A Tourist’s Guide to Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii is the best place I’ve ever snorkeled. The beach and the bay itself is absolutely picture-perfect! In the photo above you can see an abundance of coral reefs in the clear water of the bay. These reefs house various species of fish, many of which you’ll be able to see while snorkeling here. In order to maximize your fun and decrease the chance of any stress or issues, consider the below tips when planning your trip to Hanauma Bay!
Come Early
Hanauma Bay hours are 6am to 6pm, and they are closed on Tuesdays. It is suggested to come early due to parking.
We arrived at 8am on a Friday in February (off-season and a weekday) and there was plenty of parking. But, when we left the area around 11am, the lot was closed and they wouldn’t allow any cars to enter!
If you see on your GPS or Google Maps that you’re close to arriving the lot and there is a large backup of cars, it is probably because they’re being turned away at the entrance. In this instance, keep in mind that there is a small lot right before you get to the entrance on the opposite side of the street; try parking there!
If you still cannot find parking nearby, try parking at the Koko Railway Trail parking lot nearby, and walk the half mile to Hanauma Bay. This option is free and you can easily find the trail on Google Maps. This is a good alternative if you the Hanauma Bay parking lot is full.
If you’re interested in hiking the trail nearby that is intended for the Koko Railway Trail parking lot, or you want to hear more about walking directions from the trail to Hanauma Bay, check out this post!
Cost
Parking is $1 and admission is $7.50 per person. The walk down to the beach can be too steep for some people, so there is a Hanauma Bay shuttle available for a small fee. $1 for the ride down and $1.25 for the ride up.
Movie Requirement
There is a movie you have to watch prior to visiting Hanauma Bay. The movie starts every 15 minutes and is about 10 minutes long. It provides the history of Hanauma Bay, safety regulations, and what we can do to keep the beach safe while having fun.
If you plan on visiting Hanauma Bay again within the next year, you can sign a form after the movie so you don’t have to watch it again.
Other Helpful Tips
There is a snack bar located near the ticket counter of Hanauma Bay state park. This is the only place to purchase food; no food is sold at the beach.
Hanauma Bay has snorkel rentals at the beach. There are also restrooms, outdoor showers, lockers and lifeguards on watch.
If you want to check the Hanauma Bay weather before arriving, search for the temperature in Honolulu. If you are planning to arrive early, you may want to bring a light jacket depending on the time of year.
Hanauma Bay is an absolute must-see! The snorkeling is amazing, but if you don’t snorkel, it’s a beautiful spot to just sit and enjoy the view! For more information regarding Hanauma Bay, check out the Hanauma Bay State Park’s website, here.
