If you like snorkeling, turquoise waters and swimming alongside wildlife, then Hanauma Bay is perfect for you. Both a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Conservation District, the bay is so popular that it once accommodated over three million visitors a year! Today, the bay is more protected in an effort to conserve the marine life.

Your discoveries here will be endless, with over 400 known species of fish inhabiting the bay, along with Green sea turtles and parrotfish. Hanauma is also a nursery ground for immature turtles, and you might catch sight of these adorable animals while you’re wandering about. In fact, the richness of the bay is partly attributed to the fact that it is a natural pool formed in a volcanic crater. The bay is cradled crater wall, which might be the perfect panoramic setting for photographers - the craggy crater, yellow sand and turquoise water. If you’re curious about exactly which bright creature you saw while splashing about, head to the marine education center to learn more about what kind of species are found at the bay, and to understand more about the coral reef conservation efforts. A visit to this world-renowned Nature Preserve (and snorkeling heaven) is a must!