Top Oahu landmarks

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

Name: Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
Brand: Kaimana Tours
SKU: 69524P5
Price: 55.99 USD
Rating: 4.5 (962 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceOahu, USA

5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience the wonder of Hanauma Bay, one of Oahu’s most-loved sights. The volcanic crater is a protected, marine-life conservation area with an amazing array of tropical fish and coral reefs. This tour takes the stress and hassle out of the experience, with organized transportation and snorkel gear. Because of the sight’s popularity, the parking lot often fills up halting entrance to the beach. Avoid missing out with this professional tour.

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay and see tropical fish and colorful coral reefs
Choose from three morning departure times and enjoy use of all snorkel gear
Avoid the hassles of driving, and parking, and insure you don’t miss out
Convenient, round-trip transportation from Waikiki hotels

What's Included

Transportation from Waikiki hotels
Use of Snorkeling equipment

Entrance fee for adults 13 & older $25.00 (State Fee)
Gratuities
Snacks
Extra items requested such as:Life Vests, Hd Cameras, Ninja Masks, Boogie Boards, Umbrellas & Chairs

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

After make this reservation please contact Kaimana Tours to verify your pick up location and time. International travelers without USA mobile number, please contact us. If you do not have USA mobile number please provide room number from your hotel.We will try to contact you 24 hours before the tour date,but if we cannot find you, we won’t be able to provide the shuttle service. If you don’t see your hotel on our list please pick up the closest one.If you don’t need transportation please don’t book this activity. You don’t need to buy the park entrance before the Tour date, please make sure to bring $25 per person, ONLY CASH.

Meeting point

Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel Waikīkī Beach
150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
If you are NOT staying in Waikiki there is a free parking lot located at : 2805 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. Please park there and walk over to the QUEEN KAPIOLANI hotel. Please do not be late since the shuttle will not wait for you.

Drop-off point

Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel Waikīkī Beach
150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.06:00 am

What To Expect

With multiple pickup points available to choose from, simply select the most convenient one for you and arrive at your departure time. Seamlessly travel from there to Hanauma Bay in comfortable transportation, getting on the shore without worrying about parking.

Arrive at the bay and take in the natural landscape. Then, get geared up with the provided snorkeling equipment and dive into a world of tropical dish. Take ample time to discover the coral reefs and vibrant marine life that are waiting beneath the waves.

At the end of the day, relax during the transfer back to your original departure point.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Drivers and Receptionist MAY speak Portuguese as well.

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Operated by Kaimana Tours

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Tracey_D

Beautiful setting and very well organized. I would really recommend booking this, it takes all the hassle out of the experience.

Reviews

4.4

962 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 962 reviews

Huanama Bay

Diane_H, Jan 2025

They sent me a message to the wrong phone number so we didn’t know we had to have 25usd in cash to enter the park. I don’t recall anything on the website either stating cash only.

Beware of Jelly Fish

Amanda_R, Jan 2025

First, I just want to say the driver, Roger, was very nice and organized. The pick up and drop off at the bay was great. There were 10 people in our group. Within an hour of drop off, 3 people had been stung by jellyfish including my husband. One of the other people had to be taken off in an ambulance. At least 2 of us called the tour company to see if they could come back and get us because it was still a couple of hours until the pickup time. The man on the phone was rude and unhelpful. I understand if the vans are committed to other routes and it's not possible to do an early pick up but a nice and understanding attitude goes a long way. Ultimately we took an Uber back to our hotel which was $50. Just a word of warning, jelly fish are common in this area for 3-4 days each month. I wish we had known going in. Check the University of Hawaiis jelly fish calendar before scheduling. Also, know that you are on your own if anything happens.

Poor experience

Farah_S, Jan 2025

During the snorkeling tour, the jellyfish in the water kept stinging everyone. To make matters worse, it was raining heavily, which made it difficult to se anyfosh.. Additionally, there was no guide available at the bay. On a positive note, our driver was very friendly and punctual. We also witnessed a beautiful sunrise.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your recent experience. We’re sorry to hear that the weather and jellyfish made your outing less enjoyable. Unfortunately, these natural factors are beyond our control, but we completely understand how they could impact your day. We’d like to take this opportunity to point out that your feedback seems to focus more on the unpredictable conditions rather than the service we provided. As a company, we aim to deliver excellent service, and we’re glad to hear you appreciated the punctuality and friendliness of our driver, as well as the beautiful sunrise. Regarding the absence of a guide at the bay, our website does mention that this is a shuttle service with gear provided, rather than a guided tour. We aim to set clear expectations, but we’ll review how we communicate this to ensure it’s as clear as possible for future guests. We hope you’ll consider rating us based on the service we provided, as it reflects the effort and care we put into making your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible despite circumstances beyond our control. Best regards

