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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Honolulu: Tickets, Tours, Address, Phone Number, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Reviews: 4.5/5

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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
4.5
16,914
#4 of 318 things to do in Honolulu
Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
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About
A perfect snorkeling spot.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
58 within 3 miles
Bay Rock Cafe
8
0.3 mi
Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream
358
0.9 mi$ • Dessert
Moena Cafe
231
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Hawaiian
Kona Brewing Company Hawaii Kai Pub
868
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pizza
Teddy's Bigger Burger
184
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
Jamba Juice
65
0.8 mi$ • Dessert • Vegan Options
Sophie's Gourmet Hawaiian Pizzeria
78
0.9 mi$ • Quick Bites • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Harbor Village Cuisine
58
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
Kokonuts
51
0.9 mi$ • Dessert
Assaggio Hawaii Kai
106
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
20 within 3 miles
Hanauma Bay State Park
6
0.1 miState Parks
Hanauma Bay Trail
26
0.2 miHiking Trails
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
10
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Lanai lookout
81
0.5 miLookouts
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
2,557
1.3 miHistoric Walking Areas • Hiking Trails
Spitting Cave of Portlock
268
1.2 miGeologic Formations
Koko Crater Railway Trail
2,535
1.8 miHiking Trails
Halona Blowhole
780
1.3 miGeologic Formations
Sandy Beach Park
376
2.1 miBeaches
Koko Marina Center
28
0.8 miTheaters • Shopping Malls
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Popular mentions
4.5
16,914 reviews
Excellent
10,636
Very good
3,981
Average
1,610
Poor
446
Terrible
242
Toni G
Los Angeles, CA57 contributions
Disappointing
Jul 2021
We spent all week waking up to sign in for the entry lottery and finally got a spot for the afternoon. I was hoping the fish and coral would thrive with lockdown and limited entry. I remember taking my kids when they were toddlers and walking into the water with schools of fish swimming around. Unfortunately, I think there are still too many people entering the Bay. Snorkeling in the afternoon with high tide was murky. Beach is still beautiful.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
awdang_99
Redwood City, CA58 contributions
Recommended destination!
Jul 2021
This was one location we really wanted to visit during our stay in Oahu. I will tell you that it was pretty stressful as we tried to strategize how we would be able to obtain tickets to snorkel at this beautiful spot.

Definitely read what is required to visit this nature preserve. Covid restrictions have caused them to tighten up on the number of visitors to the preserve. We were able to get enough tickets for our large family and we had a great time snorkeling at Hanauma Bay nature preserve.

This is a beautiful location with an abundance of fish and other sea creatures to keep you busy snorkeling all day long. And...you might be greeted with a visit by a local sea lion. This is the second time we've been here that a sea lion has just swam up to the beach and decided to sun bath along with the humans.

