Hulopoe Bay

Hulopoe Bay is Lanai's best-known beach, a crescent of white sand near Manele Bay with calm-season clear water, tide pools, protected marine life and a short trail to Pu'u Pehe.

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Hulopo'e Bay Beach, Lanai

Hulopo'e Bay is Lanai’s most popular swimming and picnicking beach, located on the island's south shore. Clear waters invite snorkelers to observe reef fish and marine life below, a sign of the marine life conservation district here. Hulopo'e Bay is a protected marine preserve, so visitors should avoid touching coral, disturbing marine life or taking anything from the bay. No ship is allowed to anchor in this bay. Turtles and spinner dolphins are frequently seen here.

The long, crescent-shaped bay is bordered on each side by boulders. The ocean bottom slopes off quickly, so novice swimmers should be cautious. There's usually some surf, suitable for bodyboarding or surfing when conditions are right. Small rip currents sometimes form as well, and the swimming conditions are best in the summer months. On the bay's east side is a lava terrace that has several large tide pools, all of which are home to an abundance of marine life.

The Four Seasons Resort at Manele is located on this bay, and Hulopo'e Bay is the main beach on Lanai that resort guests use. If you arrive on Lanai with the ferry from Maui, Hulopo'e Bay is within walking distance from Manele Bay where the ferry arrives.

Key Features

Lanai's best-known white-sand bay on the south shore
Crescent-shaped shoreline between Manele Bay and Pu'u Pehe
Part of the Manele-Hulopoe Marine Life Conservation District
Clear calm-season water can reveal reef fish and other marine life
The ocean bottom slopes off quickly from shore
Small rip currents can form in the bay
Lava terraces on the east side hold tide pools
Spinner dolphins and sea turtles may appear offshore
Four Seasons Resort Lanai sits above the bay area
Short coastal trail leads toward the Pu'u Pehe viewpoint

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hulopoe Bay located?

Hulopoe Bay is on Lanai's south shore near Manele Bay and the Four Seasons Resort Lanai.

Is Hulopoe Bay good for swimming?

Hulopoe Bay can be good for swimming when the ocean is calm, but the bottom drops off quickly and small rip currents can form.

Is Hulopoe Bay a marine preserve?

Yes. Hulopoe Bay is part of the Manele-Hulopoe Marine Life Conservation District, so visitors should not touch coral, disturb wildlife or take anything from the bay.

Where are the tide pools at Hulopoe Bay?

The tide pools are on the east side of the bay on the lava terrace, where small marine life can be seen when conditions are safe.

Can visitors walk to Pu'u Pehe from Hulopoe Bay?

Yes. A short coastal trail from the Hulopoe Bay side leads to the viewpoint for Pu'u Pehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock.