More than 400 fish species and green sea turtles live in this marine ecosystem at one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii.

Put on a mask, snorkel and fins, and jump into the crystal clear waters of Hanauma Bay to watch a colorful school of butterfly fish glide beneath you. Dive down to say aloha to the graceful green sea turtles and stop to examine the intricate formations of the living coral as you explore Oahu’s accessible marine ecosystem. You will not only have the chance to encounter creatures up-close, but can also learn about their biology and habitat in the Marine Education Center.

The perfect curve of Hanauma Bay is part of an eroded volcanic crater into which the ocean has eventually forced its way. The calm, nutrient-rich waters make it the perfect place for an abundance of marine life to flourish, and few places in the world can boast such a diversity of species so close to shore.

The preserve’s function is to protect this unique ecosystem, and when you enter Hanauma Bay, you first come to the Marine Education Center. The structure resembles the natural shape of a volcanic cave. As well as colorful murals depicting the marine life of the bay, you’ll see exhibits explaining the geography of the bay and the formation of coral reefs. There are also a number of interactive stations where you can try your hand at fish identification. A short film in the theater further explains the biodiversity of the area.

Pick up a laminated fish identification chart from the reception and walk to the beach or, for a small charge, ride the tram. After this, it’s all about floating and swimming in the water and seeing how many fish you can spot and name.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is located 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Waikiki, just off Kalanianaole Highway. It’s closed on Tuesdays. If you don’t have your own snorkeling gear, visit the rental shop near the Marine Education Center. You are permitted to bring your own food and drinks, and can also purchase refreshements from the snack bar.

Plan a trip to see Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

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Paradise Bay Resort

Kahaluʻu

￥217,092

per person

Jan 11 - Jan 17

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip flight included

Tokyo (HND) to Honolulu (HNL)

8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)

The GOOD: We got an economy room that was clean, comfortable and quite spacious including the bathroom and kitchenette. It was “old school” and had no view of the bay, but kind of charming. A small knock is that there was no seating other than a couple of stools without backs. Cooled by a single AC unit in the bedroom, which was adequate for our stay. The check-in desk is attached to a beautiful, covered seating area with a postcard view of Paradise Bay. The coffee and banana bread breakfast served in that area was just great. The BAD: 1) The location has several drawbacks: It is in a run-down (but apparently safe) neighborhood. There’s a VERY steep dropoff from office area to lower units. And, it is on the east side of Oahu that averages about 200 days of rainfall per year– about twice as many days as the west side of the island receives; 2) The list price for the room didn’t include the $28/day Parking Fee or the $42/day Resort Fee – an unpleasant surprise for me; 3) The parking is very limited, and might not be anywhere close to your room, a problem that is magnified when it’s pouring rain; 4) Regarding the steep dropoff to the lower units, you have to climb 34 stairs to get up to the office. Same goes for your car if you can’t park close to your room. The UGLY: From a safety standpoint, the setup here seems injury-prone due to lots of stairs and frequent rainfall. Due to its steep slopes and remote location, it’s hard to imagine how emergency vehicles could

Reviewed on Nov 6, 2026