Hanauma Bay Hawaiian beach in the volcano crater โ photo, description, how to get there, map
Fans of water sports, exotic diving and beautiful beaches will be able to appreciate the place that will be discussed in today's review. The mention of what islands evokes thoughts of huge waves, on the crests of which surfers find themselves here and there, and exotic natives still catch the eye with their bright outfits and ancient traditions?
Today we will talk about Hawaii, and we will be especially interested in the island of Oahu, in the south of which there is a real paradise. Hanauma Bay Beach is a unique place, because it is located in the flooded crater of an ancient volcano, which, judging by its size, has repeatedly plunged into true horror the indigenous tribes who have chosen these fertile lands.
If there is a heaven on Earth, then its name is Hanauma Bay.
Hanauma Bay is located as if to the last he was trying to hide from the inquisitive eyes of numerous tourists. In 2004, the beach was recognized as the best resort in America and is still considered the most popular place for divers and all those who are not indifferent to water sports.
The purity of the local waters is amazing. There are not many similar places on the planet that can boast of crystal clear ocean waters of a greenish-blue hue, which allow you to see the diversity of the underwater world. Therefore, every year millions of tourists and regular visitors go to rest in these wonderful places, among whom you can often meet show business stars, cinema stars and even top officials of the state.
The beach boasts a comfortable climate, which creates excellent conditions for both extreme recreation and just measured swimming. Therefore, for those who are looking for a new place for a family vacation, which will give vivid impressions and recharge with vitality and positive attitude for the whole year, the beach will be one of the most interesting proposals.
The rich underwater world deserves special attention, which is represented by a huge number of fish, crabs and other underwater inhabitants. There are more than 450 varieties of tropical fish here alone. In addition, in Hawaii you will not find such huge coral reefs anywhere. It is the rich diversity of the animal world, the exotic nature of the local ecosystem that led to the recognition of the Hanauma Bay beach area as a nature reserve, the main goal of which for several years has been to preserve and increase the local wealth.
In addition to huge corals and a wide variety of fish, rare green turtles are also found here, which are also protected by the local environmental program. They, as if knowing that they are under the protection of the authorities, practically do not pay attention to the numerous tourists and divers, posing with pleasure in front of the cameras.
Meeting place for divers
Professional divers and just lovers of โdiveโ, who only join the beauties of the underwater world, have been meeting on the shores of Hanauma Bay for several decades. This is the most popular diving center in Hawaii and one of the most famous in the world.
Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see the unique species of fish and other organisms that have chosen the coral reefs and rocky ledges of the former volcanic crater. Many species of underwater inhabitants are unique in their kind and are no longer found anywhere in the world. Therefore, the local waters are attractive from the point of view of ichthyology and oceanology.
The government spends a lot of money to preserve the rich diversity of the underwater world, and a special environmental program provides for days when visiting the beach is prohibited. For example, access to the beach is limited every Tuesday. Thus, the authorities are trying to reduce the already huge burden on the local ecosystem. And this, it should be noted, is bearing fruit. The beach and water are considered among the cleanest, and the riot of tropical plants gives everyone the opportunity to imagine what America looked like in ancient times.
At the service of numerous tourists there are firms where you can rent diving equipment, as well as use the services of professional trainers who will help you learn the basics of this amazing type of recreation. The cost of services here may be a little higher than in other similar places, but the vivid impressions and indescribable emotions that you get when you go down into the depths of the ocean will remain an excellent reminder of your first acquaintance with the underwater world.
And what kind of fishing is here! Rumor has it that the fish in these places bite in a special way, as if Neptune himself catches the catch on the fishermen's hooks. Since the 18th century, the Hawaiian kings have chosen these fertile and rich in catch places, and from that moment it has never been empty. In order to prevent an ecological catastrophe, large-scale fishing had to be banned. Therefore, fishing here is mainly sports and amateur, and industrial-scale fishing is simply prohibited. Hanauma Bay is considered a kind of reserve of some tropical fish species. One of these varieties is generally considered the official symbol of the Hawaiian Islands. We are talking about a motley fish with the most original name โ humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
Paradise in the middle of the tropics
Hanauma Bay, whose name can literally be translated as โcurved bayโ, is considered a real paradise in the tropics, attracting crowds of vacationers with its white-sand beaches and lush greenery.
An amazing beach was formed several thousand years ago, when part of the volcanic crater collapsed into the sea, opening up access to the waves that rushed into the fault. From that moment, a kind of bay was formed, on the shore of which numerous vacationers love to spend time. By the way, according to the local secret statistics, at least 3,000 people visit the beach every day.
You know, if a person who has never seen anything like this in his life is blindfolded and taken to the beach of Hanauma Bay, after picking up a place higher, from where a beautiful panorama of the bay opens, and then abruptly remove the blindfold, from amazement and delight he might faint! And this is not an exaggeration at all. The landscapes here are simply breathtaking. It is these breathtaking pictures that attract, like a magnet, all lovers of such exoticism, true connoisseurs of nature and even young naturalists.
The flora in no way lags behind the underwater one and is represented by a number of exotic plants and trees, many of which are also considered very rare. It is not for nothing that US President Barack Obama himself has chosen these places and quite often spends time here with his family, basking in the sun or walking along the coast.
Thanks to the unique wildlife, white beaches, the special attitude of local authorities to the preservation of the ecosystem, as well as crystal clear sea water, the beach was included in the list of the best beaches in Oceania, taking 12th place. The most popular time to visit these beauties is from May to early autumn. In the rest of the year, the climate here is rather cool, although you can see a lot of tourists who prefer to exchange a noisy summer vacation among numerous vacationers for quiet walks through the โvileโ places of Hanauma Bay with a camera, albeit without the opportunity to plunge into transparent, but already cold to this time, water.
How to get there
Tourists can visit this amazing place by getting to the Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii. After that, all that remains is to place the luggage in a comfortable bus, and with anticipation of a miracle, eagerly absorb the landscapes floating outside the window towards new vivid impressions.
There is also an alternative to public transport in the form of a taxi. This way of traveling will cost a little more, but it will help save precious time, which is sometimes so lacking for the little whims of many tourists.
For a comfortable stay, it is recommended to stay in one of the hotels located in Honolulu. Daily trips will not become overhead, because it will take only a few kilometers to get to the beach.
Before visiting the beach, do not forget to watch a short but very informative film about the local beach, the history of its formation and the rules of behavior on it. This will allow you not only to understand the local traditions, but also to avoid possible misunderstandings with the local authorities.