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 Lanai
Highlights
- 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 activity on the island
- Afternoon spa appointment at Mimi’s Place Salon — nails, massage, or a couples’ package
- From $201/adult, $137/child (2–11); ferry + all shuttles included, spa booked & paid separately
- All transfers and ferry logistics handled for you — just book and pick your spa service
If you’re staying on Maui and looking for a day trip that feels like a completely different world, look about nine miles across the channel. Lanai is quieter, slower, and refreshingly free of crowds. Lost on Lanai has put together an itinerary that lets you fit in a sanctuary full of rescue cats, a stroll through charming Lanai City, and a little pampering, all before you catch the evening ferry home.
It’s called Town, Cats, Town & Spa, and it might be the most relaxing “full day” you’ll spend on your trip.
The Itinerary at a Glance
This isn’t a rushed, check-the-box excursion. The day is built around two visits to Lanai City (the “Town” part of the name) bookending a few hours at the island’s most beloved attraction.
- 6:30 AM — Depart Maalaea Harbor on the morning ferry
- 7:45 AM — Arrive on Lanai
- 8:15 AM — Transfer into Lanai City for breakfast or a wander around town
- 10:00–10:15 AM — Shuttle transfer to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary
- 10:00 AM–1:00 PM — Visit the Cat Sanctuary
- 1:00 PM — Transfer back to Town for lunch and your spa appointment
- 4:15 PM — Final shuttle transfer to the harbor
- 5:30 PM — Return ferry departs, arriving back in Maalaea around 6:45 PM
Round-trip ferry tickets and all shuttle transportation between Manele Harbor and Town are included in the package, which starts at $201 per adult ($137 for children ages 2–11). Food, gratuities, and your spa service are booked and paid for separately.
Stop One: The Lanai Cat Sanctuary – The Purrs
Rated the #1 thing to do on Lanai by Trip Advisor, the Cat Sanctuary is a nonprofit dedicated to caring for the island’s feral cat population. It’s open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the itinerary gives you a generous three hours to wander the free-roaming, cage-free enclosure — home to more than 700 cats, many of whom are just as curious about you as you are about them. It’s the kind of stop that tends to surprise people, even non-cat people. It is the kind of place most people leave with a smile, feeling happier than when they arrived.
Stop Two: Lanai City
You’ll pass through Lanai City twice — once in the morning for breakfast or a quick look around, and again after the sanctuary for lunch. The town is small, walkable, and full of local character, with plantation-era buildings, family-run restaurants, and a relaxed pace that makes it easy to see why people fall for this island. Just keep in mind Blue Ginger restaurant only accepts cash and many restaurants close around 2:00 PM, so plan your lunch stop accordingly.
More Resources: Guide & Tips for Restaurants in Lanai City
The Pampering Part: Mimi’s Place Salon
Here’s what sets this itinerary apart from a standard cat sanctuary day trip — your afternoon in town includes a reserved appointment at Mimi’s Place Salon. A visit to Mimi’s is a chance to experience old Hawaii “Where pampering is our love language”. The Salon is tucked right into the heart of Lanai City, inside a charming 1932 plantation salon.
Mimi’s offers a full menu of spa services to fit whatever kind of afternoon you’re after:
- Nail services — manicures, pedicures, and gel options
- Massage — 60, 90, and 120-minute sessions in Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Deep Tissue, and more
- Special packages — including a couples’ side-by-side massage, a pineapple scrub, and the 2.5-hour Lanai Island Renewal Package
For rates and availability, reach out to Mimi directly: ???? mimi@naturalnailsbymimi.com ???? (808)280.1730
A few things to know before you book: spa service is paid directly to Mimi’s, separate from your Lost on Lanai package. After you book the Town, Cats, Town & Spa itinerary, Mimi will reach out to help you choose and confirm your service. Basic services like nails should be booked at least 2 days ahead, while massage appointments need 3–5 days’ notice since some therapists travel over from Maui.
Why This Itinerary Works So Well
The genius of Town, Cats, Town & Spa is the pacing. You’re not crammed into a half-day tour, and you’re not stuck waiting around with nothing to do. You get a morning in town, unhurried time with the cats, lunch, a spa treatment, and still make it back to Maui by dinnertime — all without lifting a finger on logistics. Lost on Lanai handles the ferry coordination and every shuttle transfer arrangement, so the only real decision you must make is what to do with your hands once they’re not busy petting cats: a mai tai, a manicure, or both.
Good to Know Before You Book
- Book & Reserve at least 2 days ahead – for best treatment availability. For massage appointments 3–5 days’ notice is suggested since some therapists travel over from Maui
- Your ferry ride between Maui and Lanai takes about 75 minutes.
- Parking at Maalaea Harbor is paid parking — Read More: Info & Directions to Maalaea Harbor
- When you disembark, look for the shuttle driver holding a “Lanai City Shuttle Service” sign and let them know you’re a Lost on Lanai guest headed to Town and then the Cats & Spa.
- Add any spa requests or questions in the notes field when you book, so Mimi will follow up with you directly. Resources:Mimi’s Salon Website or More About
- Link to Lanai Cat Sanctuary’s Website
Book the Day Trip!
If you’ve already done the snorkeling, the sunset sails, and the Road to Hana, this is the day trip that gives you something genuinely different — wandering a small Hawaiian town, getting fully charmed by several hundred cats, and ending the day with a massage instead of a packed cooler.
Book the trip: lostonla016stg.wpenginepowered.com — Town, Cats, Town & Spa itinerary
Browse all Itineraries: Day Trip to Lanai | Quick Summaries & Info for Lanai Itineraries
More Resources:
- FAQ’s Tips & Info Visiting the Lanai Cat Sanctuary
- 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
- Tips Renting a Jeep
- Day Trip to Lanai | Quick Summaries & Info for Itineraries
- Info Hulopoe Beach
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.
Tip – Read more about the Maui Lanai Ferry Schedule.
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
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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.
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