Beach Guide

What’s On

This week on the beach

Something
every night

6:30 AM

Hanauma Bay Snorkel Session

Hanauma Bay Beach · Active

The bay opens at 6:45 AM Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday). Early arrivals get the clearest water and the best chance at turtles near the shore.

8 AM

Snorkel Gear Rental

Bay Beach Concession · Active

Snorkel sets, fins, underwater cameras and flotation noodles available to rent inside the bay. Book ahead online to guarantee equipment.

9 AM

Koko Head Crater Hike

Koko Head Trailhead · Active

A 10-minute drive east, 1,048 railway-tie steps up the side of Koko Head crater. Intense but short — 45 minutes up, views of Hanauma Bay from the top.

10 AM

Free Education Center Film

Hanauma Bay Theater · Family

Required 9-minute orientation film about the reef ecosystem before every entry. The full education center has touch tanks and exhibits about Hawaii's native marine life.

11 AM

Sandy Beach Bodysurf

Sandy Beach Park · Active

A 5-minute drive east, Sandy Beach has Hawaii's most powerful shorebreak — locals bodysurf the steep waves. Spectating is also spectacular.

Big Days

annual
January

Hanauma Bay Restoration Day

Annual volunteer reef and beach clean-up organized by the City and County of Honolulu. Hundreds of volunteers remove invasive algae and debris from the preserve.

May

World Oceans Day Hawaii

Educational events and reef-health presentations at the Hanauma Bay Education Center, celebrating Hawaii's ocean heritage and reef conservation.

November

Oahu Marine Protected Areas Tour

Guided snorkel tours of multiple Oahu marine reserves, including a special evening session at Hanauma Bay, organized by DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources.

see you out there

Real recurring local happenings — schedules can change, so check the venue. Sun-timed events track each day’s real sunset and the countdown runs on the live local clock.