Hawaii Day 5 - Hanauma Bay and Halona Blowhole (video)

Today, we visited Hanauma Bay, one of the most popular spots for snorkeling in Hawaii. This bay was formed within a volcanic cone on the southeast coast of Oahu island.



This bay is now a national park (you have to pay a fee to get in) and you have to watch a short film (protecting marine life) before you go to the beach. After the film, you either walk down a steep path or take a tram down to the beach (costs $0.75/person). Because of the kids and the 2 elders in our group, we took the tram down to save us the hassle. Well worth it!

Richard and I set up our cool sun tent, put all our gear in the tent, left the kiddies with the grandparents and we took off into the water. There is a coral reef right next to the shore, making snorkeling awesome. There were lots of fish and we even saw a huge turtle (we didn't want to scare it away so we kept our distance).

With the hot sun shining on us, we stayed there for about 3 hours only. I was so tired (the sun sucks up so much energy). Or maybe it's all the swimming and snorkeling that used up all the energy. Pretty much everyone was tired and hungry so we were happy to go home.

While driving back home, we passed by the Halona Blowhole so we stopped to check it out. A blowhole is a lava tube under the water and when strong waves crashes into it, the pressure shoots water straight into the air. (it looks like a whale blowing water out). I wasn't able to get a pic of it.