Visitors hoping to snorkel at Hanauma Bay in mid-September are in for an unsuspected surprise. The City and County of Honolulu has just announced that the popular marine preserve will be closed to the public from Monday, September 8, through Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The closure will allow for nearly $840,000 in repaving and restriping of its two primary parking lots, which provide around 280 visitor stalls
While the work will modernize infrastructure that hasn’t seen attention since 2019, the total shutdown will undoubtedly disrupt travel plans for thousands of people. The city has asked for “patience and understanding” from both frequent preserve users and first-time visitors.
Why Hanauma Bay closures affect more than just snorkeling.
This isn’t the first time the preserve has closed for maintenance, conservation, or health reasons. You may recall that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the bay was closed for nearly a year. And while that break did offer an ecological rebound, it also marked the beginning of a new era of restricted access.
In recent years, changes to Hanauma Bay’s reservation system have made it more difficult for independent visitors to secure spots. The daily visitor cap, an advanced 48-hour online booking window, and a growing preference toward tour operators have been challenging to some return visitors who recall the days when you could show up early and wait in line.
That backlash erupted again earlier this summer, when Honolulu announced that commercial tour operators would be allocated 500 daily tickets at Hanauma Bay. As we reported in this deeper look at the Hanauma Bay policy shift, reader comments reflected intense frustration from long-time visitors who feel increasingly locked out of what used to be one of Oahu’s most accessible gems.
Visitors already frustrated with access may feel shut out again.
The repaving project is straightforward enough as proposed. The work is being performed by a hired contractor who is set to resurface and restripe both main public lots over the 15-day proposed period, “weather permitting.” But the timing of the closure and the decision to entirely shut the site instead of implementing phased access for parking repairs raise visitor concerns.
The city notes that the main access road to the preserve was last repaved in October 2019, and the commercial vehicle lot was last repaved in September 2017. However, this latest closure occurs during a popular Hawaii travel shoulder season, when prices drop and visitors often seek outdoor activities like snorkeling. For some, this may have been the centerpiece of their Oahu trip.
Reader concerns reflect deeper tension over Hanauma access.
The last time Beat of Hawaii covered Hanauma Bay access, dozens of reader comments poured in. Some were sympathetic to the need for environmental protection. Others were less forgiving. Lisa B. wrote, “I used to go there all the time… now I can’t even get a reservation. They’re gone in a minute.” Another commenter, Randy R., added, “We’ve been 95 times. Now, why go back? We have our memories.”
Donna, a frequent Oahu visitor, said, “All of the current reservation systems, including Diamond Head, are a challenge to work with. And on Oahu at least, parking is ridiculous.” Comments ranged from disbelief over where the money goes, to frustration over tour companies getting large blocks of public access.
Will the upgrades be worth it?
According to the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, the $839,527 project includes not only asphalt resurfacing, but also restriping to optimize parking flow and improve safety. They argue that a full closure will expedite the timeline and minimize long-term disruption.
For visitors arriving before or after the closure window, the improvements may indeed be beneficial. The parking lot is notorious for backing up onto Kalanianaole Highway, creating traffic headaches for everyone. The improvements could make a difference, assuming they are subsequently well-maintained.
Alternatives for snorkeling while Hanauma Bay is closed.
If your trip overlaps with the September closure, you’ll need a Plan B. Fortunately, Oahu offers many other great snorkeling options, though none with the same protected reef system or infrastructure.
Shark’s Cove on the North Shore is a solid backup, especially in the calmer months of fall. Kahe Point (Electric Beach) on the leeward coast can be rewarding for experienced snorkelers, though ocean conditions must be monitored carefully. Waikiki’s Queen’s Beach area has decent nearshore fish life and easy access, but the crowds and surf can interfere. No permit is required for any of these alternatives, although parking can be challenging and restroom access may be limited.
If you’re unfamiliar with the changes at Hanauma, including fees, arrival logistics, and what to bring, we recommend reviewing our guide to the Hanauma Bay preserve, which remains relevant today.
We welcome your comments on Hanauma Bay.
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On July 25th at 10:05 AM, we tried to take our visiting friends to Hanauma Bay just to view the beach from the parking lot since they are elderly and did not want to travel down to the beach area. I was planing to stay in the car and not park while they viewed from the overlook areas. We were stopped by a security guard we turned off the highway to the parking area, and was informed that we could not proceed to the parking area to view unless we had a reservation. The guard informed us that the new policy was viewing could only be done from 6:30 to 9:30 AM. I asked where that policy was posted since I had visited the Hanauma Beach website to check on opening hours and I did not see any mention of the restricted hours. The state is certainly doing its best to deny visitors the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sights of Hawaii, and certainly keeping visitors away from Hawaii.
Never going back to a place that so clearly harbors disdain for tourists.
The improvements could easily been completed while keeping the bay open.
So the city can pave / strip major roads at night, and have them open in the daytime, but this little area requires 2 week shutdown (weather permitting)???
Here is my solution:
Give me the money.
I will have the work done at night. Hanauma will be open every day.
– tourist’ entry fees will generate a lot of revenue to the city.
– i will finish under budget, and ahead of schedule.
840,000 yeah right. How much did Hawaii make from the reservations that were cancelled or listed as admission not guaranteed? $25.00 per non resident x 15 days worth plus a parking lot reservation fee. At a maximum of a 2.5 hour maximum stay per guest what is that 3-4 thousand per day. 3000x25x15=1125000 dollars plus parking income. No wonder locals and residents pay nothing.
They never loose out the tourist’s do.
Only two weeks? If this were the mainland then sure. But all you have to do is revisit how long it took for the recent repaving of a small parking lot in Kaimuki or Ala Moana beach park main parking area, and those were flat! Might as well shut it down until Thanksgiving. Give nature more time to heal rather than tell everyone the usual “delay delay delay.”