Lovers of water sports, exotic diving and beautiful beaches will appreciate the place that will be discussed in today's review. The mention of which 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 a 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 paradise on Earth, then its name is Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay settled down as if trying to hide from the prying eyes of numerous tourists to the last. The beach was voted America's Best Resort in 2004 and is still considered the most popular destination for divers and anyone with a passion for 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 oceanic waters of a greenish-blue hue, which allow you to consider all 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 stars of show business, cinema and even top officials of the state.
The beach boasts a comfortable climate, which creates excellent conditions for both extreme relaxation and just measured swimming. Therefore, for those who are looking for a new place for a family vacation, which will give vivid impressions and charge with vital energy and a 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 over 450 species of tropical fish alone. In addition, you will not find such huge coral reefs anywhere in Hawaii. It is the rich diversity of the animal world, the exoticism of the local ecosystem that led to the recognition of the territory of the Hanauma Bay beach as a nature reserve, the main goal of which has been the preservation and enhancement of the local wealth for several years.
In addition to huge corals and a wide variety of fish, there are also rare green turtles, which are also protected by the local ecological program. They, as if knowing that they are under the protection of the authorities, practically do not pay attention to numerous tourists and divers, posing with pleasure in front of cameras.
Divers meeting point
Professional divers and just amateurs of "diving", who are just getting used to the beauty of the underwater world, have been meeting on the coast of Hanauma Bay for several decades. It 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 look at the unique species of fish and other organisms that have chosen coral reefs and rocky outcrops 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 one of the cleanest, and a riot of tropical plants gives everyone the opportunity to imagine what America looked like in ancient times.
The services of many tourists are companies where you can rent diving equipment, as well as use the services of professional trainers who will help you master the basics of this amazing type of recreation. The cost of services here, perhaps, will be slightly higher than in other similar places, but the vivid impressions and indescribable emotions that you will receive, sinking into the depths of the ocean, will remain an excellent reminder of your first acquaintance with the underwater world.
And what a fishing here! Rumor has it that the fish in these places bite in a somehow special way, as if Neptune himself clings the catch to the hooks of fishermen. Since the 18th century, 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 disaster, large-scale fishing had to be banned. Therefore, fishing here is mainly sports and amateur, and fishing on an industrial scale is simply prohibited. Hanauma Bay is considered to be 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 an original name - humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
Paradise in the middle of the tropics
Hanauma Bay, whose name literally translates as "curved bay", is considered a true paradise in the tropics, attracting crowds of vacationers with its white beaches and lush greenery.
An amazing beach was formed several thousand years ago, when a part of a volcanic crater collapsed into the sea, opening access to waves rushing into the place of the fault. From that moment on, a kind of bay was formed, on the shore of which many vacationers love to spend their time. By the way, according to the local unspoken statistics, at least 3000 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 Hanauma Bay beach, having previously picked up a place higher, from where a beautiful panorama of the bay opens, and then abruptly remove the blindfold from his eyes, from amazement and delight he may faint! And this is not an exaggeration at all. The landscapes here are simply dizzying. 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 world 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.
Due to the unique fauna, white beaches, special attitude of local authorities to the preservation of the ecosystem, as well as crystal clear sea water, the beach entered the list of the best beaches in Oceania, taking 12th place. The most popular time to visit the local beauty is from May to early autumn. In the rest of the year, the climate here is quite cool, although you can see many tourists who prefer to exchange a noisy summer vacation among numerous vacationers for quiet walks in the "hot" places of Hanauma Bay with a camera, albeit without the opportunity to plunge into the transparent, but already cold to this time, water.
How to get there
Tourists can visit this stunning location by arriving at Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii.After that, all that remains is to place your luggage in a comfortable bus, and with anticipation of a miracle, greedily absorb with your eyes 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 travel will cost a little more, but it will help save precious time, which is sometimes so lacking for many tourists' little whims.
For a comfortable stay, it is recommended to stay in one of the hotels that are located in Honolulu. Daily trips will not be overhead, because it will take only a few kilometers to get to the beach.
Before visiting the beach, do not forget to watch a small 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.
