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Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay: Top Dive Site in Oahu for Snorkeling and Diving

Hanauma Bay, located in the beautiful and protected Hanauma Bay State Park, is a renowned dive site in Oahu, United States. With its crystal clear waters boasting a visibility of 17m and a maximum depth of 13m, this nature preserve offers an unparalleled experience for both beginner and advanced divers.

As one of the most popular dive spots in Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a haven for divers of all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or just starting out, the calm and sheltered waters make it an ideal destination. In fact, no boats are allowed in the bay, ensuring a serene and peaceful diving experience.

The highlight of Hanauma Bay lies around 30 feet beneath the surface. Here, you'll encounter an abundance of marine life that will leave you in awe. Keep an eye out for majestic Spotted Eagle Rays, captivating Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, vibrant schools of Convict Tangs, elegant Sergeant Majors, colorful Parrot Fish, and intriguing Moray Eels, among many other fascinating species.

So, if you're looking for a memorable underwater adventure, Hanauma Bay is the place to be. Dive into the captivating depths and witness the thriving ecosystem that awaits you. Start planning your visit to this remarkable dive site and discover the wonders of the underwater world today.

(Location: Hanauma Bay State Park, Makaweli Street, Koko Head, Hawaii Kai, Portlock, East Honolulu, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, 96825, United States)

Diving Conditions Score for Hanauma Bay

8
Very Good

Very good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Hanauma Bay

Depth

13m

Visibility

17m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced

Weather Conditions for Hanauma Bay

Wave Height

1.2m

Wind Speed

16.9 m/s

Water Temp

26.9°C

Visibility

45.58km

Cloud Cover

1%

Wave Period

11.1s

Air Temperature

25°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Hanauma Bay
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Hanauma Bay

Best time to dive: 13:00 with score 7.9139348082595875/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.18m, Wind 16.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 7.393936636636637/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Hanauma Bay: 06:00
Sunset at Hanauma Bay: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Hanauma Bay are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
13:00

Score: 7.9/10
Waves: 1.18m (11.3s), Wind: 16.9 m/s

🌙
Best Night
2:00

Score: 7.4/10
Waves: 1.16m, Wind: 16.1 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Hanauma Bay
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Hanauma Bay

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Hanauma Bay

Winter

Avg. Score: 10.0/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Hanauma Bay

January
Score: 10.0
February
Score: 10.0
March
Score: 10.0

Ideal Conditions for Hanauma Bay

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

22.1°C / 71.8°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (22.1°C) and December the coldest (18.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 2 hr. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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