Hanauma Bay, Oahu, HI: Best Snorkeling & Complete 2024 Visitor Guide
Hanauma Bay, Oahu!
Crystal clear, turquoise waters. Finely powdered, golden sands. Tall, swaying coconut palm trees. Sheltered, crescent-shaped bay. Fringing, vibrant coral reefs. Abundant, protected marine life.
A must visit destination a few miles from Honolulu, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay was one of the first Oahu bucket list items that we crossed off!
And Hanauma Bay was definitely worth it!
We were totally awestruck by the variety and abundance of beautiful, tropical fish, and larger marine life like Hawaiian green sea turtles, eels, rays and more!
Our kids told us Hanauma Bay snorkeling was akin to snorkeling in a giant aquarium, so rich and colorful was the underwater seascape!
But navigating the complex reservation system and other rules put in place for Hanauma Bay Park conservation was not easy, though the number of visitors was reduced from 3 million a year annually to about 400,000 in 2023.
Keep reading on to learn how best to visit Hanauma Bay, Honolulu, so you too can enjoy snorkeling here hassle-free!
Planning your trip to Oahu? Check out our 2024 guide to the most popular tours and excursions in Oahu!
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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Amenities / Facilities
Location: 191 Hanauma Road, Hanauma Bay, Honolulu, HI 96825
Lifeguard: Yes
Beach Amenities: Restrooms, showers, picnic tables, grass areas, walkway, tram, gear rentals
Food Nearby: Snack bar at upper level
Parking: Multiple paid parking lots, 300 spaces (which get full quickly)
Directions:
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a protected marine life conservation park established in 1967, is one of the best family-friendly snorkeling spots on Oahu, with restrooms, showers, snack bar, tram service and lifeguards.
Currently, Hanauma Bay is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, with Mondays and Tuesdays closed to provide marine life and the nature preserve two days to recuperate, free of humans!
Also, opening is at 6:45 am, last entry is 1:30 pm, beach is cleared at 3:00 pm, and all tourists must leave the park by 4:00 pm.
Operating hours are subject to change, please check here for up to date information.
There are three lifeguard towers at Hanauma Bay, overlooking the snorkeling areas.
The rental concession stand is at the lower level, near the beach, and offers snorkeling gear that includes mask, snorkel and fins, along with flotation life vests.
Rates are currently $20 for a standard snorkeling set, and usually higher than elsewhere.
Don’t want to stand in yet another line or rent your snorkeling gear? Check out these light travel-ready ones that we own and love to take to Hawaii!
Lockers on the beach level are available for rent as well.
Kids hungry after snorkeling? The snack bar at the upper level, with burgers, sandwiches, salads, French fries, cold drinks, and more!
Don’t want to trudge all the way up and down, especially with gear or grumpy kids? Use the tram service, included with your admission fee!
When we vacationed in Oahu with smaller kids, Hanauma Bay was our first choice for snorkeling, simply because of all the convenient facilities that made an outing with smaller kids more manageable.
Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Tours
Want to skip the hassles of Hanauma Bay reservation, driving and the risk of not finding a parking spot?
We took this Hanauma Bay Snorkeling tour. They picked us up from our Waikiki hotel, a great convenience when you are dealing with younger kids!
The tour includes pickup and transportation to Hanauma Bay. While they do offer snorkeling gear as part of the package, we preferred to use our own light, travel-ready snorkeling gear, already pre-fitted for the family.
The entrance fees are not included, and take cash to pay for it (as of this writing, $25 for adults, kids under 12 free).
When we took the tour, we didn’t need to make any reservations, the tour company took care of the Hanauma Bay tickets when we reached there – a great bonus in my view! Confirm that the same applies when you book the tour.
This is an early tour, and we started around 6:00 am from the hotel.
The good part? We were one of the first ones in, and Hanauma Bay beach was almost empty when we started snorkeling!
With plenty of time for snorkeling, we wore ourselves out exploring different areas of the coral reefs at Hanauma Bay.
In future, I will always take a tour, makes planning a lot simpler!
>> Check pricing and availability on the Hanauma Bay Snorkeling tour now!
If you’re interested in a guided snorkeling tour at Hanauma Bay, consider this Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour.
The guides are licensed by the state of Hawaii, and the tour includes snorkeling gear, life jacket, and free photo set. With this tour, you don’t need to worry about reservations, transportation, and parking.
Note, admission fee is not included (bring cash), and wetsuits are extra.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour now!
Here are the two Hanauma Bay tour options again:
Best Things to Do at Hanauma Bay, Oahu, HI
Hanauma Bay is the remnants of an ancient volcanic crater, part of which has submerged into the ocean.
