Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Protected snorkeling bay in an old volcanic crater. Closed Monday and Tuesday; non-residents need a timed reservation.
Know before you go
- Parking
Lot above the bay: $3 non-residents ($1 residents). Online reservations don't include a parking stall; if the lot is full, wait or use legal street parking.
Verified · City & County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks & Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Fees
Non-residents 13+: $25 (plus a 2.35% online fee). Free for Hawaiʻi residents with ID and children 12 and under.
Verified · City & County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks & Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Reservations
Non-residents: book a timed entry 2 days ahead, from 7 a.m. HST (e.g. Monday for Wednesday). A few walk-in tickets go out when the gate opens at 6:45 a.m. Everyone watches the education video.
Verified · City & County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks & Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Paying
Unknown – check locally
- Getting there
Unknown – check locally
- Tide & surf
Rip currents in the channel near the telephone cables can be strong, especially on an ebb tide; the 'Molokaʻi Express' current at the left side of the bay mouth is also hazardous. Walking the wave-cut benches is dangerous in big surf.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Hours
Wednesday–Sunday. Entry 6:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; beach cleared at 3:30 p.m.; everyone out by 4 p.m. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Verified · City & County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks & Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Dogs
Dogs may not stay in Honolulu city parks except areas signed for leashed dogs. A leashed, licensed dog may cross a beach park by the most direct route to reach the shoreline.
Verified · City & County of Honolulu (American Legal Publishing) · checked Oct 25, 2026
Rule text: ROH § 10-1.7 (crossing rule, which overrides the general park ban in § 10-1.2(a)(9)).
- Restrooms
Yes
Hawaii Beach Safety listing · Hawaii Beach Safety (safebeachday.com)
- Showers
Yes
Hawaii Beach Safety listing · Hawaii Beach Safety (safebeachday.com)
- Accessibility
Unknown – check locally
- Lifeguards
Yes: lifeguards on duty year round.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
The state list shows Hanauma's tower as Sun–Mon 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the bay itself is closed Mon–Tue. Confirm on site.
- Rules
Marine Life Conservation District: no feeding or attracting marine life; no taking marine life.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Protected area
Hanauma Bay Marine Life Conservation District.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Reef-safe sunscreen
Hawaiʻi law bans selling sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription (since Jan 1, 2021). Bring a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide).
Verified · Hawaii State Legislature · checked Oct 25, 2026
The law covers sale and distribution. On Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi the county also bans using non-mineral sunscreen.
- Wildlife distance
Stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles and 50 ft from Hawaiian monk seals (or behind any signs or barriers), on land and in the water; 50 yd from dolphins; 100 yd from humpback whales.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
NOAA recommends 150 ft from a mother monk seal and pup.
Information only, not safety advice. Hawaiʻi surf and currents change fast. Always follow lifeguards and posted signs; if in doubt, don't go out.
Tides & daylight · next 3 days
Information only, not safety advice. Hawaiʻi surf and currents change fast. Always follow lifeguards and posted signs; if in doubt, don't go out. Facts checked against Hawaiʻi DLNR (State Parks, Aquatic Resources), Hawaii Ocean Safety, county park pages and NOAA on Oct 25, 2026. Times are Hawaiʻi time (HST). Map © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.