Lanai to Maui ferry from Manele Harbor PICS 🌴 Hawaii travel blog

ALOHA!

So you want to go from Lanai to Maui!

There are flights that go from Lanai to Maui, but of course the BEST way to get from Lanai to Maui is by BOAT!

Because why wouldn’t you want to sail across the ocean to go island hopping in Hawaii?! 😄

There is a “public” ferry that goes from Lanai to Maui. (And from Maui to Lanai.)

So going by ferry from Lanai to Maui means that you’ll depart from the Manele Harbor in Lanai…

And you’ll arrive at the Lahaina Harbor in West Maui!

If it’s whale season (generally speaking winter months), you might even be able to see whales off in the distance, so be on the lookout! The channel between Lanai and Maui is said to be one of the top spots (if not THE top spot) for whale watching in all of Hawaii. Bring binoculars!

And, if it’s rained recently, you might even spot a rainbow over the ocean!

More below about the ferry to Maui from Lanai!

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Here is somewhat how it can go to take the ferry from Lanai to Maui!

In photos!

I took the ferry from Lanai to Maui in February 2020. So for 2021, exact policies and processes have changed since then, but below will generally be the experience of taking a ferry from Lanai to Maui! Check the official ferry website to confirm what you need to know!

How to get from Lanai to Maui by ferry

• Buy a ferry ticket
• Go to the Manele Harbor (aka the Lanai ferry port)
• Wait for the ferry to arrive at Manele Harbor (it’s coming from Maui!)
• Take a seat on the ferry!
• Enjoy the ferry ride from Lanai to Maui!!!
• Arrive at the Lahaina Harbor!

Buy a ferry ticket

Each ferry has a capacity of how many people can be on the boat. This means that tickets can get sold out.

So while it has been possible to buy a ferry ticket when you show up at the Lanai ferry port, you are better off booking your ticket in advance to ease your mind. For my Lanai trip during busy season, it was fine to book a few days in advance (even the day before), but again, you always have a chance of sold out tickets! Tickets are also more likely to sell out for the ferry timings that are most convenient for a day trip.

One advantage of waiting to book your ticket is so you can take a look at the weather. While weather reports may not always be reliable, if there’s an impending storm or heavy rains in the forecast you may want to reconsider. If the seas are too rough, it’s possible that your ferry could get canceled. It’s possible for a ferry to be canceled even just an hour (maybe even less!) before departure.

👆 Text message of canceled ferry departures.

The official ferry booking website to book your Lanai to Maui ferry ticket is the Expeditions Lanai ferry website. This is also where to check for current information about the ferry to Maui. If you are looking to book a ferry ticket for late 2021, you may need to call to book. (There will be a note when you attempt to book your ticket if so.)

The cost of a ferry ticket from Lanai to Maui is around $30 one way.

👆 Ferry timings during normal times. Check the ferry website for updated schedule!

Go to the Manele Harbor

The Lanai ferry port is the Manele Harbor, so this is where you’ll go to get on the ferry.

If you’re staying in the main town area of Lanai City (like at Hotel Lanai), then you can take the Lanai shuttle to get to the Manele Harbor.

You will need a paper ticket to board the ferry.

If you booked your ferry ticket online, you will need to pick up a physical ticket when you get to the Manele Harbor. It will be best to have your confirmation email accessible, along with photo ID.

There’s a booth located outdoors that will be staffed around the times there’s a ferry in port.

Wait for the ferry to arrive at Manele Harbor

The Lanai – Maui ferry goes back and forth throughout the day, so you’ll be waiting on the ferry that’s coming from Maui.

There’s a waiting area with benches at the Manele Harbor. There’s also the Manele General Store that’s located right near the waiting area. You can find quick eats here. There’s also frozen food and a microwave so you can warm up a quick meal if you have time too. There’s a picnic area right outside the store.

And then, the Manele General Store also serves as a souvenir or gift shop too. There are bathrooms at the Lanai ferry port next to the store.

Then, once the ferry arrives…

Get on and take a seat on the ferry!

If you’re bringing luggage on board, you’ll carry that on yourself. So there is no “check-in” process for luggage. You’ll find a luggage storage area on the same level (lower deck) that you walk onto the ferry. There are shelves, and there’s also an area for golf bags.

You can choose to sit indoors or outdoors. There are no assigned seats. And because you can sit anywhere you want, it will probably be better to get in line earlier rather than later if you want a specific seat outdoors, like along the outer portion.

Everyone needs to be sitting on departure and arrival. For your own safety, it’s better to be seated throughout the entire sailing in case there is unexpected roughness of the sea. But you are able to stand and move around during the ferry ride.

There are life jackets on board, but you are not required to wear them for the ride. However, it’s always good to know where they are located! So take a look around.

If you plan to sit outdoors, you might want to bring along a light jacket or sweatshirt for the ride. Aside from the lower temperatures in the early morning and evening, the wind can make it feel cooler any time of day out on the water!

Enjoy the ferry ride from Lanai to Maui!!!

The time on boat can vary depending on ocean conditions, but you can generally expect the ferry ride from Lanai to Maui to take around 45 minutes to an hour.

Arrive in Lahaina!

You will arrive at the Lahaina Harbor in West Maui. This is also a small boat harbor.

Enjoy Maui!

The Lahaina Harbor is located in a convenient area, basically right around “downtown” Lahaina. So there are things to do in a walkable area from the Lahaina Harbor.

Or, if you’re looking to go to another part of Maui, the main Lahaina bus transit center is located about a 5 minute walk from where you will get off the ferry. From the Lahaina bus transit center, you can get to places like Kaanapali, Kapalua, and Wailea.

Arriving to Maui: See more about Lahaina without a car

And that’s a bit about the boat ride to Maui from Lanai!

And then you can also enjoy the views going in the opposite direction when you take the ferry from Maui to Lanai!

Plan more of your trip to Hawaii:

• The best of Lanai
• The best of Maui by car
• The best of West Maui
• The best of Lahaina without a car
• The best of Kapalua

HAPPY FERRY RIDE FROM LANAI TO MAUI!