The crescent-shaped bay with steep, surrounding crater walls and extensive, fringing coral reefs provides for a sheltered inner bay where rough waves rarely reach. Most waves break well offshore, on the outer reef.
The beautiful natural surroundings, golden sandy beach and turquoise ocean waters of Hanauma Bay are so stunning that many scenes from Hollywood films and TV shows were shot here, including Blue Hawaii, Hawaii Five-O, Magnum PI, and others.
Hanauma Bay State Park offers many activities, prime among which is snorkeling.
1. Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay was a blast!
The bay is vast, and some portions are best for beginners, and others for more experienced snorkelers.
Looking at the aerial photo above, and walking down from the left side of Hanauma Bay, we have the Back Door Lagoon, the Keyhole Lagoon, the Triangle Lagoon and the Sandman’s Patch, and beyond this layer, the Outer Reef.
When we first came to Hanauma Bay, we were absolute beginners, never having snorkeled before.
We started close to the shore, in shallow waters, getting used to breathing through the snorkel, with our faces under water.
Keyhole Lagoon
Next, we graduated to the Keyhole Lagoon, a distinctly keyhole-shaped area when viewed from above, on the left side of the beach, with an easy ocean water entry.
Avoid stepping on the fragile coral reef!
About 50 feet in, we were in clear, shallow waters with a sandy bottom, protected all around by coral reefs, with tons of colorful fish swimming all around us, delightful and exciting!
While the beach may get crowded, we found that even in the popular Keyhole Lagoon, once we put our heads down and were snorkeling, it seemed that we were alone with the amazing fish, so large is the area!
Triangle Lagoon & Sandman’s Patch
Later in the day, we shifted our attention to the Triangle Lagoon and the Sandman’s Patch on the right side of the beach, but still close to the shore.
With more coral reefs and rock formations to explore, these areas had a richer density and variety of beautiful Hawaiian fish, but you need to swim to stay afloat and avoid stepping on the delicate coral reefs.
Outer Reef
While we did not venture into the Outer Reef on our first visit, but on subsequent visits, we did.
We used snorkeling fins and flotation devices, but even with those, you need to be an experienced swimmer to enter the Outer Reef area, with depths of about 30+ feet.
To avoid stepping on exposed coral reefs, we made our way to the Outer Reef from the Back Door Lagoon. You also have an option of using the channel between the Triangle Lagoon and the Sandman’s Patch.
Beginning snorkelers should avoid these two channels, due to stronger currents as the water flows back into the Outer Reef. Check with lifeguards before venturing into these channels and the Outer Reef.
We saw bigger fish here and Hawaiian green sea turtles, along with an eel hiding in a coral reef hole.
Toilet Bowl (Closed)
The Toilet Bowl was a popular snorkeling spot for very experienced snorkelers, on the left edge of the bay opening, quite some distance deep into the Outer Reef.
With too many accidents and injuries at this location, Hanauma Bay has now stated this area is closed to snorkelers, and to be avoided.
Witches Brew
Witches Brew, located on the right side of Hanauma Bay, deep in the Outer Reef, an area encapsulated by an outcropping peninsula, is also quite dangerous, and has often been closed by the Hanauma Bay authorities.
Again, while popular with advanced snorkelers, the ocean waters in this area are quite rough, and many injuries have occurred here.
Hawaiian Reef Fish to Spot at Hanauma Bay
The swimming in an aquarium analogy rings true at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, which boasts over 400 species of fish and marine life.
The most readily recognizable are the ubiquitous yellow tangs and convict tangs, and we saw huge schools of these every time we snorkeled.
We also saw many varieties of butterflyfish, some common and some rare, but all of them incredibly pretty!
Apart from these, other common and beautiful Hawaiian fish we encountered were parrotfish, goatfish, Moorish idols and reef triggerfish, including the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, Hawaii’s state fish.
To recognize these and other reef fish, consult our detailed Hawaiian Fish Snorkeling guide.
On the outer reef, and sometimes in the inner reef as well, we could see Hawaiian green sea turtles, octopi, eels and rays.
Apart from fish, some of the coral reef formations were also very pretty!
>> Book an exciting, 5-star rated, highly popular, Oahu tour now!
Snorkeling Equipment
Your basic snorkeling gear includes a snorkel mask, snorkel tube and fins. We use these light travel-ready ones that we love to take to Hawaii!
Adjust the mask to make sure of a tight fit with no leaks.
