Your Guide to Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay in Oahu
Breathtaking aerial views of Hanauma Bay on the island of Oahu. Photo by PB57photos/iStock
As one of the most popular destinations in the U.S., Hawaii welcomes millions of people to the Aloha State each year to explore its beautiful nature. During our first trip to Oahu, we visited Hanauma Bay for its pristine water and myriad marine life. This quiet and majestic bay on the east side of the island is a beloved spot among the locals to snorkel in Hawaii. And as a snorkeling enthusiast, I agree with this “the best” title. Hanauma Bay is rated as the best in that:
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Why Hanauma Bay Is a Great Snorkeling Spot
You don’t need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy the waters. You can see coral reefs and fish just a few meters from the shore. There is no need to take a boat to the middle of the ocean, which can be intimidating for beginners. The depth of water here in shallow areas ranges from about waist-deep to 15 feet, and it gets deeper the further you go.
Fish is everywhere! You’ll swim over a vast coral garden beside schools of fish. Think butterflyfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, triggerfish, the Hawaii state fish Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa, hawkfish, needlefish, eels, and green sea turtles, if you’re lucky. As you get further from the shore, there are also crevices and caves to explore.
The water at Hanauma Bay is calm and clear, thanks to the bay being U-shaped. The cliffs on both sides stop the wind and big waves from coming in, making the water perfect for snorkelers of all levels.
The bay is well-equipped. You don’t need a tour to visit the bay. A rental center down the shore rents out snorkel gear — they even have prescription snorkels with strengths measuring from -2 to -8 for $15, and fins.
They don’t provide life jackets, so if you want extra support to float, you’ll need to get one from outside. The rental for a regular life jacket is $5. Also, there are lifeguards along the shore, restroom, locker room, and faucets to rinse off the ocean water after snorkeling.
The Hawaii state fish - humuhumu-nukunuku-apua’a. Photo by hanaumabaysnorkel.com
The History of Hanauma Bay
This incredible pool you see today was created by geological activities years ago, which formed a volcanic crater on the seafloor, and the waves from the ocean filled the circular bay. It has been the home to the native Hawaiians for thousands of years, and the bay gets its name from two words: “hana,” which means bay, and “uma,” which means curved. The bay was historically an excellent spot for fishing, but in the 1990s, the City and County of Honolulu started to preserve the area and reduce the impact of visitors.
Today, Hanauma Bay is a conservation area and marine education center focusing on educating tourists about Hawaii’s indigenous wildlife. It used to welcome 10,000 visitors a day and now only 3,000, which is still a lot, so don’t be disappointed when you find out that you aren’t the only one on the beach. Before entering the park, first-time visitors must watch a short video to learn about the area’s marine life, preservation, and safety rules, which can be skipped if you arrive before 6:00 AM.
How to Get to Hanauma Bay
You can drive there on your own. Parking is $3, and there are about 300 parking stalls. However, parking space at the bay is quite competitive, so be sure to go early to secure a spot. Once it fills up, you’ll be turned away. A taxi costs about $40 one way. There used to be a direct bus from Waikiki to the bay, which has been canceled. You can also book a basic snorkeling tour that includes round-trip transportation and gear like fins, snorkel, and life jackets.
Hanauma Bay Hours and Admission
The reserve is open to the public, Wednesdays through Sundays, with entry allowed from 6:45 AM to 1:30 PM. All HBAY visitors must leave the nature preserve by 4:00 PM, with the beach being cleared at 3:30 PM. Residents with valid Hawaii identification may enter without a reservation from 6:45 AM to 9:00 AM. Admission to the bay is $7.5 per person and free for kids 12 or under and active military and Hawaii residents. You can now reserve tickets online two days in advance, starting at 7:00 AM, Hawaii Standard Time.
Hanauma Bay snorkeling, Oahu, Hawaii.
What to Bring When Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Waterproof Phone Case: This is a must if you don’t have a waterproof camera but still want to capture the amazing underwater world.
GoPro: If you’re serious about photography, get a GoPro and a waterproof case. It allows you to take amazing photos and videos underwater without worrying about breaking it. A GoPro HERO9 Black plus memory card and waterproof case cost $320 as a bundle.
Reef Safe Sunscreen: If you don’t want to nurse a painful sunburn after a glorious day, pack sunscreen! You can also get a bottle of aloe gel at the local store if you get sunburnt. It is by far the best of its kind we have used.
A Reliable Power Bank: If you are a photographer, digital nomad, or just someone who always relies on Google Maps to find your way, this is a necessity to keep your devices always charged.
