  School of convict tangs.
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 For many of us, the desire to learn scuba stemmed from some kind of
snorkeling experience. Our first glimpse of the
underwater world left us anxious to see more and eager to stay down longer than a breath hold would allow. As we made the transition to diving however, we found that snorkeling still held great appeal. Whether you are
an avid free diver, underwater photographer, or just getting into the water one more time before your flight back home, you've probably noticed that snorkeling is enormously popular. Just ask anyone who has been to Hawaii's Hanauma Bay.
Tucked into the remains of a 6,000-year-old crater, Hanauma Bay offers some of Hawaii's best and easiest snorkeling. The bay's stunning turquoise blue water is home to thousands of aquatic animals, from tangs to butterfly fish, to the occasional turtle. A beautiful sand beach, nearly half a mile long borders the water and shore entry couldn't be easier. Many people visit the beach to swim, sunbathe, or just relax and take in the surrounding volcanic landscape. The real beauty of Hanauma Bay however is found beneath the water. A living reef now covers the floor ofthe ancient crater, creating a diverse marine environment teeming with life. As is the case with many heavily visited dive and snorkel sites, the fish have become accustomed to humans and are not easily frightened away. Curious tangs and parrotfish will immediately investigate those entering the warm, clear water, and the sensation of being inside an aquarium is almost overwhelming. Snorkelers can weave in and out of the reef in depths of 3 to 20 feet viewing everything from small sea urchins nestled into the rock, to schools of convict tangs cruising over the white sand. Although most of the people visiting the bay come to snorkel, there are always groups of divers heading for the deeper water beyond the shallow reef. In spite of the amount of visitors to the bay, the ecological balance is amazingly intact. Steps have been taken by the preserve and volunteer groups to maintain Hanauma Bay. Quarterly cleanups, educational programs and regulated access have all helped to keep the bay healthy. Access to the bay is limited to the park entrance on Kalaniana'ole Highway (HI-72) about 10 miles from Oahu's Waikiki Beach. Parking costs $1.00 U.S. and access to the bay costs $3.00 U.S. for non-residents. The bay is closed on Tuesdays. The park has bathrooms, refreshments, snorkel gear rental, and a visitor/education center with fish identification charts and information about the bay's history. Bus shuttle tours from the city or dive shops are easy to find, or visitors can simply drive to the preserve along some of the island's most breathtaking shoreline. However you get to Hanauma Bay, get there early and bring a camera... it's not every day that you can swim with so many fish willing to have their pictures taken. |
