"Forbidden Island Up Close" Niihau by atufft

Niihau Travel Guide: 3 reviews and 10 photos

View of Niiahu from Catamaran Boat - Niihau

Forbidden Island Story in Brief...

Only 17 miles off the west coast of Kauai, this smallest inhabited island of the Hawaiian archipelago is populated by only some 250 native Hawaiians who still speak the language daily. Niiahu is singularly owned by the Robinson family, the descendents of Elizabeth Sinclair who paid King Kamehameha IV $10,000 in 1863. A cattle and sheep ranch provides modest wages and shelter for those that live there, and contact with the other islands is rare and difficult. When we planned our trip to Hawaii, the forbidden island attracted me and I was certain that I want to go there. The best we could do given the time and money we had at the time was to take an excusionary boat for a snorkle dive off the coast.

As we motored along the coast...

Forbidden Island Niiahu

The island is virtually barren of life and very dry, but we saw the native Hawaiians looking for shells along a beach. Later, I learned later that the tiny Niiahu shells were very valuable. Apparently, the Leptothyra verruca, or pinhead-sized wart turbans that live in the waters surrounding Niihau, have evolved differently from those residing elsewhere around the Hawaiian islands. Since only those living on the island can comb the beach in search of them, the locals there have a unique semi-precious jewelry industry.

At the northern end of the island...

Snorkling close to Niihau

Is a great diving location. Below the water the cool waters of the north Pacific Ocean feed a unique ecosystem of coral and other sea life that can be easily appreciate by a snorkle dive. Off the coast, monk seals, dolphins, and flying fish are a frequent sight.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Forbidden Island Contrasts with Waikiki Beach Crowds
Cons:Difficult to visit, especially on a budget
In a nutshell:Take a cruise to visit Niiahu and buy a necklace of Niihau shells.

Last visit to Niihau: Jul 2003
Intro Updated Mar 13, 2006
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Reviews (1)

North Peninsula Begins to Break Up - Niihau

Snorkling off Niihau Things to Do (1)

The Forbidden Island is virtually impossible to visit without paying for an expensive helicopter ride. The island itself... more travel advice

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Comments (5)

Yaqui Nov 30, 2009 at 10:07 AM Report Abuse

Nice snorkling tip, its is interesting to know that folks still can own a whole island. Nice page!
mtncorg Aug 15, 2008 at 10:28 AM Report Abuse

all that money you are saving, I think you can fly out here on the helicopter next time ;-]
Lhenne1 Jan 26, 2008 at 2:01 PM Report Abuse

Thanks, Alan! I'm heading to Hawaii in May for a wedding and have been looking for some interesting dive spots. ~Laura
b1bob Oct 19, 2006 at 9:40 PM Report Abuse

It would be fun to sneak on the island just to say you did it.
triplehelix Mar 17, 2006 at 1:54 PM Report Abuse

no one is allowed on the island without prior consent from the family unfortunately. they do not allow any tours either on land. neat experience though!