Waterproof Dry Bag: A quality dry bag will keep your belongings air-tight even if the bag is in water during snorkeling. It is a great item to pack if you travel solo or visit a beach that doesn’t have a locker or want to keep your stuff with you. Thankfully, Hanauma Bay has lockers.
Sunglasses: You’ll realize how much you need it when the sun is out at noon!
Swimsuits: Bring two swimsuits per person so you’ll always have a dry (or at least dry-ish) suit to wear. You don’t need to bring proper clothes as it can be pretty hot near the bay, and you don’t want to stain them too.
Sandals: Closed-toe sandals are preferred. It’s a steep walk from the parking area to the beach of Hanauma Bay, but there is also a tram that will take you up and down every few minutes. We recommend taking the walk, which offers sweet views of the ocean and everything below.
Medication: Cold medications, pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, loads of Band-Aids, or any personal medications you might need.
Beach Towels: Pack one that is lightweight, compact, and easy to throw in your bag to keep you dry and warm after getting out of the water.
Things to Know When Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
To avoid overwhelming the bay with tourism, each visitor will be given a time slot to enter. Often, you’ll only need to wait 10 to 15 minutes, so don’t get too anxious when you’re told it is not the time yet — it is all about preserving the bay. When it’s time, you’ll be led to a room to watch a 10-minute safety video, which you can skip if you arrive at 6:00 AM or earlier. If you wish to revisit the bay tomorrow, you can put down your name on the returning visitor list after the video so you can skip the video and head to the bay directly.
A few things to remember from the video
Do not stand on the coral reefs. They may look like stones, but in fact, they are living organisms that marine life feeds on. Standing on them might result in serious damage that needs years to repair. Plus, the reefs can be very sharp. If you accidentally cut yourself, wash the wound with soap and fresh water as first aid and apply some antibiotic ointment.
Do not feed or touch marine life. It is bad for them as well as for you. If you see a green sea turtle, keep a distance of 3-5 meters. They are classified as engendered animals and are prohibited from touching by federal law.
A few areas at the bay have strong waves, so try not to swim over them. If you have trouble navigating back, signal by making noises to the lifeguards.
Now, put on your gear and start exploring the waters! If you have a camera that can operate in water, like GoPro or Insta360, bring it along to get some amazing underwater photographs.
A Few Tips for Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Ask for an anti-fog spray when you rent your snorkel gear. It can help to keep your goggles and camera water case clear from fog.
Tighten the strap of your snorkel to prevent the ocean water from sneaking in and irritating your eyes.
If you have claustrophobia, take the snorkel out of your mouth for a few minutes when it happens. I heard this always helps.
Try the fins, and you’ll be surprised at how much effort they can help to save by providing strong propels.
Relax and get yourself used to the gear and water at the shore before going into the deeper section. Snorkeling requires a lot of leg and arm exercise, hence the oxygen as well. If you get too nervous, you may find it hard to breathe.
The water at the shore is cloudy, but as you go further, it turns turquoise, light blue, and then dark blue. Soon, you’ll start to see things, from light pink and yellow coral reefs to small shoals of fish. Sometimes, you’ll swim over a large, sharp cliff where the fish plays hide and seek — and you’ll be glad that you can float! If you talk to someone who grew up in the area, they might mention fish feeding and night snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, both of which were discontinued several years ago, so don’t plan on being able to do either of them today.
What to Eat Near Hanauma Bay
A snack bar can be found on the upper level of the park, across from the cashier. They have things like bacon cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, fries, turkey wraps, and caesar salad, as well as a wide variety of snacks and drinks.
FAQs About Hanauma Bay
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Surprisingly, there are sharks in the bay, even though it is a popular tourist attraction. However, the sharks in Hanauma Bay are reef sharks that do not feed on humans, and there has never been any shark attack in the bay.
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Yes, you can bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
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Yes, you can bring your own snorkeling gear to Hanauma Bay, or you can rent it for the day from a little hut near the restrooms. It is $20 in 2019 for everything: mask, snorkel and fins.
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At Hanauma Bay, snorkelers can take a peek Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (the state fish of Hawaii) milletseed butterfly fish, yellow tangs, trumpet fish, angel fish, and many more.
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There are grass picnic areas up near the parking lot, and a concession stand to buy food and drinks. After the cool dip, you can roll out a blanket and feast under the palm tree shade.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this post and got some useful info for your snorkeling adventure at Hanauma Bay. The island of Oahu has much more to offer — think Waikiki Beach, North Shore, Diamond Head, numerous scenic hikes, Pear Harbor, Waimea Canyon State Park, and more!
