Gardner Pinnacles

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The guano-coated Gardner Pinnacles

The Gardner Pinnacles (Hawaiian: Pūhāhonu) are two barren rock outcrops surrounded by a reef and located 946 km (588 miles) northwest of Honolulu in the Hawaiian Islands at 25°01′N, 167°59′W. The total area of the two small islets—remnants of an ancient volcano—is 5.939 acres (24,035 m²). Its highest peak has a commanding height of 170 feet (52 m). The surrounding reef has an area in excess of 600,000 acres (2,400 km²).

Gardner Pinnacles was first discovered on June 2, 1820 by the American whaler Maro commanded by Captain Joseph Allen.

The Gardner Pinnacles are home to some species of fish not found anywhere else in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and have more species of coral than two rocky neighbors to the south, Necker Island and Nihoa. Numerous insects live on the island, and a researcher claims to have found two new species of spiders here.

Interesting to note is that since this is part of a wildlife refuge, it is off limits to even the military, who made an unauthorized entrance once to blow off the tip of the outcrop. This was to create an emergency helicopter landing spot. In the Hawaiian Archipelago, adjacent islands/reefs are French Frigate Shoals to the southeast, and Maro Reef to the northwest.