Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Hanauma Bay is very long, beautiful white sand beach. On some days, you can see Molokai from the shore.

For the past fifty years or so, no one has been able to legally take fish, coral, rocks or sand from the beach… this means there are lots of fish, and it makes for terrific snorkeling and scuba diving.

The best place for swimming is in the middle of the beach, where the water is about chest high and the ocean floor is sandy.

As you go farther out the water gets deeper and the bottom turns to coral. On each side of the bay is a reef with coral… you want to make sure you wear your water socks or fins when swimming there, because you could cut your feet on the coral.

The life guards may warn you to look out for jelly fish, but these stinging little beasts are generally only seen on days close to a full moon.

The first time we tried to go to Hanauma in the late morning, the parking lot was already full, and we were out of luck.

So, make sure you get there early and beat the crowd. Once you get there, you will walk down an asphalt walkway to the beach portion. There is a $5 entrance fee visitors 13 years and older. The beach is also handicap accesible by trolly or bus, with a $1 fee per person each way. There is a gift shop, and educational information center close to the entrance. The beach also has showers, bathrooms, picnic tables and phones.

The beach is closed on Tuesdays. For the latest information about when the beach will be closed, call the recorded information line at (808) 396-4229

Oahu Beaches

Big Island Beaches

Kauai Beaches

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