Lisianski Island, Pacific wildlife refuge in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, United States
Lisianski Island is a flat landmass in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands with a maximum elevation of about 40 feet above sea level. The terrain consists of sand and coral, and the island serves as a nesting and resting ground for sea turtles, seabirds, and monk seals.
The island was discovered in 1805 by Russian explorer Yuri Lisyansky during his Pacific voyage aboard the sloop Neva. It later became part of the Hawaiian Kingdom and remains an important wildlife sanctuary today.
King Kamehameha IV incorporated this territory into the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1857, marking its integration into Hawaiian sovereignty.
Access requires permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to its protected status as a wildlife refuge. Visits are limited to authorized tours or research expeditions, reached by helicopter or boat.
Beneath the sandy surface lie limestone formations that rest on an extinct shield volcano that last erupted roughly 20 million years ago. This geological layer reveals the ancient volcanic history underlying the Hawaiian island chain.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
