View from the rim
The rim looks down over the crater and beach. You enter at the top and watch the orientation video before heading down. The tram saves you the walk.
Things to do in Oahu › Places › Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay
$25 entry · closed Monday and TuesdayUpdated October 30, 2026 visitor rules from official pages; transport from TheBus
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a flooded crater east of Waikiki where you snorkel from shore. Entry costs $25 per nonresident aged 13 and up; younger children enter free. Hawaii residents and eligible U.S. military families enter free with ID. It's open Wednesday through Sunday from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry ends at 1:30 p.m. Reserve exactly 2 days ahead at 7 a.m. HST; slots sell out.
Entry
Hanauma Bay entry and visitor rules
| Entry | nonresidents aged 13 and up pay $25 per person, plus a 2.35% service fee online. Children 12 and under enter free. |
| Reservations | online reservations open at 7 a.m. HST exactly 2 days ahead. You book the video time; sales close at 11:59 p.m. HST the night before. Spaces can run out sooner. |
| Hours and closed days | open Wednesday through Sunday, with entry from 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The beach clears at 3:30 p.m.; you must leave by 4 p.m. It's closed Monday and Tuesday. |
| The reef and the rules | coral lies close to shore and can cut you. You can't feed fish or remove marine life. Leave coral untouched and keep your feet off it. |
| Rentals and food | snorkel rentals run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food is sold from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both take credit or debit cards; you can't pay cash. |
| Parking | parking costs $3 per vehicle for nonresidents or $1 for Hawaii residents. You'll need cash. Your admission reservation doesn't reserve a parking space. |
Reserve, walk in or tour
- Online reservation Your reservation sets the orientation time; it doesn't include a ride to the bay. Booking opens at 7 a.m. HST exactly 2 days before your visit.
- Walk-in ticket Walk-in tickets start at 6:45 a.m. on open days, with your whole group present. Tickets go to the first arrivals; you can leave without one.
- Guided snorkel Both guided tours hold an entry time and provide gear, with admission charged separately. Choose the Waikiki pickup tour if you need the ride included.
Map
Where Hanauma Bay is
Hanauma Bay: 21.2690° N, 157.6938° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap
How to get there
- By bus from Waikiki TheBus doesn't enter the preserve, and Route 23 from Kahala Mall bypasses the entrance. Your Waikiki journey needs a connection and a separate final leg. Adults pay $3.25 cash per boarding or $3.00 for 2 hours with HOLO.
- By car The lot is 10.2 miles or 16.5 km from Kuhio Beach in Waikiki via H-1 east and Kalanianaole Highway. Parking costs $3 per nonresident vehicle or $1 per resident vehicle in cash. You aren't guaranteed a space with your entry reservation; the gate closes when the lot fills.
- With a tour One guided tour meets you at the bay's entrance. The other includes pickup and return within Waikiki. Both provide gear and reserve your entry time; the $25 entry fee per paying visitor is extra.
- By taxi or ride-hail Taxi and ride-hail drop-offs are discouraged because of traffic and safety concerns. Entry still needs a reservation or walk-in ticket, unless you're a Hawaii resident with valid ID.
The bay
The crater and reef at Hanauma Bay
View from the rim
The inner reef
The inner reef has water up to 10 feet deep. You can see sandy patches between the reef. Visibility is often better early in the day, before swimmers stir up sediment.
Koko Crater
Koko Crater rises northeast of Hanauma Bay. Its stair climb is in Koko Head District Park. You can use the hiking list to plan a separate outing.
With a guide
Two Hanauma Bay snorkel tours with reserved entry times
Two ways to snorkel with a guide, lowest starting price first. Each row pairs a tour with its entry arrangements and the costs you pay separately.
| Guided snorkel with reserved entry | from $103.66 per person | Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour 76 reviews, 4.8 · Your 1-hour guided snorkel includes gear and guaranteed parking access. Groups have up to five people. The $25 entry fee per paying visitor is due to the operator immediately after booking. You arrange your own transport and pay $3 per vehicle for parking. · dates and prices ↗ |
| Guided snorkel with Waikiki transport | from $115 per person | Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with Transportation 237 reviews, 4.9 · Waikiki pickup and snorkel gear are included in the 4-hour outing. A flotation vest and downloadable photos are included too. Your $25 entry fee per paying visitor is extra. Pickup beyond Waikiki needs agreement before booking. · dates and prices ↗ |
The catch: The tour meeting at the bay excludes nonswimmers and won't refund your cancellation. The pickup tour isn't recommended for children under 5. Read its cancellation terms on the booking page before you pay.
