day Trip Guide!