Scuba Diving at Lehua Rock, Ni’ihau Island
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007Contest Suggestion#15
At the extreme western end of the Hawaiian islands lies the “forbidden island” of Ni’ihau. The island is entirely owned by a mainland family, who purchased it from the King of Hawaii in the 19th century. Ni’ihau is home to about 160 native Hawaiians who live in the traditional manner. Permission to visit the island is almost never granted and it is against Hawaiian law to land there.
But off the north shore of the island, a lava cone rises about 100 feet above the water. Around this extinct volcano, called Lehua Rock, are some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the Hawaiian islands. About 500 people each year are lucky enough to land a spot on a boat headed for Lehua. This year, I was lucky enough to twice visit this diving location on the far edge of the world, and make five of the greatest dives of my life.
The channel crossing is smooth as you leave Kauai in the morning. The boat hands troll for Ahi and Mahi-Mahi as you cross the channel. The journey is 35 nautical miles, and takes about 2 hours. The deck hands call this part of the journey the “downhill” direction for reasons that become obvious later.
