The Best Island In Hawaii Has Been Hiding In Plain Sight

The major Hawaiian islands all have their calling cards. On Oahu, it's Waikiki and the famed North Shore. On Kauai, it's the breathtaking Na Pali coast. Maui has Haleakala and the Road to Hana. And on the Big Island, it's a scientific trifecta of volcanoes, climate zones and astronomy.

With that embarrassment of riches, it's not surprising that the small island of Lanai -- just a 25 minute flight from Honolulu -- flies under the radar. In fact, this little hidden gem seems to like it that way.

While the other islands are thriving/drowning in tourism, Lanai revels in its non-commercialized, wild purity. It is Hawaii like you want it to be: Unfiltered, untainted and totally gorgeous.

With only 3,100 residents, the 140-square mile island is clearly proud of its small town feel. Locals will boast about leaving their doors unlocked and the fact that there isn't a single stop light on the only 30 miles of paved roads. The bulletin board in front of local restaurant favorite Blue Ginger displays charmingly honest hand-written notes looking to return lost items to their owners.

And perhaps most unique of all -- especially in Hawaii -- is the lack of separation between tourist and local. In small towns, the local favorites are the tourist favorites, and on Lanai there's no such thing as secret beaches or locals-only activities.

This intimacy and convivial feel is helped by the fact that there are only three hotels on the island: Two Four Seasons properties (one beach resort and one wooded "lodge") and one 11-room inn called Hotel Lanai.

All three are owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison who purchased 98 percent of the island in 2012 for $300 million. Ellison has been busy since then, pouring money into the Four Seasons properties for renovations (the beach resort is now open; the Lodge is expected to reopen this fall), new activities and further breaking down whatever barriers there were for visitors to experience the "real" Lanai.

"There are many beautiful resorts around the world," Tom Roelens, the general manager of the Four Seasons Lanai, told The Huffington Post. "There are many beautiful resorts in Hawaii. But here you have 90,000 acres to yourself, and we truly want guests to experience that."

While the atmosphere at the Four Seasons is definitely inclusive, the prices (roughly $800-1,000 a night; $9 for a bag of potato chips) are anything but.

Thankfully, mere mortals can enjoy an even better view than the Four Seasons by camping at Hulopo’e Bay, the beach the resort overlooks.

With only 8 camp sites on sprawling white sand, you basically get the beach and its well-maintained amenities to yourself. Since no commercial boating activities are allowed, the beach is home to crystal clear water, excellent snorkeling, scenic tide pools and regular visits from wild spinner dolphins. Nearby are also dive sites to underwater coral grottoes and lava caves, including The Cathedrals, which feature rock lattices resembling stained glass when the sunlight shines through.

Just a short walk around the bend lies Lanai's most famous landmark Puu Pehe, or "sweetheart rock" (pictured above).

So unless you have cash to burn, we'd advise sleeping beneath the stars. Then splurge on a few resort meals at the nearby Four Seasons (there's even a Nobu!).

Below, a photo tour of 12 more adventures awaiting you on Lanai:

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