Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Honolulu

How is this real?!? 😍 Tickets sell out when they are released 48 hours in advance. If you don't get a ticket, they save about 400 tickets to hand out to walk ins each day! We arrived at 5:55 AM and were first in line. The line started about 6 AM. They opened at 6:45. We were in the first group to go down and start snorkeling. The water was the clearest and we saw the most fish first thing!! It was SO COOL! So many beautiful fish!! So my tip is definitely to arrive as early as possible because as it gets busier the water gets murkier and the fish stay further away. Also they don't currently sell food in the bay so if you want to stay more than a couple hours, bring food! Overall, totally worth it!!!

If you are a local resident you get in for free and don't have to make a reservation. Otherwise it's $25 and you have to reserve your spot. Parking is only $1 for residents and $3 for non residents. You can hike the trail even if you don't have a reservation. We got there right when it opened and were some of the first people at the beach. They make you watch a video and listen to someone explain the rules your first time there, which is super necessary for such a great conservation. The snorkeling was great. We saw a lot of fish we haven't seen before and some fish we have, but just bigger than we've seen elsewhere. It's a pretty big spot so we only did the middle section and plan to come back and do the sides on separate occasions. The water is for the most part calm, at least it was on the day we went. I think it usually is because all the coral stops the waves before they get to you. Super accessible place. They have wheelchair ramps and a shuttle that runs you to and from the top and the bay. Well worth going here and will be back multiple times. Oh, they also have a hut where an expert is to talk about the fish with you if you want. Very cool. Also, they have rental snorkeling gear on site and a snack stand.