The Complete First-Timer Guide to Snorkeling Hanauma Bay

This article was originally published November 8, 2015 and updated on December 29, 2025 and again on January 12, 2026.

To keep the fragile ecosystem of Hanauma Bay thriving, snorkeling its protected waters requires reservations, fees and strict rules. Navigating these waters may be complicated for first time visitors. Our complete guide to snorkeling Hanauma Bay will help you avoid common mistakes and includes:

• Park hours

• How and when to book

• What to bring

• Where to park

• What you’ll experience

• Important information regarding safety, water visibility, crowds and restrictions.

There are two ways to purchase advance tickets to Hanauma Bay. The first option is to buy directly through the City and County of Honolulu, with tickets released just two days prior to your visit. As many visitors know, these tickets sell out very quickly.

The second, and newest option, allows guests to plan further ahead. Visitors can secure tickets up to 60 days in advance by booking the Roberts Hawaii Hanauma Bay ticket and Waikiki transportation package. This option is ideal for those who want to build their itinerary in advance and enjoy a more seamless experience. There is no markup on the $25.00 Hanauma Bay admission ticket, the additional cost covers roundtrip transportation via Roberts Hawaii's electric shuttle.

Guests watch the mandatory Hanauma Bay educational video during the ride to the bay, allowing them to bypass the long lines, board the tram and proceed straight to the beach for snorkeling upon arrival. Once there, on-site staff — available exclusively for Roberts Hawaii guests — are on hand throughout the day to assist with questions.

Non-Hawaiʻi Residents

• Reservation required (up to 5 adults + 5 children)

• Book up to 2 days in advance (Mon–Sat, starting 7:00 a.m.)

• Entry fee: $25 per person

• Parking: $3 per vehicle (cash only)

• Booking options: City and County of Honolulu Parks & Recreation or Robert’s Hawaiʻi (transportation + earlier access)

Hawaiʻi Residents

• No reservation required

• Free entry

• Parking: $1 per vehicle (cash only)

• Valid Hawaiʻi photo ID required

Children (12 and under)

• Entry is free

• Reservation recommendedSame booking windows apply

Military Members + Family

• Free entry

• Parking: $1 per vehicle (cash only)

• Reservation recommended

• Valid military ID required

Book Through Parks and Recreation

Book Through Roberts Hawaii

• All ticket sales are final. No cancellations or exchanges.

• Only 25% of walk-ins will be accepted. On-site payment for entry is available, but all members in your party must be present to obtain tickets.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Location & Hours

7455 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96825

(808) 768-6861

Open Wednesday through Sunday 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Last entry by 1:30 p.m.)

Closed Monday and Tuesday.

The best time to visit Hanauma Bay is when they open at 6:45 a.m. on a low-swell day. Water visibility is clearer, before massive crowds form, disturbing the sand; you are more likely to find a parking space and the lines to rent gear are shorter. Plan to spend 2–3 hours total at the bay.

Best Time to Snorkel (Visibility + Crowds)

• Water clarity in the shallow region just offshore is best before 10 a.m., at low tide and on low-swell days

• Visibility drops after 1 p.m. due to sand disturbance from crowds

• The channel near the center of the bay (near the telephone cables) will take you to the outer reef with depths of about 30 feet, visibility is usually good here.

• The best visibility is in the outer bay at depths about 70 feet, but this is only recommended for experienced divers.

How to Predict Conditions Before You Go

• If waves are under 3 feet it's a go!

• If south shore swell is high this could create dangerous current conditions. Maybe skip it.

• If trade winds are strong they can create dangerous current conditions. Go on a day when winds calm down.

• A limited amount of parking is available onsite for $3 (non-Hawaiʻi resident) or $1 for Hawaiʻi residents. Payment is by cash only. No credit cards. The lot is open from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

• There is a tramway that will take you from the top entrance down to the beach.

*Pro tip: Arrive before 7 a.m. The parking lot fills quickly between 7-9 a.m.. When the lot is full it will temporarily close until spaces become available.

• Hanauma Bay allows 1,400 visitors per day (40 guests every 10 minutes), but only has 300 parking spots. If the lot is full when you arrive you can wait across the street at the scenic lookout until the parking lot opens back up, or you can park at Koko Head Crater Trail and walk (10-15 minutes). Do not park on the side of the highway. You will be towed.

• Rideshare and taxis are discouraged.

• TheBus no longer drops off at Hanauma Bay. The closest bus stop is near Koko Marina, a 25-30 minute walk up a steep hill from the bay.

If you can’t get into Hanauma Bay, for whatever reason, there are still beautiful beaches you can visit nearby and more places to snorkel on O’ahu.

• Makapuʻu Beach Park is 4.7 miles down the highway near the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail. The beach includes parking, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, lifeguard stand and waves good for boogie boarding.

• If you have your own snorkel gear, Kaiona Beach Park is 6.6 miles away and offers calmer waters for snorkeling and swimming.

