swtraveller

We have 1pm flight on Wednesday from Honolulu to Maui. But we really want to do Hanauma Bay snorkeling. We can not do previous day because it is closed on Tuesday. Is it possible for us to make it on Wednesday before the flight. We are non swimmers and prefer to go with some tour. Will they drop us back on time to the hotel? any good snorkeling tour suggestion?

sf7307

If you search Hanauma Bay Tours online, you'll see that some pick up in Waikiki as early as 7 a.m., and leave Hanauma Bay as early as 10 a.m. If you think you can make it back to the hotel to change and pick up your luggage, and get to the airport in time for your 1 p.m. flight, then I guess it works. Not something I'd do personally, but only you can decide that.

sylvia3

don't forget the plastic bags for your wet stuff!

Tomsd

I would say go for it. Hanauma Bay probably has the best/easiest/safest snorkeling in the Islands.

If you are back at the hotel by say 10:30 am - and have your bags packed and ready to go - you should be fine, as a cab ride at that time of day should be fairly quick (under 30 minutes? - it's only 8 miles or so) - and the Inter-Island airport is more user friendly than the big/International one next door.

Hey - even if you miss your flight - there are others to Maui during the day.

And LOL - good suggestion to take plastic bags for your wet swimsuits. Or ask the maid for some extra garbage bag liners.

swtraveller

Thank you all for your suggestions. If we plan to go there in our own car, will there be any guides/tours available at the bay?

sf7307

What kind of guide/tour would you get -- someone to be with you underwater? (serious question).

sylvia3

You don't need a guide or a tour; just get there early (earlier the better, parking is limited), go in the water, and swim around with a mask, snorkel, and fins.

janisj

"If we plan to go there in our own car, will there be any guides/tours available at the bay?"

I'm curious what you think there is to 'tour'. It is a beach and a bay. The 'tours' from the city are really glorified shuttles. They don't take you to down to the beach or lead you into the water.

Tomsd

If you already know how to snorkel - Hanauma Bay is very easy- plus they have lifeguards. Suggest you rent equipment - from the Snorkel Bob's of this world http://www.snorkelbob.com/ - and you can also take it on to Maui if you like.

And go early - for the best conditions/visibility - to beat the crowds and also to get back to your hotel in time.

If you don't know how to snorkel - practice beforehand in a pool where you can just stand up if you get nervous.

sf7307

Although if you rent equipment "in town" and drive your own car, you'll also need time to return the equipment.

Tomsd

sf7 - not if you rent it and then take it with you to Maui and use it there and then turn it in to a Snorkel Bob's store on Maui. However, best to check with Snorkel Bob's directly to see what is and what is not allowed.

sf7307

Hadn't thought of that (I'd not want to pack/carry wet snorkel gear, so I wouldn't be likely to do it, but that doesn't mean it isn't do-able)

Tomsd

LOL. Snorkel gear is dry shortly after you get out of the water. It's mostly made of rubber and glass.

It's the swimsuits that take longer to dry, but as discussed - just toss those in a plastic bag.

nanabee

Last time we tried to go to Hanauma Bay it was packed with people lined up and we were told that if we got in line by the time we got to the window the tickets would most likely be sold out. And parking is limited and street parking is almost impossible.

I think you'll need to check out their website and find out about reserving tickets for the date and VERY EARLIEST time you can get.

http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/

I don't understand what you mean by a guide. There may be guided tours of the entire site - there is also a visitor/education center that may have guides. But to walk onto the beach and go into the very shallow water you won't need a guide.

nanabee

tomsd - the last time i was at hanauma bay was probably back in the late 1980's or early 1990's when anyone could park and walk down the hill.

at the time they had a snorkel rental shop at the beach, do they still have one there?

Tomsd

They may be better now - but at the time - I was not imppressed with the quality of the snorkel gear I saw at the shop - down at Haunama Bay. It would probbly work ok - but I would rather go to a Snorkel Bob's - and get properly fitted ahead of time and even try it out in the hotel pool to be sure (the fit of the mask - so it doesn't leak) - and then take that gear.

We usully take out own stuff - but with the current baggage fees - may start renting.

And unless they have all reserve spots now for parking at Hanauma Bay - my experience has always been - go early and you can usually get a parking spot and get in, but if you can purchase/reserve tickets the day(s) before - you might consider that too.

parrothead1225

A wrinkle we ran into was the inter-island airline had different weight allowances than our United flight, even though we were first class. It took some rearranging both carry-on and check through luggage weight allowances. This could be critical if carrying wet clothes or snorkle equipment to Maui, as the airline wasn't budging and the overweight charges were astronomical. You could see them salivating, anticipating easy money. In reading all of the above responses, the first thing to do is reschedule your inter-island flight to the middle of the afternoon so you can enjoy your snorkel, or skip the snorkel and relax, you're on island time.

Tomsd

So, Parr - if you recall, what are the inter-island weight allowances, and how many bags can you check without paying an additional fee?

I assume you can still carry on?

A mask and a damp swimsuit don't weigh that much - but fins are heavier.

Again, to me - snorkeling at Hanamau Bay if one of the great experiences in Paradise - and I would make every effort to do so, but you should still have plenty of time if you go early (they opne at 6) and then get back to your hotel by say 9:30 or so.

Tomsd

LOL. If the poster meant this Wed - as in today - then hope they post about what they finally decided to do.