French Frigate Shoals

French Frigate Shoals is a crescent-shaped reef system in Honolulu County that extends roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) and includes twelve sandbars along with the prominent La Perouse Pinnacle rising to about 120 feet (37 meters). This atoll sits in the northwestern Hawaiian waters and forms one of the largest coral formations in this remote island chain.

The atoll took its name in 1786 when French explorer Jean-François de Galaup nearly ran two frigates aground in the dangerous waters. This close call brought the reef to the attention of seafarers and marked a turning point in European mapping of the region.

The Hawaiian people called this atoll Kānemilohaʻi and viewed it as an important marine area along their traditional navigation routes across the Pacific. The name connects the reef to ancestral seafaring knowledge and the understanding of currents between islands.

Visiting requires a special permit from the federal wildlife service, as most stays are limited to scientific research and conservation work. Travel typically involves research vessels or charter boats specially equipped for expeditions to remote waters.

East Island, once a main nesting ground for green sea turtles within the atoll, vanished completely in 2018 when Hurricane Walaka swept through the area. The island had been a key site for turtle breeding research over several decades.

Location: Honolulu County

Elevation above the sea: 36 m

Part of: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

GPS coordinates: 23.66306,-166.08056

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:32