Taking The Expeditions Maui To Lana'i Passenger Ferry
There are two ways most people travel from Maui to Lana'i. Plane is one way to travel from Maui to Lana'i, but for most people, taking the Expeditions Maui to Lana'i Passenger Ferry from Maui to Lana'i is the most convenient and affordable way to get to Lana'i. This is especially true if you are going to visit Lana'i for the day. In this post we will provide information on how Hawaii residents can purchase ferry tickets, how visitors can purchase discount ferry tickets, the ferry schedule, parking for the ferry, check in for the ferry, the ferry cancellation policy, and what to expect as you take the ferry from the Lahaina Harbor on Maui across the Auau Channel to the Manele Harbor on Lana'i.
Purchasing Tickets For The Maui To Lana'i Ferry
go-lanai.com is the official website for the Expeditions Maui to Lana'i Ferry that travels back and forth between Maui to Lana'i multiple times each day. Reservations must be made in advance. Kama'aina (Hawaii Residents) should use go-lanai.com for purchasing their Maui to Lana'i ferry tickets. Visitors can also purchase ferry tickets on the go-lanai.com website. The current roundtrip price for an adult visitor is $60. The current roundtrip price for a child visitor 11 and under is $40. Infants under 2 travel free. Hawaii residents are eligible for Kama'aina discount pricing. Kama'aina adults receive a $5 discount for one way travel and a $10 discount for roundtrip travel on the Maui to Lana'i ferry. Kama'aina seniors receive a $20 discount for one way travel and a $40 discount for roundtrip travel on the Maui to Lana'i ferry. Kama'aina children receive a $10 discount for one way travel and a $20 discount for roundtrip travel on the Maui to Lana'i ferry. Please check go-lanai.com for current pricing. You can also call (800) 695-2624 to purchase ferry tickets.
mauiticketsforless.com provides visitors with a discounted ticket rate for the Expeditions ferry that travels back and forth from Maui to Lana'i multiple times each day. Reservations must be made in advance. Visitors can purchase Maui to Lana'i ferry tickets at a discounted price on the mauiticketsforless.com website. The current discount for an adult round trip ticket is $6.05. The current discount for a child round trip ticket is $3.05. Infants travel free. Please check mauiticketsforless.com for current pricing. You can also call (855) 268-0387 to purchase ferry tickets.
hawaiidiscount.com provides visitors with a discounted ticket rate for the Expeditions ferry that travels back and forth from Maui to Lana'i multiple times each day. Reservations must be made in advance. Visitors can purchase Maui to Lana'i ferry tickets at a discounted price on the hawaiidiscount.com website. The current discount for an adult round trip ticket is $4.54. The current discount for a child round trip ticket is $3.03. Infants travel free. Please check hawaiidiscount.com for current pricing. You can also call (866) 482-9775 to purchase ferry tickets.
Ferry Schedule
Maui to Lana'i Ferry Schedule
The ferry departs the Lahaina Harbor on Maui at 6:45am, 9:15am, 12:45pm, 3:15pm, and 5:45pm.
Lana'i to Maui Ferry Schedule
The ferry departs the Manele Harbor on Lana'i at 8:00am, 10:30am, 2:00pm, 4:30pm, and 6:45pm.
Check in is 30 minutes prior to departure. Please check the ferry website to verify the schedule.
Parking For the Maui To Lana'i Ferry
Ferry validated parking is located behind the Wharf Cinema Center Shops on Waine'e St between Dickenson St and Hale St. Do not prepay. Go ahead and park. You will show your used ferry ticket to the employee working at the kiosk when you leave the parking lot. They will apply your discount. If you arrive for the early shuttle no one will be working at the parking kiosk. On a recent trip we paid $5 for 13+ hours of parking. If you stay the night on Lana'i the lot offers overnight parking which is $15 for every 24 hours.
