Oahu Snorkeling Guide
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay was the first place I ever snorkeled, just twelve years old, when on a vacation with my mother. That was the beginning.
Since then both Nicole and I have snorkeled it several more times in a variety of conditions.
Hanauma Bay is definitely the most visited Oahu snorkeling spot. It may be the most visited snorkeling spot in the world, with over three thousand visitors a day, over a million a year.
Is it worth it, given the crowds of people? Yes. If you like fish up close and personal. There are tons of fish here, and they are so used to people that we have found it to be one of the best places to check them out and take pictures of them.
On the other hand, if you prefer to look at corals and view amazing underwater topography, it is not the best. There are some interesting channels to explore but there is very little in terms of coral. And the water clarity is sometimes very low, particularly if the wind and waves are up.
But overall, we really like it at Hanauma Bay. It is a beautiful bay, with a stunning beach, and it can be fun watching all the different people from around the world trying out snorkeling, many for the first time.
Site Snorkeling Details - Hanauma Bay
Oahu Snorkeling
This is a big bay, and you can spend a lot of time in the water here.
Before you get in, you are required to watch an educational movie, and then you can either walk down the steep hillside to the water, or pay a buck to ride the shuttle.
Once at the beach you can rent snorkel equipment. It is very convenient but a little pricey. You can save some money renting it in the city, or getting your gear as a package deal with a tour bus group.
Almost the entire length of the beach is protected by a barrier reef. But there are two channels that sometimes have strong currents to be a little wary of. One is in the middle and the other is on the left hand side. Most people stay behind this reef in the protected shallow waters. This is a pretty safe snorkeling spot, because of the protective reef. But if you are an experienced snorkeler, and the currents are not overly strong, you can snorkel out past the reef in the deeper waters were you may find bigger fish and more interesting topography.
Check out many
more underwater fish pictures at Hanauma here.
Plan on coming early, because the parking fills early.
You can even do a night snorkel at Hanauma Bay. Check with the visitor center for available times for this.
Hanauma Bay Home Page
There are many facilities available here including ecologist education booths, lifeguards, restrooms, water, picnic tables, showers, and shade.
There is also a nice concession stand up on the hill top with grill foods in the $8 to $12 dollar range.
Driving Directions - Hanauma Bay
Oahu Snorkeling
Driving Directions to Hanauma Bay from Waikiki
Getting on H-1 from Waikiki can be challenging! Here's a good way to get on heading east towards Hanauma Bay. Get on Ala Wai Blvd heading northwest (one-way only in that direction) and follow it to McCully St. Turn right and go to the next intersection, with Kapiolani Blvd, and turn right again. Follow Kapiolani Blvd until you see the signs to get on H-1 East and do so. Continue on H-1 East for about 9 miles noticing when H-1 changes into Hwy 72 (Kalanianaole Hwy). The road will cross over water and climb a hill, and at about the top of the hill you will see signs and a turn to the right to enter the park. Follow the road downhill to the parking lot.
Check out more underwater pictures from Hanauma
Go to the next Oahu spot - Kaiona Beach
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