Everything You Need to Know to Make Hanauma Bay Reservations
Located on Oahu's southeastern shore, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a pristine marine life sanctuary. Formed within a volcanic cone, this natural wonder was aptly named Hanauma, which means curved bay in Hawaiian. It was a favorite place for Hawaiian royalty to come for fishing and recreation. Following WWII, Hanauma Bay's beauty attracted millions of visitors from around the world, leading to years of overuse.
Today, this restored bay is a protected marine life conservation park, and advance reservations are now required to visit.
- Reservations for Hanauma Bay open two days in advance at 7:00 a.m. HST and fill up quickly.
- The bay is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the last entry at 1:30 p.m.
- Entry fees are $25 per person; children 12 and under, active military, and Hawaii residents enter free.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a trip to the bay including:
- How to Get Tickets to Hanauma Bay
- Hours of Operation and Fees
- Must-Know Tips for Your Visit
- Alternate Snorkel Spots
Photo by Cosmin Serban on Unsplash
How to Get Tickets to Hanauma Bay
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Only 1,000 visitors are allowed daily. Tickets are in extremely high demand. To make your reservation, visit the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve webpage.
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Reservations are available 2 days in advance, starting at 7 a.m HST. Try to book promptly at 7 a.m. Tickets can sell out in as quickly as 5 minutes, so set that alarm! Remember that's 7 a.m. HAWAII STANARD TIME, so be sure to check any time difference when you get ready to book.
- If you weren't able to get online tickets, there are walk-in tickets available to purchase at the park when it opens 6:45 a.m. These are first-come, first-serve, and your entire party must be there. Plan on getting to the park early, as the walk-in tickets are limited and sell out fast.
RELATED: Diamond Head Reservations - What You Need to Know
Hanauma Bay Hours of Operation & Fees
- Hanauma Bay is open Wednesdays through Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so be sure to plan accordingly.
- The bay is open from 6:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. with the last entry at 1:30 p.m. The beach is cleared at 3:15 p.m.
- Reservations cost $25 per person. Kids 12 & under get in for FREE. If you need assistance getting down to the beach, a tram ride is now included with the entry fee.
- For online reservations, only VISA, Mastercard, and JCB credit/debit cards are accepted. There is a service fee of 2.35%.
- Entry for U.S. Active Duty Military and Hawaii Residents is FREE with valid ID. Military dependents and Hawaii residents 13 years and older must also show valid ID.
- Parking is not included in your reservation. It’s first-come, first-serve and there’s a $3, cash-only fee to park ($1 for Hawaii residents).
- You MUST arrive on time at the ticket window for your reservation - no late entry is allowed.
Watch our video below for step-by-step instructions on how to make advance reservations to visit Hanauma Bay.
Must-Know Tips for Your Visit
Were you lucky enough to get Hanauma Bay reservations? Now, get ready to marvel at a variety of unique marine life and pristine turquoise shores!
1. Arrive Early
Be sure to arrive at Hanauma Bay well before your reservation time to find a parking spot and get to the ticket window in time for your reservation. Remember, parking is limited, and there can be a line at the ticket window. No late entry is allowed under ANY circumstance.
If you arrive and the parking area is full, you have a couple of options:
- You can wait and check back every 10-15 minutes to see if someone just left. The parking attendants require that you keep driving, so you'll have to turn around down the road to check back.
- Park down the road and walk to the bay. (Make sure you park legally, and pull completely off the road.)
- Park at the nearby Koko Head Park and hike about a mile back to the bay. If you choose this option, be sure you arrive early enough for the long walk!
2. Prepare to Walk Down to the Beach
After you enter the park, there is about a 10 minute walk down to the beach. If you need assistance, a tram is available and is included with the entry fee.
3. Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Help preserve this natural wonder by wearing reef-safe sunscreen to protect the fragile coral and animals that call this sanctuary home! Harmful ingredients in many sunscreens cause irreversible damage to coral reefs through bleaching and contamination. In fact, Hawaii takes reef protection so seriously that reef-harming sunscreen is banned in the state. Learn more here.
4. NEVER Touch Marine Life
When you're visiting Hanauma Bay, you'll be so close to beautiful marine life you might want to reach out and touch them - please DON'T! Remember that this is their home, not ours. Not only is this disruptive to the animals, but it's also considered extremely inconsiderate in Hawaiian culture. Plus, these are wild animals, and you never know how they'll react. Some marine animals - such as sea turtles and monk seals - are protected by law, so even getting too close to them will result in a fine!
RELATED: Protect Local Animals - Ways You Can Help
5. Prepare for a Short, Educational Video
Before you can hit the water, you'll need to watch a nine-minute, educational video about caring for the ecosystem that awaits you at Hanauma Bay. This mandatory video includes safety information and facts about the bay's history.
6. You Can Rent Snorkel Gear at the Bay
Didn't have room to pack your snorkel gear? No worries - you can rent some on the beach! It’s about $25 for the standard set that includes a mask, snorkel, and fins. If you don't want to use rental gear, hop by an ABC Store, and you can buy a set before you go. You can also pay to rent a locker for the day if you’d like to secure your valuables during your visit.
7. Pack or Buy Snacks
You may bring a small personal cooler with snacks or non alcoholic beverages, or buy them before you get down to the beach at the snack stand by the entrance. Be aware that there’s nowhere to buy concessions down at the beach itself. (The snack stand only accepts credit/debit cards.) Remember to throw out your trash. Once you see the beauty of Hanauma you’ll understand why it’s important to respect this ecosystem.
Alternate Snorkel Spots
Didn't get Hanauma Bay reservations? Don't sweat it - there are other snorkel spots on the island that don't require any reservations. Some of our favorites are:
- Shark's Cove. Check out Shark's Cove: Your Guide to Snorkeling on Oahu's North Shore.
- Electric Beach
- Sans Souci Beach
Looking for more snorkel spots on Oahu? Check out our picks for the Best Snorkel Spots on Oahu here.
Any Questions? Check out the official website for the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.
Also, visit www.hanaumabaystatepark.com for the current available concessions and changes before you go!
Ready to visit Hanauma Bay? We'll guide you there on our East Oahu Shoreline Drive.