Directions To The Maui To Lana'i Ferry
The easiest route from the ferry validated parking lot on Waine'e St is to walk towards Hale St. You can walk through the parking lot all the way to Luakini St. At this point you will be at the backside of the Wharf Cinema Center Shops. You can cut directly through the Wharf Cinema Center Shops which will take you to Front St and the Banyan Tree Court Park. Cross over Front St and head down Hotel St along the right side of the Banyan Tree Court Park towards the Pioneer Inn. If you are facing the Lahaina Harbor the Expeditions Ferry will be located on the far right end of the Harbor in front of the Pioneer Inn. The walk from the parking lot to the ferry will take approximately 5 minutes. Please note that Google Maps does not show the short cut through the Wharf Cinema Center Shops.
Check In For The Maui To Lana'i Ferry
Check in is 30 minutes prior to departure. Check in at the kiosk first to pickup your ferry tickets. All passengers must provide their first and last names. Adults must present a photo identification. While boarding we have never been asked to show our IDs, but it is best to carry your ID in case a ferry employee ask to see it.
Baggage Allowed For the Ferry From Maui To Lana'i
Each passenger is allowed two regular sized suitcases and one carry on. Additional luggage may be approved by the Captain for a fee. Advanced request is required for extra luggage or large freight items.
Cancellation Policy
In order to cancel you must call a minimum of 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time. Cancellations can not be processed online. You must can (800) 695-2624 to cancel. A full refund will be provided if you call and cancel at least 24 hours prior to your departure time.
Weather related cancellations are fully refundable. The Expeditions Maui to Lana'i Ferry operator will attempt to call passengers who have provided phone numbers on their reservations to inform them of any cancellation.
Taking The Ferry From Maui To Lana'i And What To Expect
It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to departure for check in. The ferry will leave on time for the 6:45am departure from Lahaina. Throughout the day there may be small delays with the ferry leaving at the exact scheduled time. The loading and unloading of luggage and freight can cause unexpected delays. It is always best to arrive early, but there is a chance the ferry may be running slightly behind.
The lower level of the ferry has the largest seating area and is enclosed with windows. Here you are away from the elements and can comfortably watch out the windows as you cross the Auau Channel to Lana'i. The lower level also has air conditioning. The upper level is a little smaller and has both enclosed seating and covered open air seating. Many people enjoy the open air seating. There are storage areas for luggage on the lower level. There is also an area where passengers can purchase small bottles of water. There is a bathrooms on the lower level of the ferry. As you cross the channel keep an eye out for whales and dolphins.
On average, the trip between Maui and Lana'i will take between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the ocean conditions.
Typically crossing the Auau Channel from Maui to Lana'i in the morning is fairly smooth. The ocean tends to be calm between Maui and Lana'i in the morning. As winds increase during the day the ocean swells will increase and can make the ride across the channel a little more bumpy. If you are prone to motion sickness you may want to consider a dramamine type medication if you plan on taking an afternoon ferry to Lana'i or plan to return from Lana'i to Maui in the afternoon. Although uncommon, if conditions are dangerous ferry service can be postponed or cancelled. We have heard of people being stuck on Lana'i until ferry service can safely resume. Our understanding is that this is very uncommon.
Depending on the time of year you may get to watch the sunrise over the West Maui Mountains or the sunset over Lana'i.
Keep an eye out as we add new content about Lana'i, things to do on Lana'i, and the perfect day trip to Lana'i. We will have future posts about the Lana'i Cultural & Heritage Center, Lana'i City, the Lana'i Cat Sanctuary, Shipwreck Beach, La Lanakila Church, Old Club Lana'i, Kahalepalao Church and School House, Maunalei Sugar Company, Petroglyphs at Poaiwa, and how to rent a Jeep to drive around the island.
Crossing the Auau Channel View of the Northeast side of Lana'i
Expeditions Ferry docked at Manele Harbor on Lana'i Manele Harbor on Lana'i
Expeditions Maui to Lana'i Ferry leaving Lana'i with a full moon rising over the West Maui Mountains
Information for this post has been gathered from the websites noted above as well as our own personal experience using the Expeditions Maui to Lana'i Ferry for both day trips and business trips to Lana'i.
All photos are provided Maui Realtor Jesse Coffey with Keller Williams Realty Maui. These photos were taken by either Jesse Coffey and Kristina Coffey.