Hawaii Vacations Blog - Hawaii Travel by a Hawaii Expert!

Located on the southeast coast of Oahu (about 10 miles east of Waikiki), Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of Hawaii’s most popular natural attractions.. Some 3,000 people visit this beautiful preserve each day for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and picnicking.

Believed to be 35,000 years old, the bay itself is actually the floor of a volcanic crater that opened up to the ocean when its exterior wall collapsed. Declared a marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967, Hanauma Bay ("Hanauma" literally means "curved bay") is sheltered from strong currents and waves, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. A large sandy beach is flanked by several hiking trails that lead to breathtaking lookouts. On clear days, you can see the islands of Molokai and Lanai across the channel, and during the winter and early spring months, breaching humpback whales can be spotted from shore.

Hanauma Bay is renowned as one of Hawaii’s favorite beaches for snorkeling. Swimmers are often greeted by a rainbow of reef inhabitants, including tangs, parrotfish, butterfly fish, moorish idols, surgeonfish and more.

The popularity of Hanauma Bay has had its negative side, namely its impact on marine life. This necessitated the implementation of conservation measures. Parking and access to the beach, for example, is now controlled. The feeding of fish, once a favorite activity, is now strictly prohibited. And volunteers educate visitors so that additional damage to the preserve’s environment is avoided. Thankfully, these and other efforts have proven successful in restoring Hanauma Bay to its original beauty.

In recent years, facilities were added to enhance the Hanauma Bay experience, including an award-winning Marine Education Center that opened in August 2002. Visitors can enjoy a short video of the preserve and learn the different ways they can help protect its fragile living reef environment.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open daily except Tuesday. Admission is $5 for visitors, plus $1 parking per vehicle. Facilities include changing rooms and showers, food concessions and snorkeling equipment rentals. Arrive early, as parking is limited and fills up quickly.