All Reviews for Hanauma Bay, Oahu

Just considering the line of cars waiting from early morning and the queue for entry, you can already see the value of the tour. There’s no competition for reservations, making it easy to plan. Additionally, there are some insider tips, and the specialists share insights about the highlights and features of Hanauma Bay that we would never discover or experience on our own. For those who are familiar with Hanauma Bay and may visit multiple times in the future, I highly recommend experiencing this at least once. The ocean is truly wonderful, as are the two of you. Until we meet again, mahalo.

早朝から順番待ちの車の列と、入園待ちの列を考えたら、それだけでもツアーの価値が分かります。予約争奪戦も有りませんので、予定が立てやすい。更に裏ワザがちらほらあり、見どころスポやハナウマ湾の特徴などの、スペシャリストだから知る物を教えて下さり、私たちだけ頑張っても決して分からない、体験出来ない経験です。ハナウマ湾へ行きなれた、これからも複数回行くかも知れない人は、1度体験をオススメします。とても素晴らしい海とお二人です。またお会いする日までマハロ

I cannot express how grateful I am for Dan and this snorkel tour! My son is autistic and was struggling with understanding the equipment and started to panic. Dan very calmly and kindly took him under his wing. Before we knew it, my son was the leader of the pack! I even got a little seasick and Dan (without judgment) helped me back to the beach to rest. He also picked us up at our hotel and was so easy to talk to and open to any questions we had. I would 100% do this tour again! Thanks Dan!

The guidance was very kind, and luckily, I was able to see turtles! I recommend taking motion sickness medication in advance for those who are prone to seasickness! The water was murkier than I expected, and there were fewer fish. The view from above was spectacular! Thank you! ^_^

とても親切に案内してくださり、ラッキーなことに亀が見れました！！
波酔いする方は事前に酔い止めを飲むことをおすすめします！
思っていたよりも水が濁っていて魚は少なかったです！
上から見る景色は絶景でした！
ありがとうございました^_^

It's an early morning tour, so snorkeling starts at 9 AM. Even in Hawaii, it's cold. It was that cold in June, so winter will be even colder. If possible, a thin wetsuit is recommended; if not, a long-sleeve rash guard is essential. Also, please make sure to wear marine shoes in areas with lots of fish. Additionally, no Japanese is spoken at all, and all pickup locations and times are in English, so those who can't speak English might want to reconsider.

朝が早いツアーなので
９時からシュノーケリングになり
ハワイといえども寒いです
６月であれだけ寒かったので
冬はもっと寒いでしょう
できれば薄手のウェットスーツ
なければ長袖ラッシュは必須
あと、魚がたくさんいる場所は
マリンシューズも絶対履いてください。
あと日本語は一切通じないし
ピックアップ場所や時間も全て英語なので
英語できない人はやめた方がいいかも

I visited Hanauma Bay with my wife when we were newly married, and this time I went with my son. It seems to have become cleaner due to the visitor limit for nature conservation compared to the past! Although we didn't see any sea turtles, the guide was friendly and we had a great time! Thank you!

結婚したての時に妻と一緒に行ったハナウマベイですが、今回は息子と一緒に行きました。
昔に比べ自然保護の観点から人数制限されてキレイになったように感じました！
ホヌには会えませんでしたがガイドさんも気さくで楽しめました！
ありがとうございました！

スノーケリングセットと送迎の金額としては妥当に思う。
マスク用曇り止めを持っていく方がより楽しめる。
時間は7時から12時半までとたっぷり楽しめる。
朝イチで入れるので、人がいない状態の写真が撮りやすい。

Dan and his wife were great! We would do it again with them.

Worst part was getting up for a 5:50am shuttle pick-up. But it was well worth it. Our shuttle was full and there were more instructions at the top of the Bay, where gear rental was distributed and we were placed into manageable groups for the ticket office. But the organizers knew what they were doing, kept track of everyone, despite confusing looks on some of our faces (mine!). Plenty of room at the beach; clean basic facilities. Information booth was staffed by very knowledgeable and helpful guides. I noticed a long line at the locker & gear rental. In the past 10 years of 4 snorkeling trips (I'm obviously not avid), Hanauma Bay comes in 3rd as far as plentiful ocean life.* Maybe because of climate change, 10 years ago was the last of the best of snorkeling? Glad I went though. I was going to skip it because of the tourism. But the agencies in charge struck the best balance possible for an endangered reef and we humans who want to pay our respects to Kanaloa and Pele, for the beautiful gifts they bestowed.
*(1st: Boracay; 2nd: St Lucia; 4th: Kauai)

The Japanese guide provided commentary about Hawaii during the transfer, making it enjoyable from start to finish without any dull moments!

