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Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

Honolulu, Hawaii

4.3/5
based on 6 reviews

Description

Added by Abby Shepard

Swim with the fish in this protected marine life conservation area.

With a high fish populations, calm shallow water, and white sand, Hanauma Bay is the perfect snorkeling destination on Oahu. Large reefs teeming with marine life are located a short swim from shore. The water is calm, and the bay is protected from waves, making it a great spot for beginners and advanced snorkelers alike. Snorkel gear is available for rent on the beach. 

The parking lot fills quickly, so plan to get there early in the day. However, if the lot is full, you can park in one of the nearby residential neighborhoods and walk into the park. 

Note: The bay is closed to the public every Tuesday to allow the fish to rest.  

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Features

Swimming
Bathrooms
Beach
Family Friendly
Scenic
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Reviews

I am not an independent snorkeling type of person, this place was perfect. You pay a fee and watch a video to enter. You can rent gear or bring your own. I bought some cheap stuff at Ross before I went so I would have it my whole trip. I saw lots of fish! Would go again for sure

Popular spot to snorkel on oahu. Gotta watch the video before you are allowed in. The parking lot will close when it fills up

This place is one of the best diving and snorkelling spots I have ever been to. The fish here are so abundant and the coral is so lively it is amazing! The fish are not afraid of humans so some will almost swim to you! Also if you find a Go Pro it might be mine. Make sure to check your camera straps before you headout.

There are so many first time snorkelers here, please be careful of the coral and the environment. In scuba diving, we learn how to control our buoyancy so that we don't accidentally hit the coral. At Hanauma Bay, I saw so many little kids stepping on coral to take a break from snorkelling. If you need to take a break, either float or swim to a place with no coral and put your feet down on the sand bottom. Also, please use reef safe sunscreen.

Unfortunately my phone broke a day after this and I never uploaded my photos, but I will remember this day forever. I had never been snorkeling before and I had so much fun. It was quite crowded and yes you have to pay to get in, but a lot of Hawaii is free, so I considered it very worth it. It wasn't so crowded in the water that I was kicking people all of the time, but the beach was quite crowded, but thankfully I spent most of my time in the water! Good changing rooms. -Smart that if you have been here before (in the past year) you don't have to sit through the video and presentation another time, you just have to add your name to a list.

This is a must if you can. Parking lots usually fill up by 9am and then reopen around 1pm so time it somewhere around there.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

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