Hanauma Bay Information
Hanauma Bay Information
Hanauma Bay is a small pocket of golden sand, a broken sea wall within a volcanic crater that makes it Oahu's most popular snorkeling location.
It was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967 and, as such, its sealife cannot be touched or fed. Snorkelers and scuba divers relish this protected cove where there are tons of tropical colorful fish and a vivid coral reef.
There is a passage ("the slot") through the reef into deeper and more turbulent waters of the interior cove, and experienced divers can go out to the 70-foot depths at the mouth of the bay to see more coral, turtles and even sharks. Divers and snorkelers need to watch out for strong currents throughout the area, though.
The bay floor itself is actually the ancient volcano's crater, flooded when a wall collapsed and the ocean rushed in.
Other highlights of the beach are its shallow shoreline, large strip of sand for sunbathing, and beautiful views. Hiking trails follow the coastline along a ridge overlooking the bay and there are comfortable shady and picnic areas to eat. Swimming is generally calm within the curved bay protected by the reef, and there are restrooms, picnic tables, food available, and lifeguards on duty.
A new multi-million dollar Marine Education Center was also opened there a few years ago.
Follow Kalanianaole Hwy. east, approximately 10 miles from Waikiki, and the entrance to the preserve is on the right (at number 7455).