Magnificent crescent-shaped Hanauma Bay , formed when the wall of a crater collapsed and let in the sea, is renowned as Oahu's best place to snorkel.

 Though it makes a nice excursion, and the sea is full of brightly colored fish, overuse has killed off most of the coral near the shore, and the feeding of fish has led to a decline in the range of species.

Tour parties were banned in 1991, and access is now controlled via a visitor center that shows educational videos about the bay's fragile ecology (daily except Tues 9am-6pm; $3). TheBus #22 ("The Beach Bus") runs by the bay from Waikiki every forty minutes.

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Hanauma Bay
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