Okay experience

A_P, Jan 2025

The time shown here also accounts for standing in line for the entrance, transit. You get around 2 hrs of experience. They need to improve the quality of the gear. Was really bad gear and kept coming off. Bay in it self is beautiful. You should be able to have good views in snorkeling.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear you appreciated the beauty of the bay and the snorkeling views—it truly is a special place! We’d like to clarify that the tour usually provides about 3 hours of water time, not 2 as mentioned. This allows ample opportunity to snorkel, explore, and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. Regarding the gear, we’re happy to share that we’ve recently replaced all our masks and snorkels with newer models that have been inspected and approved by snorkeling experts to ensure top-notch quality and functionality. These updates have received great feedback from our guests. If you’re a novice or have any questions about using the gear, please don’t hesitate to ask our team—we’re always here to help! We appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you back soon for an even better adventure.

A lovely experience in a pristine setting

Ruthann_G, Jan 2025

Excellent pre-activity communication from the vendor regarding confirmation of pick-up time, meeting location and availability and prices of equipment rentals and purchase. They do say that "water and lockers are available" but do not indicate that there is a rental cost for this. The drivers are informative and friendly. We did learn at the State Park that active duty military with ID do not pay the $25 fee. I do wish that there would be a "non-snorkelers" option for a small discount for non-use of equipment. I found that snorkeling is "not my thing," but my husband saw a few fish while I enjoyed the sun and beautiful beach.

World-class snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

Eero_C, Jan 2025

The snorkeling brought us into contact with a bewildering variety of colorful fish literally just a few yards from the shoreline. Superior organization and transport by Kaimana Tours gave us lots of time on site, and the service was very friendly.

A good ride, but experience too short

Claude_H, Jan 2025

This tour is more of a simple ride to Hanauma bay. The tour starts at 6am but you really enter the parc around 7:30am. Considering that mornings can be cloudy, entering in the ocean is nice around 8:30am if you’re not a good snorkeler. But the ride back is at 11am so expect a real 2 hours only of enjoying the beach and snorkeling. It was way too short for me. But a good ride and a nice guide. Also, any beach equipment is very expensive to rent with the organization (20$ for an umbrella for just a couple hours) and you can’t bring voluminous object so you don’t really have a choice if you want an umbrella or a chair.

This is a must do...

David_V, Jan 2025

This is a must do activity when in Hawaii. The tour company really takes care of everything. The amount and variety of fish you will see is incredible. We have done this each visit to Hawaii

Magical place…

Andrea_M, Jan 2025

This was hands down my favorite activity in Oahu. So glad we did a tour and that we were there first thing in the morning… first out in the water… snorkeled and saw some of the most beautiful fish and coral reef!!!

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad to hear you had such an amazing experience. One of the great benefits of booking with us is getting an early start—being first in the water means you get to enjoy the best snorkeling spots before the crowds arrive! We’re thrilled you got to see such beautiful fish and coral reefs. Looking forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures!

Excellent Snorkeling Adventure & Experience!

Alison_Y, Jan 2025

Our experience was excellent. Getting to Hanauma Bay can be complicated, hence having this company available to handle all of the details including securing tickets to get in, transport, and providing the snorkel equipment saved a lot of time! We had a really great time and I highly recommend!

A fun family day

911memorial, Jan 2025

Beautiful day - not crowded due to limit of people allowed into the park. Transport up and down is free and great to use.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your great review! We’re so glad you had a beautiful day and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, thanks to the park's visitor limits. We hope to have you back for more memorable adventures soon!

Do not over pay

Marluzvi_S, Jan 2025

Just try to get your own tickets for Haunama bay to go on your own, you will see fishes but do not expect a lot of them. I think it depends on the time of day you go. You may enter the park as people exit.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Hello, thank you for your review! I wanted to clarify a few things. Our tour includes not only snorkeling gear but also transportation, which guarantees entry into Hanauma Bay, especially during busy periods. As you mentioned, the day you visited was right after New Year’s, which was an exceptionally crowded time, and getting tickets on your own can be very difficult. Without being part of a shuttle group like ours, there’s a strong chance you wouldn't have been able to enter the park at all. Additionally, Hanauma Bay operates with a strict daily capacity limit of 1,400 visitors, and once it's reached, no more guests can enter—even if people leave the park. So, we make sure to take care of all the logistics for our guests, which includes early entry, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!

Hanauma bay was pristine.

Robert_B, Jan 2025

They get u there early which is good. Fish were good but the surf was up too much. Very well organized.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear you appreciated the early arrival and our organization. It's true that the surf can vary, and while Hanauma Bay offers amazing fish and marine life, conditions can sometimes be a bit more challenging. We always aim to get our guests there early to avoid the crowds and maximize your time in the water. We hope to see you again soon, and hopefully with calmer seas next time!

