Hanauma Bay Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Oahu: Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa 9-Hr Deluxe Tour

• Oahu's Ultimate Tour: Dole, Turtle Snorkel, Pali Lookout & More

• Waikiki Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Honolulu

• Oahu Circle Island Tour with Waimea Waterfall

• Tour of North Shore & Waimea Waterfall

Entry fees for the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve currently cost US$25 per person for non-residents aged 13 and older. Children under 12, residents of Hawaii, and active-duty US military all receive free admission. Parking is not included in the entry fee and costs US$3 per vehicle for non-residents and US$1 for residents.

Yes, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is worth visiting—especially for those who enjoy beach time or snorkeling, thanks to its coral reefs and lagoons. You can rent snorkeling gear on-site or join a guided tour to maximize the experience, snorkel at the best locations, and learn about marine life in this part of Oahu. 

Per one customer who booked the Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with Transportation, "Our snorkeling tour was hands down the best experience of our trip. My daughter has only known the colder, rougher waters of Northern California and isn't a strong swimmer, so she was genuinely nervous about getting into the ocean. From the very beginning, Fumio made her feel completely safe. She took the time to reassure her, explain everything clearly, and never once made her feel rushed. What amazed me most was how Fumio managed to do it all—guiding us safely through slightly rough waters, finding rare and beautiful fish we never would have spotted on our own (she even found a fugu - puffer fish), and somehow capturing incredible photos and videos at the same time."

Hanauma Bay State Park is open from early morning to mid-afternoon from Wednesday through Sunday year-round—last entry is at 1:30pm and the beach closes an hour before the park does. The best times to visit are either early, before peak crowds arrive, or after lunch, when the sun illuminates the reefs, ideal for snorkeling.

Yes, you need a reservation for snorkeling—unless you’re a Hawaiian resident and arrive before 9am. You can prebook timed entry up to two days in advance on the Honolulu Parks and Recreation website, but you need to be super-quick. Limited walk-ins are available on-site from opening time, but they also go fast.

Yes, because the parking lot fills up quickly. If you’ve reserved early bay entry, you’ll likely bag a space—but otherwise, be ready to park far away. Skip the hassle of parking by booking Hanauma Bay tours that include transport, taking the trolley or buses from Waikiki, or using cabs or rideshare apps.

Most people find that two hours is enough time to snorkel the reefs of Hanauma Bay. However, aim for around four hours at the bay itself—most tours stay for this long—so you’ve got time to watch the 10-minute marine preservation video on entry and make the round-trip tram ride or walk to the beach.

Yes, you can bring your own snorkeling gear to Hanauma Bay. You can hire equipment on the beach, but it’s quite pricey at around US$20 for a standard set—taking your own snorkel gear will save you money and time. Plus, it’s likely to fit you better.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Oahu:

• Pearl Harbor National Memorial

• Oahu North Shore

• Halona Blowhole

• Diamond Head

• Dole Plantation

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Oahu.