Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve And Beach Park - Beaches On Oahu Honolulu, Hawaii

Glancing down from the overlook, it's easy to understand why Hanauma Bay is universally considered such a special place. The beautiful bay was actually a volcanic vent that opened up millions of years ago as O'ahu was being formed. It was used for fishing and camping by locals until it was destined a Nature Preserve in the 1960's.

However, over the years, the area became popular with tourists since it is a relatively safe area for swimming and snorkeling. As a result the reef has suffered from tourists tromping over it and causing irreparable damage.

When you arrive you'll pay $1 for parking and $7.50 to get in (free for kama'aina with valid Hawaii ID). Then you'll proceed to an educational center with displays and videos about what you're going to see. Next up, you'll walk into a theater where you'll watch a required video regarding your safety, the protection of the reef, and the kinds of sea life that you're likely to come into contact with.

We think everyone visiting Hawaii should see this video, even if you're not coming to Hanauma Bay. It's a good video for everyone visiting Hawaii to watch. After the video, you'll take a tram or walk down a path to the beach. It's a pretty steep grade, so you'll be out of breath on the way up.

Now the fun stuff! Hopefully you have a general idea on how to snorkel but if not read How To Snorkel first. Then comes the question of Should I Bring My Own Snorkel Gear To Hawaii? If you didn't bring your own you can rent some here at Hanauma Bay. You'll also want to wear plenty of sunscreen to Protect Yourself From Sunburn & Skin Cancer, but choose an eco-friendly brand whenever possible to avoid further damaging the coral reef and marine life here. A rash guard #ad is a good idea as well and usually better than sunscreen as it doesn't wear off in the water (though you'll still need to sunscreen your exposed bits).

The snorkeling is very good at Hanauma Bay and probably has the best balance of safety to plentiful fish on O'ahu. You're likely to encounter Honu - The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, eels, yellow tangs, parrot fish, and perhaps the gorgeous Humuhumu-nukunuku-apua'a - Reef Triggerfish. That's a fun word to practice and impress your friends.

It is a very popular tourist destination and rightfully so because the bay is beautiful, and there is abundance of unique sea creatures. The beach is clean, and cycles people throughout the day – a lot of people make a half day of it, then off to see something else. You can grab a bite at a snack bar, and there are benches and tables to sit down at as well.

And now for some top tips for making the most of your visit to Hanauma Bay. First up, Vehicle Theft In Hawaii can be an issue in certain areas and this is one of those areas. Thieves love to target unsuspecting tourists who leave stuff in their car so don't leave anything in your car! Read Vehicle Theft In Hawaii for more on how to avoiding being a victim.

You'll also want to go early in the day for this. Parking fills up here and once it does you can expect a mile or so walk if you park down at the mall in Hawaii Kai. Besides, you don't want to snorkeling mid-day anyhow as you're more likely to get sunburned.

If you aren't driving and instead taking TheBus, you can catch the number 22 bus from Waikiki (see Waikiki Guide) which runs down Kuhio Avenue. Finally, note that Waikiki Guide is completely closed all day on every Tuesday to allow the reef to rest.

Enjoy Hanauma Bay, it's a beautiful part of Hawaii, but tread lightly, and imagine what it was like here long ago. Fun fact: Big Jim McLain starring John Wayne and Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley were filmed here. For more movie trivia, check out Popular Movies & TV Shows Filmed In Hawaii.

• Facilities: Bathrooms	• Facilities: Equipment Rentals	• Facilities: Grassy Area	• Facilities: Lifeguard	• Facilities: Showers
• Type: Kid Friendly	• Type: Protected From Open Ocean	• Sand Type: Regular	• Parking: Fees For Parking	• Parking: Good / Plenty
• Good For: Scuba Diving	• Good For: Snorkeling	• Good For: Swimming