When it comes to romance in Hawaii, it’s hard to beat the intimacy of Lanai. With one of the country’s top beaches, prime whale-watching waters and no shortage of indulgent couples activities, Lanai is the perfect spot to rekindle the romance. Check out our guide to a romantic getaway in Lanai.
Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay
Make your Lanai love nest at Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay, where you’ll settle into a suite overlooking the ocean. The resort also offers a host of couples experiences including spa treatments, helicopter tours, private cooking classes, sunset sails and Love Potion No. Lanai, where couples create their very own fragrance as a keepsake of their Lanai experience.
Sweetheart Rock
Just a short hike from the resort, Sweetheart Rock boasts both beautiful views of the bays and a lovelorn backstory. According to Hawaiian legend, this stunning 80-foot rock is where grief-stricken warrior Makakehau plunged to a watery death after the death of his lover. Luckily, the only thing that will be dramatic during your experience at Sweetheart Rock are the views of Hulopoe Bay and the dolphins that call the waters home.
Hulopoe Beach Park
After conquering Sweetheart Rock, head down to the shores below at Hulopoe Beach Park. Once dubbed America’s best beach, this pristine white beach is the perfect sand-swept background for an afternoon of romance. Laze the day away on the sand, explore the tide pools or go for a splash in Hulopoe Bay.
Meet the ocean’s locals
Adventurous couples will love Lanai’s waters, as they offer some of Hawaii’s best whale and dolphin watching opportunities. Local companies like Hawaii Ocean Rafting and Maui Adventure Cruises offer half-day and full-day adventures at sea, where sea turtles, coral reefs and manta rays are just a few of the local sights you’ll spot while watching for whales and dolphins in the Auau Channel.
Splurge at Kailani
Wind down with your sweetheart back at the Four Seasons with an intimate dinner at Kailani, where contemporary Italian dishes meet fresh island ingredients. Overlooking Hulopoe Bay, you can enjoy a meal of dungeness crab ravioli, ahi tuna encrusted with black Hawaiian lava salt, or cioppino made with local seafood. Before heading back to your room, share a scoop of Kailani’s house-made gelato, too.
(Main image: Spencer Burrowes)
