Highlights of Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a protected natural area where the sea extends into the interior of a volcanic crater. The bay’s broad arc overlaps with the crater rim, creating an ocean view characteristic of Oahu. It is also a marine life conservation area, so after entering, every visitor watches an educational video about protecting the natural environment before heading to the beach.
A beach surrounded by a volcanic crater
Hanauma Bay is a beach monitored by lifeguards and equipped with facilities including restrooms, showers, and changing rooms. While swimming or snorkeling, you can enjoy a close-up view of the bay surrounded by the crater.
The terrain surrounding the bay itself is also an attraction. The tall mountain on the left side of the photo is Koko Head, with a trail that uses the remains of a former railway line. Both Hanauma Bay and Koko Head are craters formed by the same volcanic activity as Diamond Head. From near the upper entrance, you can take in the broad shape of the bay, and the ocean draws closer as you descend to the beach.
A nature reserve visited by reservation
Hanauma Bay is one of the tourist attractions on Oahu where reservations are difficult to obtain. Visitor numbers are controlled to protect the natural environment, so visiting is different from going to an ordinary beach. When planning your trip, choose some possible dates and check the basic information for the details needed to make a reservation, making it easier to plan your visit.
Watching an educational video after entering is also part of protecting the bay’s natural environment while allowing visitors to enjoy it. Before reaching the beach, you will need to check in, watch the video, and travel from the upper entrance, so allow plenty of extra time in addition to the time you plan to spend by the sea.
Basic Information on Hanauma Bay
The information below was checked against official sources on October 24, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- Check opening hours, admission reservations, fees, and transportation information.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve | Department of Parks and RecreationAdmission With Transportation Reservations for admission with transportation can be made up to a month in advance. ...www.honolulu.gov
- 📍 Location
- 100 Hanauma Bay Road, Honolulu, HI 96825, United States
- 🕒 Opening hours
- Open Wednesday through Sunday, with admission from 6:45 to 13:30. Visitors must leave the beach by 15:30 and the facility by 16:00. ⚠️ Opening hours are subject to change.
- 🚫 Closed days
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, December 25, and January 1.
- 💶 Admission fees
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- Non-Hawaii residents aged 13 and over: US$25 per person
- Children aged 12 and under: free
- Hawaii residents presenting eligible photo identification: free
- Active-duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents presenting military identification: free
Online payments incur a 2.35% service fee.
- 🎫 Tickets
- Admission-only reservations open through the Parks and Recreation Online System (PROS) at 7:00 Hawaii Standard Time, 2 days before the visit. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for visitors from outside Hawaii. Even if spaces remain, reservations close at 23:59 on the day before the visit. Before booking, check the reservation requirements for everyone in your party, including children aged 12 and under.
- ⏱️ Recommended duration
- Allow approximately 2–3 hours, including check-in, the educational video, and time on the beach. ⚠️ The time required varies depending on how long you swim, crowds, travel between the upper entrance and the beach, and use of changing rooms or showers.
How to Get to Hanauma Bay
If you are traveling from Waikīkī by public bus, take TheBus 22 and get off at the stop above Hanauma Bay along Kalaniana‘ole Highway. The bus does not enter the nature preserve, so after getting off, follow the ridge to the entrance on the Hanauma Bay Road side, pass through the reception area, and descend to the beach.
By car and getting to the beach
By car, drive east from Waikiki on Kalanianaʻole Highway (Hwy 72) and turn onto Hanauma Bay Road. The parking lot is on a ridge overlooking the bay, but spaces are limited, and an entry reservation does not include a parking space. When the lot is full, you must wait until it reopens or use legal parking in the surrounding area.
The parking rate for passenger vehicles is US$3 per vehicle for non-Hawaii residents and US$1 per vehicle for eligible Hawaii residents who present valid identification. Payment is cash only. You are eligible for a refund if you leave within 15 minutes of entering. The route from the upper entrance to the beach slopes downhill, and a tram service is also available for a fee.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Oahu: A guide to attractions, food, transportation, and a sample itinerary”.
