Niihau Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Niihau. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Kauai: Na Pali Coast Super Raft Snorkel Adventure

• Waimea Canyon Downhill Bike Ride

• Ni'ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat Tour

• Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii

• Private Ni'ihau Scenic Snorkel

Tourists aren’t permitted onto the island of Niihau, which is privately owned, but there are some guided tours that offer the chance to swim and snorkel nearby. Expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars for boat tours that take you snorkeling there, and include other stops too.

Yes, Niihau is worth visiting, though access to the island is restricted. Several tours do offer the chance to see the scenic coastline via boat ride, snorkeling excursion, or even helicopter. The area is especially known for snorkeling and the opportunity to see a rich variety of marine life. 

Per one customer who booked the Ni'ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat Tour, "Captain Nate and his crew were absolutely amazing. The all day excursion seemed to fly by with beautiful scenery everywhere. Just spectacular. We watched the sun rise, saw humpback whales breaching, snorkeled for a bit and then on to more beautiful views. They kept us well fed and plenty of refreshments. All of the crew were friendly and informative. Can't wait to go back and do it all again next time!"

No, tourists aren’t permitted to visit Niihau, but there are a few ways it can be done. Options include getting an invite from the Robinson family, who own it, or booking one of the few (and expensive) tours they own—currently only Niihau Helicopters or Niihau Safaris.

The Sinclair family bought Niihau in 1864 from King Kamehameha for around US$10,000 and a promise to preserve the island for its native residents. Today, the island is thought to be valued at approximately US$88 million, although the owners say the island is not for sale.

It’s difficult to say how many people live on Niihau since the island’s natives live a life that’s mostly off the grid. Many online estimates put the number between 130 and 200 residents, although it’s worth noting that the 2020 census officially put Niihau Island’s population at 84.

Niihau relies on solar power for its electricity. Taking advantage of the island’s dry climate, the residents use solar panels to generate power and to heat their water. There is also thought to be a photovoltaic power system with battery storage in the school so children can learn computer skills.

Not much is known about the families who live on Niihau today, only that they are all Hawaiian and mostly live in the chief village of Puuwai on the west coast. The Robinson family, who own the island, are said to live on the nearby Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Niihau has the self-explanatory nickname of the Forbidden Isle since visits to the island are forbidden to most people. Other popular Hawaii island nicknames include the Gathering Place for Oahu, the Garden Isle for Kauai, the Valley Isle for Maui, and the Pineapple Isle for Lanai.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Niihau. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions on Kauai:

• Na Pali Coast

• Mt. Waialeale

• Waimea Canyon

• Hanalei Bay

• Lihue

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions on Kauai.