Hanuma Bay

[debbie]

Has anyone snorkled in Hanuma Bay in Oahu?
Hubby and I are going there soon for our Anniversary and want to visit Hanuma bay. I am a terrible swimmer with very bad past ocean experience and will sink yes sink in salt water as I get very scared. We area wanting to get a disposable underwater camera for this venture Kodak or Fuji???
I would like to know for anyone that has been there is it possible for me to go into the water up to my knees or waist and still see these beautiful fish??

 

[cjworkman]

yes you can.
The water is pretty shallow up to the edge of the reef that encloses the bay. which btw.. no worries about sharks or anything dangerous as the coral reef completely closes it in and they cannot get in.
Also, the water is perfectly clear so you can see everything around you. Although it is hard to tell how deep/far below you anything is.
It's a beautiful bay.. definately don't pass it up. Have fun!

 

[tnn1567]

If you feel like you are going to drown, just stand up

The water is shallow and get some snorkling gear.

 

[debbie]

Thanks for the replies. Hubby is getting gear, he is a very good swimmer. I will just use goggles as staying upright is challenging enough let alone using a breathing thing.
I want to be in there with the fishes so this should be fun.

 

[aw2x3]

Out of the 15 - 20 places I've dived/snorkeled, it's one of the best I've ever been to. If you dont have your own gear, they have little kiosks, where you can rent masks, fins, snorkels, etc. They even have prescription eye wear masks, in case you wear glasses (my case).
Other than the beach, as others have said, there are lots of places where you can stand on the reef (1 - 2 feet deep) and check things out and then hop off the rock and you're in 15 feet of water. If you're not a good swimmer, you can always use the rocks as support...pull yourself along the rocks, underwater or pull yourself along the rocks, back to the surface. There's not alot of actual "coral", so you dont have to worry about cutting yourself. I saw schools of Triggers, Morish Idols, Achilles, Sailfin, Yellow, Purple, Convict Tangs and quite a few Parrot Fish...along with ALOT more.
Watch out for the Green Morays...they have some monsters and they dont hesitate to bite/chase you (happened to me).
The Sea Turtles are also amazing...I saw some that were 2 - 3 feet across (and bigger)...you can ride on their backs...although, one did take a bite at my friends crotch.
Aprox. 200 - 300 feet offshore, the reef ends and steeply drops off to 30 - 40 feet of water...Tiger Sharks galore. After snorkeling, we threw on our scuba gear and dove with them, Baracuda (sp?) and other large, predatory reef fish (Jacks, Grouper, etc).

 

[firerescue]

It is against the law in hawaii to ride or harass the sea turtles. They are protected.

 

[firerescue]

If you happen to be going to Maui too and if your husband scuba dives. He must dive Molokini Crater back wall. Awesome, and I prefer Ed Robinson Dive Charters.

 

[kimc]

If you snorkle and go out with a charter dive, usually they give you a floation device to wear. It's kinda like a life vest. I've used one and found it nice to have. I was able to float around and enjoy the view from the top of the water!! You've got to give a try!!

 

[debbie]

Well all this is interesting, from calm waters and beautiful fish to sharks..... :scared:
No fear of me going off shore to far but I will tell hubby for sure. He does not scuba dive but would love to learn it oneday. I know the frantic mess he was in watching me in Mexico so I don't want him to have to do that again and go and enjoy himself. I am sending him along this venture with an underwater camera too.
Now where are these Green Morays exactly?????
The sea turtles we will just observe their beauty.
Do not go past 200 ft, yep will definatley make sure he does not go that far out. Don't want to loose him to dinner after 20 years of marriage. What an exciting Anniversary that would turn out to be......

Do you recommend though that we wear those slip on shoe things that everyone wears just to the beach to protect our feet when not using flippers??
I just cannot wait to go now, last year we just did an island tour but did not go back on our own to Hanuma Bay this year we are for sure. Sound fun and the time is going just to slow.
Thanks for all the info, if there is anymore to add please feel free to add it.
:cheer:

 

[mombostic]

I was there in 2004. They sort of frown on stepping on the coral reefs, according to all of the signs around, and the little presentation you watch at the top of the hill before you go down to snorkel, but I did pretty well, and I'm a very nervous "snorkeler" myself. It's well sheltered so you aren't battling waves and stuff like that--just take your time and pick your way around and enjoy yourself.
P.S. A swim noodle is almost miraculous when it comes to snorkeling, IMO.

 

[hot883]

I lived in Hawaii for 10 years and the Hanamaua Bay area is "Ono" for sure. My brother found a $20 bill floating around when he was there. Ha! I have snorkeled alot in Japan too and this bay is very nice. Have fun, but do not mess with the "honu's" (green sea turtles) as they are protected as stated above.

 

[use dgs]

Originally Posted by AW2x3
Out of the 15 - 20 places I've dived/snorkeled, it's one of the best I've ever been to. If you dont have your own gear, they have little kiosks, where you can rent masks, fins, snorkels, etc. They even have prescription eye wear masks, in case you wear glasses (my case).
Other than the beach, as others have said, there are lots of places where you can stand on the reef (1 - 2 feet deep) and check things out and then hop off the rock and you're in 15 feet of water. If you're not a good swimmer, you can always use the rocks as support...pull yourself along the rocks, underwater or pull yourself along the rocks, back to the surface. There's not alot of actual "coral", so you dont have to worry about cutting yourself. I saw schools of Triggers, Morish Idols, Achilles, Sailfin, Yellow, Purple, Convict Tangs and quite a few Parrot Fish...along with ALOT more.
Watch out for the Green Morays...they have some monsters and they dont hesitate to bite/chase you (happened to me).
The Sea Turtles are also amazing...I saw some that were 2 - 3 feet across (and bigger)...you can ride on their backs...although, one did take a bite at my friends crotch.
Aprox. 200 - 300 feet offshore, the reef ends and steeply drops off to 30 - 40 feet of water...Tiger Sharks galore. After snorkeling, we threw on our scuba gear and dove with them, Baracuda (sp?) and other large, predatory reef fish (Jacks, Grouper, etc).

dont stand on the reef!

