Hanauma Bay Oahu ?

[jnc411]

Just a question about Hanauma Bay. We are spending one day in Honalulu during our cruise and have not planned a ships excursion. We would like to go to Hanauma Bay to snorkel. We have our own gear and wonder what is the best public transportation to the Bay is it far from the Aloha Tower pier area ? I read somewhere that there is a trolley ?? or should we take a cab?

Thanks for your input. Appreciate it.

Cori

[ninkb]

You might want to try a rental car. We had one for the day and loved driving north, along the coast of Oahu.

 

Is this the bay that has a parking lot that closes early, when full? We couldn't get in, was too crowded. That's the advantage of the bus, but what a hassle from the Aloha Tower.

 

We found that an 8am docking means you get there too late to rent a car and get a parking place. Or do you have an overnight there and could go the second day?

 

Oahu has so much else to see that you might want to save the snorkeling for another island. Why not hike up Diamond Head? DH finished and said it was awesome. I let the 90 heat and humidity get to me and quit before reaching the top. Still, a neat experience and one you don't get many places!

 

Have a great trip!

:):):) ninkb

[IAMAMT]

Just a question about Hanauma Bay. We are spending one day in Honalulu during our cruise and have not planned a ships excursion. We would like to go to Hanauma Bay to snorkel. We have our own gear and wonder what is the best public transportation to the Bay is it far from the Aloha Tower pier area ? I read somewhere that there is a trolley ?? or should we take a cab?

Thanks for your input. Appreciate it.

Cori

 

We are leaving this week and planning to take thebus. There are two routes that go most the way from the pier area to the east part of the island and you have to transfer somewhere anlong the way to finish at the bay. its $2.00 per person each way. They have a web site so you can plan.

[jnc411]

ninkb: Hi, we only have the one day there , we are on the 15 day RT from LA so we arrive about 7 or 8 am. Really don't want to rent a car this time. The hike sound good, but DH has some health issues so he couldn't do it. But thank you for the good information.

 

IAMAMT: thanks you, for the bus info, I will check it out. Hope you have a great cruise. ENJOY.

Cori

[Middleager]

If the purpose is for good snorkeling, then Hanauma Bay isn't that good. It has nice scenery and is quite well known. It also has a nice short video show to explain the need to protect the place. But most of the corals close to shore are dead/white, from so many people touching or standing on it. There are also so many people there.

 

Although taking the bus is cheap, it can take a while, on bus, to get to Hanauma Bay, including wait time.

 

There are many other places good for snorkeling. Do a google search on snorkeling Oahu and you'll find lots of info. I'd still suggest renting a car to drive yourself. After snorkeling you have time to drive around Oahu, say to Pali Lookout (really nice), or other places.

[oceanview585]

We thought it was great snorkeling. A little rough as a lot of the coral and fish are right near where the water is breaking. Have to be a strong swimmer and pay attention to surroundings.

[glenneagle]

we rented a car in dec and drove to hunana bay.snorkling was wonderful,war

ter was very calm.get there early as the lot fills quickly. enjoy.

[Middleager]

Getting to Hanauma Bay early is not possible for the OP, as they are arriving by cruise ship. Hanauma Bay is about 10 miles east of Waikiki, about 30min by taxi. It's not expressway driving, but a lot of traffic lights around and outside of Waikiki. Getting there from Aloha Tower adds another 10-15 min, depending on the day.

 

Also note Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays. The OP mentioned hiking is out for the husband. The entrance of Hanauma Bay is on top of the mountain and has a steep slope to walk down or climb back. They have a trolley bus for an extra $1 that you can take and save the walking/hiking.

 

The water is calm near shore. But to see more you have to swim a bit of a way. There are so many other places in Oahu that have better snorkeling, are free, and doesn't take a long walk/ride before getting to the water and doesn't require a bit of a swim before seeing good coral/fish.

 

Hanauma Bay is a beautiful place, nice scenery. But it also gets filled up very quickly, because many people go there. When we went on a Wed. morning, we were among the first to get there (and saw the line growing fast behind us). When we were leaving around 11am, there were thousands of people. When we were exiting, there was a very long line with maybe another thousand people waiting to get in. With so many people, the sand/silt gets kicked up by mid-morning and visibility is not as good, thus requiring swimming further out.

 

If the purpose is for ANY snorkeling in a beautiful place, then HB may do. If the purpose is for good snorkeling, then there are many other places to do in Oahu. Or could go snorkeling in other islands, such as few minutes south of the Kona port, or few minutes north at Lahaina port, or in Kauai rent a car to drive south to Poipu Beach, or scenic drive north to Ke'e Beach, etc.