Hanauma Bay is about 10 miles east of Waikiki just off the main coastal road (Kalaniana'ole Highway, Route 72). The address is 7455 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825. Recorded information line: 1-(808)-396-4229.
Hanauma Bay parking lot fills up early and you will be turned away if it is full. By getting there early you will avoid long lines at the ticket booth and snorkel concession. If you go on one of our tours, you will not have to wait in line. Our instructors have permits issued by the state and we are allowed to go in the bay when the parking lot is full. We are authorized to take small groups snorkeling, snuba and scuba diving on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Tours are not allowed on weekends and Hawaii State Holidays. Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays for environmental conservation. Our group ratio is no more than 5 people to one instructor. Our snorkel, snuba and scuba instructors are current in first aid and CPR and will take you safely to the best reefs in Hanauma Bay. Our tour is great for those who are new to snorkeling, and for those who simply wish to fully experience all the wonders of Hanauma Bay with an expert guide. Our staff are experts on the history and area as well as the fish and coral you will be encountering. We usually see turtles on 80% of our tours. Tour Information
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Recently National Geographics has teamed up with ABC's Good Morning America television show listing the Top Ten Trips with a Splash. Whitewater rafting in North Carolina was listed as the first choice. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, the ancient volcanic cinder cone was listed as the second most popular water activitiy. National Geographics Top Ten Trips with a Splash.
The State of Hawaii has began cracking down on illegal tours to Hanauma Bay. You can read the whole story in the Honolulu Advertisers online newspaper. Honolulu Advertiser For a list of companies licensed to bring in guided tours to Hanauma Bay you can call the Department of Parks and Recreations at 808-523-4525. All tours taking people to Hanauma Bay on weekends and holidays are illegal. Beware of these cheap taxi tours that drop you off inside or outside of Hanauma Bay. These tours are illegal even though they are still being sold by legitimate travel agencies. If you are caught going on these tours, you will not be allowed in Hanauma Bay. Read the whole story in the Pacific Busines News. All Hanauma Bay snorkel tours on weekends and holidays are illegal.
Semicircular Hanauma Bay, located on Oahu's windward coast, is a spectacular tropical paradise that sports a half-mile of perfect white-sand beach backed by exotic palm trees. Once a favorite fishing spot for Hawaiian royality, this extinct volcanic crater is frequented by spotted eagle rays, turtles and more than 450 species of tropical fish including the Hawaii state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a and is now a federally-protected wildlife preserve.
Hanauma Bay Dive Tours offers a variety of exciting experiences within this pristine bay, including PADI's Discover Scuba for first time beginner divers age 12 and above, Snuba (an unique, patented shallow water diving system, that bridges the gap between snorkeling and scuba diving for ages 8 and above) and Snorkeling tours. Hanauma Bay Dive Tours also offers a swim with dolphins activity and snorkeling at some of the best reefs on the leeward coast of Oahu.
Hanauma named best U.S. beach
Hanauma Bay was named the best beach in the United States in the 14th annual rankings of Americam beaches from Stephen Leatherman, the Florida environmental scientist known as "Dr. Beach".
In addition to the spectacular snorkeling and smooth, white coral sand at the "phenomenal" beach, set in a volcanic cone, Dr. Beach praised Hanauma Bay's environmental management. Smoking is now banned, access is monitored to prevent overcrowding--a problem given its proximity to Waikiki--and visitors have to watch a 9-minute-long educational video at the Hanauma Bay Marine Education Center before entering the beach.
Approximately 650 U.S. beaches and shore areas are ranked each year, with previous winners excluded from the survey. Beaches are rated on 50 criteria that includes water temperature, water and sand quality, beach management, litter control and available facilities.
Hanauma Bay Photo
Best American Beaches - 2004 rankings
1. Hanauma Bay
2. Fort De Soto Park, Fla.
3. Ocracoke Island, N.C.
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Fla.
5. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
6. Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i
7. Crescent Beach, Siesta Key, Fla.
8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
9. Cape Florida State Park, Fla.
10. Coronado Beach, Calif.
It is our hope that these suggestions will help to protect Hawaii's dolphins from unintentional harm.
1) Let the dolphins approach you. Maintain a quiet, relaxed manner when swimming among or near them. Avoid separating dolphins from the pod at large.
2) Swim with your hands by your sides. Chasing after, reaching for, or touching the dolphins will frighten or startle them, and they will move away. Be as quiet as possible when moving through the water.
3) Leave foreign objects aboard, such as rope, plastics, or playtoys. Dolphins prefer to find and play with leaves and other organic debris. Follow their lead.
4) Trust in nature's food supply. To attempt to feed wild dolphins would be harmful to their health needs as well as their social behaviors and it is illegal.
5) Be sensitive to dolphin behaviors. If they are in a state of rest or traveling, please respect that they may choose not to interact with you. Honor their habitat.
6.) Be considerate. Watch out for other swimmers, allowing them adequate space for an intimate encounter.
7) Be cautious approaching the dolphins. Watch for swimmers. When near the dolphins, go slowly, quietly and with focused attention so as not to disturb or change their course or behaviors.
8.) Avoid sudden actions or noise. Erratic changes in speed, direction, or sound can confuse or startle dolphins.
9.) Avoid diving down with dolphins. Dolphins play out a cat-and-mouse game with their predators everyday of their life. In the unlikely event that a predator does charge a dolphin you do not want to be close to them underwater. Your guides on the boat will explain.