We also like to use flotation devices like vests or jackets or belts, especially if are exploring the Outer Reef.
We like the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, moisturizing with Vitamin E, our go-to reefsafe sunscreen when we travel to Hawaii. Apply liberally and regularly!
With such riches in the underwater seascape, you must take some photos! Our kids use the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof Disposable Camera, reasonably cheap with good underwater photos.
Our family has one premium GoPro HERO12 – Waterproof Action Camera, excellent for high-end photos and video.
An underwater flashlight comes in handy when you want to explore fissures, cracks and other coral rock formations.
Check out our detailed gear checklist for snorkeling below for additional equipment options.
2. Hanauma Bay Swimming
While snorkeling is the most popular activity at Hanauma Bay, you’ll see many visitors swimming laps in the clear waters of the lagoons or parallel to the shoreline to get some additional exercise.
The inner bay is well protected from large waves and most waves break on the outer reef, resulting in almost pool-like waters when the weather co-operates.
Check with the lifeguards if you plan to swim in the Outer Reef.
>> Book an exciting, 5-star rated, highly popular, Oahu tour now!
3. Sunbathe or Relax with a Book at Hanauma Bay
Getting wet not your thing? With a long, wide beach and finely powdered golden sands, you can easily find a nice secluded spot for a bit of sunbathing or relaxing with a book, while the rest of the family is busy snorkeling.
There are grassy areas as well with some shade.
The bulk of the snorkeling crowd stays to the left of the beach, and the right side tends to be relatively uncrowded.
4. Hike the Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail
Apart from strolling along the sandy beach, Hanauma Bay also has some hiking trails.
The Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail, one of the best easy hikes on Oahu, takes you along the ancient crater rim with stunning views of Hanauma Bay and Koko Head.
A good option for group members who don’t want to snorkel, the initial hike, a large portion of the trail, is along a paved path and relatively easy.
But after that, the trail becomes more of an adventure, taking you to southern side of the bay right up to the ocean waters.
5. Come Early for Spectacular Sunrises
Early birds, especially those hiking the Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail, will be treated to spectacular sunrises at Hanauma Bay!
The sun rises from the horizon beyond the outer reef of Hanauma Bay, to the tune of dazzling warm colors.
The beautiful natural surroundings and the relatively empty Hanauma Bay are serene and peaceful at sunrise.
>> Book an exciting, 5-star rated, highly popular, Oahu tour now!
6. Enjoy Other Wildlife at Hanauma Bay
While the obvious wildlife attraction is the teeming underwater marine life, don’t ignore the pretty Hawaiian birds you will see all around you!
While walking down to the beach, our kids spotted a stunning, red-crested cardinal in the trees! At the beach park, we saw a cattle egret prowling around for a bite to eat.
Also near the grassy areas at Hanauma Bay Park, we spotted a flock of Java sparrows.
These pretty finches (also called rice birds) are considered a pest in the agricultural areas of their native Indonesian lands, due to their voracious appetite for grains and seeds.
To learn more about these beautiful Hawaiian birds, some native, others introduced, refer to our detailed guide to Hawaiian birds.
Hanauma Bay Reservations & Tickets
Hanauma Bay reservations are required for visitors. The reservations are to obtain tickets to watch a mandatory 9-minute orientation and educational video, part of the Hanauma Bay conservation efforts.
Earlier, Hanauma Bay had upto 3 million visitors annually, with considerable damage to the fragile coral reefs. Now, visitors are restricted to about 1000 per day.
The video is quite informative, and instructs the visitors on Hanauma Bay history, safety, restricted areas, and how to respect the fragile coral reefs and marine life.
The last video screening timeslot is 1:40 pm currently.
Online reservations may be made 2 days in advance, and the booking opens up at 7:00 am Hawaii Standard Time (HST). Typically, these tickets sell out in the first few minutes.
You may make online reservations here.
Weren’t able to obtain an online reservation? About 200 walk-in tickets (for times spread across the day) are available at the park open (06:45 am). These too go fast!
Hanauma Bay snorkeling tours are your best option, if navigating transportation, reservations and parking are too cumbersome for you.
Hanauma Bay Entrance Fees
Currently, as of this writing, Hanauma Bay entrance fees are $25.00 per visitor, with kids under 12, active military and local residents free, with proper identification cards.
Most tours do not include this entrance fee, and will require you to pay in cash.
Hanauma Bay Map
The Hanauma Bay map below shows the location of Hanauma Bay, and the main attractions nearby. Expand the map to check the layout and for directions and parking.
