What to bring to Hanauma Bay snorkeling? What to pack for Hawaii :: hawaii packing list. oahu hawaii.

ALOHA!

 

So you’re getting ready for your Hawaii vacation!

And you’re planning a trip to one of the most popular snorkeling destinations on Oahu!

So in thinking about what to pack for Hawaii, you’re thinking about what to bring to Hanauma Bay!

What to wear snorkeling?!

What other things to bring to Hanauma Bay?

 

 

What might you want to bring to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling?

And so…

Let’s now test your eyesight. 😉

 

 

This is a sampling of what snorkelers wear to Hanauma Bay!

 

things to do in oahu | map >> east oahu – north shore – central oahu – waikiki beach

 

What do people wear at Hanauma Bay?!

 

Snorkeling gear

This is the most obvious!

 

Regular snorkeling set

Most people at Hanauma Bay are wearing regular snorkeling sets like this one.

 

 

Full-face snorkeling mask

But when you are snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, you will also see a number of people who are wearing a full-face snorkeling mask like this one.

 

 

Fins

In the picture of the snorkelers, you can see a number of people wearing snorkeling fins like these.

The problem with bringing fins to Hawaii is that they take up a lot of space in your suitcase. But if space is not an issue, you may consider bringing them.

You can also rent snorkeling gear at Hanauma Bay, including just fins. It’s about $9 to do so.

 

Beach shoes

If you look closely at the picture, you’ll also see one person that seems to be barefoot.

And you’ll find a number of people who snorkel this way too.

But if you’re not wearing fins, you may want to consider getting these kinds of beach shoes.

They can protect you from getting a cut from hidden rocks when you’re walking on the beach.

And they can also protect your feet from getting a cut from coral reef if you accidentally kick it when you’re snorkeling.

Consider that there will be times when you’re out snorkeling and come up above water.

The water is deep so you’re treading water.

You’re not thinking about what’s below you, and BAM! You kick coral reef and start bleeding.

Coral reef is sharp! Adding a layer can minimize the impact.

And if you do end up with an open wound from coral reef…

• Wash and rinse thoroughly with soap and water! It’s possible to end up with an infection from coral. There’s soap inside the bathroom, and you can find foot rinsing stations nearby.
• Visit the lifeguard station for bandages and to seek advice on what to do.
• Don’t go swimming in any fresh water in Hawaii, like at popular Oahu waterfalls, because there possibly lives a dangerous bacteria.

This may also be a reason to bring along a travel-sized first aid kit like one of these.

 

 

Swim clothes to wear snorkeling

Regular swimsuit

In the picture of lots of people snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, you’ll see many people wearing normal swimsuits.

If you’re in the market for new swimwear, have a look:

• women
• men
• kids

 

Clothes with UV protection

Wearing a regular swimsuit will work.

But you will also see in the picture that some snorkelers are wearing shirts.

In an effort to minimize the exposure of your skin to the sun and its harmful UV rays, you may consider wearing shirts like these that have built-in UV protection.

You can get these as long sleeve shirts and short sleeve shirts.

 

Sunscreen!!!

You can’t tell from the picture, but presumably, these people are all wearing sunscreen! (Hopefully anyway!)

You definitely want to make sure to bring and wear sunscreen in Hawaii!

If you’re not wearing anything that covers your back, you want to especially make sure that you get your back well-covered.

Wearing a shirt with UV protection does make it simpler so you don’t have to worry about slathering on so much sunscreen and continuously reapplying.

But still, you’ll want to make sure you cover the exposed parts of your skin.

Opt for sunscreen that is more water-resistant like these ones.

But don’t mistake water-resistant for meaning you can lather yourself up once and forget about it! You’ll still want to be diligent about re-applying it if you’re out in the sun for a long time.

The snorkeling community also strongly believes that the chemicals in certain types of sunscreen are more harmful to coral reef than others.

So if you’d like to join in the cause of minimizing your environmental impact when snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, consider opting for reef-safe sunscreen like this one or one of these ones.

If you forget your sunscreen, the gift shop at Hanauma Bay does sell some.

 

 

Snorkel vest

You can also see a few people wearing a snorkel vest.

These types of snorkeling vests can act as somewhat of a flotation device, and it can also help you conserve energy if you are out snorkeling for a long time.

 

Action camera

If you look carefully in the original picture, you’ll also see one person with his camera’s extendable pole out getting prepared for some amazing underwater pictures! 😉

If you’ve ever thought about getting one of these GoPro cameras but haven’t taken the plunge, no time like before snorkeling at Hanauma Bay than to buy one!

