Scuba Diving and Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay - Oahu, Hawaii

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Whether you’re interested in scuba diving or snorkeling, Hanauma Bay on the Southeast side of Oahu is a fantastic destination. The floor of Hanauma Bay was once a volcano crater which filled with ocean waters when its outer, ocean-side wall collapsed. Hanauma Bay has been a protected marine life and conservation area as well as an underwater park since 1967. A large, vibrant coral reef is home to a huge variety of beautiful and unique sea life.

Among the incredible reef inhabitants you may encounter while snorkeling or scuba diving at Hanauma Bay are butterfly fish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, and tangs. There are more than 450 species of tropical fish to spot here. Octopus, Hawaiian green sea turtles, rays, crabs, sea urchins, jellyfish and eels are some of the interesting sea creatures you can view and photograph beneath the waters at Hanauma Bay.

You can enjoy diving and snorkeling at Hanauma Bay whether you are just starting out or have years of experience. There are plenty of opportunities to book a dive ideally suited to any interest and skill level, and equipment rentals and instructions are readily available. You can choose a snorkeling or scuba tour that includes transportation to and from your hotel, drinks, snacks, and personalized instruction.

Depending on where you are staying, your hotel may offer snorkel equipment at a cheaper rate than dive shops at Hanauma Bay. You may try snorkeling yourself from the shore of the beach, however instruction and guidance is recommended for those with more than a slight curiosity about Hanauma Bay’s underwater ecology and sea life.

As you plan your scuba diving or snorkeling adventure at Hanauma Bay, you’ll come across more than one mention of how popular a destination this is for divers, snorkelers, and swimmers. Hanauma Bay is just a half hour drive from Honolulu, so it is a popular destination.

Although those who loathe crowds may be a bit put off by the number of people at Hanauma Bay, its popularity as a diving destination has one important benefit. Hanauma Bay’s waters are not only popular, they are protected. This means the sea life here is accustomed to benign human contact, and they are not as skittish or shy as you might expect. You are likely to find you have many more up close interactions with marine creatures at Hanauma Bay than in other snorkeling or diving locations you may visit in Hawaii or elsewhere.

There are a variety of hotel accommodations available for locations near Hanauma Bay at HotelsCombined.com and they offer excellent rates.