Directions to Hanauma Bay, Oahu, HI
Hanauma Bay is about 10 miles east of Waikiki on Kalaniana’ole Highway, Highway 72.
You can drive down and the directions are straightforward: from Honolulu take Highway 72 East about 10 miles, and a sharp right to Hanauma Bay Road. The turn is signposted.
You may also opt for taxis, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft or the Waikiki Trolley. Check our detailed guide to getting around Oahu for transportation options.
Hanauma Bay Parking
Hanauma Bay parking is paid parking ($3.00 per vehicle, $1.00 for locals), with about 300 parking spots.
Parking is not guaranteed with your reservation or entrance fee, and parking spots go fast. If the parking lot is full, your vehicle will not be allowed to enter.
Hanauma Bay Beach Access
From the upper level parking lot area or the shuttle drop off area, to get to the beach on the lower level, you have two options.
First, you can walk down the access walkway to the beach, and this works if you are not lugging too much gear. The walkway is relatively steep.
Or, second, you can take a free tram down to the beach, handy if you have a lot of stuff like beach umbrellas and snorkeling gear.
Snorkeling and Water Activities Gear Checklist
Though you can rent snorkeling gear or use the ones that come with tours, we invested in our own gear, mainly due to Covid-19 (why take the risk?).
- Snorkeling Gear Set: We love our Cressi Light Weight Premium Travel Snorkel Set for All Family, compact and easy to pack, great fitting, and very clear underwater. The Zenoplige Mask Fins Snorkel Set is a great budget option.
- Sunscreen: Hawaii’s sun can be harsh. Avoid sunburn with sunscreen compliant with Hawaii’s 104 Reef Act. The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, moisturizing with Vitamin E, is our go-to when we travel to Hawaii. Apply liberally and regularly!
- Underwater Camera: Want to capture Hawaii’s incredible underwater seascape and marine life? Your best budget option is the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof Disposable Camera, reasonably cheap with good underwater photos! If you want high-end photos and video, you must invest in the premium GoPro HERO12 – Waterproof Action Camera, (waterproof to 33 feet)!
- Inflatable Life Jackets: If you’re planning paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and other water sports, and prefer your own life jacket, consider one of these two US Coast Guard approved options: the Onyx M-16 Series Belt Back Manual Inflatable Life Jacket or the Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket.
- Water Shoes: Some of Hawaii’s beaches have sharp lava rocks or coral reefs, good water shoes will protect your feet (but please do not walk on the reef!). We use the Merrell Hydro Moc rubber shoes (men’s, women’s), great for slippery rocks. If you prefer sandals, we recommend the Keen Newport H2 Closed Toe Water Sandals (men’s, women’s).
- Waterproof Waist Pack: Keep your rental car keys, cards, and phone dry and safe while you swim or snorkel with a dry bag. We love this 2-pack AiRun Tech Pouch with waist strap. The transparent one is touch-screen friendly!
Ocean Safety Tips
Hawaii’s beaches are beautiful, but ocean activities can be dangerous. Ocean conditions are dynamic and can change without warning.
Here are some tips to enjoy the ocean and beaches safely:
- ALWAYS heed posted warning signs.
- Check conditions just before you arrive at your chosen beach, and watch conditions at the beach for a bit before you decide to enter the water.
- Swim at a lifeguarded beach and ask the lifeguard for advice before you enter the water.
- Never turn your back on the ocean, whether you are standing at the shore or on a cliff above. If you see wet rocks or sand, it means the water has been here recently.
- Know your limitations, especially if you are not an experienced swimmer. If in doubt, do not go out.
- If you choose to enter the water, go with a partner or in a group.
- Know that alcohol can impair judgment and motor skills in the water.
- Keep children close and always keep your eyes on what they are doing in the water.
- Watch for sharp coral or rocks or sea urchins.
- Check advisories regarding water quality at various beaches here.
Best Oahu Tours
Have you booked these popular Oahu tours and excursions yet?
Love snorkeling? This Turtle Canyon snorkeling excursion from Waikiki lets you frolic with colorful fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Hands down the MOST BOOKED Oahu snorkeling tour: turtle sightings are guaranteed!
The most popular luau in Oahu, Paradise Cove Luau has a 4.5 rating on Viator with over 3.5K reviews. The tour includes pick-up from your Waikiki hotel, pre-dinner games, arts, and crafts, a delicious meal, and an award-winning show.
Based in Waikiki but want to see more of the island? This full-day Oahu Circle Island Tour includes Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Haleiwa, the Dole Plantation, and more!
Pay your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor! This popular Pearl Harbor tour includes boat tickets and round-trip transport from Waikiki.
