A day at Hanauma Bay – a story with photos

Today Ina and I decided to go to Hanauma Bay. In fact, this is the first time that I actually visited Hanauma Bay, although I have been on Oahu for more than 4 years already.

So we took bus number 22 from Waikiki and in no time we were at Hanauma Bay. When we arrived we first had to get visitor’s passes which are $5 per person, but we got them for free because we are Hawaii residents. We only had to show our local ID cards. Then when we went in. First we had to watch an 8 minute long, educational movie of Hanauma Bay, which included information about the reef and the underwater world in the bay. The movie also teaches the visitors that they should not touch the coral reef or the fish but only look.

So after the movie we headed to the bay. We had to walk 5 minutes down a road to get there. I noticed there were shuttles for people who don’t like to walk. The way down was $0.50 per person and the way up was $1 per person. Anyway, we decided to walk because of the aerial view of the bay that was great from the road. When we went down we found a cute shady spot, so we settled there and got ready for our swim in Hanauma Bay.

We went in the water, which was so pretty and crystal clear. Ina had a snorkel mask with her and she told me to put it on so I can see the fish clearly. I at first rejected her offer because I am not a swimmer and I did not want to dip my head under the water. Anyway, she continued convincing me and at the end I decided to try. And oh WOW! I dipped my head under the water and I found myself in another world! The underwater world was so clear and full of big and small colorful fish. They were right next to me and were not scared at all from the human presence. After that moment on I could not take the snorkel mask off anymore. Ina was very happy to see that I enjoyed something I at first did not want to try – snorkeling!

When we went out of the water we relaxed for a while on the beach under some palm tree shade. When we decided to go, we walked up the steep road and again enjoyed the beautiful view of the bay. We also saw two lifeguards jumping into the water. We thought something was going on so we stopped to see. Then we saw them heading out in the water to help a guy who could not make his way back. Luckily the lifeguards made it on time and helped him come back. He must have ignored the signs for strong currents. Huh?!

On the way back from Hanauma Bay we decided to stop at Koko Marina Shopping Center and have something to eat. We went to the restaurant Greek Marina and we had a nice vegetarian meal of grape leaves, falafel, hummus and salad.

And now I stop talking because the pictures below are self explanatory