dlnr.hawaii.gov · Official
Official sanctuary status and public-landing restriction for Mānana/Rabbit Island.
Dive Spot Guide•
Manana Island
Manana Island is a boat-accessed drift wall with coral, sharks, and macro life.
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Plan this as an advanced boat dive with strong current, surge, and no landing on the sanctuary; low-wave windows matter.
About Manana Island
Manana Island is an advanced boat dive on Oahu's windward side, wrapped around a protected seabird sanctuary. The east face drops sharply into a drift route with live coral on the wall, shell and rubble below, and plenty of cracks where frogfish and nudibranchs show up. It is the kind of dive you plan around current, surge, and a clean return line rather than around easy shore access.
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Research Estimate At Manana Island
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 16m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentVery strong current
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Manana Island?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Manana Island Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
6m - 27.4m
Depth Note
Steep east-face wall with a rubble-and-shell bottom.
Best Season
Year-round on calm-wave days
Typical Conditions
Drift-style conditions with strong current, surge on the east side, and a wall best dived in low-wave windows.
Safety & Access At Manana Island
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Restricted accessStrong currentSurgeWaves
Safety Notes
Strong current and surge are part of the site; stay off the island, keep your spacing, and plan a clean drift exit.
Access Restrictions
Manana Island is a closed seabird sanctuary; landing or walking on the islet is not allowed without authorization.
Legal Notes
The islet is closed to the public, so only offshore diving and boating use are appropriate here.
Local Intel For Manana Island
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A wall dive reaching roughly 27 m (90 ft) with a rubble-and-shell field at the base.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the wall, current, and return-line demands are better handled with scuba and surface support.
Snorkeling
Not a casual snorkel site; the strong current and surge make it a scuba-focused drift dive.
Wildlife at Manana Island
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Manana Island
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Manana Island
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility16m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