Before you go
- Set an alarm for 7 a.m. HST exactly 2 days before your visit. Bring mineral sunscreen. You'll watch the orientation video before entering the beach and must keep off the reef.
Tours
Hanauma Bay snorkeling and other Oahu outings
Snorkeling tours and Hanauma Bay
14 tours · from $39.99
The snorkeling list compares Hanauma Bay shore tours with boat trips elsewhere on Oahu. You can choose by pickup and gear inclusion.
Hiking tours and Diamond Head shuttles 13 tours · from $35The hiking list includes Diamond Head shuttles and guided trail outings. You can compare transport and walking time before adding a hike to your stay.
Circle island tours 14 tours · from $75The circle island list compares routes around Oahu. A lookout stop alone doesn't include beach entry or time in the water.
Know before you go
Know before you go
Orientation video
You watch the orientation video on every visit before heading down to the beach. It has closed captions, with versions in seven languages.
Tram and access
The free tram runs between the entrance and beach roughly every 10 minutes and takes wheelchairs. You can borrow a beach wheelchair at the Beach Information Kiosk from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gear and lockers
Snorkel gear is rented at beach level, and lockers are available. Rentals run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on open days, with payment by credit or debit card. A rental doesn't secure admission.
Closed days
Hanauma Bay closes every Monday and Tuesday. It's also closed on December 25 and January 1. You can't move your admission booking to another day. Direct entry bookings are refundable only if an unforeseen closure shuts the preserve.
Sunscreen
Hawaii bans sales of sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription. That rule covers sales; it doesn't ban possession or use. A reef-safe label isn't a legal standard. Choose a mineral sunscreen for your visit.
Free entry
Children 12 and under enter free. Hawaii residents need valid photo ID and don't need a reservation. Active U.S. servicemembers stationed in Hawaii and their dependents enter free with active-status military ID. Without Hawaii residency ID, military visitors still need a reservation or walk-in ticket.
Good to know
People also ask
- How much does Hanauma Bay cost?
Entry is $25 per nonresident aged 13 and up. Online payment adds a 2.35% service fee. Children 12 and under and Hawaii residents with ID enter free. Parking is $3 per nonresident vehicle or $1 per resident vehicle, paid in cash.
- How do you make a reservation for Hanauma Bay?
Use the city's booking page at 7 a.m. HST exactly 2 days before your visit. You select an orientation time, with up to five adults and five children on each reservation. Monday's release is for Wednesday. Your photo ID must match the booking, which you can show on your phone.
- Is Hanauma Bay open on Mondays?
No, Hanauma Bay closes every Monday and Tuesday. You can enter Wednesday through Sunday from 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The beach clears at 3:30 p.m.; everyone must leave by 4 p.m.
- Can you rent snorkel gear at Hanauma Bay?
Yes, snorkel gear is available at beach level from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. You need a credit or debit card. The admission fee doesn't cover rentals. Both guided tours include gear if you're booking time with a guide.
- How do you get to Hanauma Bay from Waikiki?
You can drive from Waikiki or book the tour with hotel pickup. Follow H-1 east onto Kalanianaole Highway. From Kuhio Beach it's 10.2 miles by road, with nonresident parking at $3 per vehicle. TheBus doesn't enter the preserve.
- Is Hanauma Bay good for beginner snorkelers?
It can suit you if you swim confidently and conditions are calm. The inner reef reaches 10 feet deep; it isn't all standing depth. Ask a lifeguard about conditions and swim with a buddy. The outer bay is for experienced swimmers only.