However, there are no breaks, so it might require some stamina...
(Of course, the guide will suggest going to the beach together if it gets too tough, and you can take a break from there.)

If you're not confident in your English or have concerns, I absolutely recommend this plan!

日本人ガイドの方が、送迎中もハワイのガイドをしてくださり、
飽きることなく、最初から最後まで楽しかったです！

ただ休憩とかはないので、体力はいるかも、、。
（もちろんガイドの方が、厳しくなったら一緒に浜に行って、そこからは休憩してくださいとは言ってくれますが）

英語苦手とか不安がある方は、このプランは絶対おすすめです！

We participated as a couple to celebrate my 60th birthday. I felt secure participating in Japanese, and the experience exceeded my expectations in terms of satisfaction. Even though I'm not good at swimming, I had a great time fish watching in the water! It was a pity that we didn't encounter any honu (sea turtles).

還暦記念に夫婦で参加しました。日本語で安心して参加できて内容も思った以上の満足度でした。
泳ぎが苦手な私も楽しく水の中でフィッシュウォッチングできました！
ホヌに出会えなかったのは残念でした。

Last year, I had a wonderful experience with Dan and Chieko, so this year I made a reservation without hesitation, and I was able to meet them again. I am truly grateful. This year, I was also moved to meet the unexpected Honu (sea turtle). Of course, for us who can't swim much, the two of them were like sea gods, providing reassurance. I definitely want to rely on them again. Thank you very much! I highly recommend them to everyone! ✨

昨年ダンさんチエコさんに大変素敵な経験をさせて頂いたので　今年は躊躇なく予約　そしてまたお会いできました　ほんと感謝感謝そして今年はおもっても見なかったホヌちゃんにも会え感動感激　もちろん大して泳げない私たちにとりおふたりは　海神のように安心　またぜひお世話になります　ありがとうございました
皆さん超おすすめです✨

Good guides but didn't allow us any unsupervised snorkel time. Actual time in the water was about 1 hour and got us back to Waikiki much earlier than we needed.

The long-awaited snorkeling at Hanauma Bay was amazing! Although it was rainy in the early morning, by the time we arrived at the site, the rain had stopped, and the sky gradually brightened. By the second half of the snorkeling, we were greeted with beautiful blue skies!

Light was shining through the water, and I was thrilled to see a variety of colorful fish of all sizes! Unfortunately, I couldn't find any turtles, but I was surprised to see a large seal lounging on the beach! I thought it was wonderful that both the fish and the seals were completely unafraid of people. This must be due to the strong spirit of animal protection among the people of Hawaii!

The two guides were also very kind, which made for a reassuring experience. Thank you!

念願のハナウマ湾シュノーケルが出来て最高でした❗️早朝は雨模様だったのですが、現場に到着する頃には雨もやみ、だんだん明るい空になってきて、シュノーケルの後半には綺麗な青空が‼️
水の中にも光がさしてきて、色とりどりの、大小さまざまな魚がたくさん見れて大満足でした！
亀は残念ながら探し出せませんでしたが、大きなアザラシがビーチの上にドーンと寝転んでいたのにはびっくり‼️魚もそうですが、アザラシも全く人を警戒していないのは素晴らしいことだと思いました。
日頃からハワイの方々の動物愛護の精神が徹底されているからこそでしょう！
ガイドのお二人もとても親切で安心して過ごすことが出来ました！ありがとうございました。

I found it difficult to make a reservation myself, so I joined a tour. The guide spoke English and worked hard to translate, which made me feel at ease. This was my fifth time at Hanauma Bay, and I was able to enjoy plenty of time playing with the tropical fish in the shallow waters among the coral reefs.

自分では、予約が難しいのでツアーに参加。ガイドさんが　英語でしたが、
一生懸命　翻訳してくれて　安心できました。ハナウマ湾は、５回目でしたが
浅瀬がサンゴ礁のため　熱帯魚とたっぷり遊べました。

I participated on Tuesday, and I had heard it was the most beautiful day, but the waves were high and the water was murky. There's nothing that can be done about luck, so it's unfortunate.

火曜日の参加だったので、一番きれいだと聞いていましたが、波が立っていて海中が濁ってしまいました。
こればっかりは運なので仕方ないですが残念でした。

We had no trouble even with our limited English skills. We rented an umbrella as an option, but it was difficult to set up due to the strong wind. When we rented on-site, the staff helped us set it up properly. The water at Hanauma Bay was definitely clearer and more beautiful than in Waikiki. Our child was very happy to see many different types of fish.

