Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii - an underwater wonder world.

Hanauma Bay is about 10 miles from Waikiki, and is where you will find some of the finest snorkelling and diving in Oahu - it's even ideal for beginners and children. Much of the Elvis Presley movie "Blue Hawaii" was filmed here.

Its 2000 foot sandy beach can get crowded, but the warm, calm, protected sapphire and turquoise waters help to make it a wonderful experience. The horse shoe shaped bay, was once a volcanic crater, now it shelters an abundance of friendly fish, including, bright yellow butterfly fish, goatfish, sea turtles, parrotfish, and silverfish.

In fact, more than 50 species can be found there. It is a marine life conservation area and the bay itself is legally designated as a State Underwater Park and Conservation District, so no fishing, or feeding of the fish is allowed.

From the entrance area above the beach you can look down through the clear waters and see the coral reefs stretching across the bay. The bay in fact has two reefs the inner, which is suitable for novices and the outer very much for experts. Even if you just paddle the fish swim inshore circling between the legs, so even small children can experience the beauty of these colourful fish.

There are hiking trails (closed on high wind day) with very pretty vistas. The park has a good grassy picnic area there are also showers, rest rooms, changing rooms and a snack bar. Snorkel kit can be rented from the concession shop.

Hanauma Bay Nature Park is closed all day on Tuesdays; all other days it's open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is a US$3.00 entrance fee if you are a non-resident; there is a US$1.00 per car parking fee. You can call +1 (808) 396-4229 for other information about the park twenty-four hours per day. It's very accessible by the public bus service: call +1 (808) 848-5555 for The Bus scheduling and routing information.

Lifeguards are on duty but use good sense and judgement. Don't walk on rocky ledges where waves are breaking and watch out for slippery rocks. Enjoy its beauty but always treat the ocean and its environment with the greatest respect.