This place has been loved to death. We got there around 9:00am and found a long line at the ticket window, then had to wait again to watch the "be kind to the reef" video (which, in my opinion, is too nice, and not strongly worded enough). We couldn't believe how many people were there when we got down to the beach! Then, we were incredibly disappointed to get in the water and find it totally cloudy from all the sand being kicked up from the hundreds of people there. Some of them were even standing on the coral, even after watching the video! Unbelievable. We didn't see any fish there at all. Really was a waste of time and money. Nice beach though.

This is a great place to go snorkeling, it's just too bad there are so many people crowding the place and scaring off the fish. It's free for Hawaii residents which is a bonus, but residents make sure to sign the repeat visitors list so you don't have to sit through the intro video again. Also, the current gets pretty strong once you get a ways out so inexperienced swimmers should stick closer to shore.

Like all other popular tourist destinations it pays to get here early. They open at 6 a.m. We got there around 6:30 a.m. avoided the movie altogether (just got a 5 minute oral intro), got free parking (convenient), and shared the whole bay with only a score of snorkelers. Being novice snorkelers we had a great time and saw many, many species of fish. This was one of the best elements of our Oahu vacation. I would highly recommend this to anyone who would like the sensation of swimming in a stocked marine aquarium. Take a waterproof watch as time will get away from you.

The people of Hawaii have decided the Bay is theirs and theirs alone. Visitors are now required to sit through a tortourous video before entering the park. The number of fish in the park appeared to be down about 80% in part due to the ban on feeding them. Considering the traffic, drive, video, and declining number of fish go to the north shore and find your own free spot or go to Black Rock on Maui (it's free and better without the local snobbery). I think I would like to require visitors from Hawaii to watch a video before they can go to the Grand Canyon.

We got there at around 8:30AM on a Thursday. There were a few people there but no huge crowds. You have to watch a quick video, you can put your name down on a clipboard if you plan on coming back in the next year so that you don't have to watch the video again. Parking is $1, admission is $5. They have quite a bit available to rent: lockers ($5), vests ($5), snorkel sets (the dry set was $9 and it includes fins), they have waterproof cameras that you can buy but they are pricey so buy it before you get there. The water really is clear and pretty calm in the morning. The waves start coming in the later it gets. We saw so many beautiful fish. No turtle but I did hear that people were seeing them, we just weren't that lucky I guess. They do have a restaurant that serves burgers, fries, etc...but it is pricey. We plan on going back, it is so worth it.

What an amazing experience! Saw all kinds of fish and creatures including turtles. Kids loved it as well! Well worth the drive out and even sitting through the video about not disturbing the corral or sea life. I guess you can't assume people would know not to do that.

It't the worst place to go. Too many people. It's like going to the mall after Thanksgiving. The reefs are dead because people walk on them. You have to pay for parking. When you get into the water, you can see all the suntan oil on top of the water. Don't go!!!! Stay away!!!!

Great place to visit while in Hawaii! Worth the time, the money and the sun! We couldn't spend as much time as we'd liked but every minute was worth it - it is so beautiful and peaceful!

This was quite a trip! It had great scenery, the fish were awesome, and it was fun to look at fish in their own habitat! In fact while you are here, you are so close to the fish you could almost touch them! (I wouldn't recommend it though!) It was also a nice place to just lie on the beach and get a nice tan. They couldn't have picked a better place to just be able to snorkel and swim! While swimming it was almost like I was a fish itself! As silly as that sounds, I am sure you will feel the same way! It's defintely worth every penny!

This was one of the better locations we chose to snorkel. The water was clear most of the morning. The fish were quite friendly. The food was absolutely expensive! Bring food!