FAQ’s, Tips and Info on Visiting the Cat Sanctuary

Many great questions about visiting the Lanai Cat Sanctuary are sent to us via email and text.  We are sharing the questions and answers on this “Master List” of FAQ’s for Visiting the Cat Sanctuary post and including them in the Tips & Info section of our Blog and Pinned Resource Post pages.

Have a question or comment? Please share them via the comments section below this thread!

Troubleshooting Booking Form?

Q. I am having difficulty with the booking form and completing my reservation – how do I troubleshoot?
A. Please see our detailed Post about Help with Common Booking Issues.

Half Day – 6:30AM Departures?

Q. I want to do a ½ Day- Day Trip to Lāna‘i and depart at 6:30AM. What are my options?
A. Tips for the 6:30am Departure – Decide how you would like to fill your time between when the Ferry arrives at 7:45+am and the Cat Sanctuary opening at 10:00am.

Since the Cat Sanctuary is not open when you arrive you have the option of:

• Cats Only – Take the Shuttle to the Cat Sanctuary arriving around 8:30-8:45am. Wait until outer gate opens around 9:00am then wait at gazebo until they open the door into the enclosure. Note – #1 The scheduled opening time is 10:00am but the staff is opening earlier if the enclosure area is ready for visitors and guests are waiting, #2 The Cat Sanctuary is in a very “rural/isolated” spot so there is nothing close to walk to. No food/drinks are available at the Cat Sanctuary. Many guests pack their own lunch/snacks.

• Lanai Cat Sanctuary – Ferry, Cats ONLY 6:30AM-1:00PM

• Harbor or Beach First – Staying at Harbor and visiting the General Store that offers coffee, drinks, grab & go. There are park benches at the Harbor or walk to Hulopoe Beach – then have shuttle van pick up for transfer to Cat Sanctuary 9:45.

• Lanai Cat Sanctuary – Ferry, Beach/Harbor & Cats 6:30AM-1:00PM

• Town for Breakfast – Visit Town for Breakfast – add a third transfer to Town and eat breakfast at Blue Ginger, Ganotisi’s and/or visit Coffee Works for a specialty coffee. Note: Blue Ginger only accepts cash. Then transfer from Town at 9:45-10:15am to Cat Sanctuary.

• Lanai Cat Sanctuary – Ferry, Town & Cats 6:30AM-1:00PM

Tip – Check out our Restaurant Guide and Shopping Guide for Lanai City (Town).

• Pick up time from the Cat Sanctuary for the transfer back to the Harbor for the 1:00pm Ferry return is at 11:30am.

Half Day – 11:00AM Departures?

Q. I want to do a ½ Day- Day Trip to Lāna‘i and depart at 11:00AM. What are my options?
A. Tip 11:00am Depart – Decide if you would like to go to Town after the Cat Sanctuary closes at 3:00pm or do Cats Only straight and back to the Beach or Harbor at closing time.

• Cats Only – On arrival check in with the Shuttle drivers for your transfer to the cat Sanctuary arriving around 12:45pm. Visit the Cat Sanctuary until 3:00pm closing time. Then transfer back to the Harbor or be dropped at Hulopo’e Beach. Read more about Hulopo’e Beach HERE. Note: if you are dropped at the Beach you will need to walk back to the Harbor for your 5:30pm ferry departure. The Beach is a short 10min – 4/10ths of a mile walk from the Harbor.

• Lanai Cat Sanctuary – Ferry & Cats Only 11:00AM-5:30PM Stay till Close

• Cats & Town – On arrival check in with the Shuttle drivers for your transfer to the cat Sanctuary arriving around 12:45pm. Visit the Cat Sanctuary until 3:00pm closing time. Then transfer to Town (Lanai City) arriving around 3:15pm. Visit Town for 1 hour until your 4:15pm transfer back to the Harbor for your 5:30pm ferry departure. Note: Drop Off and Pick Up point in Town is at the flagpole located in front of the old Dole Admin Building where Lanai Culture and Heritage Center is located

• Lanai Cat Sanctuary – Ferry, Cats & Town 11:00AM-5:30PM

How far is the Beach from the Harbor?

