Hanauma Bay - Getting There

Hi Everyone

Just wondering about a few things re: Hanauma Bay

1. Getting there:

- 1/2 day tour?

- TheBus?

- Taxi?

2. Best Time:

- AM or PM?

3. Snorkel Gear

- Hire there or purchase beforehand?

4. Any other hints, tips or ideas are greatly appreciated

Hanauma Bay - Getting There

Well, depending on the day and how busy the tourist season is, I would recommend getting there early. We tried to go one day not very early and it was already full-the parking lot was packed and people were parking on the highway and walking a long ways. The next morning, we went earlier and were able to park in the parking lot. However, as it later, the wated gets less clear because there are so many people swimming/snorkeling around.

As far as getting there, I can%26#39;t help too much-we just drove our rental car. And as far as gear, we had borrowed all of it from a friend back home and took it with us, so I guess that%26#39;s not much help, either. It does seem like there were lines of people waiting to rent the gear. We did rent a locker to leave some stuff in, though.

Hanauma Bay - Getting There

We got there, during busy season, on a Sunday, at about 9:00 AM by car. The parking lot wasn%26#39;t full yet, but you don%26#39;t need to worry about that if you%26#39;re not driving. We waited in line for about 45 minutes.

I keep reading advice to arrive early. I%26#39;ve been before, but it was so long ago, I can%26#39;t even remember what time of day we went! Is it feesible to show up in the afternoon? What about a Saturday afternoon? Do the crowds peak and then die down later in the day?

Thanks.

I should specify we%26#39;ll be there in May this time. I know the crowds can vary a great deal with seasons and holidays.

I went from Waikiki on the bus. I t was very easy and no prob. I went just after breakfast,which would have been probably about 9AM. I rented snorkel gear there. Make sure you have ID/credit card something to leave as collateral for the gear. They have lockers and it is just a wonderful place!!

i went about 6 years ago, we went on a tour, something cheep i think it was $20 per person, included ride out and back,hotel pick up, snorkle gear and entrance fee... i think when i go back this time the one thing ill do for sure is buy my own snorkle gear, 1- because i plan to snorkle many places and ill reuse it, 2-the gear we got didnt seem clean enough for my taste , i worried the whole time that they just rised the mouth piece out with water and handed it to the next person.... maybe im paranoid, but i dont take chances :) it was a total blast!

hawaiibound 7 ... few answers on Hanauma Bay. Open daily except on Tuesday, bay cleaning day.

1. Getting there: * many companies offering snorkeling tours

starting at around $11 w/coupons from brouchere off the

street stands. Tour companies have different times for pick

up, you need to check with driver, sometimes differcult when

everyone wants to return at about the same time.

** spend as long of a time when you take the city

bus at $2.00 each way (bus route #22). This is the only city

bus that stops in the parking lot of the bay. Expect 1 hour on

the bus each way.

*** taxi will take you approx. 20 minutes from

Waikiki and the fare is approx. $30 each way.

2 Best Time: * Go as early as possible. Sun is always good

between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3. Snorkel Gear. * Best to buy for a couple of dollars at ABC stores

My suggestion is to get a taxi that is willing to come back to get you without further charges other than the taxi meter. It is always nice to know that when you are ready to leave Hanauma Bay, someone is waiting to return your party to Waikiki. When the bay is busy, city bus and shuttles fills up fast and if you don%26#39;t have a taxi reservation, taxi is hard to come by. Don%26#39;t get caught with some of the taxi drivers that will illegally charge you $10 each one way each person and fill the van up like sardines.

Good luck and have fun!

Thank-you so much for the info Islekane!

i know it answers all the questions I had.

I most curious about the taxi. On a map the Bay doesn%26#39;t look that far.

with 4 people sharing a cab , that should save a few $.

Troy

Aloha Troy ....

,,, depending on where you are staying in Waikiki, distance to Hanauma Bay is almost the same as going to and/or coming from the airport. If I can help you with getting around with commercial transportation (taxi, limousines and/or private charters), email me at isle_kane@yahoo.com and I will refer you to local Hawaii born drivers who I work with on the daily basics and I am sure, one of the guys will be able to accomodate you. Let me know.

Until then, ';Live Aloha';

Rod

The one thing you need to remember is the somewhat small parking lot. Once that thing fills up, they stop letting people in to park. So if you%26#39;re going to drive on your own, your best bet is to go early in the morning. We got there one time at about 10:00 AM and they stopped letting cars in because it was full already. If you go by bus or taxi or on a tour, you shouldn%26#39;t have a problem.

As far as the snorkel gear, it%26#39;s more of a preference thing. Do you want to use a mask and snorkel that a gazillion other people have used?? Are you planning to do more snorkeling elsewhere? We bought a cheap, but pretty good, set at Walmart.

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