![]() Seabirds are abundant here, as well as whales, dolphins, monk seals and an incredible variety of fish, giving it a reputation for the best snorkeling in Hawaii. It is primarily composed of tuff, which is cemented volcanic ash, and contains blocks of basalt and limestone, which has created unique underwater rock formations and structures. It is a bare, crescent-shaped rim of a volcanic island. The islet Lehua is attached to Niihau, located about three-quarters of a mile north of Niihau. Niihau is about 200,000 years younger than Kauai so many geologists disagree about whether Niihau and Lehua were formed separately from Kauai. ![]() Niihau and Kauai are linked underwater 15 miles apart, by a channel over 2,500 feet deep called Kaulakahi channel. However, after heavy erosion the Paniau mountain now peaks at just over 1,200 feet above sea level and 13,000 feet above the ocean floor. Paniau is the remnant of the volcano, also the tallest peak on the island, once standing 4,600 feet above sea level. Niihau was formed about five million years ago from a single shield volcano. It has been privately owned by one family for over 150 years, they enacted a closed-door policy in order to create a cultural preservation site for native Hawaiians. Niihau Island, known as the “Forbidden Island,” is one of the most mysterious of all the Hawaiian Islands, with a unique history and long-standing independence.
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