Oʻahu · United States · Reef
Hanauma Bay
Protected since 1967, about 400 fish species
Area photo: mattk1979 · CC BY-SA 2.0
A protected bay east of Honolulu, closed to boats and dived from the beach. The inner bay runs to about 9 m over reef that holds roughly 400 fish species, green turtles and parrotfish; the outer bay, with its large finger coral reef, drops to around 21 m and is recommended for experienced divers only.
Where it is and how deep
21.2714° N, 157.6944° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
No boats are allowed in the bay, so the water is calm and protected and everything starts from the beach. Depths in the inner bay run to about 9 m and visibility is generally good; the best of the reef sits at around 9 m, where spotted eagle rays pass, green turtles feed and schools of convict tangs, sergeant majors and parrotfish work the coral with moray eels tucked into it.
The outer bay is a different dive and is recommended only for experienced divers. Depths there go to about 21 m and a large finger coral reef runs down the left-hand side. Around 400 fish species are known from the bay as a whole, and it serves as a nursery for immature green turtles whose nesting grounds are far to the north-west at French Frigate Shoals.
Background
Hanauma Bay was set apart by the state division of Fish and Game in 1967 as a marine protected area, and the protection was total: the fish, the reef and the sand itself. That followed an earlier and rougher intervention — in 1956 parts of the reef were cleared with dynamite to make room for the telephone cables linking Hawaii to the west coast of the United States. Visitor pressure since has been handled by capping the park at 720 guests a day, requiring online reservations from all non-residents and closing on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Eagle rays
- Reef fish swarms
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good |
Season follows Oʻahu: South-shore boat diving runs all year; the North Shore reefs at Pupukea are only calm from about May to October and are dangerous in winter.
Questions divers ask
How deep is diving at Hanauma Bay?+
The inner bay runs to about 9 m, which covers most of the diving and snorkelling. The outer bay reaches roughly 21 m and is recommended for experienced divers only.
Do I need a reservation for Hanauma Bay?+
Yes for non-residents: the park limits entry to 720 guests a day and requires online reservations. It is also closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to rest the reef.
Sources
- Hanauma Bay — Scubago — Scubago / SSI MyDiveGuide
- Oahu — Wikivoyage — Wikivoyage
- Hanauma Bay — Wikipedia — Wikipedia
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