Hanauma Bay

   This is a very touristy place that is worth seeing, if you have the time.  This sunken volcanic crater is a snorkeler's paradise, with thousands of tropical fish and other marine animals, a few turtles, and a pristine coral reef in fairly shallow water — at most 20 feet deep.  I jumped on a bus from Waikiki, and was able to get there in about 25 minutes.  It used to be free but recently they started charging $5 to get in.  Before going in, you are shuttled into a mini movie theatre to watch a 7-minute movie on how to help preserve and protect the coral reef when swimming.  

   I stayed here for a couple hours, soaking in some sun and did some snorkeling.  There is plenty of room for everyone, and even if there are many people there, you won't feel crowded.  There were a couple of things that really aided me in my snorkeling adventures.  I stopped in a shop called Snorkel Bob's and picked up hand fins for $20.  Instead of using feet fins, many times, I wore ocean shoes, and the hand fins.  The hand fins were webbed and helped propel me through the water.  The other item I bought at Snorkel Bob's, which I thought was priceless, was a bottle of No Fog solution for my mask for $2.  Instead of spitting in my mask every 5 minutes because my mask would fog up, I would dab a couple drops of this solution in the mask, rub it around, wash it out real quick with ocean water, and I could see clearly for up to 4 hours. 

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