|
Hanauma Bay is
our favorite snorkeling spot on Oahu. The large bay is gorgeous and filled with fish. It is protected as long as you stay near the beach and not stray to the edges of the bay. Below is an aerial view of the Bay - it is the small horseshoe on the bottom left.
The parking lot is above the Bay. There is plenty of parking, but there is a payment required. Restrooms are located near the parking lot. There is also a snack bar located at the parking level.
The park may be closed or you might have to wait for people to leave if there are too many on the beach. The state protects the reef by limiting the number of people to the park.
The views from above of the reef below are wonderful. This is the view of the reef from above.
From the parking lot, you have to get down to the beach to snorkel. You can walk or take a bus. There is a trail which is fairly steep down to the beach.
We try to get to the beach as early as possible, preferably by 7:30. You have to walk down to the beach at that time, but it is not crowded at all.
If you don't want to take the trail, you can take a tram. There is a fee, but the walk is steep and we were happy to pay it to get back up to the parking lot.
The beach area has restrooms, showers and picnic tables.
Later in the morning, the crowds begin to arrive.
Snorkleling is great in the Bay. Swimming out to the edge of the bay can be dangerous due to undercurrents that can drag you out to sea. We stay close in, near the life guard station, and are quite happy with the colorful fish. The coral isn't the greatest in Hanauma Bay compared to Kona or Maui, but the terain of the reef is fun to swim around.
Below are some photos to give you an idea of what it looks like under water.
Copyright 2008, 2009 |
