Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bigger here than at nearby Lopa, and it can pick up more of a southerly angle, whereas
Hulopo'e faces southwest. To reach Stone Shacks, take Keomuku Highway over the back
side of the island to the end of the paved road, then take a right and proceed for 11 miles
until the dirt road ends at Naha. Then park the car and start walking. Hazards include loc-
als, sharks, and making your way out through the rocky entry.
Polihua
Polihua
is the island's lone wintertime wave, as this stretch of shoreline produces some
fickle waves which only turn on during northeasterly swells. Or, if a large west-northwest
swell comes barreling down the channel and has enough of a westerly direction to squeak
around O'ahu, then Polihua can also see surf. The currents here can be extreme, however,
and the waters offshore are jokingly referred to as “the Tahitian Express.” Sharks are also a
concern around Polihua. Only the most competent, confident—and slightly crazy—surfers
even consider chasing waves along this desolate stretch of coast. To reach Polihua, follow
the signs from Lana'i City for the Garden of the Gods, and once you've reached it, proceed
for another 25 minutes until the road runs straight into the beach.
Having grown up on Lana'i but perfected his surfing skills on the North Shore of O'ahu,
owner Nick Palumbo now runs
Lana'i Surf Safari
(808/565-9283,
www.lanaisurfsafari.com
)
, your one-stop outfit for all things surf-related on Lana'i. Rent-
als are arranged off Hulopo'e Beach and include longboards ($58 for 24 hours), short-
boards ($58 for 24 hours), bodyboards ($30 for 24 hours), and stand-up paddleboards
($150 full day/$75 half day).
While renting a board and surfing the wave at Hulopo'e are great for the intermediate
surfer, for those who are looking to take actual surf lessons and explore the back of the
island there's no better option than booking a half-day surf safari (9am-2pm, $200) to
pristine and isolated Lopa Beach. Tours include pickup and drop-off from the harbor or
your hotel as well as all gear, instruction, drinking water, and transport to Lana'i's rugged
back side. Unlike the surf schools of Waikiki or Lahaina where you can find yourself fight-
ing to catch a wave amid 50 other students, guests here on Lana'i are treated to a private
session on a beach which is almost guaranteed to have nobody else on it. Even if you aren't
staying on the island, day trips from Maui can be arranged.
