It was a gorgeous day in Hawaii and my best friend Melissa suggested that we visit Hanauma Bay State Park.  Known for its sensational views (from the parking  lot) and spectacular snorkeling, we dressed for the beach, jumped in the car and made our way to Hanauma Bay.

Hanauma Bay State Park is a natural reserve on the Hawaiian island of Oahu located in the Pacific Ocean.  Since 1967, it has been a protected marine life conservation area and in 2002, the marine center was built to continue the efforts to support its health and protect the reefs and sea creatures.  This beautiful state park and beach continues to rank #1 in the list of Top Beaches.

It was once estimated that over three million travelers visited Hanauma Bay each year and ecologists claim that the bay had suffered in the process.  As a result, there have been limitations assessed on the number of daily visitors and they have placed restrictions on the handling of the sea life as well as the touching of the coral in the bay.

The tram was full, so we opted to walk down to the bay and agreed to take the tram on our return.  We were happy for the early start knowing that the bay is such a popular stop for visitors to Oahu.

Since the 1980’s Hanauma Bay has been one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island.   It is an excellent location to see the abundant species of fish for which Hawaii is known.

Prior to entering the state park, we were required to watch the 9-minute video to learn more about the marine life and to understand the park’s efforts to protect and preserve the fascinating sea life within the bay.

We picked up our snorkeling equipment, found an open space on the beach to drop off our beach chairs and towels before exploring the crystal clear waters.

There are approximately 400 known species of fish as well as green sea turtles at Hanauma Bay.  It is the perfect location for experienced or inexperienced snorkelers of all ages  due  to its  calm  waters and sea life.From the parking lot of Hanauma Bay, there is an amazing view of the crater which was said to have been created over 30,000 years ago.   The 2,000 square foot crescent beach is known for its beautiful white sand and its waters for its abundance of sea life.

Hawaii in itself is one of the most beautiful places in the world.  It is because of the conservation of Hanauma Bay and many of the natural sites that future generations will be able to enjoy what is today, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii.

Where is your favorite snorkeling destination in the world?  Have you had the opportunity to visit Hanauma Bay?  I would be happy to hear about your experience on the island of Oahu if you would kindly leave a message in  the comments section below!  Many thanks for checking out my blog post on Hanauma Bay!  May you have many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve
7455 Kalanianaole Highway
Honolulu, Hawaii  96825
Telephone:  808 396 4229

• Admission Fee: $7.50 to enter the park and parking is an additional charge of $1
• Hours:  Open Wednesday to Monday from 6AM to 7PM, closed Tuesday
• Amenities (for an additional charge):  Snorkel Equipment Rental, Locker Rental, Tram Ride, Snack Bar, Gift Shop, Transportation from Waikiki Hotels
• Scenic View:   Check out the gorgeous views from the parking lot.  In addition, beautiful view of the ocean from the beach and there are some great underwater views of fish and sea turtles.
• Length of the Tour:  Varies, depending on the activities you select for the day
• Tips for Your Visit:  Arrive early to avoid the crowds.  An early start will also allow for a  more enjoyable snorkeling experience because once it becomes crowded, the visibility is limited. Large backpacks will not fit in the lockers and you can bring your own snacks and drinks.

Where to Stay:

Aqua Bamboo Waikiki
2425 Kuhio Avenue
Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii  96815
Telephone: 808 922 7777

Where to Eat:

Duke’s Waikiki
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
2335 Kalakaua Avenue, #116
Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Telephone: 808 922 2268

I love the flavors at Duke’s so we decided to share some Pupus (Appetizers) to include the Ahi Sashimi, Duke’s Nachos and the Panko-fried Calamari.

What to Eat: 

• Kalua Pig:  Hawaii is famous for its Kalua Pig, similar to American pulled pork.
• Poi:  Made from taro root which is similar to a potato, the poi we sampled was “pounded” into a thick starch.  This cooking technique results in a sticky pudding-like dessert which is purple in color.
• Poke:  Similar to Japanese sashimi, yet the fish is cut into chunky cubes and usually served over a bed of rice.

What to Read: 

• Hanauma Bay:  A Marine Guide to Hawaii’s Most Popular Nature Preserve by John P. Hoover
• Exploring Hanauma Bay: Revised and Expanded by Susan Scott

Photo Guide for Oahu:

• Diamond Head Crater Hike:  360 degree views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean
• Hanauma Bay:  underwater photos, photo of the bay from the parking lot
• Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Park scenery
• Kualoa Regional Park and Mokoli’l Island: Palm trees and the triangle island
• The Pineapple Plantations:  Take the inland route from Waikiki to the North Shore and stop at Dole Plantation
• Sunset Beach and Pipeline:  the North Shore is the perfect location for surfing, so you will find LOTS of surfers here.
• Turtle Bay:  surfers and sunsets
• Waikiki Wall and Beach:  palm trees, surfers and highrise buildings, sunrises and sunsets

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