Destinations: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Seekers of photogenic locations and experiences find some of the world’s finest on the Hawaiian Islands. Here are moments captured by our guests that show the best Maui, Lanai, Oahu and Hualalai have to offer – no filter necessary.

Scroll through guests’ vacation photos from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and you’ll notice a trend: No one can pass up the Serenity Pool.

It’s easy to see why. The pool’s edge fades into an unobstructed view of the Pacific, Mauna Kahalawai (the Mountain of Many Waters) and the island of Lanai. With nothing between you and a boundless ocean, you’ll feel as if you’re on the edge of the world. In essence, that’s what Maui’s all about.

Where that happens is up to you. Enjoy a private, full-scale luau on the Resort’s Oceanfront Lawn – overlooking Wailea Beach – with up to 300 guests. Or make a quiet impression on the object of your affection: Reserve the Serenity Pool from dusk till dawn for an After Hours experience that can include fire dancers, a multi-course dinner and a couple’s massage.

The best way to start the day at Four Seasons Resort Lanai is to wake before sunrise and make the 20-minute hike to the Pu‘upehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock.

“Just follow the local surfers down,” says photographer Dana Neibert, who captured one of the above photos of the landmark during a recent visit with his son. “It’s a whole different world on that beach, with giant chunks of coral and miniature caves.”

In addition to its natural beauty, the Resort’s Lanai Ambassador Annalyn Alcantara calls Sweetheart Rock “the setting of one of Hawaii’s most enduring legends.” Here you’ll find a shrine to a pair of legendary lovers, a Hawaiian princess and her young warrior husband.

For a different perspective on Lanai and Sweetheart Rock, take to the sky. In partnership with the Maui Flight Academy, guests of Four Seasons Lanai can learn how to fly a Cirrus SR22. After 12 to 15 private lessons (best enjoyed during a five-night stay), you’ll take off from Mauna Kea with your flight instructor, cruise over an active volcano vent and eventually land in Hana.

Shorter aerial adventures – where a pilot handles the journey so you can focus on snapping photos – are also available. The Lanai Circle Island Experience is a simple yet stunning 20-minute helicopter tour that takes you above Hulopoe Bay, Keahiakawelo and Polihua Beach.

At the 123-foot (37.5-metre) infinity pool, the expanse of the Pacific makes the horizon seem wider than anywhere else. “The best way to capture the essence of the sunset,” urges Ha’a Keaulana, “is being present and in the moment.” So after you take your signature sunset snap, put your camera down, sit back and take a moment to appreciate the natural splendour.

Paddling out into the ocean in an outrigger canoe, or wa‘a, can bring you closer to sunset on Oahu. But that’s not all that Dalton Ho‘omanawanui Harrington, the Resort’s Activities Lead, appreciates about this family- and group-friendly adventure. “Everyone in the wa‘a is working in sync for one purpose: to move forward,” he says. “That inspires me.”

Harrington recalls taking his girlfriend out for a peaceful sunset paddle before their anniversary dinner. “I kept it as a secret and surprised her,” he says. “The sun was setting. It was very romantic.” If your group is more in the mood for an adventure, don’t despair: The island’s swells are always changing. Just remember, no matter the thrill level of your ride, to snap a team photo once you reach dry land.

The veritable rainbow of foods at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – sourced mainly from local earth and water – make for mouth-watering food photos from our guests. “We get an average of 75% of our ingredients from Hawaii Island,” says Alessandro Cartumini, the Resort’s Director of Food and Beverage. “This lends to colourful, bright and vibrant dishes … which in turn create better photos.”

Whether you and your fellow foodies simply document the best bites during your stay or make a culinary pilgrimage for the annual Chef Fest, you will have come to the right place for flavourful pictures.

As residents of the ocean around Hualalai, pods of wild dolphins will invite you into their undersea home. Don’t miss an opportunity to scuba-dive or snorkel around the island, where they’ll show you just how smart and swift they can be.

Videographer Mitchell Oates took the plunge and experienced the thrill of a lifetime last year at Four Seasons Hualalai: With a GoPro in hand, he recorded 50 wild dolphins. In a video posted to Instagram, he describes the moment as “one to cherish forever.”

As sociable creatures, dolphins will fairly often swim up to visitors. But it’s important to note the National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration recommendation that people stay at least 50 yards (45 metres) away from dolphins, whales and seals.

An encounter from afar – at the Resort’s golf course, for example – can be exciting too. “One of the many great things about playing golf here at Hualalai is that it’s suited for everyone,” says Brendan Moynahan, Director of Golf. “Add in some whales and dolphins just off your tee shot, and it can be a day you’ll never forget.”