It's great we are able to visit these beautiful places. I just pray that people respect and protect these preserves so they last for centuries to come.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann R
4 contributions
Hanauma Bay is worth the effort!
Jul 2021 • Family
Hanauma Bay is a unique and beautiful snorkeling spot and state park. It is under conservation, so the state lets in 1000 or so people per day. Currently, tickets become available at 7 am two days before a visit. They sell out in 2 minutes. I tried for 3 days in a row unsuccessfully. So I brought my son and arrived at 6:15 am to line up for admission. It was worth the effort! The snorkeling is not the best I’ve ever done in terms of numbers of fish. However, the unique environment, the fish with apparently no fear for close up pictures, and the overall gorgeous landscape is a “must see” on Oahu.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Edam4
Charlotte215 contributions
Great Snorkeling in a Beautiful Preserve!
Jul 2021
This is really a special place to visit on Oahu! Whether you snorkel or not, just to see the lovely waters and beach at this Bay is worth the visit. Though the snorkeling can be tricky depending on the conditions, it's great to get into the waters and see the incredible variety of sea life. The staff are great and the process of getting in goes smoothly... if you are patient! Live Aloha and all will be well.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Russell3939
Castle Rock, CO529 contributions
Not worth the effort, with some tips If you decide to go
Jul 2021 • Friends
The bay is pretty. The day was no worth the effort. It took us 7 days to get tickets. They sell out in 2 minutes. The time we got was 1:10. By the time you watch the video and listen to the old lady talk about the bay, we got down about 1:30. The lifeguards yell across the beach that it is closed at 3:15. Don’t get tickets for late in the day. You will have an even shorter time than we did. They do have a shuttle down to the bay or you can walk. The shuttle is free. Once you get to the bay, go to the far left of looking at the water. We started in the middle and couldn’t see anything. When we moved you could see fish, but it was very cloudy in the water. Between the shortened time frame, the $75 it cost for 3 of us and the hour drive to get there, I would skip this.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tjmm1985
Monterey, CA328 contributions
Get online early!
Jul 2021
We returned to the bay after 10 years. The online system is easy to navigate so maybe use two or three devices to book your times, Maybe start with a mid morning time as a goal as the early times go in 30 seconds or less. The views are gorgeous and after 3 hours though it's time to head to top as you may be exhausted! Bring your own food/drink for a break!
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ShannaMcG
Marlton, NJ57 contributions
Forget it!
Jul 2021 • Friends
I know from many visits to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve that it is a wonderful place. I fully support the efforts to reduce the number of visitors in order to protect the health of the Bay’s ecosystem. Unfortunately, the “reservations” system that they have come up with is unworkable. All reservations are taken within the first 2 minutes after the system opens at 7:00 am. Today, I finally got through to the ticketing page while there were spots available! However, they send you to a page to enter your name, email, and phone number. I quickly did that, but got a message that the tickets were gone. I brought my 80-year-old mother to Oahu and I have been singing the praises of Hanauma Bay as a great place for snorkeling in the shallows for her. I’m sad that she is going to miss it.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brian M
1 contribution
Horrible Getting Online Tickets
Jul 2021
I have been trying to get tickets on the new ticketing system for 5 days now. It is ridiculous. It reminds me of buying concert tickets. They ALL sell out in under 2 minutes. While I respect that they are doing this to protect the reserve, I do not care for this process at all. I am here for a week and my family and I probably will not make this most beautiful place for snorkeling. My advice, with your log in have multiple family members be logged in simultaneously and try and whoever gets a the tickets buy. Good Luck.

FYI I did not go nor did I get any tickets. That is how bad it is.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rampage2149
Los Angeles, CA8 contributions
Disgusting Cash Grab by Hawaii
Jul 2021
Absolutely disgusting that Hawaii is charging $25 per person to visit this natural wonder. For a family of five that is $125 for a completely natural area that did not need $1 to be created. Everything about the bay was created by nature, and Hawaii has done a very poor job of maintaining it's natural beauty. Instead of making an orderly system for visitors to the island and locals to enjoy the beauty of the spot, they have ruined it and turned it into a tourist attraction and a cash cow. Absolutely disgusting and they should be ashamed of themselves. Although by far the most easily accessible spot to snorkel and see fish, it is actually a poor snorkeling beach as the reef is fairly shallow. There are many better places to snorkel in Oahu and Hawaii that don't have the hassle and are absolutely free. It is very upsetting how instead of managing the visitor interaction with the bay, Hawaii has decided to cash in. Absolutely sickening.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helloalena
Chicago, IL10 contributions
How to visit with No reservation
Jun 2021
To see Hanauma bay without a reservation - park at Koko head crater park district which is FREE then walk less then 10 minutes up the trail to the parking/walk in entrance. There is a trail and you cross the stress. You will see parking attendants directing traffic. Talk to one of them and tell them you have no reservation what can they do? They will radio in you and your party to another staff. Once you walk down the bay entrance, you talk to another staff who will give you a walk in ticket with a time on it. They let 40 people in every 10 minutes. So if reserved time slot people don't show up, they let in walk-ins. You just wait until they call your time on your ticket. We waited 35 minutes to watch the video.

In terms of snorkeling I would rate it 4/10 since you see about 10 varieties of fish. But it is otherwise a Beautiful beach with great views from the top. We enjoyed our time. We still thought it was worth the visit. If you there just for snorkeling, then it may not be worth the visit.

We still spent 3-4 hrs just hanging out on the beach, eating our packed lunch and also snorkeling the whole bay. Watch out for mongooses if you are sitting near the bushes. They come out and went into people's lunch boxes lol
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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