How Tourists Can Experience Hawaii's 'Forbidden Island' Firsthand
Add the word "forbidden" to anything and it instantly becomes more appealing. In this case, it applies to the mysterious, privately owned Ni'ihau Island in Hawaii. Located around 17 miles southwest of Kaua'i, Ni'ihau is one of the eight main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. It has been owned by the same family since 1864 when Elizabeth McHutchison Sinclair bought it from Hawaiian royalty, King Kamehameha V.
Along with the 69 square miles of volcanic plains and scrubland came a commitment to preserving the island's culture, language, and environment. To keep the island safe from outside influence and disease, it became "forbidden" in the early twentieth century, with access cut off to everyone except full-time residents, their families, and invitees of the Robinson family, who are direct descendants of the Sinclairs. Staying relatively untouched and frozen in time means no water system, no conventional electricity, and no paved roads, with residents moving around the island by foot, horse, or bicycle. It's also the only place in the world where Hawaiian is the primary language. Around 70 full-time residents rely on rainwater and solar power, and much like their ancestors have done for generations, food comes from hunting, fishing, and farming.
Despite being mostly closed off from the outside world, tourists do have the chance to see this forbidden island for themselves, albeit in a limited capacity. Helicopter and boat tours allow small numbers of visitors to experience swathes of this pristine paradise.
Ni'ihau Island tours and what you'll see
It's worth noting that tours to Ni'ihau island remain carefully regulated, and visits are restricted to a few hours spent on the beaches and exploring the landscapes. The tours go nowhere near the main village and there is no interaction with local residents. Tours are also quite costly so budget travelers may want to choose one of the other Hawaiian islands for a first time visit.
A helicopter tour of Ni'ihau is available with Niihau Helicopters. Flying from Port Allen Airport on the west of Kaua'i, this half-day tour flies you over the island before landing for a three-hour exploration on quiet, crowd-free beaches. You can swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters amongst colorful tropical fish, or simply chill out on the beach, beachcomb for Ni'ihau shells, or go monk seal spotting. These excursions cost $630 per person, or private charters are available for $3,150.
If air travel makes you a little queasy, the Ni'ihau and Nā Pali Snorkel Boat Tour with Holo Holo Charters is a seven-hour sightseeing trip that leaves from Port Allen. You'll sail through the cliff-lined waters of the Nā Poli coast before heading to the coast of Ni'ihau. Although you won't land directly on the beach, you will get the chance to snorkel offshore in these remote waters and perhaps be lucky enough to see a school of reef sharks.
These outings are weather dependent and should be booked in advance. One item you'll want to make sure you have with you though is reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii has a ban on sunscreen containing certain chemicals to protect marine life, so make sure you follow this advice, as well as other essential travel hacks for enjoying your Hawaiian holiday.