Hanauma Bay

Visitors to Hanauma Bay, which has a number of different coral reefs and lagoons to explore, will see hundreds of species of colorful tropical fish, other types of marine life, and vibrant coral. The wide sandy beach is also ideal for sunbathing and relaxing, and the nature preserve is well equipped with restrooms, changing rooms, a snack bar, and a picnic area, with lockers and snorkel gear available to rent.

Visiting Hanauma Bay can be as easy as joining half-day or full-day snorkeling tours, or stopping by on a hop-on hop-off bus tour from Waikiki. Some tours stop at the bay and take in other island highlights such as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Diamond Head. For independent travelers, Hanauma Bay offers round-trip shuttles from Waikiki hotels.

• Hanauma Bay State Park charges fees for admission and parking.

• Hanauma Bay tickets must be purchased in advance using an online reservation system.

• First-time visitors are required to watch a 9-minute educational video about marine life safety and preservation.

• Trams take visitors from the parking lot down to the beach for a fee.

• Snorkel gear and lockers are available to rent.

• Beach wheelchairs are available to borrow at no cost.

• Bring reef safe sunscreen.

Hanauma Bay State Park is located on the Kalanianaole Highway, about 10 miles (15 kilometers) east of Waikiki. The park offers round-trip shuttles from Waikiki hotels, about a 30-minute journey. City bus 22 makes the 45-minute trip to Hanauma Bay from Waikiki. On-site parking spots are available for a fee.

Hanauma Bay State Park is open daily except Mondays and Tuesdays. The 300-spot parking lot often fills up by mid-morning, and then it operates on a one-in, one-out basis, so it’s best to arrive early. Oahu has a mild, tropical climate with hotter days in summer and a rainy season that typically runs from November to March.

The Marine Education Center opened in 2002 as part of an effort to focus on the conservation of the bay. With an average of 1 million visitors each year, it is crucial that everyone knows how to enjoy the park’s natural beauty responsibly. First-time visitors watch a short video in the center’s theater to learn how to interact with marine life safely. The center also has informational and historical exhibits, a gift shop, snack bar, and restrooms.

Hanauma Bay State Park is open from early morning to mid-afternoon from Wednesday through Sunday year-round—last entry is at 1:30pm and the beach closes an hour before the park does. The best times to visit are either early, before peak crowds arrive, or after lunch, when the sun illuminates the reefs, ideal for snorkeling.

Yes, Hanauma Bay is worth visiting, especially if you like snorkeling and wildlife. The protected reserve boasts a pristine bay with white sands and crystal shallows famous for coral reefs, Hawaiian green sea turtles, parrotfish, and other marine life. There’s also a Marine Education Center, which spotlights the bay and its ecosystems.

Yes, you need a reservation for snorkeling—unless you’re a Hawaiian resident and arrive before 9am. You can prebook timed entry up to two days in advance on the Honolulu Parks and Recreation website, but you need to be super-quick. Limited walk-ins are available on-site from opening time, but they also go fast.

Yes, because the parking lot fills up quickly. If you’ve reserved early bay entry, you’ll likely bag a space—but otherwise, be ready to park far away. Skip the hassle of parking by booking Hanauma Bay tours that include transport, taking the trolley or buses from Waikiki, or using cabs or rideshare apps.

Most people find that two hours is enough time to snorkel the reefs of Hanauma Bay. However, aim for around four hours at the bay itself—most tours stay for this long—so you’ve got time to watch the 10-minute marine preservation video on entry and make the round-trip tram ride or walk to the beach.

Yes, you can bring your own snorkeling gear to Hanauma Bay. You can hire equipment on the beach, but it’s quite pricey at around US$20 for a standard set—taking your own snorkel gear will save you money and time. Plus, it’s likely to fit you better.