Hanauma Bay in short
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is run by the City and County of Honolulu. It is a snorkeling bay, but also a protected area, and the rules are stricter than at an ordinary beach. Everyone watches a short educational video on every visit, even if you have been before.
The bay is open Wednesday to Sunday only. Visitors from outside Hawaii book a time online ahead of the visit. This independent guide shows the rules as of October 2026. It is not an official site, and hours can change at any time, so check the city page before you go.
Reservations step by step
Book online ahead. Spots are limited.
When booking opens
Reservations open two days before your visit at 7 am Hawaii time. Monday for Wednesday, Tuesday for Thursday and so on. Booking closes at midnight the day before.
Entry fee
$25 for non-residents aged 13 and over, plus an online fee of 2.35 percent. Children up to 12 are free. Hawaii residents with a valid photo ID enter free and without a reservation.
Military
Active US military personnel and their families enter free with a military ID. Without proof of Hawaii residence, service members count as non-residents for the fee.
Tickets with transport
Entry combined with transport from Roberts Hawaii can be booked up to one month ahead.
Our picks: snorkeling
Hanauma Bay entry with gear, or a guided snorkel trip off Waikiki.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hanauma Bay entry with snorkel gear
Entry plus mask, snorkel, fins and a swim belt, without transport. Entry alone costs $25 when you book it yourself.
Check availability →
Turtle Canyon snorkel trip off Waikiki
Snorkel gear, fins, a safety diver and guide, and soft drinks. Remember to keep your distance from the turtles.
Check availability →Hanauma Bay and snorkeling tours
Snorkel trips with transport from Waikiki and combined trips that include Hanauma Bay, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours and closures
Arrive early. The entry window ends before the beach does.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Open days | Wednesday to Sunday |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, 25 December, 1 January |
| Entry | 6:45 to 13:30 |
| Beach cleared | 15:30, everyone out by 16:00 |
| Snorkel rental | 7:00 to 15:00, card only |
| Gift shop | 8:00 to 15:30 |
| Snack bar | 8:30 to 14:00 |
The bay closed for canal work from 3 August and reopened on 19 August 2026. A second closure is planned for early 2027, and the project runs until summer 2027. Check the city announcements for the dates before you book a trip around it.
Rules in the bay
Treat the preserve as a marine habitat. Stay at least 10 feet from green sea turtles and at least 50 feet from Hawaiian monk seals, on land and in the water. A monk seal with a pup needs 150 feet.
The educational video is required at every visit. Do not mix it up with the 19-minute art film in the visitor installation, which is a separate exhibit.
Snorkel equipment can be rented from 7:00 to 15:00. Bookings are card only and made online. Bring your own gear if you can, and check the current rental price before you plan your budget.
Green sea turtles are also seen on the North Shore. See our North Shore guide for the lifeguarded beaches there.
Getting there
Parking is limited. Transport is easier for many visitors.
By car
Parking is $3 for non-residents, cash only, paid on site. Bring small bills. Residents pay $1.
By bus
The city shuttle into the bay has been discontinued. TheBus route 22 stops at the top of the hill on Kalanianaʻole Highway, from where you walk down. Check the current timetable before you go.
With a package
Roberts Hawaii sells packages with round trip transport from Ala Moana and Waikiki. Compare them with a rideshare plus the entry fee.
From the airport
See our Honolulu airport page for the Skyline and W Line connection to Waikiki before you continue east.
A sample visit
How the day fits together.
Two days before
Be online at 7 am Hawaii time when booking opens for your date. Pay the entry online and keep the confirmation ready.
Morning
Enter between 6:45 and 13:30, watch the video and rent equipment from 7:00 if you need it. Bring $3 in cash if you drive.
In the water
Stay at least 10 feet from turtles and 50 feet from monk seals, in the water as on the sand.
Leaving
The beach is cleared at 15:30 and everyone has to be out by 16:00. The snack bar closes at 14:00, so eat before or after.
Plan the rest of your day
Hanauma Bay closes early, so combine it with an afternoon elsewhere.
Hanauma Bay: frequently asked questions
When is Hanauma Bay open?
Wednesday to Sunday, with entry between 6:45 and 13:30. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, 25 December and 1 January. Hours can change at any time.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, book online ahead if you do not live in Hawaii. Reservations open two days ahead at 7 am Hawaii time and spots are limited.
How much does it cost?
Entry is $25 for non-residents aged 13 and over, plus a 2.35 percent online fee. Children 12 and under are free. Parking is $3 in cash.
Do I have to watch the video every time?
Yes. The educational video is required at every visit, including repeat visits.
How close can I get to turtles and monk seals?
At least 10 feet from green sea turtles and at least 50 feet from Hawaiian monk seals, on land and in the water.
Can I get there by bus?
Yes, route 22 stops at the top of the bay on Kalanianaʻole Highway. The city shuttle into the bay no longer runs, so plan to walk down.