Get to Know the Bay
Hanauma Bay is located in Hawai’i Kai on the Southeast Coast of the island in East Honolulu. It was created by a series of violent explosions 32,000 years ago. It is a great spot to go for a pretty view and family beach day. It’s a premier snorkeling spot and one of the most popular tourist attractions on Oahu. Its clear blue waters are teeming with wildlife and a diverse array of marine life.
Activities
Wondering what kinds of things to do on Hanauma Bay? Well you can make a snorkeling reservation and get close up and personal with local sea life. Or you could get a board and catch some waves. The shallowness near the shoreline makes it a perfect place for tourists to explore the waters. It’s known for its guided tours along the beautiful reefs. The wildlife makes it an ideal place to snorkel. The beautiful curved beach differs it from the rest of the beaches on Oahu.
Fun Facts
Historically Hanauma Bay was a fishing spot. Records show that royals would hangout for entertainment and fishing. It was declared a protected marine life conservation area in 1967. In the 1990’s efforts were made to start preserving the area and reduce the impact of tourists. In the early 2000’s an education center was created to help visitors understand what was being done to preserve the wildlife. Now you can watch a 9 minute video before entering the facility. On average Hanauma Bay sees ½ million visitors per year.
Amenities
Hanauma offers showers to the public, clean restrooms, picnic tables, locker rentals, fin rentals, mask rental, snorkel rental, a lifeguard on duty, and a food concession stand. These are a few of the things you can expect from the beautiful bay. The many snorkeling spots and clear water make it a worth it stop on your visit to Oahu.
How to Get in
Due to the fact that 1000 people enter the bay per day you must have a reservation to get in. The bay is open to the public every Wednesday to Sunday starting at 6:45am to 1:30pm. The best time to get there is 7:00 am to avoid the bustling crowd. It’s about a 30 min drive from Waikiki, although it might take a little to get there the beautiful views are worth it. (It’s around 25$ per person entrance fee)
Admission Fees
- Admission fee is waived for children 12 years & younger. Children must be present at the Admission Window to receive a free ticket.
- Admission fee is waived for each Hawai‘i resident 13 years & older with acceptable proof of residency.
- Admission fee is waived for active duty U.S. military members and their dependents with identification.
- No refunds issued for admission fees.
Parking
- $1 per vehicle for Hawaii residents (valid for one [1] entry only)
- $3 per vehicle for nonresidents of Hawai‘i.
- Above parking fees are refundable if the vehicle is exiting the parking lot within fifteen (15) minutes.
- Parking Fee for licensed motor carriers (PUC certificate):
- $10 – vehicles accommodating 1-7 passengers
- $20 – vehicles accommodating 8-25 passengers
- $40 – vehicles accommodating 26 or more passengers
Make sure to visit DanielsHawaii.com and book a tour with us!
