Niihau - The Forbidden Island
Niihau - The Forbidden Island
4.5
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4.5
8 reviews
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Halems
San Jose, CA251 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Went to Ni'ihau for a three tank dive with Bubbles Below from Port Allen. It is a two hour trip over and three hours back because the wind almost always picks up and the return is rougher. It is the Forbidden Island because it is forbidden to land there, but the diving in the waters just off shore is famous. There is incredible volcanic structure and the animals have found lots of places to make homes. We saw mantas, sharks, and lots of the typical Hawaiian tropicals. The highlight was the Monk Seal the came out to swim with us. He was very cooperative and posed for lots of pictures.
I wouldn't call it my best ever dive trip, but it was highly enjoyable and Bubbles Below provided their usual high level of service. They even serve hot pizza for lunch, warmed by placing carefully wrapped pizzas on the hot engines.
I wouldn't call it my best ever dive trip, but it was highly enjoyable and Bubbles Below provided their usual high level of service. They even serve hot pizza for lunch, warmed by placing carefully wrapped pizzas on the hot engines.
Written 29 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dustin R
Phoenix, AZ62 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Took a trip with Fathom Five and had amazing dives. We saw monk seals, sandbar sharks, spotted eagle Rays, pilot whales and spinner Dolphins (as well as a boatload of beautiful fish). Amazing vis and epic conditions with beautiful swim thrus. Best diving i have ever done.
Written 4 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily360
Boulder, CO2 contributions
Jan 2012 • Family
We took a helicopter ride to Niihau with Niihau Helicopters. Dana was a fantastic guide, pilot and person. Once we got to the beach, there were lots of biting flies whose bites were painful and itchy, but Dana told us they're not there all the time. There was a lot of trash washed up on the beach, but plenty of treasures to be found, great snorkeling and I found some of the largest pieces of coral I've ever seen.
Written 28 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuvtoSafari
Los Angeles, CA829 contributions
You can't get on the private island but diving around the island and at the Lehua crater is amazing. Probably the only dive spot where a Hawaiian Monk Seals encounter is almost guaranteed. We did a 3 tank dive (air, then 2 nitrox). Monk seals came by on each dive. Mostly drift diving, so you must be comfortable dealing with currents. Also, open blue water and wall diving, so must have good buoyancy control. Excellent dives with great visibility.
Written 4 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JD-70point3
Idaho Falls, ID334 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
I suppose when you are told you cannot visit an island it adds to the allure. But the diving truly is the best I have done in Hawaii and probably anywhere else. I already posted a review for Fathom Five regarding the dive. You can see the island and Lehua Rock from Kauai. Taking the boat out just made it that much more special. The island does look barren. I am not sure there would be much interest to spend much time on the island itself. They pitch it as pristine Hawaii but I think the impression is more romantic that it may actually be. There is a reason that the native Hawaiians are all moving away. There just are not modern opportunities here. But I am glad that someone is trying to maintain an untouched natural resource. If you get the chance to snorkel or dive, do it. It is not to be missed. As for hunting or the helicopter ride, unless you can get in the water it may not be worth it, except the perception of doing something exclusive.
Written 18 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad G
Texas226 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Not easy to organize a visit to the island. Best option is to take a snorkel cruise out to the island to see it but you will not be allowed to go on the island. Informative cruise. We went with Holo Holo and it was great.
Written 11 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olowalu_Life
Kauai, HI215 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
As I mentioned in my Na Pali Coast review, being on the Holo Holo Charters boat we came pretty close to the Forbidden Island. Being a few hundred feet away we were given an informative talk and took beautiful photos.
Even from a few hundred feet away, the island looks very barren and "simple". It hits you when you are staring at an island that doesn't allow too many people in this world. The magic of this island tells you how Hawaii truly was before Waikiki and the city was built.
Definitely a experience!
Even from a few hundred feet away, the island looks very barren and "simple". It hits you when you are staring at an island that doesn't allow too many people in this world. The magic of this island tells you how Hawaii truly was before Waikiki and the city was built.
Definitely a experience!
Written 17 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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