The last time we visited Hanauma Bay, we walked away torn between awe and frustration. Awe at its staggering beauty, that iconic curved turquoise bay tucked beneath volcanic cliffs. Frustration with the number of people, even with daily quotas. Then there was the wait to watch the safety video, which added more time before snorkeling. Now, everything is changing again.
A new era begins November 1.
Beginning Saturday, the city is launching a new concession partnership with Roberts Hawaii that will transform the experience of both visitors and residents at the preserve. Officials say the goal is simple: to improve access and reduce congestion. The rollout introduces a new way to visit through a packaged reservation and shuttle system designed to make things easier, but will likely stir mixed reactions.
Up to 400 daily slots will now be tied to Roberts Hawaii, which will handle round-trip transport from Waikiki and Ala Moana using new all-electric buses. That’s just over one-quarter of the total 1,400 daily nonresident visitor quota. The rest will still be distributed through the city’s own reservation system. Still, there’s no question that this carve-out will make independent booking even more competitive and challenging than it has already been.
For residents, nothing changes. Admission remains free, with a $1 parking fee. However, for visitors, the message is clear: plan early, book online 48 hours in advance, or consider the new shuttle for a streamlined visit.
What visitors will notice first.
Roberts Hawaii allows bookings up to 60 days in advance, whereas the city of Honolulu allows bookings only up to 48 hours in advance. This gives travelers far more flexibility to plan around flight dates or family schedules.
Another advantage with Roberts is that cancellations are accepted up to 48 hours before arrival with only a 10% penalty, meaning a few last-minute spots may become available even on sold-out days. Savvy visitors checking the site the night before may find surprise availability that isn’t reflected on the city’s reservation portal.
The most significant shift is how people get in. Instead of driving up and hoping for space, the system now emphasizes reservations. Visitors can book either the city’s own ticketed entry or the new Roberts Hawaii package, which includes transportation, video orientation, and guaranteed admission.
Those staying in Waikiki may find the new option easier. No more 6 a.m. drives, no fights for reservations, and fewer surprises and disappointments at the gate. However, for others, it’s another layer of control that reduces the freedom to explore the island on one’s own schedule.
Roberts Hawaii is offering two main packages: Hanauma Bay Admission with Waikiki Hotel Transportation for $65 per person, or the same tour plus admission to the Honolulu Zoo for $86. Both include the educational video that Hanauma Bay requires, now shown onboard the electric bus en route to the bay rather than causing a wait once at the Bay. Rentals and food purchases remain extra, including snorkel gear, lockers, and a small snack area near the beach. Packages are refundable up to 48 hours in advance with a 10% cancellation fee.
The city’s reservation system opens two days before each visit date at 7 a.m. HST and typically sells out within three to five minutes. Many visitors say it’s a race against the clock that rewards persistence and good Wi-Fi.
A delicate balance of access and preservation.
The Department of Parks and Recreation states that Hanauma Bay incurs millions of dollars annually in maintenance costs. Visitor fees now fund marine research, coral restoration, and daily lifeguard and maintenance operations. The new contract generates stable revenue from the tour operator while reducing the traffic jams and parking-lot chaos that have long plagued the area.
City officials believe this model will help sustain the bay’s recovery since the pandemic closures. During the 2020 shutdown, fish and coral rebounded quickly. Since reopening, managers have struggled to strike a balance between financial realities and environmental protection.
Nancy, one of our longtime readers, captured the mood well when she wrote, “Would it be feasible to have the entire islands close down two days a week, like Sunday and Monday, to give residents a chance to rest and recover? Wouldn’t everybody take a great big exhale?”
Local reaction remains divided.
The debate feels familiar. Some residents see this as another step toward monetizing public spaces. In contrast, others argue it’s a necessary move to prevent the return of the crowds that nearly destroyed the reef previously.
One reader, Chris, described Hanauma Bay as “the epitome of ruined Hawaii,” arguing that reservations, lines, and training videos have turned a once-local retreat into a theme park. Others pushed back. AlohaMike reminded him that “the popularity of the bay is to blame, not the rules,” noting that “back in the 70s, there wasn’t anybody there” and that education and limits are essential to keep the reef alive.
