Hanauma Bay, Hawai

Hanauma Bay is located on the southeast coast of Oahu (about 10 miles east of Waikiki). Formed thousands of years ago by the flooding of a volcanic crater, this nearly circular bay is home to an amazingly diverse and abundant population of fish life.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of Hawaii’s most popular natural attractions. Believed to be 35,000 years old, the bay itself is actually the floor of a volcanic crater that opened up to the ocean when its exterior wall collapsed. Declared a marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. Hanauma Bay is sheltered from strong currents and waves, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Hanauma Bay is one of the best and most popular snorkeling and swimming areas in the world.

On clear days, you can see the islands of Molokai and Lanai across the channel, and during the winter and early spring months, breaching humpback whales can be spotted from shore. Hanauma Bay is renowned as one of Hawaii’s favorite beaches for snorkeling. Swimmers are often greeted by a rainbow of reef inhabitants, including tangs, parrotfish, butterfly fish, moorish idols, surgeonfish and more. The feeding of fish, once a favorite activity, is now strictly prohibited. And volunteers educate visitors so that additional damage to the preserve’s environment is avoided. Thankfully, these and other efforts have proven successful in restoring Hanauma Bay to its original beauty. In recent years, facilities were added to enhance the Hanauma Bay experience, including an award-winning Marine Education Center that opened in August 2002. Hanauma Bay is another of Hawaii’s most beautiful bays, but to enjoy its treasures you’ll have to plan ahead and arrive early for a visit.