Hanauma Bay has long been one of the island of
Oahu's
jewels. Native Hawaiians have been enjoying life on the bay for thousands of years. The beach and surrounding natural park get their name from two Hawaiian words: “hana” which means bay and “uma” which means curved.
What is so special about Hanauma Bay?
Formed within a volcanic cone, today Hanauma Bay offers
a pristine marine ecosystem
after the City and County of Honolulu laid out a plan in 1990 to restore the bay, after years of use from the millions of visitors who visit and love to snorkel Hanauma Bay.
Is Hanauma Bay in Maui?
Hanauma Bay is one of Hawaii's best known snorkeling beaches.
Located on the southeast coast of Oahu
(about 10 miles east of Waikiki), Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of Hawaii's most popular natural attractions.
How far is Hanauma Bay from airport?
The distance between Hanauma Bay and Honolulu Airport (HNL) is
15 miles
. The road distance is 17.8 miles.
What Bay is located on the coast of Oahu in Hawaii?
Kaneohe Bay, bay on the northeastern shore of Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S. A major tourist destination, it contains clear, shallow waters and vivid underwater coral formations that can be viewed from glass-bottom boats.
Is Hanauma Bay a volcano?
Hanauma Bay is an incredible natural pool that has formed in a volcanic crater
. The crater is evidence of a volcanic burst of activity on the island tens of thousands of years ago. These volcanic eruptions formed the crater on the sea floor, and waves from the ocean eventually filled the circular bay.
Is Hanauma Bay worth?
Times are released 2 days ahead at 7 AM HST. Get on a minute or two early, select an ODD time (7:40 AM for example), and have your phone auto fill the information forms for you. Enjoy snorkeling, wear sunscreen, and stay off the reef!
Who runs Hanauma Bay?
The award-winning Hanauma Bay Education Program is administered by the
University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program
. Approximately 800,000 annual visitors to Hanauma Bay are educated on the value of marine resources and reef etiquette.
Can you swim at Hanauma Bay?
It is home to over 450 kinds of tropical fish, many of which can only be found in Hawaii. Here you can observe marine life up close, including the humuhumunukunukuapua'a, the Hawaiian state fish. Feeding, chasing or touching the fish and turtles is not allowed, but
you can swim alongside them
and take pictures.
Are there sharks in Hanauma Bay?
There are some sharks in the bay
, even though it is a popular tourist attraction. However, the sharks in Hanauma Bay are reef sharks and are only about 4 feet long. They don't feed on humans and there has never been any shark attack in the bay.
Is Hanauma Bay worth it 2021?
Hanauma Bay is worth the effort
! 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.
Why is Hanauma Bay closed?
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is closed each Monday and Tuesday
for marine so that the fish and bay have two days of undisturbed rest
. Hanauma Bay entrance opens at 6:45am and closes at 4pm Wednesday through Sunday. No entry after 2pm. Reservations are REQUIRED under the new Pilot Program.
What does Hanauma Bay look like?
They look like
rocks and stones on the ocean floor
. The other type, ahermatypes, resembles plants and anemones. The floor of Hanauma Bay is covered by hard coral formations, which provide homes for fish and other creatures. Snorkelers visiting the bay glide along above the coral bed to see the marine life.
Is Hanauma Bay on the North Shore?
It's a
North Shore tour
and Hanauma Bay tour, all-in-one. It gives guests quality time on Oahu's famous North Shore beaches AND an afternoon of snorkeling down South in Hanauma Bay.
Is Hanauma Bay a caldera?
More defined, smaller calderas can be viewed in Hawaiʻi Kai.
These calderas now exist in the form of Hanauma Bay
(now a nature reserve and snorkeling destination) and Koko Head Crater (now a popular hike).
Is Hanauma Bay privately owned?
For a long time, the bay was privately owned by the Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop estate
. It was later purchased by the city and county of Honolulu and opened to the public. Initially only accessible by dirt roads, the first paved roads to get to Hanauma Bay were built in 1931.
What island is north shore on in Hawaii?
If the perfect wave exists, you'll find it on
Oahu's North Shore
. The towering, glassy winter waves of this legendary surf mecca draw the best surfers in the world, while smaller and gentler summer waves are better for beginners.
How do you pronounce Hanauma?
Hanauma Bay
The correct pronunciation, since the Hawaiian word does not contain an okina, is actually “
Ha-now-mah
.”
Are there turtles in Hanauma Bay?
For most snorkelers, the highlight of a trip to Hanauma Bay are the
green sea turtles, or honu
. Turtles are often seen in the shallow waters of the reef, where they eat limu, or seaweed.
What do you wear to Hanauma Bay?
What to bring to Hanauma Bay. Bring
beach towels, sunblock, water, a swimsuit, sunscreen
, and the park entrance fee of $7.50. And bring an underwater camera so that you can take pictures of the marine life! Life jackets, vests, and floaties are not available at Hanauma Bay, so remember to bring your own.
Can you still go to Hanauma Bay without a reservation?
Hawaiʻi residents can still enter the park without a reservation for the first two hours of operation, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Wednesdays through Sundays
. If you need more information on how to enter Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, call (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email
[email protected]
What does Hanauma mean in Hawaiian?
Hanauma in Hawaiian has several different meanings;
hana is bay and uma could mean curved, a form of wrestling, or a landing port of a canoe
. From the parking lot you can see the bay as if it were a very large pond.
Where is Oahu?
Oahu, Hawaiian O'ahu, island,
Honolulu county, Hawaii, U.S.
It is separated from the islands of Kauai (northwest) and Molokai (southeast) by the Kauai and Kaiwi channels, respectively.
How many people visit Hanauma Bay a day?
About 3,000 people
now visit Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve each day, making it one of the most visited beaches in the State.