Q. How far is the walk between the Beach and Harbor?
A. A short 10-15 min/4/10ths of a mile walk. Please check out our Post on Hulopoe Beach for more tips & information.

Full Day – What are my Options?

Q. I want to do a Full Day – Day Trip to Lāna‘I, departing at 6:30AM and returning at 5:30PM. What are my options?
A. Tip #1 Full Day – Decide how you would like to fill your time between when the Ferry arrives at 7:45+am and the Cat Sanctuary opening at 10:00am.
Since the Cat Sanctuary is not open when you arrive you have the option of:

• Cats Only – Take the Shuttle to the Cat Sanctuary arriving around 8:30-8:45am. Wait until outer gate opens around 9:00am then wait at gazebo until they open the door into the enclosure. Note – #1 The scheduled opening time is 10:00am but the staff is opening earlier if the enclosure area is ready for visitors and guests are waiting, #2 The Cat Sanctuary is in a very “rural/isolate” spot so there is nothing close to walk to. No food/drinks are available at the Cat Sanctuary. Many guests pack their own lunch/snacks.

• Cats Only 6:30AM-5:30PM Stay till Close

• Beach First – Visiting Hulopoe Beach – The Beach is a short 10 min walk from the Harbor – one option is to walk to the Beach then have shuttle van pick up for transfer to Cat Sanctuary 9:45am.
• Harbor First – Staying at Harbor and visiting the General Store that offers coffee, drinks, grab & go. There are park benches at the Harbor – then have shuttle van pick up for transfer to Cat Sanctuary 9:45.

• Ferry, Beach/Harbor, Cats 6:30AM-5:30PM Stay till Close

• Town for Breakfast – Visit Town for Breakfast – add a third transfer to Town and eat breakfast at Blue Ginger, Gannotisi’s, Hotel Lanai, No Ka Oi or visit Coffee Works for a specialty coffee. Note: Blue Ginger only accepts cash. Then transfer from Town at 9:45-10:00am to Cat Sanctuary. Not interested in a Beach visit? We have added an itinerary includes Town twice, once in the morning for Breakfast and then early afternoon for Lunch and Shopping.

• Ferry, Town, Cats & Beach 6:30AM-5:30PM

Tip – Check out our Lanai Restaurant Guide & Lanai Shopping Guide

How much Cat Time?

Full Day – What are my Options? “continued”

Tip #2 Full Day – Decide How long to stay at the Cat Sanctuary and if you would like to add Town or the Beach in the afternoon.

There is a shuttle pick up for Town or the Beach at 1:00pm and final pickup when the Cat Sanctuary closes at 3:00pm.

So, your options are:

• Stay till Close – Stay from the 10:00am opening time until the closing time of 3:00pm. No food/drinks are available at the Cat Sanctuary. Many guests pack their own lunch/snacks.

• Cats Only 6:30AM-5:30PM Stay till Close

• Town Visit – Pick-up time of approximately 1:00pm from the Cat Sanctuary for your transfer to Town then your final transfer to the Harbor at 4:15pm for your 5:30pm ferry departure back to Maui. The pick-up in Town will be from the flagpole. Blue Ginger and Pele’s close at 2:00pm. Blue Ginger only accepts cash.

• Ferry, Town, Cats & Beach 6:30AM-5:30PM
• Ferry, Harbor/Beach, Cats & Town 6:30AM-5:30PM

Not interested in a Beach visit? We have added an itinerary that includes Town twice, once in the morning for Breakfast and then again early afternoon for Lunch and Shopping.

