Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology at Coconut Island

Well, I work here so I have to be a fan.
The place is pretty special and anyone that gets a chance to visit should take it. A lot of the areas are run down but you cannot deny the magic of Coconut Island. The entire island is surrounded by corals and the history of the place is pretty fascinating. I take a small shuttle boat from the pier to work every day.
I could work in a crappier place, that is for sure. :)

If you’ve seen this place, you know it’s gorgeous! Secluded private island with lots of mad science– you really can’t ask for more.
Since it is a private island, there are only a few ways to get on: 1) Work here, 2) Know someone who works here who is willing and able to sponsor a visit for you or 3) Contact the education department to schedule a tour
The education department is wonderful and very accommodating! They will do their best to get you to the island, answer all your questions and more while they show and tell you about the amazing research and history of Coconut Island.
The parking lot is for researchers with permits only– if you don’t have one, don’t park down here or you may find yourself towed. There is plenty of street parking just up the hill though, or you can park at the mall and the shuttle boat driver can pick you up at one of the scheduled times (call to schedule this and to see if it is an option on the day you need it).
There is a public beach on the back side (facing MCBH) that you can kayak into, but you are only allowed on the beach. Security heavily monitors this area, as well as the other public point of access– Maile point (Lilipuna side), where you can carefully «dock» your boat by hanging onto it while you swim around. I don’t see the appeal to this option really, but it is nice on windy days when you can somewhat be in the lee of the island-​snorkeling here is not super great usually though.
All in all, an amazing island with beautiful scenery, fantastic history and world-​class marine research!

Awesome place where we got to have a resilience retreat. Great staff, great research, great perspective. Love this place!

Who doesn’t love tropical islands and science?!
This place is pretty amazing, and I’m not just saying that because I work here. It is a research facility for marine biologists, biologists, oceanographers, chemists, etc. to come out and do coral reef and oceanographic research. We have researchers, professors, graduate students, undergrads, and lab techs who all come out for work.
For people who do not work out here, I recommend emailing the Education Department at the island. You can schedule a tour of the island for you and your friends. But, you must contact them for a tour, the island is restricted to researchers only if not on a tour.

May be a little bias because I work here, but this place is gorgeous! The reefs are amazing and the water is calm and clear. Plus you have a great view of the Ko’olaus.
HIMB was once owned by a person with a lot of money and there used to be elephants, monkeys, and a bowling alley on island! Check out the history on Coconut Island book!
All those interested, check out our great education programs. Other than that you have to be sponsored onto the island by a HIMB student, faculty, or professor. You have to be with someone associated with HIMB.
If you do go out to the island — please be very very respectful of the researchers’ and students’ projects. Do not put your hands into any aquariums or touch anything without permission. I have had some teenagers touch my corals I have put so much time and effort into them. Please be respectful.
Also you have to park on the street. The parking lot is for HIMB associates only. :)
Mahalo!!!

If you’re gonna do marine research in Hawaii how can you do it any place else? HIMB is a research facility built upon an island in Kaneohe Bay (interestingly it’s where Gilligan’s Island was filmed). There are a wide range of researchers on the island, studying fish to coral, with plenty of opportunities for undergrads (and high school students) to volunteer or work.
The only tricky part is getting on island. On weekdays there is a shuttle boat to take you across on call, up until 5:30 PM. After that you have to call the after-​hours boat and ask for a ride across but only on the half-​hour (6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, etc.). BOATS ONLY RUN TILL 10 PM so don’t get stuck on island if you are working there. On weekends and holidays the boats only run ON THE HOUR.
Now, if you don’t work on HIMB you can come on island in you are part of a tour group. I don’t suggest trying to sneak on island due to the fact that it is also a protected nature reserve and you can be arrested for trespassing.
HIMB is an obviously a good location for marine research, it’s literally right next to the water.

Whoo hoo! Research! :D