UPDATED FEB 2020. I have a funny story to tell you before I get started on this practical guide on snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Back when I was living in Australia and about to visit Hawaii for the first time, I remember sitting at my work desk on my lunch break googling ‘best snorkeling in Hawaii’ in an attempt to find some great adventures for us to cram into our ten days together. An article on Hanauma Bay loaded onto the screen and quickly grabbed my phone.
“Hey, have you heard of Hanauma Bay? Apparently, it has good snorkeling.”
Now that I live here, I laugh at this because it is such a popular snorkeling spot and tourist attraction it’s like someone asking me ‘Hey, have you heard of Sydney?’ Here I was thinking I had discovered a secret snorkeling wonderland. Anyway, let’s get into the guide.
A Guide To Snorkeling At Hanauma Bay On Oahu, Hawaii
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FAQ for snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Where is it located?
Honolulu, about 25 minutes drive from Waikiki.
What are the opening hours?
6am – 6pm and closed on Tuesdays.
How long do you need to visit?
You could do anything from a quick 2-hour visit to a full day.
What is the cost?
$1 for parking and $7.50 entry fee (though this is free if you are a Hawaiian resident or active duty military).
What should you bring with you?
- Cash for entrance/parking
- Lightweight towel
- Snorkel gear (you can hire this if you don’t have any)
- Sunscreen
- Underwater camera (I use the GoPro and this floaty selfie stick)
- Snacks or lunch
- A good book for lazing on the beach with or a travel journal to document your adventures (here’s one I created)
)
)There are lockers for hire if you need them.
What skill is needed for snorkeling?
Beginner – get the safety forecast for the day when you arrive and stick to the shallows if you’re not confident.
How to get there
I recommend renting a car for your trip to Oahu.
You can use ‘Hanauma Bay Parking’ in Google Maps and it will get you there. It’s a popular tourist site so it is fairly easy to find.
There is a parking lot off Hanauma Bay road.
Getting to Hanauma Bay using public transport
Use bus #22 and it will drop you out the front of Hanauma Bay, though it will take a lot longer than driving.
Check with the bus driver or the staff at your hotel to make sure this is current.
Mandatory video
Once you get in, there is a mandatory educational video for first-time visitors.
The video shares some history of the bay and the best practices for snorkeling so that it can be preserved for future generations – with 3000 visitors a day this is certainly necessary.
How to get to the beach area
After the video, you can walk on the path down to the beach or take the shuttle for a small fee (about $1).
On the way to the beach, it is downhill and easy to walk. On the way back up the walk is uphill so you may want to take the shuttle then.
What to expect
I’ve been here a number of times and have seen lots of fish, eels, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and turtles.
The curved bay is perfect for swimmers of any level as there is enough to see no matter which depth you are swimming in and the water is much calmer than many other snorkeling spots on the island.
Not a confident swimmer? No problem, just stick to the shallower areas and avoid where the waves are breaking.
If you are a confident swimmer, you can swim further out into the bay.
I found a lot of floating rubbish while I was swimming and collected as much as I could. Piece by piece I collected the trash and stuffed it in the top of my swimsuit.
By the time I got out, I felt like I was on an episode of Baywatch.
If there is one thing I could stress it would be that rubbish belongs in a bin, not in the ocean so remember to collect your trash, and if you see any while you are swimming just collect it so that the animals don’t mistake it for food.
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Floating plastic that looks like a jellyfish
Safety tips for snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
There are lifeguards on duty who you can ask about the swimming conditions and always swim to your limits.
I have been here solo and if you also go solo be sure to let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back and don’t swim too far out.
Make sure you stay hydrated and protect against the sun to avoid any heat-related illnesses.
Other things to do in the area
There is a lot of other things to do around Hanauma Bay whether you are looking for hikes, beaches, or lookout points and this coastline makes for a beautiful drive.
For hikes in the area, I recommend:
- Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail
- Koko Head Stairs
- Koko Head Arch
- Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail
- Makapu’u Lighthouse or Tide Pool Trails
Early birds should go to Makapu’u because it is a beautiful place to watch the sunrise then you could go to Hanauma Bay afterward.
If you’d like to go to another beach in the area I recommend the Halona Cove, Sandy’s Beach, Alan Davis Beach, or even as far as Lanikai Beach.
Another cool spot is Spitting Caves which is a cliff area that you can chill out and feels like you’re on the edge of the world.
Where to stay on Oahu
If you plan to stay in Waikiki, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is my favorite place for a staycation.
I did have a favorite guesthouse in Waimanalo but it has since closed down, so if you prefer guesthouses or want to find other hotel options in Waikiki or around the island, check out Booking.com to find good deals.
I hope this has been able to help you plan a day out to go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.
It’s a fun place to go snorkeling and I hope you have a memorable day experiencing this beautiful island.
You can see lots of cute fish while snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
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We had a wonderful time at Hanauma bay. It’s a perfect spot for families to experience Hawaii’s sealife. If your driving, get there early since the parking lot can fill up by 10am. The bay is a preservation and efforts are made to keep it nice for future generations. Snorkeling is really amazing – so many colorful fish. There was some surge on the day we visited so the visibility was not great. The fish are pretty tame. Before entering, you’ll need to see a short video on the reef. Be sure to look your car and take valuables with you as the lot is known for theft.