Easy!

Lauren_F, Jan 2025

Great way to see the bay at sunrise without the hassle of dealing with the chaotic Hanamau park reservation system. Easy transport, rental and plenty of time to snorkel. Hanamau bay beautiful as always, Mahalo Kaimana tours!

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Mahalo for the kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the sunrise experience and the ease of our service. Hanauma Bay is truly magical, and it’s great to hear you were able to enjoy it without the stress of the reservation system. We always strive to make it as simple and enjoyable as possible, from transport to gear rentals, so you can focus on the beauty of the bay. Thanks for choosing Kaimana Tours, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable snorkeling adventure soon!

Assistants went overboard

Christi_B, Jan 2025

This is on behalf of my daughter Christi Beltramo who is now occupied planning other days of our Hawaii vacation. As her 84-yr old dad with challenged balance and needing a cane, I CHOSE to go along and it was a borderline choice on my part. The activity itself is no longer for me, but the response of the staff was fantastic. From meeting snorkelers for their bus, to getting situated in a van, with very clear directions and assistance pre-dawn, there were no problems. My memory of the family’s enjoyment & my own appreciation of the place will last, with many THANKS to Kaimana Tours. I would suggest that other elders choose some other way to enjoy the bay, but not for any shortcomings in these guides! Their service was amazing.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re so happy to hear that you and your family had such a wonderful time, and we're honored that you chose to join us. It's wonderful to know that our staff made everything smooth and comfortable for you, and we truly appreciate your kind words about their service. While we understand that certain activities can be challenging, we're grateful we could help create lasting memories for you and your family. Thank you again for choosing Kaimana Tours, and we hope you have many more amazing moments on your Hawaii vacation!

Didn’t like the time...

Lisa_P, Jan 2025

Didn’t like the time limit. Need to explain the process to get checked in that it takes at least 2 hours from pick up time.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your feedback! We understand that the time limit and check-in process may have felt rushed, especially during the busy season. Unfortunately, the high volume of visitors during peak times can sometimes lead to longer wait times, which are out of our control. To ensure a more relaxed experience, we recommend visiting during a slower season when crowds are smaller. We appreciate your understanding and hope you’ll have a smoother experience on your next adventure with us!

Amazing!

Charlotte_K, Dec 2024

This was an incredible trip! The Bay was incredibly beautiful. The best snorkeling we have had on Hawaii! There were tons of fish with lots of different sizes and variety. It would have been nice to have an hour longer to enjoy the beach. It was nice to have all of the transportation figured out with pick ups and drop offs and entry into the bay.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so happy to hear that you had an incredible time and enjoyed the beautiful bay and amazing snorkeling—sounds like it was an unforgettable experience! We totally understand wishing for a bit more time on the beach, and we’ll definitely keep that in mind for future trips. We’re also glad that the transportation and entry process made your day easier and stress-free. Thanks again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!

Beautiful area

Kristen_G, Dec 2024

What a beautiful place!! Good for all ages. Bring snacks. They do have a gift shop and snack bar however it is a little expensive.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the beauty of the place—it really is a stunning spot for all ages. Great tip about bringing snacks; while the gift shop and snack bar are convenient, we understand that prices can be a bit high. We hope you had a fantastic time and look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable experiences!

Fantastic

Christina_Z, Dec 2024

If you stay close to shore, yes the water will be murky, but just swim 100 meters out or so the reefs are amazing

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for the helpful tip! You’re absolutely right—swimming a little further out makes all the difference! The reefs are truly spectacular once you get a bit deeper into the water. We’re so glad you had a chance to experience the beauty of the underwater world and hope to see you back for more incredible adventures soon!

Breath taking tour!!!

Neil_R, Dec 2024

Our experience at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, was unforgettable. Our driver, a young man who moved to the island during high school, was incredibly knowledgeable about the island’s history and the unique features of Hanauma Bay. The tour began early, allowing us to witness a breathtaking sunrise and get into the bay before the crowds arrived. We snorkeled for three hours, exploring the stunning marine life in a peaceful and uncrowded setting. The tour, booked through Viator, included transportation, snorkeling gear, and return service to our hotel, making the entire experience seamless and stress-free. One important note: bring cash for each person in your group, as entry to Hanauma Bay is not included in the tour price. Overall, this was an outstanding experience, and we highly recommend booking with Viator to make the most of your visit to this iconic location.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such an unforgettable experience at Hanauma Bay. It’s great that you enjoyed the peaceful snorkeling and the early start to avoid the crowds. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more incredible adventures in the future!

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