Between the small islands of Lanai and Molokai lies the Kalohi Channel, a place known for its numerous reefs and powerful currents. Many ships have met their watery demise here in this shallow channel, but none are as fascinating as this unique shipwreck that isn’t even a shipwreck at all. Want to see what we mean? Keep scrolling for all the fascinating details as well as some phenomenal photographs.
Accessible only on foot or by four-wheel-drive vehicle and located on the northeastern shore of Lanai, Shipwreck Beach — also known as Kaiolohia — not only provides excellent views of the shipwreck in the Kalohi channel but the beautiful island of Molokai as well.
Cowlin/TripAdvisor
The first documented shipwreck took place here in 1824, and just two years later, an American ship, the London, sunk here. The ship was rumored to have been carrying a large cargo of gold and silver, but no one knows exactly how much of the cargo was recovered.
happiechik/TripAdvisor
Throughout the decades, there have been at least a dozen vessels known to have been accidentally, and sometimes intentionally, grounded along this six-mile stretch of coastline, from schooners to steamships.
Justinls/Flickr
However, the most famous shipwreck, and the one you can see from shore, isn’t actually a shipwreck at all.
DBPerko/Flickr
This World War II-era navy vessel was intentionally grounded here as an economical means of disposal after its useful life came to an end. This YOGN-42 is often mistaken as a Liberty ship, but it is a a ferro-cement navy fuel barge.
Eric Prado/Flickr
Another World War II vessel, a navy yard oiler YO-21 is found on the western end of Shipwreck Beach near Awalua Bay and is one of the few remaining vessels that was present at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Steve Jurvetson/Flickr
These large concrete ships have been reclaimed by the ocean and make for quite a fascinating history lesson.
WonderingWhimsy/TripAdvisor
So, what are you waiting for? The aptly-named Shipwreck Beach is rocky in parts, and while swimming here is dangerous, we can almost guarantee that you’ll have the beach to yourself — except maybe the occasional sea turtle basking on shore.
chuck b./Flickr The rocky stretch of sand is often considered to be one of the best beachcombing beaches in the country according to Travel + Leisure.
Address: Kaiolohia Bay, Lanai City, Lanai, HI 96763
Cowlin/TripAdvisor
happiechik/TripAdvisor
Justinls/Flickr
DBPerko/Flickr
Eric Prado/Flickr
Steve Jurvetson/Flickr
WonderingWhimsy/TripAdvisor
chuck b./Flickr
The rocky stretch of sand is often considered to be one of the best beachcombing beaches in the country according to Travel + Leisure.
Have you ever witnessed this unusual shipwreck for yourself? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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