英語力のない私達でも不自由はありませんでした。オプションでパラソルを借りましたが、風が強く設置が大変でした。現地で借りるとスタッフがしっかりと設置してくれていました。ハナウマの海はワイキキより断然透明で美しかったです。子供はたくさんの種類の魚を見ることができ、とても喜んでいました。

I didn't expect to line up for tickets on the day instead of making a reservation online. However, since I was able to go as planned, I am mostly satisfied.

Considering the timing, it was just right to have an 11 AM pickup with my 6 and 9-year-old children. The person in charge provided various explanations and guidance throughout the car ride. Other Japanese guests were using translation apps, but since I didn't use one, I only understood parts of the conversation. I wish I had downloaded the app. My children had a very enjoyable time and it seems to have left a lasting impression on them. They said they want to go see the fish again.

ネット予約でチケットとっているのではなく当日チケットに並ぶとは思っていませんでした。が予定通りに行けたのでほぼ満足です。
時間的には6歳9歳の子供がいたので11時ピックアップでちょうどよかったと思います。担当の方も車中ずーと色々と説明、案内してくださっていました。他の日本人は翻訳アプリで聞いていましたが、翻訳アプリ使用しなかったので所々しかわからず。アプリを入れておけば良かったと思いました。子供たちにはとても楽しい時間になり印象に残ったようです。またお魚見に行きたいと行っています。

- We participated as a family of four: two adults and two children (ages 9 and 6).
- It's better to have at least a basic level of English conversation skills.
- We had the same driver for both trips. We gave a tip after getting off on the return trip.
- It was a bit chilly when we got to the beach, possibly due to the slightly bad weather. The children were shivering.
- Although we saw many fish in the shallow waters just a few meters from the beach, it wasn't very impressive.

・家族4人で参加。大人2、子供2(9歳,6歳)。
・日常会話程度の英語力はあった方がいい。
・往復同じドライバーさんだった。チップは復路の降車後に渡した。
・少し天気が悪かったせいか、浜に上がると少し寒かった。子供は震えていた。
・浜から数メートルの浅瀬にしては多くの魚が見れたが、感動はなかった。

Both instructors were friendly and I was able to warm up to them quickly. They provided a summary of the video content in Japanese before we entered the ocean, and it was clear that they genuinely love the nature of Hanauma Bay. It seemed like they were well-acquainted with the reception and traffic management staff, which added to my sense of security.

I have visited Hanauma Bay twice before as an individual, not for activities, but I think first-timers should definitely take advantage of this activity, and even those returning for a second time or more will find it enjoyable.

インストラクターのお二人とも親しみやすくて、すぐに打ち解けられました。海に入る前に観る映像の内容を事前に日本語で要約してくださって、またハナウマ湾の自然を心から愛していることが伝わってきました。受付や交通整理の人にも顔がきくようで、安心感もありました。
これまでハナウマ湾には2回アクティビティではなく個人で来たことがありましたが、初めての方はこちらのアクティビティを利用された方がいいと思いますし、2回目以降の方も楽しめると思います。

This was an excellent experience from start to finish! Dan promptly picked us up from our hotel and took us to Hanauma Bay. He took care of collecting all of our gear needed for snorkeling and had wet suits to rent if needed. Dan gave great instructions/tips to the group on how to snorkel. Dan and his partner then took us throughout the bay to the best sites to see the tropical fish. He even took pictures for us! I highly recommend this tour! It is an experience we won’t forget!

Hanauma Bay was a really great and fun experience. It's an early activity but the water isn't too bad, as it's quite easy to warmup in the ocean. The ride to Hanauma Bay from our pick-up location was prompt and comfortable and that genuinely enhanced the experience. The driver, Orlando, was very kind and informative.

Overall, beautiful and the service made our life so much easier. We would recommend these guys again.

With the bay...
Fish weren't as plentiful as the pictures...by a long shot.

Perhaps planning on being there at high tide would help with making the space easier to snorkel.

Interesting process getting into the bay.

Great friendly service from the crew we booked with helping us manage these processes at the bay.

Food and drink options there are slim and no where to sit and eat them as you wait for transport back.

The tour guide on the drive out was great, very friendly. Gear worked well and was clean. We got chairs and an umbrella which was really nice since we were there a while. I didn’t love the actual bay, however. The snorkeling was only okay and we didn’t see nearly as many types of fish as I would have expected for a place boosting great snorkeling. I have been to better. The reef was also super shallow so hard to navigate around the sections safely without touching the coral. It also was very sandy so the view wasn’t clear. Overall I would not pick this activity again just since the snorkeling wasn’t great. However, the driver and equipment was great so I didn’t want to knock their rating down just because the experience wasn’t amazing.