Guests come to Hanauma Bay for world-class snorkeling, but the beach does offer a relaxing place to rest and take in the beauty of your surroundings. The curved shore stretches about a third of a mile long, leaving just enough room for the hundreds of visitors that arrive each day. The earlier you arrive, the more options you will have, but you will still likely be just a towel lengths away from your neighbor.

You can pack a lunch in a cooler if you’d like or purchase snacks, sandwiches and beverages from the food concessions located across from the main entrance. Alcohol is not permitted.

Lockers are available in small or large sizes near the snack bar if you’d like to keep your belongings safe while you snorkel. Showers and restrooms are also available.

• Gift shop - open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Credit/debit card payment only, no cash.

• Food concessions - open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Credit/debit card payment only, no cash.

• Marine Education Center - 6:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bring your own/purchase gear nearby

• Purchase at Costco, Longs, Walmart, sporting goods store $20-$40

Pros:

• Best fit

• No need to wait in line for rentals at the park

Cons:

• More expensive (but you can get multiple uses out of it)

• More stuff to pack with you.

Rent at Hanauma Bay

• 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• $20-$25 Credit/debit only (no cash)

Pros:

• Less to pack in and out.

Cons:

• May not fit perfectly.

• Potential long line at the park.

Rent outside the park

• Honolulu has several spots to rent, such as Snorkel Bob’s.

• $10-$20

Pros:

• More affordable.

• No need to wait in line at the park.

Cons:

• One extra errand to run.

• More stuff to pack in and out with you.

*Snorkel Gear Recommended: Anti-fog mask, snorkel, fins, rash guard

*Mandatory snorkel rules:

• Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory by law at all Hawaiʻi beaches.

• All visitors are required to watch a 9-minute orientation video prior to entry. This educational video explains proper reef etiquette, safe snorkeling practices and marine life preservation.

• No access without watching mandatory orientation video first

• No alcohol

• No fishing

• No water crafts (Eg. boat, jet ski)

• No feeding fish

• No taking sand, coral or anything else besides your own belongings

• No standing on rocks or coral

  • The rocks are slippery and can cause you to fall and seriously injure yourself. Coral is sharp and can cut you. Touching the coral also introduces harmful bacteria that can kill it.

• No touching seals or sea turtles

  • Touching places stress on these species and introduces harmful human bacteria.

  • Sea Turtles and Hawaiian Monk Seals are both endangered species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement requires people to stay 150 feet away from the monk seals and 10 feet away from sea turtles. Touching either of them places stress on these species, is illegal under Hawaiʻi state and federal law may result in substantial fines and penalties under Hawaiʻi state and U.S. federal law.

• According to the City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, daily attendance is limited to protect reef health.

The snorkeling area is divided into three sections. The inner reef has shallow water and a gentle current that’s perfect for beginners where you can see tropical fish and coral formations. For intermediate to advanced snorkelers, the outer reef provides more marine life including larger fish and sea turtles, but is a more challenging swim in deeper water.

• If wave height is over 3 feet, don’t go out. Currents will be too strong to snorkel safely and visibility will be impaired.

• Stay near marked areas

• Adjust your face mask before entering the water

• Avoid shallow reef areas. The coral is sharp and can cut you. If you start swimming too close, gently back away and stay parallel to the coral with your legs.

• Avoid Witches’ Brew (small cove on right side of bay) and Toilet Bowl (small pool on left of the bay, also known as Queen’s Bath).

• Practice basic ocean safety. Watch for rip tide currents when entering and exiting the water. Strong trade winds can also increase the ocean’s current.

• Avoid swimming past the reef into the open ocean

• Identify locations of lifeguard towers

  • Portuguese Man-o-war are occasionally spotted at Hanauma Bay and can sting you. In this case, rinse the sting with vinegar and hot water (not plain water or alcohol) and remove the tentacles from the skin. Seek medical attention if you have a severe reaction.

  • Box jellyfish tend to migrate to these waters every month, one week after the full moon, which can also sting.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a protected marine life conservation park located in the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Maunalua on the southeastern shore of Oʻahu. Thousands of years ago, a volcanic eruption caused one side of a volcanic tuff cone to collapse and flood with sea water. Over time, this event created Hanauma Bay, or curved bay, and it became a popular place for aliʻi (Native Hawaiian royalty) to relax, paddle and fish. The shore’s green hue is a result of large mineral olivine deposits.

In 1928, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate deeded Hanauma Bay to the City & County of Honolulu. With the rise of tourism to Oʻahu, millions of travelers began visiting Hanauma Bay leading to severe degradation. In 1967, the Hawaiʻi government declared Hanauma Bay a protected Marine Life Conservation District. The reservation system was implemented to reduce the amount of visitors each year in order to improve the health of the ocean’s ecosystem. Today, Hanauma Bay offers world-class snorkeling with over 450 species of tropical fish as well as sea turtles and miles of coral. Average daily attendance in 2024 was 400,776 in 2024, down by roughly half compared to pre-COVID annual attendance, according to the City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.