ALOHA!
So you’re staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and you want to get in some snorkeling on Oahu!
You have 2 main options for getting to Hanauma Bay from the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki:
- Option 1: Driving a rental car
- Option 2: Taking the bus
Both of these options are pretty convenient.
The driving time is around 30 minutes, and the bus ride is around 40 minutes.
Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays.
hanauma bay snorkeling faq – hanauma bay snorkel rental prices – when hanauma bay parking is full
what to pack for hawaii >> what to wear snorkeling – what to wear hiking – what to wear to a luau
So, how to get to Hanauma Bay from Hilton Hawaiian Village?
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!
Option 1: Driving your rental car
If you’ll be renting a car for your time on Oahu, driving is likely the most convenient option.
With minimal traffic, the drive will take you less than 30 minutes.
It’s a simple drive mostly following just one road along the coast, so there’s little chance of getting lost. 😉
If you’re still debating whether or not to rent a car, also consider the cost of parking at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (prices here) or parking in Waikiki generally.
Parking at Hanauma Bay costs $1.
When the parking lot at Hanauma Bay gets full, it has been known to turn people away, so consider that too. Although, if that happens, you may instead consider doing some nearby activities (listed below) and then head back to Hanauma Bay in a few hours to see how the parking is! Or, there is another parking lot option that you may want to consider too.
Option 2: Taking the bus
If you won’t be renting a car for your entire time on Oahu, a trip to Hanauma Bay alone may not be reason enough to rent a car since it’s pretty convenient.
There’s a bus stop about a 10 minute walk from the hotel.
Then the bus will drop you off right at Hanauma Bay, so you won’t be lugging your beach gear for any long distance.
You can find a single bus that will take you from right near the Hilton Hawaiian Village to Hanauma Bay. This means no transfers necessary. (No extra waiting time!)
The bus ride will likely be under 40 minutes with normal traffic.
Taking the bus from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to Hanauma Bay will end up costing $5 per person. It’s $2.50 each way.
Navigating the Oahu bus system can be pretty simple.
First, to get started, have a look at these tips for taking the bus on Oahu.
Then, what makes it even easier are Google Maps public transportation directions!
So for directions from Hilton Hawaiian Village to Hanauma Bay, take a look here.
What’s important for these directions is that you change the departure time to reflect a time that you’ll be leaving. So if you see a bunch of options that show the total trip time will take you 1.5 hours, that’s why!
One of the down sides of taking the bus is the time you may have to wait for the bus, since it’s less frequent around Hanauma Bay.
hanauma bay by bus | things to do in oahu by bus
So should you drive or take the bus to Hanauma Bay?!
If you’ve considered the cost aspect and aren’t completely convinced of renting a car, one thing that can make driving more convenient is if you wanted to do nearby activities.
It is still possible to do these activities by bus, and not too inconvenient, as long as you don’t mind the extra wait time for the bus, and you don’t mind carrying around your snorkeling gear or beach gear.
If you don’t mind waiting up to 30-40 minutes or longer (or shorter!) for the next bus to arrive, then the bus can be a good option! But, consult your Google Maps public transit directions with an approximate departure time to get a better idea of the bus timings and how long you may have to wait!
Things to do near Hanauma Bay
There are a couple of other notable things to do near Hanauma Bay.
Hanauma Bay is on the east side of Oahu!
things to do in oahu | map >> waikiki beach – east oahu – north shore – central oahu
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
Although this trail offers stunning views no matter when you go (it’s a coastal trail!), it may be even more worth a consideration if you’ll be in Oahu during whale season. It offers some potential for whale watching in the distance, and there are some free binoculars on the trail too.
Taking the bus to the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail is probably not recommended with young children. From the bus stop to the start of the trail, you’ll have to walk on a narrow shoulder with cars zooming past you.
more: whale watching in oahu | makapuu lighthouse trail by bus
Koko Head Hike
This is just across the street from Hanauma Bay. On the Koko Head Hike, you are basically climbing up the stairs to the top of the crater which offers you stunning views from above, including of Hanauma Bay. This hiking trail is not the best for young children because it has the potential to wear out even adults in good shape!
more: koko head hike | koko head by bus
Things to pack for your Hanauma Bay snorkeling trip
Now, here are some things you may consider getting for your snorkeling trip at Hanauma Bay!
- 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. (It’s 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 don’t burn under the strong tropical sun rays when you’re in the water! If you’re 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!
- These types of beach shoes so you can protect your feet from sharp rocks hidden under the sand!
- This type of beach bag that’s open air to start the drying of your beach gear after you’re done snorkeling to get ready for the next beach day!
For a more in-depth look at preparing for Hanauma Bay snorkeling, have a look at what to wear snorkeling!
And here are some more snorkeling spots on Oahu!
HAPPY HANAUMA BAY SNORKELING!
hanauma bay snorkeling faq – hanauma bay snorkel rental prices – when hanauma bay parking is full
what to pack for hawaii >> what to wear snorkeling – what to wear hiking – what to wear to a luau
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🐠 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