Hanauma Bay questions

[Maggie The Cat]

Hi again,

For Hanauma bay, I read to make reservations ahead of time on the Honolulu parks and recreation website, get the coral safe sun-screen, parking first come first served, etc.

But my questions - for snorkeling, do we actually need to buy life vests or wet suit? Can you just go in your bathing suit? Or can you rent a life-vest there?
Do they have public washrooms?
Do you have a best day to visit in your opinion?

I'm sure these sound silly, but I only have experience snorkeling in the Caribbean and it was a cruise excursion.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You will be given a snorkel vest because it helps the guards track people in the water.

Beat day is the day for which you can get a booking. It is highly competitive to get the passes.

There are restrooms for use by park visitors who have passes for the park. You have to watch an orientation video at the visitor center and it has facilities. You can also rent snorkel gear there - it is not included in your entry fee.

 

[cgattis]

We weren’t given vests to wear at Hanauma Bay, but that was in 2017, so maybe that’s new? And no, you don’t need a wetsuit; swimsuits are fine.

 

[Jeepdisney]

We went this past August on our honeymoon and this was hands down the favorite thing I did! We did an excursion there so I cannot answer anything about the parking but at that time we did not have to wear a wet suit or life jacket but I believe there were life jackets you could rent. They had public restrooms they weren’t fancy but did the job. A few other tips I would share
1. If you have a GoPro or underwater camera make sure to bring it with you. I was so happy I had mine and captured lots and lots of footage.
2. Make sure to put sunscreen on the back of your legs and back. I was so sunburnt there due to not thinking I’ll be floating on my stomach most of the time.
3. At the top of the hill/entrance is the concession stand. So if you want to have anything to drink or snack on make sure to stop there first this was something I really regretted not doing.
i think that’s all but if you have anymore questions I’d be happy to help!

 

[Jeepdisney]

This was one of many pictures I got!

 

[Maggie The Cat]

We went this past August on our honeymoon and this was hands down the favorite thing I did! We did an excursion there so I cannot answer anything about the parking but at that time we did not have to wear a wet suit or life jacket but I believe there were life jackets you could rent. They had public restrooms they weren’t fancy but did the job. A few other tips I would share
1. If you have a GoPro or underwater camera make sure to bring it with you. I was so happy I had mine and captured lots and lots of footage.
2. Make sure to put sunscreen on the back of your legs and back. I was so sunburnt there due to not thinking I’ll be floating on my stomach most of the time.
3. At the top of the hill/entrance is the concession stand. So if you want to have anything to drink or snack on make sure to stop there first this was something I really regretted not doing.
i think that’s all but if you have anymore questions I’d be happy to help!

Thanks!
What excursion did you book? You can only book 2 days ahead online and the poster above has me thinking it's almost impossible to accomplish. That's certainly nothing I want to deal with on a once in a lifetime trip.

If I can book an excursion in advance I'd rather pay more and do that!

 

[cgattis]

View attachment 728681This was one of many pictures I got!

Great pic!! Picasso triggerfish?? I got lots of good parrotfish pics at HB—both blue and red ones. We loved it too! So easy and so many fish!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks!
What excursion did you book? You can only book 2 days ahead online and the poster above has me thinking it's almost impossible to accomplish. That's certainly nothing I want to deal with on a once in a lifetime trip.

If I can book an excursion in advance I'd rather pay more and do that!

There are no spots reserved for excursion operators at the bay.

 

[Maggie The Cat]

There are no spots reserved for excursion operators at the bay.

Well it sounds like quite the hassle then according to what you are saying.

I'm sure we'll find something else to do.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well it sounds like quite the hassle then according to what you are saying.

I'm sure we'll find something else to do.

There are shuttles but they don't include entry permit.

 

[Hubie]

We went this past August on our honeymoon and this was hands down the favorite thing I did! We did an excursion there so I cannot answer anything about the parking but at that time we did not have to wear a wet suit or life jacket but I believe there were life jackets you could rent. They had public restrooms they weren’t fancy but did the job. A few other tips I would share
1. If you have a GoPro or underwater camera make sure to bring it with you. I was so happy I had mine and captured lots and lots of footage.
2. Make sure to put sunscreen on the back of your legs and back. I was so sunburnt there due to not thinking I’ll be floating on my stomach most of the time.
3. At the top of the hill/entrance is the concession stand. So if you want to have anything to drink or snack on make sure to stop there first this was something I really regretted not doing.
i think that’s all but if you have anymore questions I’d be happy to help!

We snorkeled at St. Thomas and St. Johns at different beaches over 10 days and I didn't get sunburned because besides using sunscreen we wore T-shirts in the water.