Non-residents 13 and older pay $25 to enter Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and children 12 and younger enter free. Non-residents must pay, and reservations are highly recommended. Book one of the Hanauma Bay tours we list: Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Tours / Lessons from Honolulu Snorkel Company, or Hanauma Bay Snorkeling from Kaimana Tours.
How to choose a hanauma bay snorkeling
Start with the preserve's schedule, because it limits when you can go. Entry runs from 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and visitors must leave by 4 p.m.
If a Monday or Tuesday is the only day you have, plan the bay for another day of your trip.
How to snorkel at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii?
Snorkel rentals are available inside the preserve and take credit or debit cards only. Free beach wheelchairs are available for disabled visitors.
Plan your visit for low tide, when conditions are best. It is also best at low tide. The bay has a shallow fringing reef just offshore, with fish along the reef edges around the sandy areas.
Every visitor must watch the educational video in the theater on each visit. Ocean Safety lifeguards serve the preserve. Avoid Witches' Brew and Toilet Bowl (Queen's Bath), especially in rough water. Rip currents in the channel near the telephone cables can be strong, especially during ebb tides. The outer bay is recommended for experienced divers.
What to check before you book a hanauma bay snorkeling
Reserve ahead. Reservations through the City PROS system open two days before your visit. A limited number of walk-in tickets are handed out first come, first served, so a walk-up visit is not guaranteed.
Online reservations do not include a reserved parking stall, so plan your parking separately. A bus stop sits above the preserve on Kalanianaʻole Highway (Route 22), and a tramway runs from the top entry down to the beach.
Plan around the closures too. The preserve is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
What is the famous snorkeling place in Oahu?
Hanauma Bay is the Oahu snorkel spot we cover in the most depth. It sits near Koko Head at the eastern end of Honolulu. The bay was formed by craters that created Koko Head. Hanauma Bay was designated a Marine Life Conservation District in 1967, the state's first. In the preserve, it is prohibited to fish for, take or injure any marine life.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Hanauma Bay?
Non-residents 13 and older pay $25 to enter. Children 12 and younger enter free regardless of residency. Hawaii residents with valid photo ID enter free and without a reservation.
Do I need a reservation for Hanauma Bay?
Reservations open two days ahead of a visit.
Is Hanauma Bay open every day?
No, the preserve is open Wednesdays through Sundays and is closed every Monday and Tuesday.
