Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, at 100 Hanauma Bay Road in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu, on Oahu, Hawaii, is a protected marine life conservation area set in a collapsed volcanic crater open to the sea on one side. The crescent-shaped bay has a curving beach of soft, pale sand, and the water is exceptionally clear, ranging from pale turquoise in the shallows to deep blue over the reef. The sheltered bay, roughly 10 miles east of Waikiki, is fringed by a coral reef that is home to hundreds of species of reef fish, and green sea turtles are often seen. It is the best known snorkeling site on the island, and the calm inner reef makes it suitable for beginners, though the outer bay beyond the reef edge has stronger currents. The preserve is run by the City and County of Honolulu, and visitors must watch an educational video about reef protection before entering the beach. The atmosphere is busy and organized: families, tour groups and snorkelers share the sand, and visitor numbers are capped. The preserve is closed Mondays and Tuesdays to give the reef a rest, and entry requires an advance online reservation and a fee for non-residents. Amenities include lifeguards, restrooms and showers, snorkel equipment rental, an education center with a video, and a tram that carries visitors between the parking area and the beach for a small charge. Parking costs about $3 in cash, and the lot fills early on open days. Access is by car along Kalanianaole Highway, by rideshare, or by shuttle. Food is limited to a snack concession, so many visitors bring water, sun protection and reef-safe sunscreen. Standing on or touching coral is prohibited and damages the reef. Snorkeling is best in the morning, before wind chop and crowds build, and the calmest months run from April through September.