It’s a different time for pristine Hanauma Bay. There are new rules and it is going to cost you more!
142 thoughts on “Hanauma Bay: New Rules and Limits, Increased Fees, Online Reservations Only”
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It makes sense for a ton of reasons – the primary one is most residents don’t go anyway. Tons of other local beaches to visit with friends and family. It costs a lot to keep the Bay clean and healthy. I first went to the Bay in 1963. Since then I have visited 2 dozen times and each one a little worst than the last because of tourists’ complete disregard of common sense. 25 dollars is a lot but should also include the rules – the Bay doesn’t belong to the tourists it belongs to the coral and fish. They should respect it like it did belong to them. So for me, 25 dollars is a lot, I see that, if too much, stay at the beaches in Waikiki.
Aloha and Mahalo BOH Team for all you do to keep us informed!
I echo Andy M’s thoughts. On my first visit to Oahu over 20 years ago, I visited Hanauma Bay and was entranced by what i saw…. Beautiful coral reefs teeming with sea anemone, urchins, and fish too numerous to count; clear blue waters; relatively few visitors. We took special care while snorkeling to avoid touching the coral in the shallow water. We were in awe of the beauty just below. Words cannot describe just how amazing it was! In all my travels in 13 countries, I’d never seen anything more pristine and naturally beautiful than Hanauma Bay!!
Fast forward 16 years when i was blessed to move from the mainland to the island of Maui. The following month i flew to Oahu and once again visited my beloved Hanauma Bay. My heart immediately sank — the crowds were overflowing the beaches, scores of people were walking in the water no doubt crushing the coral. This time when i snorkeled, the beautiful sealife was depleted, few fish remained. The coral was crushed and bleached. It was devastating!!
I support to entrance fee hike. I no longer live on the islands, so i, too, would have to pay $25. I don’t mind. My hope is the limited number of visitors to the bay will allow the marine life the chance to heal. Only with strict conservation efforts, will this once breathtaking bay have a chance to regenerate and once again be the awe-inspiring slice of heaven it was 20 years ago!
Hi Lisa.
Thanks for sharing your experience and feedback on Hanauma Bay!
Aloha.
Very concerned with the reservation system. Tour groups can take this over limiting to single visitors
Another CRAZY increase. I’ll not return. Very sad.
Increase fees to help? Definitely. But double. So stupid.
It’s seems like the COVID shutdown gave Hawaii a better look at just how much tourists can affect the land. It’s nice to see a place putting the environment as a priority. As a tourist, it’s not fun to see fees but then I remember why I go to Hawaii, it is because they have given such great respect to the land and it shows in their beautiful paradise. I just hope the fees work and do go back to conservation efforts. 🙂
Why shouldn’t locals have to pay ? They are human beings too & have the same impact on the environment at visitors. This reasoning is very flawed. Locals still have the same carbon footprint as visitors. Instead of “no fee” for locals maybe they should charge them a reduced fee to help maintain the environment.
I guess Hawaii is not hurting that bad for visitors with all the increase fees everywhere
I don’t mind the increase in fee. The last time we were there 2 years ago, it was so totally overcrowded it wasn’t enjoyable. A treasure like Hanauma Bay needs to be protected and if fees limit the number of people, so be it.
Aloha, BOH
Hi Ed.
Thanks again for so many comments, and for sharing the experience from your recent visit to Hanauma Bay.
Aloha.
Why not close the bay for another year, or more to fully give this treasure time to heal. It’s had decades of abuse.
Why not open to public one weekend day, then 2x week. Charge more $$…for real. Seriously, this place is better than any helicopter tour, or sunset cruise; this is an experience of a lifetime.
Walk the talk Hawaii. Quit putting bandaids on something that is in critical condition of deterioration. Don’t wait for the total collapse.
Thank you for the great information! Do you know what time the reservations open for the next day? I want to make sure to get reservations so my kids can visit Hanauma Bay for their first time snorkeling! Thank you so much.
Hi Becky.
No, we don’t know for sure, but perhaps someone else can lend a hand in the comments.
Aloha.
Hi Becky,
My family and I just visited Hanauma Bay last week. Reservations can be made beginning at 7 am 48 hours before you intend to visit. They go extremely quickly. You have to be on the website exactly at 7 am with speedy hands to even have a chance at getting a reservation 48 hours out. I wasn’t able to get one on my first attempt, but tried again the following day and was successful. Good luck!
Hi Becky – I was just on the site, this is how it works: This system will allow the public to select an educational viewing show time two days ahead of their planned visit to the nature preserve. For instance, beginning Monday at 7 a.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time (HST) the public can begin reserving a time slot for Wednesday.
We’re going on July 10th so was trying to see how far out we could reserve. 2 days in advance and it goes fast. This should be interesting.
Good luck!
Becky C