For some cheaper action cameras for snorkeling, have a look here.

 

Cheap waterproof phone case

Or, if you can’t bring yourself to get a GoPro for snorkeling, but you still want to get those underwater pictures, you can go for the way cheaper option.

That would be this cheap waterproof phone case.

It might take a few tries to figure it out, but once you do, you can be on your way to taking lots of underwater pictures or videos!

For example, the case doesn’t make touchscreen underwater possible, so you’ll need to click the appropriate button on your phone to do so.

Capture those vacation memories! 😉

 

Waterproof fanny pack or pouch

So you can’t see anyone in the picture wearing one, but if you’re thinking about leaving valuables on the beach, you may want to consider a waterproof pouch like this one.

This makes it so that you can take your valuables with you snorkeling, instead of leaving them on the beach.

 

 

More things to bring to Hanauma Bay

So those are things that you might want specifically when you’re snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

But what else might you want to bring?

 

FOOD AND DRINK!

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay means that you’ll be expending energy, and maybe a lot of it!

On top of that, you may not realize it because you are in the water, but you are also sweating. After all, it may not feel like it, but you are exercising a bit!

And on top of that, it’s hot! More sweat if you’re on the beach!

This is why it’s important to come prepared with water and snacks.

There is a snack bar at Hanauma Bay. (See prices there.)

But it will be far more convenient (and likely cheaper) to bring your own snacks and water.

You can pick them up at a convenience store in Waikiki like at one of the many ABC Stores.

Or if you’re driving, you can stop by a supermarket to pick up some picnic food.

As of this writing in September 2017, there are no bag checks, so your own food is allowed at Hanauma Bay.

There are drinking fountains so you can refill your water bottle.

• This type of water bottle is popular in Hawaii because of its ability to keep cold drinks cold
• These water bottles are cheaper and more travel-friendly

 

Beach towels

Don’t forget it! 😉 Buy a souvenir beach towel in Waikiki!

 

Beach mat

The sand might be hot, so if you plan on sitting on the beach, you will probably want a layer between you and the sand.

Of course your towel can work out just fine for this purpose.

Just be prepared to pack up a sandy beach towel, especially if it’s going to be your beach mat after you go snorkeling! (Wet sand!)

There are also straw beach mats kind of like this one that you can get for $4 at the ABC Stores on almost every corner in Waikiki.

You may also take a look at some pocket beach blankets like these for easy travel too.

 

 

Plastic bags

If you go shopping in Waikiki, save those plastic bags!

It’ll be helpful to have something to put your wet snorkeling gear or beach gear in.

Otherwise, you may want to bring from home a few plastic bags that you get at your grocery store.

If the snorkeling gear set you bought didn’t come with a mesh bag, you can also get a snorkeling backpack like one of these.

Another option if you don’t mind carrying your wet beach gear separately (instead of putting it in your beach bag) is to have a mesh bag for swimming like one of these.

This is a similar style to the snorkeling backpack, but not specific to snorkeling and scuba diving gear.

 

Beach bag

Well of course you need something to carry all this stuff! 😉

If you have more beach days planned, you may consider getting this kind of beach tote that can help to get the drying process started.

This can help your beach gear be ready for the next beach day! You’ll still want to give it more room to air out when you get back to your hotel.

 

Also remember…

Getting to Hanauma Bay means going down a hill.

So what you take down to the beach, you’ll have to bring back up the hill! (The more beach gear you have, the more energy you’ll need!)

Although there is a tram for $1.25!

 

The quick list of what to bring to Hanauma Bay for a day of snorkeling

To recap, here is the quick list of what to pack for Hawaii when it comes to snorkeling at Hanauma Bay:

• Snorkel + mask or full-face snorkeling mask
• Fins or beach shoes
• Swimsuit
• Swim clothes with UV protection
• SUNSCREEN! that’s safe for coral reef
• Snorkel vest
• Action camera or cheap waterproof phone case
• Waterproof fanny pack
• WATER!
• SNACKS!
• Beach towel
• Beach mat
• Plastic bags or mesh swimming bags
• Beach tote bag

 

 

HAPPY HANAUMA BAY SNORKELING!

 

things to do in oahu | map >> best snorkeling spots on oahu – best short hikes on oahu

what to wear in 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:
  • turkish towel
• walking sandals:
  • teva sandals for women
  • teva sandals for men

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