Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is a sea embayment built within a tuff ring in the Hawaiian community of East Honolulu, on the Hawaiian Islands, on the southeast coast of the island of Oxfam. Hanauma is one of the Island’s most popular tourist destinations, and has suffered from overuse.

Quick facts

• Name: Hanauma Bay
• Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
• Type of attraction: Natural landmark/Bay
• Ticket price: Free

This popular tourist destination once accommodated more than three million visitors per year. Dynamite was used in 1956 to clear parts of the reef to make room for telephone cables connecting Hawaii to the west US coast.

Hanauma Bay offers amazing snorkeling experience.  With over 300 different Hawaiian fish species lurking about the shallow coral reefs, it is a dream of every snorkeling enthusiast.

The Bay itself, which is believed to be 35,000 years old, is the floor of a volcanic crater which, when it collapsed, opened to the sea. Hananuma Bay (“Hanauma” literally means “curved bay”), declared as a marine life conservation area and subsequent to sea park in 1967, is protected from strong currents and waves, making it an ideal place to swim or snorkel.

A large sandy beach is surrounded by several hiking trails leading to amazing views. On clear days, you can see Molokai Islands and Lanai throughout the canal, and humpback whales from the shore can be spotted during winter and early spring.

For more info about snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, please head to our friends at Pro Adventure Guide.

Interesting facts about Hanauma Bay

Here are some interesting facts about this natural landmark:

• The bay is sitting on top of the crater, which can be seen on a photos from above.
• In order to protect natural life and environment of the bay, authorities allow only 3,000 people at the time.
• Visitors are having mandatory educational video viewing before going to the bay, so they can learn how to preserve natural environment of the area.

Read more: Interesting facts about Hanauma Bay