Hawaii Hanauma Beach Guide

Hanauma Bay Nature Park is one of the more popular recreational swimming, snorkeling and picnicing areas on O`ahu. The bay itself is legally designated as a State Underwater Park and Conservation District. The bay is the result of the ocean's breaching and incursion into two volcano craters. This most beautiful of places is ideal - if you are a new SCUBA diver or snorkeler; and - just for swimming. There are hiking trails with very pretty vistas and the park areas have good picnicing sites.

Avoid walking on the rocky ledges where waves are breaking, they can be very dangerous. Rocks become slippery and are sharp, abrasive lava stone. Lava is very porous and it crumbles easily. Don't ever go into the wet rocky zone. The ocean is unpredictable and has been known to wash people away.

This "Curved" bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. This is THE BEST protected cove if you are new to scuba diving or snorkeling with a diverse population of marine life and a large, rich coral reef. Advanced snorkelers and divers can also enjoy the beauty of this bay as the reef extends throughout the cove into deeper water. The bay floor is actually the crater of an ancient volcano that flooded when the exterior wall collapsed and the ocean rushed in.

There is a large sandy beach perfect for sunbathing, relaxing and picnicing. Several hiking trails extend along coastline and along the ridge overlooking the bay providing breathtaking lookouts.

Hanauma Bay is a small, horseshoe-shaped bay located in Koko Head, a prominent headland at the southeastern end of Oahu. Measuring approximately one-half mile form shore to its outer points and one-third mile from point to point, it contains a shallow fringing reef and a white sand beach approximately 2,000 feet long and 100 feet wide. Park facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic areas, snack bar, snorkel rental, tram service, park office, lost and found, and parking. The University of Hawaii has an educational counter where staff members answer questions, hand out brochures, and conduct hourly walking tours at no charge. A fee is charged for parking and for entry to the beach.

Hanauma means curved bay. Hanauma Bay was created when the ocean breached the seaward side of a volcanic crater and flooded the crater floor. During the thousands of years that followed the breach, the erosive force of the ocean collapsed the seaward crater wall, and a massive reef and white sand beach formed at the head of the bay, creating one of the most popular snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming sites in the world. The reef and the deeper waters in the outer bay are home to one of Hawaiis most diverse and abundant populations of fish life.

Hanauma Bay is a marine life conservation district with strict regulations prohibiting all consumptive activities within its boundaries. Signs detailing the restrictions are conspicuously posted in the park, and park rangers can answer questions regarding the restrictions. Smoking is prohibited beyond the scenic lookouts. During periods of high surf, powerful waves surge across the low lava terraces that lead out to the points on either side of the bay. When these conditions occur, the lifeguards close the gates across the terraces. Be careful walking on the terraces even when the gates are open, and pay special attention when you are crossing sections that are already wet from the wash of previous waves. Lifeguards are on duty daily. Check with them before proceeding beyond the beach if you are walking on the terraces or snorkeling beyond the reef.

The white coral sand is accentuated by the azure blue water and underwater coral in the nearshore area." Once a beach wins the top spot in the annual ranking it is "retired" and not eligible to win again. Previous Hawaii beaches which have been named America's Best Beach and which are excluded from this year's survey are:

1991 Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii
1993 Hapuna, Big Island, Hawaii
1996 Lanikai Beach, O`ahu, Hawaii
1997 Hulopoe, Lana`i, Hawaii
1998 Kailua Beach Park, O`ahu, Hawaii
1999 Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
2000 Mauna Kea Beach, Big Island, Hawaii
2002 Poipu Beach, Kaua`i, Hawaii
2003 Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii


Using a Beach Rating Scale consisting of 50 criteria, Leatherman's annual picks have become recognized as the definitive word on America's best beaches.

All in all this year two Hawaii beaches made the top ten list. Here are Dr. Beach's choices for the best beaches of 2004 along with links to photos of each beach thanks to Florida International University.

There is a large sandy beach perfect for sunbathing, relaxing and picnicing. Several hiking trails extend along coastline and along the ridge overlooking the bay providing breathtaking lookouts.

The curvature of the bay usually provides protection from large ocean waves and allows swimmers a terrific opportunity to view the marine and reef life in a safer, protected environment. Always monitor the ocean conditions at all times and obey lifeguard warnings and postings. .