Mark D. shared memories from his time on Oahu between 1979 and 1981, when snorkeling there was “beautiful back then,” adding that he hopes protection outweighs the frustration of today’s high fees. Another reader, Dale D., questioned whether “three quarters of a million dollars per month” in collected fees is being spent wisely. For reference, with approximately 1,400 paid visitors daily at $25 per person, that figure is reasonably accurate.
What’s staying the same.
Resident access remains free, and the daily visitor cap is unchanged at about 1,400 nonresident entries. The coral reef remains under strict protection, with bans on fish feeding, standing on coral, or using non-reef-safe sunscreen. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft can still drop passengers near the entrance, though space is limited.
For visitors with mobility issues, the shuttle between the theater and the beach continues to operate, though sand wheelchairs remain unavailable. QR codes now link visitors directly to reservation confirmations and educational materials, a feature designed to simplify the check-in process.
What to expect going forward.
Locals will likely notice fewer cars lining the narrow access road, but the new buses may alter the arrival experience. Expect to see more emphasis on digital integration, pre-arrival education, and potentially revised pricing if the first months reveal bottlenecks.
City officials say they may revisit capacity numbers once they evaluate how the new system performs, but there’s no timeline for that yet. For now, they emphasize conservation and visitor experience as the twin goals of this change.
The irony of success.
Hanauma Bay remains one of the most recognizable places in all of Hawaii travel, and yet few experiences divide visitors more sharply. For many first-timers, it’s the highlight of Oahu. For long-time residents and repeat visitors, it has become a cautionary tale about what happens when paradise meets policy.
Whether this new system finally achieves a balance between access and preservation will soon be clear.
Will these changes make visiting easier, or do they mark another step away from the Hawaii people once knew?
Lead Photo Credit: Beat of Hawaii at Hanauma Bay, 2024.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
I gave up trying to make online reservations a couple of years ago. I’d set my alarm, get on the site as soon as it opened and within seconds, all the slots would be gone. I assume the tour companies grab them all. I’m glad I’ve been several times before.
Looks like misery. Sounds like misery. The grossly overinflated price is misery.
Overhyped and underwhelming. Hard pass.
“Hanauma Bay Admission with Waikiki Hotel Transportation for $86 per person, or the same tour plus admission to the Honolulu Zoo for $69.”
I’m a bit confused as to whether or not you can go to the Honolulu zoo admission and the Hanauma Bay for less. The sentence needs to be clearer.
Hanauma Bay. Jeeze. When I started going to HI back in the 70s, you drove from Waikiki, turned right and parked your car in the lot. Grab your gear and head for the beach. Weekends could get a little busy (mostly due to locals days off from work), but it was manageable. Now we have a Disneyland kind of environment, with entrance fees, parking fees, scheduling and now tour buses. What used to be a fun, free and casual morning or afternoon at the bay is now approaching a $100 visitor payout. Too many people, and not all of them visitors. That’s the big problem it seems in HI, just too many people.
When I was younger my parents took us to Hanamau Bay,you have to walk down there,my grandma lived in the area,so did my uncle,aunt and cousins,my father’s co-workers lived in the area,so was my High School,my ma’s high school was across the street,and I liked the area very much,because where I’m from it constantly rained,and on some days it was very windy,up the highway there was the Pali Lookout,and there were a lot of Tourist Buses,from there you could see the Northern side of Oahu,on a Crystal Clear Day,And because I’m from Honolulu I know everything about it.
Shouldn’t they have held a lottery to see which company gets to do this?
Roberts Hawaii tried to monopolize Hanauma Bay shuttle service back before Covid. They even wanted the city to stop their Bus service to the bay.
I visited Hanauma Bay right after it reopened. It was while I was living on Oahu and still hard to get to Hawaii. I was very disappointed…it did not live up to the hype in my opinion. I think Sharks Bay in the summer and 2 Step or Kealakekua Bay have much better snorkeling. I wonder who was bribed to let Robert’s be the sole excursion provider.
Well, you could say that Roberts has a lot of experience operating in HI (and a lot of investment!), as well as a lot of ‘close’ friendships with the decision makers (and how to ‘handle’ them!), so they would be the logical choice to run this lucrative operation. Seems pretty ‘open and above board’. Uh-huh.