Hawaii is comprised of eight major islands, several small islets, and numerous atolls extending approximately 1,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean. Besides the major Hawaiian Islands, all of these islands, islets, and atolls are uninhabited, and many of them are unnamed and impossible to visit. Today, we’re heading to one of the most unique islets around: a stunning little gem found off the coast of windward Oahu that is not only illegal to visit without permission from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, but has quite the fascinating history and is a designated State Seabird Sanctuary. Let’s check out the elusive Rabbit Island in Hawaii, shall we?
Located less than a mile off the coast of Kaupo Beach near Makapu’u, Manana Island is truly a sight to behold. Affectionately referred to as Rabbit Island perhaps due in part to its shape as seen from the shores of Oahu, this small islet is home to quite the history.
Al Case/Flickr
You see, this offshore island was once inhabited by rabbits. Introduced and established by John Adams Cummins in the 1880s when he ran the nearby Waimanalo Plantation, the rabbit colony populated Manana Island for nearly a century.
Christopher Irwin/Flickr
Sadly, the non-native rabbits multiplied throughout the years and were wreaking havoc on the native ecosystem and were eradicated in the 1990s.
Lee/Flickr Today, Rabbit Island still bears the moniker of its past but is now designated as a State Seabird Sanctuary home to more than 10,000 wedge-tailed shearwaters, 80,000 sooty terns, 20,000 brown noddys, 5 to 10 Bulwer’s petrels, and 10-15 red-tailed tropicbirds as well as numerous Hawaiian monk seals.
The island is popular among amateur and professional photographers alike and can be seen easily from several beaches along Oahu’s windward coast, but the best view is found at the top of Makapu’u Point, where you’ll not only find the adorable Makapu’u lighthouse but views of Rabbit Island as well as a long stretch of coastline.
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.om
But that’s not the only way you can experience this unique place: with a surrounding water depth of 40 to 70 feet coupled with fantastic visibility, divers love Rabbit Island. Divers can expect to discover interesting coral formations and exciting marine life here, including triton trumpets and lobsters as well as whitetip reef and tiger sharks.
Roger Gerbig/Flickr
Though this small offshore island is often overlooked since you can’t visit, it is quite the gem and we seriously can’t get enough of these photographs.
Townsend/Flickr
Tell us, don’t you love learning about the history behind the most iconic of Hawaii’s offshore islets?
Al Case/Flickr
Christopher Irwin/Flickr
Lee/Flickr
Today, Rabbit Island still bears the moniker of its past but is now designated as a State Seabird Sanctuary home to more than 10,000 wedge-tailed shearwaters, 80,000 sooty terns, 20,000 brown noddys, 5 to 10 Bulwer’s petrels, and 10-15 red-tailed tropicbirds as well as numerous Hawaiian monk seals.
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.om
Roger Gerbig/Flickr
Townsend/Flickr
Just a few miles away from Rabbit Island, you’ll find the Mokulua Islands, a pair of islands in Hawaii that are not only downright dreamy but are easily accessible via kayak.
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Address: Rabbit Island, Hawaii 96795, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Rabbit Island in Hawaii July 22, 2022 Sarah M. What’s the most beautiful island in Hawaii? Rabbit Island is a total hidden gem island in Hawaii, but it’s certainly not the only glorious isle worth exploring! In fact, with so many fantastic islands to explore, planning a trip to Hawaii, or even just a weekend getaway to a neighboring island, can be difficult – especially on a tight schedule and budget. In reality, it would take years to explore everything just one Hawaiian Island has to explore, but unfortunately, most of us only have time for the highlights. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with the top three experiences on each Hawaiian Island, from the large Hawaii Island to the small isle of Lanai. Personally, we adore the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which is home to breathtaking places like Kailua Beach Park, as well as historic sites like Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head State Monument. On Kauai, Waimea Canyon will absolutely take your breath away; often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. At 10 miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, it is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon. Of course, this Hawaii island is also home to the glorious Na Pali Coast, a place that truly belongs on every single person’s bucket list!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Rabbit Island in Hawaii
July 22, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s the most beautiful island in Hawaii? Rabbit Island is a total hidden gem island in Hawaii, but it’s certainly not the only glorious isle worth exploring! In fact, with so many fantastic islands to explore, planning a trip to Hawaii, or even just a weekend getaway to a neighboring island, can be difficult – especially on a tight schedule and budget. In reality, it would take years to explore everything just one Hawaiian Island has to explore, but unfortunately, most of us only have time for the highlights. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with the top three experiences on each Hawaiian Island, from the large Hawaii Island to the small isle of Lanai. Personally, we adore the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which is home to breathtaking places like Kailua Beach Park, as well as historic sites like Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head State Monument. On Kauai, Waimea Canyon will absolutely take your breath away; often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. At 10 miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, it is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon. Of course, this Hawaii island is also home to the glorious Na Pali Coast, a place that truly belongs on every single person’s bucket list!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Rabbit Island is a total hidden gem island in Hawaii, but it’s certainly not the only glorious isle worth exploring! In fact, with so many fantastic islands to explore, planning a trip to Hawaii, or even just a weekend getaway to a neighboring island, can be difficult – especially on a tight schedule and budget. In reality, it would take years to explore everything just one Hawaiian Island has to explore, but unfortunately, most of us only have time for the highlights. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with the top three experiences on each Hawaiian Island, from the large Hawaii Island to the small isle of Lanai.
Personally, we adore the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which is home to breathtaking places like Kailua Beach Park, as well as historic sites like Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head State Monument.
On Kauai, Waimea Canyon will absolutely take your breath away; often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. At 10 miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, it is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon. Of course, this Hawaii island is also home to the glorious Na Pali Coast, a place that truly belongs on every single person’s bucket list!