A super popular Oahu North Shore excursion, this Oahu shark cage dive allows you to observe wild sharks in the open ocean from the safety of a cage! It’s a THRILLING Oahu adventure for your bucket list.
We have a detailed guide to the top Oahu tours and excursions if you are in the midst of planning your itinerary for the island.
Renting a Car in Oahu
If you want to explore more of the island of Oahu on your vacation, you should get a rental car.
Oahu’s popular attractions are spread over the island: the windward coast, the North Shore, and Ko Olina are great places to explore beyond Waikiki (or the greater Honolulu area).
While Oahu does have public transport options that are better than the other islands, a car offers a lot more flexibility and time savings.
We always use Discover Cars to book Oahu car rentals. They search across a variety of rental car companies, both budget and brand, to offer you the best deals, AND they offer free cancellations. Plus, there are no hidden fees.
>> Check availability and prices on Oahu car rentals now!
Honolulu Airport-Hotel Shuttle
If you are not planning to get a rental car at Honolulu Airport, consider booking shuttle transport in advance!
This shared shuttle can be canceled up to 24 hours from the date of service. It serves hotels in Waikiki and Honolulu and then back again to the airport the day you leave. It’s convenient and inexpensive, and saves time and hassle!
>> Check prices and availability for shared round-trip airport transfer in Oahu now!
Staying in Ko Olina? Consider this round-trip airport transfer instead!
Where to Stay in Oahu
Honolulu (Waikiki in particular) offers a large number of hotels and resorts, along with shopping and dining options. Most visitors to Oahu choose to base in Honolulu at least for a part of their stay.
While many of the large chains have a presence if you are looking to use your memberships, Honolulu also has several unique boutiques to consider.
Our faves include Halekulani for a splurge stay, the Lotus Honolulu for views of Diamond Head, and The Laylow for its awesome location.
Want more room to spread out or looking to stay elsewhere on Oahu? You will find VRBO listings all over the island!
On previous trips to Oahu, we have stayed in VRBO rentals in Waikiki as well as on the North Shore and the east coast and we’ve found the choice and quality great.
>> Look for an Oahu vacation rental on VRBO now!
More Oahu Travel Inspiration
Planning a trip to Oahu? Check out our other in-depth Oahu travel guides for help finalizing your Oahu itinerary!
Start by discovering the best things to do in Oahu. We also have a detailed guide to Oahu’s North Shore, a round-up of things to do on the east side of Oahu, and the best things to do in Ko Olina, on the west coast of the island.
If you ar planning a short first visit to the island, we have the perfect day-by-day 3 days in Oahu itinerary for you!
Of course you’ll want to learn about all the exciting things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital, and Waikiki, the touristic core of Oahu. We also have an article on the best places to eat in Waikiki!
Check out our guide to the best beaches in Oahu, and a round-up of the best beaches on the north shore of Oahu. Also read about must-visit Oahu waterfalls and botanical gardens in Oahu you have to visit.
Oahu is home to so many must-visit landmarks! Check out our in-depth article on how to visit Pearl Harbor, and our guides on the beautiful Waimea Valley in Oahu and the spectacular Byodo-In Temple.
Want to enjoy the thrill of observing sharks in the wild? Check out our article on shark cage diving on Oahu’s North Shore!
Discover the top places to go snorkeling in west Oahu, where you will find a long coastline with lovely beaches, and tips for snorkeling Kaneohe Sandbar on the island’s east coast as well as the super popular Hanauma Bay.
And if you love marine life, also check out our complete guide to (respectfully!) see and swim with dolphins in Oahu, and the best spots to snorkel with turtles in Oahu.
For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, we have a round-up of the best Oahu hikes, and if you are looking to exclude the harder Oahu trails, a guide to the best easy Oahu hikes.
Find out how to do the iconic (and VERY popular) Diamond Head Hike near Waikiki for exceptional views. We also have a guide to the very popular Manoa Falls Trail in Honolulu.
More advanced hikers will want to read up on the Koko Head Hike, a long set of stairs leading to expansive views.
Learn where to go for the best sunsets in Oahu, whether you want to hike or enjoy watching a colorful Hawaiian sunset without working up a sweat.
We also have a guide to the best sunrise hikes in Oahu, one of which is the spectacular Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail in the southeastern part of the island. The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is another wonderful sunrise hike on Oahu!
If you are a garden enthusiast, check out our detailed guide to the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, our article on the unique Koko Crater Botanical Garden, and our guide to Foster Botanical Garden!
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