A day-tripper’s guide from Lost on Lanai
A Lost on Lāna‘i Day Trip Guide
Why You Should Visit the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary from Maui
Book by July 31 & Give Back
Why do Visitors Keep Coming Back to the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary?
At a Glance
What: Visit the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary — a world-class, open-air sanctuary for over 700 rescued cats, open 365 days a year.
Where: Lāna’i, Hawaiʻi — a short ferry ride from Maui.
Why it matters: Visitor numbers dropped nearly 60% after the Lahaina fires and are slowly recovering. Your visit directly supports the cats — and the mission.
Campaign Bonus: Book any Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary tour package by July 31, 2026, and at least $3 per ticket goes directly to the sanctuary — for any travel date.
Book It: Lost on Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary Campaign Page — packages from $167
No traffic lights. One gas station. The best Beach in Hawaii. And over 700 cats.
That’s Lāna’i in a nutshell and that is part of the charm. The island has always marched to its own beat, and nowhere is that more true than at the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary, one of the most unique visitor destinations in all of Hawaiʻi.
Whether you’re a lifelong cat lover or just stumbled across it while planning your Maui vacation, the sanctuary has a way of working its magic on just about everyone who walks through the gates. Here’s why so many visitors keep coming back.
What Is the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary?
The Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary isn’t just an attraction. It’s a mission-driven operation that runs 365 days a year, rain or shine, welcoming guests from around the world to connect with its resident felines. The cats, that are, affectionately nicknamed the “Lāna’i Lions”, are rescued, cared for, and given a chance at a second life, whether that’s in the sanctuary itself or adopted – in a forever home.
The sanctuary serves a dual purpose that’s easy to overlook: by humanely managing feral cat populations in a contained, caring environment, it also protects Hawaiʻi’s endangered native bird species. This is a conservation story as much as it is a cat story.
Why Your Visit Matters More Than Ever
At its peak, the sanctuary hosted over 16,000 visitors annually. Regulars flew in from the mainland, families made it a tradition, and solo travelers found an unexpected highlight of their Hawaiian trip.
Then the Lahaina fires happened.
Tourism across Maui and neighboring islands took a significant hit, and the sanctuary was no exception. Visitor numbers dropped nearly 60% and are just now recovering. That visitor loss rippled directly through the sanctuary’s budget and its ability to care for its cats.
Here’s something most visitors don’t realize: guests aren’t just observers at the sanctuary — they’re enrichment. When you hand out a treat, offer an ear scratch to a shy tabby, or simply sit quietly and let a nervous cat approach on its own terms, you’re actively helping that animal warm up to human interaction. Over time, that exposure can transform a previously unadoptable cat into a companion animal, ready for a forever home.
Meet Jackson: A Story Worth Telling
Every sanctuary has its celebrities, and Jackson was one of theirs.
A beloved 16-year-old greeter — and official Cat-idate — Jackson spent years charming visitors at the sanctuary before finding his forever home with a compassionate pilot. He now enjoys his golden years in comfort on Maui, having made the trip in style aboard a private plane.
It’s more than a feel-good story it captures exactly what the sanctuary is about: patience, trust, and the belief that every cat deserves a chance! No matter their age, background, or how feral they once were.
Planning Your Day Trip to Lāna’i
Getting to the sanctuary is easier than you might think, and we’ve got the logistics dialed in for you.
From Maui: The Expeditions Ferry runs regularly and is the most popular way to visit Lanai from Maui. Round-trip ferry packages with shuttle transportation to the sanctuary start at $167. Full-day itineraries that add time in Lāna’i City and Hulopoe Beach are available from $184.
The sanctuary itself is open every single day of the year (9:00AM-3:00PM) and booking a package through Lost on Lāna’i takes all the guesswork out of transportation.
Can’t Make the Trip? You Can Still Help.
Travel doesn’t always work out. The sanctuary has two programs that let you be part of the mission from anywhere:
- Adopt in Place — Sponsor a sanctuary cat and support their care without bringing them home.
- Rent a Piece of Purradise — A unique way to contribute to the sanctuary while getting a taste of the Lāna’i Lions experience remotely.
Learn more about giving at lanaicatsanctuary.org →
Book Now and Give Back: The Lost on Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary Campaign
Here’s a reason to stop thinking about it and just book: through July 31, 2026, Lost on Lāna’i is running a limited-time campaign in partnership with the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary, and every ticket sold makes a direct difference.
At least $3 from every Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary tour package ticket purchased through Lost on Lāna’i — for any travel date — will be donated directly to support the cats. It doesn’t matter whether you’re booking for next week or later in the year. Book by July 31st and your trip counts.
The campaign is part of a direct outreach from the sanctuary to past visitors and supporters. The message was simple: if you’ve been thinking about coming, this is a great time to make it happen. We couldn’t agree more.
What you get with every package booking:
- Roundtrip Expeditions Ferry from Maalaea Harbor, Maui
- Scheduled shuttle transfers on Lāna’i throughout the day
- Your visit to the Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary
- Optional add-ons: Hulopoe Beach, Lāna’i City, Four Seasons Resort, and more
No calls to coordinate. No guesswork on timing. Just show up on time at the harbor and we handle the rest.
View the full Campaign page and browse all itineraries
Book Your Lāna’i Day Trip
We offer over 15 Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary itineraries — from half-day “Cats Only” departures to full days that combine the sanctuary with Lāna’i City, Hulopoe Beach, the Four Seasons, or even a spa stop at Mimi’s Place. Packages start at $167 and include ferry and shuttle transfers in one booking.
Browse all Lāna’i Cat Sanctuary itineraries here
TIP: What if someone in your group or family is not a cat person? No worries! We offer additional itineraries (27+) – from half-day “Beach and Lāna‘i City” to full days that combine Lāna‘i City, the Beach, Four Seasons and more!
Questions? Check out our FAQ on visiting the Cat Sanctuary or contact us directly. We’re happy to help you find the right itinerary.
Lost on Lāna’i is your local guide to day trips, ferry tickets, tours, and activities on Lāna’i, Hawaiʻi. We handle the details so you can enjoy the island.
Post Sources: lanaicatsanctuary.org