I had a great time snorkeling with two instructors in the beautiful waters of Hanauma Bay.

The sea was so stunning that I wished I could have snorkeled for a longer time!

While joining a tour is certainly a good option for safety and peace of mind, if you are confident in your swimming skills and have checked the rules of Hanauma Bay in advance, I think considering longer tours or participating individually could be a good idea.

ハナウマ湾の綺麗な海で、お2人のインストラクターさんに指導していただき、とても楽しくシュノーケリングができました

あまりにも綺麗な海でしたので、もっと長時間シュノーケリングしたかった！というのも同時に思いました。

安全/安心を考慮するとツアー参加でもちろん良いと思いますが、泳ぎ・体力にも自信あり、ハナウマ湾のルールを事前に確認されている方であれば、長時間のツアーや個人での参加も視野に入れて良いかと思いました

The guide was amazing! Very kind, spoke beautiful Japanese, and I felt safe while swimming. I definitely recommend it.

ガイドさん、最高！とても、親切、綺麗な日本語、泳いでいる最中も、安心していられた。絶対おすすめします。

Our tour guide Dan was extremely helpful and supportive when my husband struggled with snorkeling. He and his partner helped him and even swam with him to help him feel comfortable.
I appreciated knowing that we were in good hands and they made sure we were all safe while having a great time! Very knowledgeable, personable and helpful Guide. We had an amazing time and Checked snorkeling off our bucket list. It was an easy and fun way to experience this as we were picked up and dropped off from our hotel and everything we needed was supplied.

It was a great learning experience to enjoy nature while taking care of it. I was able to see a lot of fish, which was fantastic. I'm glad I joined the tour since general admission is reservation-based and can get crowded.

自然を大切にしながら自然を楽しむ勉強になりました。魚もたくさん見れて最高でした。一般の入場が予約制で混雑するのでツアーに参加して良かったです。

The tour starts before 6 AM and you can return to the hotel around 10 AM. The guide was very kind, and I was satisfied. They took care of every detail, making it easy for first-timers to participate with peace of mind. When I was about to be swept away by the tide, they quickly pulled me back. The snack we had after coming out of the water was spicy and delicious. They also took a lot of photos!
However, the price is a bit high for Japanese people, and the additional tip is a burden. Considering the weak yen and the cost of living in Hawaii, it can't be helped. Next time, I will visit when the yen is stronger!

早朝6時前からのツァーで10時ごろホテルに帰れます。ガイドの方とても親切で満足です。細かいところまでお世話いただき初めての方でも安心して参加できます。潮に流されそうになったらすぐに手を引いて引き戻していただきました。海から上がった時にいただいたスナックがスパイシーで美味しかった。写真もたくさん撮っていただきました♪
しかし、日本人には値段がお高め、更にチップ必要なのは負担です。円安やハワイの物価を考えると仕方ないのですが。次回は円高の時に伺います笑

On March 22, my family and I participated. Dan was our guide. His Japanese was very good, and he made jokes that were funny, allowing us to enjoy our time during the trip. I felt that Dan really thought about how to make us happy and have a good time. Hanauma Bay was incredibly beautiful. It was a great memory to see the seals taking a nap. Thank you very much.

3月22日に家族で参加させて頂きました。
ダンさんにガイドして頂きました。日本語がとても上手で冗談も面白く移動中も楽しく過ごす事が
出来ました。ダンさんは、どうしたら喜んでくれるか、楽しんでくれるかを考えてくれる方だと感じました。
ハナウマ湾　凄い綺麗でした。お昼寝しているアザラシも見れて良い思い出になりました。ありがとうございました。

It was a tour that successfully crossed Hanauma Bay while navigating around the reef during low tide in the morning. Unfortunately, the turtles couldn't come into view because the tide was too low. Instead, we were able to see many fish. We started after listening to Dan's easy-to-understand explanations. There was appropriate support for the children, and I was able to enjoy snorkeling while taking in the scenery.

午前中に最干潮が重なっていてリーフを迂回しながらうまくハナウマ湾を横断しながらのツアーでした。残念ながらカメは潮が低すぎるので、見える場所には入ってこれないそう。かわりに沢山の魚を見ることが出来ました。ダンさんの分かりやすい説明を聞いてからスタート。子供たちには適宜サポートがあり、自分も景色を楽しみながらのスノーケルができました。