• Beach Visit – Pick-up time of approximately 1:00pm from the Cat Sanctuary for your transfer to the Beach/Harbor. We note that you will walk back and be at the Harbor at least 30 min prior to your 5:30pm ferry departure back to Maui. Lunch – The Manele General Store at the Harbor offers grab and go items, snacks and cold drinks. After your pickup for the Beach you can ask your driver if it is possible to stop at Lanai Service Station or Richards Market to pick up sandwiches. NOTE: Food & Drinks are not sold at the Cat Sanctuary, the Four Seasons Resort has reopened to non-guests with reservations for lunch (see new itinerary below) and many guests pack a lunch and snacks.

• Ferry, Beach/Harbor, Cats 6:30AM-5:30PM Stay till Close

• NEW Itinerary: Ferry, Town, Cats & Four Seasons Resort 6:30AM-5:30PM – Visit the Four Seasons (Beach) Resort for lunch. -1:00PM Transfer to Four Seasons Resort-Arriving approximately. 1:30-45pm. IMPORTANT: You will need reservations in advance on the property for Lunch at Malibu Farms-Call FS at 1-877-709-1451 for reservations and availability. NOTE: Availability for non-guests is subject to change depending on season and any buy-outs of the property.

• Ferry, Town, Cats; Four Seasons Resort 6:30AM-5:30PM

How do I get my Ferry Tickets & Directions?

Q. How do I get my Ferry Tickets?
A. When you check in at the Expeditions Maalaea Ticket Booth give the attendant your names and have your ID handy and they will give you your roundtrip tickets. Their ticket booth is located at 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Rd.:Google Map Link Directions

There will be an info & directions message included at the bottom of your booking receipt, and we also send a reminder info & directions text to you the evening before departure. Note: Expeditions asks that you check in early – at least 30-45 minutes prior to your departure time. Expeditions may also send a separate email with information about your ferry reservation and other general information, some of which will not be applicable to your itinerary. Your Shuttle Transfers are included, and we make ALL the Arrangements, so you do not need to confirm transfers.

Q. How long is the ferry ride between Maui and Lanai?
A. About 1 hour and 10-15 minutes.

Q. What about Parking at Maalaea Harbor?
A. If you do not Cab or Uber the parking at Maalaea Harbor is all paid parking. Payable via QR Code signposted or at one of the 6 pay stations. Parking is managed by Secure Parking 1-808-517-1311. Nearest pay station to Expeditions is located near slip 62. Please allow ample time to find a parking spot, pay and make your way to Expeditions check in. (There is overflow parking above the Harbor where the aquarium is located.) For more information, please check out our Post about Maalaea Parking.

How do I find the Shuttle on Lanai?

Q. How do I find the Shuttle on Lanai?
A. When you disembark on Lanai, please head up the gangway. Your shuttle van transfer driver will be waiting for you with a sign that has “Lanai City Shuttle Service/Rabaca’s Limousine Service” on it. Please check in with the drivers and let them know that you are Lost on Lāna’i Voucher Guests going to the Cat Sanctuary and they will direct you to the correct shuttle van.

There is only one shuttle service on Lanai & they will have you on their passenger list for the day. Shuttle transfers during the day operate at a set schedule coordinated with your itinerary.

Day-Trip to Lāna‘i

A day-trip to Lānaʻi is an easy ferry ride from Maui, departing from Maalaea Harbor.  You can book your day trip itinerary with Lost on Lānaʻi that includes your round trip Maui to Lānaʻi ferry and Lāna‘i Shuttle transfers to the Lāna‘Cat Sanctuary. We handle the details, and you enjoy the island! Visit the Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary, Lāna‘i City or Hulopo‘e Beach.

Want to do your own thing? We have you covered with the best price on Ferry Tickets Only for independent travelers

Explore More Maui Activities

Planning your vacation? Please Shop & Book your Maui Activity like a Whale Watch Tour, Day Trip to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary or a Snorkel Excursion direct on our site. We pick the best Maui Activities and let you Book Direct with Real Time Availability and the Best Price Available.