Rick from New Tripoli's Dive Log

With just a day on Oahu in early August 2006, we dropped into Hanauma Bay for a snorkel. What a beautiful place! But the coral really is damaged and despite the educational efforts, people still walk on it. If you get to the outside of the reef in 15-25 feet of water there are some nice large coral formations and some good soft coral. There are turtles on the outside, too. On the plus side, the fish are unafraid everywhere, so you get some good up-close views of normally skittish ones like butterfly fish. The current can be a bit strong while trying to get back in. There are two major gaps to get out beyond the reef: one about mid-beach and the other to the extreme west. At high tide it is possible to go over the reef, but be careful not to touch.

I did this site as a boat dive in early August 2006. At that time, with a large south swell, there was virtually no way that it could have been done as a shore dive. It was a fun site to dive, saw some turtles, lots of eels, a nudibranch, and lots of fish. Coral here is not outstanding.

Ke'e is a great place to snorkel. The inexperienced can get a thrill on the inside of the reef and the experienced can go outside for a bit more. There are some good coral heads on the outside along with plenty of turtles and good variety of fish life.