ALOHA!
So you’ve heard about both Hanauma Bay and Shark’s Cove as some of the best Oahu snorkeling spots.
But you’ve only got so much time on Oahu.
So…
You’ve narrowed down your choices: Hanauma Bay vs Shark’s Cove… which to go to for snorkeling on Oahu?!
Well… it depends! đ
On the surface, it would seem that Hanauma Bay wins out.
But if you have to choose one snorkeling spot over the other, there may be some reasons you may want to go with Shark’s Cove!
In the end, it’s very much personal and dependent on things that you are looking for in your Hawaii vacation!
Whichever snorkeling destination you choose, there’s a good chance you’ll end up having a good day!
hanauma bay tips | shark’s cove tips | what to wear snorkeling
So…
Hanauma Bay
Or…
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
Shark’s Cove
Here first is the quick list of some points to consider when you’re deciding between these two popular snorkeling spots on Oahu!
- Hanauma Bay has a lifeguard on duty, and Shark’s Cove does not
- Both snorkeling spots have places to rent snorkel gear nearby
- Shark’s Cove is quite the rocky beach
- Both beaches have other things to do in the area that you may want to consider
- Hanauma Bay is easy to get to by bus from Waikiki, while Shark’s Cove takes time
- Both snorkeling spots are a pretty straight forward drive
- You may get turned away at Hanauma Bay if you show up by car too late
- In winter months, Shark’s Cove may have undesirable snorkeling conditions
- You have more food choices at Shark’s Cove in the immediate area
Snorkeling on Oahu: Hanauma Bay vs Shark’s Cove
1. Hanauma Bay has a lifeguard on duty, and Shark’s Cove does not
Lifeguard or no lifeguard, you always want to use extra caution when swimming in the ocean.
2. Both snorkeling spots have places to rent snorkel gear nearby
If you’re only snorkeling once during your time in Hawaii, it may make more sense to rent snorkel gear than buy it before you go, financially speaking.
But there are reasons other than saving money that you may want to consider when it comes to buying vs renting snorkel gear.
Here are rental prices and offerings at Hanauma Bay.
Here are rental prices and offerings at Shark’s Cove. (You can also rent bikes, surfboards, boogie boards, and more!)
3. Shark’s Cove is quite the rocky beach
If you choose Shark’s Cove and won’t be wearing fins, it can be a good idea to wear these types of beach shoes to avoid cutting the skin on your feet.
Hanauma Bay is more forgiving on bare feet than Shark’s Cove.
But it can still be helpful on any beach you walk on to protect your feet from hidden rocks under the sand!
4. Both beaches have other things to do in the area that you may want to consider
You want to maximize your time in Hawaii, right? Right! đ
So you may want to add in an activity or more before or after your snorkeling.
This means you may want to make your decision on which place to go snorkeling based on what other nearby activities are appealing to you.
Hanauma Bay is on the east side of Oahu. Here are things to do in East Oahu.
Shark’s Cove is on the North Shore. Here are things to do on the North Shore.
Best short hikes with scenic views on Oahu
- Diamond Head Hike << near Hanauma Bay
- Makapuu Lighthouse Trail << near Hanauma Bay
- Manoa Falls Trail
- Koko Head Hike << near Hanauma Bay
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike
- Puu Maelieli Trail
- Ehukai Pillbox Hike << near Shark’s Cove
what to pack for hiking in hawaii >> what to wear hiking – best shoes for hiking
5. Hanauma Bay is easy to get to by bus from Waikiki, while Shark’s Cove takes time
The Oahu bus system is pretty easy to navigate and covers most of the island.
But, it may take more time to reach certain areas of Oahu, like the North Shore, because bus timings are less frequent compared to around Waikiki and Honolulu.
So if you are committed to taking the bus around Oahu, you can do so! Here’s more on taking the bus in general around Oahu.
From Waikiki to Hanauma Bay is about a 40 minute bus ride, and you can find a single bus with no transfers necessary. Here’s more on taking the bus to Hanauma Bay.
Waikiki to Shark’s Cove can take you over 2 hours by bus, and it will likely involve a bus transfer. Here’s more on taking the bus to Shark’s Cove.
6. Both snorkeling spots are a pretty straight forward drive
If you’ll be renting a car, in both cases, you are mostly following a single road.
This makes it a pretty easy drive in terms of directions whichever snorkeling spot you choose.
By car, Waikiki to Hanauma Bay is about a 30 minute drive, while Waikiki to Shark’s Cove is about an hour drive.
For a visual of your drive on the island:
To get to Shark’s Cove, you’ll be passing through Central Oahu, and here are some things to do in Central Oahu.
7. You may get turned away at Hanauma Bay if you show up by car too late
This applies if you’ll be getting to Hanauma Bay by car.
The Hanauma Bay parking lot has a capacity.
When the lot becomes full, no additional cars will be allowed in.
There is no official overflow parking lot, which means that you may not be able to snorkel.
But you may also consider this alternate parking option for Hanauma Bay.
8. In winter months, Shark’s Cove may have undesirable snorkeling conditions
Shark’s Cove is somewhat of an enclosed lagoon with rock barriers that can break waves.
But when the North Shore’s high surf season hits during the winter months, those waves can come crashing over that rock wall.
This can completely disrupt the relatively calm waters of Shark’s Cove.
This makes Shark’s Cove more ideal during summer.
That said, it is the ocean, so no matter what time of year it is, there may be days that can be less than ideal for snorkeling at both Shark’s Cove and Hanauma Bay.
But if you’re headed to Hawaii in the winter and really want to go snorkeling in Oahu, Hanauma Bay is probably your best chance for some good snorkeling.
9. You have more food choices at Shark’s Cove in the immediate area
Hanauma Bay does have a snack bar, but it would be more convenient to bring your own snacks.
There really aren’t any restaurants or food stalls that you can walk to from Hanauma Bay.
As for Shark’s Cove, there are a number of food choices within walking distance.
Just across the street from the beach, there are a few food trucks that you can choose from.
And if you want a more budget-friendly option, there’s the Foodland grocery store right nearby as well where you can pick up some picnic food.
Things you may want to consider packing for your Oahu snorkeling trip!
Now, here are some things that you may want to add to your Hawaii packing list for snorkeling at Hanauma Bay or Shark’s Cove!
- A standard snorkel set like this one or a full face snorkeling mask like this one
- This type of case so you can take pristine underwater pictures with your camera. (Itâs cheap!)
- This type of pouch so you can take your valuables with you in the water!
- These types of UV protection shirts to wear so you donât burn under the strong tropical sun rays when youâre in the water! If youâre on a computer, use the far left column to filter by women, men, girls, or boys! Look at these types of swim shorts too, for women and men!
- For more traditional beachwear, for women look at these swimsuits and these cover-ups, and for men look at these swimsuits
- These types of beach shoes so you can protect your feet from sharp rocks hidden under the sand!
- This type of beach bag thatâs open air to start the drying of your beach gear after youâre done snorkeling to get ready for the next beach day!
For a more in-depth look at what to bring to Oahu, have a look at what to wear snorkeling!
HAPPY OAHU SNORKELING AT HANAUMA BAY OR SHARK’S COVE!
hanauma bay tips | shark’s cove tips | what to wear snorkeling
things to do in oahu | map >> waikiki beach – east oahu – north shore – central oahu
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đ Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling