Hanauma Bay Safety Tips, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Hawaii State Fish)

Go To Ocean Safety And Lifeguard Services

WATER SAFETY
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of the most popular recreational swimming, snorkeling, diving and picnicing areas in Hawai‘i. The bay is legally designated as a State Underwater Park and Conservation District.

Please heed all posted warnings! Your life could depend on it!

HERE ARE SOME BASIC OCEAN SAFETY TIPS THAT YOU CAN USE IN ALL SHORELINE AREAS:

If in Doubt, Just Stay Out!

• Swim in lifeguarded areas

• Never swim alone

• Don’t dive into unknown water or into shallow breaking waves

• Ask a lifeguard about beach and surf conditions before swimming

• If you are unable to swim out of a strong current, signal for help

• Rely on your swimming ability rather than a flotation device

• Look for, read and obey all beach safety signs and symbols

Please, take very special care of children. They should always be supervised at the beach and in the ocean by their parents or adult guardians. Lifeguards are not substitute babysitters - their responsibility includes the entire beach.

DROWNING PREVENTION CHECKLIST ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS:

• Supervise all young children while they are in, on, or near the water.

• Drownings and near-drownings occur in familiar surroundings during very short lapses in supervision. Many of these incidents at Hanauma Bay happen in shallow water close to shore

• Do not have older siblings watch younger children in the water. They are not trained or mature enough to be given such a responsibility.

• Do not rely on flotation devices or swimming lessons to protect a child. Children are not waterproof.

• Take a CPR course. Know what to do in case of an emergency.

Please, take very special care of children.

WAVES BREAK ON LEDGE:
Avoid walking on the rocky ledges where waves are breaking, they can be very dangerous.
Rocks become slippery and are sharp, abrasive lava stone. Lava is very porous and it crumbles easily.
Don’t ever go into the wet rocky zone, it can be very slippery when wet. The ocean is unpredictable and has been known to wash people away.
Don’t put yourself in a position where you could be swept away.
If you have any questions, see a lifeguard.

SHARP CORAL REEF:
Hanauma Bay has sharp coral reefs close to the shoreline. Use caution when swimming in shallow reef areas. Should you be injured, see a lifeguard for minor first aid assistance. City and County of Honolulu lifeguards provide first aid and emergency ground and air response.

Should coral become embedded deeply see your doctor as soon as possible to have it removed. Deep cuts should be attended to by a physician to avoid the risk of infection.

HIGH SURF:

Large powerful waves are generated by winds and storms at sea sometimes thousands of miles from the Hawaiian Islands. Seasonal high surf occurs on all shores of O‘ahu. High surf can make swimming difficult, create strong currents, or push you onto the rocks or reef.

STRONG CURRENTS:

These are swift moving flows of water through channels in the reef against which it is difficult to swim. Strong currents accompany high surf and rapid tide changes. They can be recognized as a turbulent channel of water between areas where waves are breaking.

When caught in a strong current — Try to keep a level head, i.e., don’t panic!

Wave one or both hands in the air, and scream or call for help.

Swim diagonally to the current, not against it.

"Text and photos courtesy of Richard Duggan."