 

[watson_ab]

Originally Posted by Debbie
Has anyone snorkled in Hanuma Bay in Oahu?
Hubby and I are going there soon for our Anniversary and want to visit Hanuma bay. I am a terrible swimmer with very bad past ocean experience and will sink yes sink in salt water as I get very scared. We area wanting to get a disposable underwater camera for this venture Kodak or Fuji???
I would like to know for anyone that has been there is it possible for me to go into the water up to my knees or waist and still see these beautiful fish??

One of my favorite experiences, yes you can see fish the second you get in the water and it is all pretty shallow, I saw 3 seaturtles while i was there last year, When you get down the cliff - facing the water - go to the right side (usually less people there b/c it's a little harder to manover b/c of the corals) - my stomach got pretty scraped up but it was definately worth it when you find a huge pool of open water with a few seaturtles in it!!!! GOOD LUCK! Also go very early or the parking lot will be full and you won't be able to get it, then just say all day and snorkle at your leasure once it warms up!

 

[nakadoc]

Just wanted to state its "Hanauma Bay" It really annoys me when people people destroy my native language. You will get made fun of when your there for miss pronounciation. Also "ono" means good when refering to food.
But it is a really beautiful beach, the waikiki aquarium is also nice, small but nice. If I remember the entry fee is $10 and Hanauma bay is closed on mondays.
Enjoy! If you have a chance get to Kauai the last island in chain that visitors are aloud to go to. Hands down the most beautifull island in the Hawaiian chain nick named the garden isle. If you make it there you'll see why. My missed and cherished home.

 

[aw2x3]

Originally Posted by FireRescue
It is against the law in hawaii to ride or harass the sea turtles. They are protected.
Maybe now it is, but it wasnt when I was there.
Originally Posted by Use Drugs
dont stand on the reef!

As I already stated, there are no corals...it's rock. For those of us who have been there, they know what I'm talking about. I'm not dumb enough to stand on an actual "reef". I've dived over 15 locations, including the Great Barrier Reef, 6 times.

 

[debbie]

Originally Posted by nakadoc
Just wanted to state its "Hanauma Bay" It really annoys me when people people destroy my native language. You will get made fun of when your there for miss pronounciation. Also "ono" means good when refering to food.
Sorry for the typo error.... :joy:
But it is a really beautiful beach, the waikiki aquarium is also nice, small but nice. If I remember the entry fee is $10 and Hanauma bay is closed on mondays.
Yes I do want to visit the aquarium too, my inlaws spend 2 months every year there and said that Tuesday Hanauma Bay is closed. We will check though to make sure which day it is closed.
Enjoy! If you have a chance get to Kauai the last island in chain that visitors are aloud to go to. Hands down the most beautifull island in the Hawaiian chain nick named the garden isle. If you make it there you'll see why. My missed and cherished home.
Oh, we plan on doing a Hawaiian Cruise next fall that would give us a taste for a couple of days in Kaui and if we like it we will certainly go back. Unfortunaltley we won't have time this go around, we are just staying in Oahu to celebrate our Anniversary.
Say why did you leave this beautiful area??

 

[debbie]

Originally Posted by Debbie
Oh, we plan on doing a Hawaiian Cruise next fall that would give us a taste for a couple of days in Kaui and if we like it we will certainly go back. Unfortunaltley we won't have time this go around, we are just staying in Oahu to celebrate our Anniversary.
Say why did you leave this beautiful area??

Please make note of the reply inbetween your orginal post.......

 

[debbie]

Originally Posted by hot883
I lived in Hawaii for 10 years and the Hanamaua Bay area is "Ono" for sure. My brother found a $20 bill floating around when he was there. Ha! I have snorkeled alot in Japan too and this bay is very nice. Have fun, but do not mess with the "honu's" (green sea turtles) as they are protected as stated above.

We plan to just observe the beauty the ocean has to offer and float around looking at everything. The only thing I would love to capture is some underwater pictures, hopefully we will be able to achieve this.
Say what made you move from Hawaii??
I would love to live there, I hate our 4 seasons and at the moment our trip could not come fast enough as we are sitting at a nice chill of -30 with the wind chill folks. Welcome to Canada.....

 

[nakadoc]

Left to serve to my country in the Air Force, its awesome but I really miss home. But I figure my home a family will always be there so just enjoying what uncle sam throws my way until he sends me home.
Honu's have always been a protected spieces? Nice try.

 

[aw2x3]

Originally Posted by nakadoc
Honu's have always been a protected spieces? Nice try.
I wasnt "trying" anything. Sorry to disappoint and I'm sorry you dont have someone to yell at, but not all species of turtle are endangered/protected.
I wasnt stating my "we rode the sea turtles" post to cause problems. Me and my friends were young and this was long before I had experiance in the hobby or with the sea life.
If you're so sure of yourself and ready to jump on other people, then why the question mark after your "Honu's have always been protected" sentence?