When you think of Hawaiʻi, you think of beaches—and Oʻahu has some of the world’s best. From Waikīkī to Waimea Bay, here are your picks for the best beaches on Oʻahu, according to our 2024 Readers’ Choices Awards. 1. Waikīkī Beach Waikīkī Beach is one of the most recognizable shorelines in the world, stretching along […]
Snorkeling is like a stained-glass window into a world under the sea. The best part about it is, there is no expensive equipment or training needed. Anyone can jump in and experience a kaleidoscope of magnificent, tropical fish going about their day. Over 5 million people visit Oʻahu’s stunning, sandy coastlines and clear crystal water every
Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular visitor attractions on Oʻahu—and for good reason. The protected marine bay in East Honolulu is easily the premier snorkeling spot on the island, with its pristine waters teeming with a diverse array of marine life. Prior to COVID-19, the bay received nearly 3,000 visitors a day. Today,
Under the sea, under the sea—you know how it goes. Everything’s better under the sea. It’s quiet, fish mosey along with their days and with a snorkeling mask, you can see it all with a clear view. It’s no wonder snorkeling is such an adored past time here in Hawaiʻi, where the ocean and the
Ever wonder if you need a reservation to enjoy outdoor Hawaiʻi attractions? Well, wonder no more. You do, at some of them anyway. And what would suck more than showing up at Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu, snorkeling gear ready to go, only to be turned away at the gate because the place is already booked
As the clock strikes midnight, we will say aloha to 2021—and what a year it’s been. From COVID-19 to Carissa Moore making history, there was always something happening in the Islands. And if you haven’t been keeping up with local news—or just want to see what were some of Hawaiʻi’s biggest happenings in the year 2021—then this article
Starting Dec. 1, 2021, non-Hawaiʻi residents—visitors—will have to pay the entrance fee to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve online when making a reservation with the state’s online reservation system. Last year Hanauma Bay had reopened with an online system allowing visitors and locals to reserve a time slot at the nature preserve up to 48 hours
Creating a list of Oʻahu’s Top 5 beaches when there are so many out there just as blue and beautiful as the next is a difficult task—to say the least. Fortunately, nominations for the best Oʻahu beaches for our 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards poured in from our readers around the world. So, while every beach
When Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve reopened in December 2020 with a 720-person cap, people waited in long lines—in cars outside the entrance in East Honolulu or in person at the front gate—holding up traffic on Kalanianaʻole Highway and raising health concerns during a global pandemic. In January the city began issuing tickets to visitors indicating
Ask anyone who’s driven past Hanauna Bay on Oʻahu recently—or better, anyone who’s waiting to get inside the nature preserve in East Honolulu—and they’ll tell you: It’s beyond crowded. Since Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve reopened on Dec. 2, 2020, there have been long lines of cars along Kalanianaʻole Highway waiting to get into the parking lot.
UPDATED, April 26, 2021: Starting today, you can book your visit via this website. This online system will allow you to select a show time up to 48 hours ahead of your planned visit to the nature preserve. For instance, beginning Monday the public can begin reserving a time slot for Wednesday. Reservations will remain
