Whenever we travel to Hawaii, one place I always want to return to is Hanauma Bay.
And of course, if we are going to Hanauma Bay, I want to snorkel.
That was the plan on this trip too.
Until something went very wrong.
My phone drowned.
The worst part?
It was inside a waterproof phone pouch.
I had used waterproof cases while snorkeling before and assumed my phone would be safe. Somehow, seawater leaked inside, and the iPhone I had been using for years stopped working completely.
It was a horrible surprise at the time, but the accident taught me several things I have never forgotten:
- Why you should never completely trust a waterproof phone pouch
- Why phone backups matter so much when traveling
- How travel insurance helped me after the accident
Our snorkeling trip took place in 2019, so the story itself is a firsthand account from that visit.
However, Hanauma Bay’s reservation system and admission rules have changed significantly since then, so I have also added updated information for travelers visiting in 2026.
Hanauma Bay in 2026: Reservations, Admission & Opening Days
Visiting Hanauma Bay today is quite different from when we went in 2019.
For non-Hawaii residents, advance reservations are highly recommended.
Current visitor information:
- Open: Wednesday through Sunday
- Closed: Monday and Tuesday
- Entry: 6:45 AM–1:30 PM
- Beach cleared: By 3:30 PM
- Preserve closes: 4:00 PM
- Non-Hawaii resident admission: $25 plus online service fee for visitors age 13 and over
- Children age 12 and under: Free
For admission-only reservations, booking opens two days before your visit at 7:00 AM Hawaii Standard Time.
For example, if you want to visit on Wednesday, reservations become available on Monday morning.
A limited number of walk-in tickets are also available on a first-come, first-served basis, but I would not rely on these if Hanauma Bay is an important part of your Hawaii itinerary.
Another option introduced for visits from December 2025 onward combines Hanauma Bay admission with round-trip transportation from selected locations around Waikiki and Ala Moana. These packages can be reserved further in advance.
Rules, fees and operating hours can change, so always check the official information before your trip.
Check the latest Hanauma Bay visitor information
Our 2019 Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Trip
When we visited in 2019, we booked a Hanauma Bay snorkeling excursion with Hawaiian Ocean Promotions.
At the time, our plan included round-trip transportation from Waikiki as well as snorkeling equipment such as a mask, fins and a beach mat.
I remember thinking it was surprisingly reasonable for Hawaii, where optional tours can easily become expensive.
We also liked the lunch they provided.
However, Hanauma Bay’s reservation and admission system has changed since our trip, so the tour prices and arrangements we used in 2019 should not be considered current information.
What We Wore: Matching Pink T-Shirts for Mother and Daughter
For our Hanauma Bay day, Mamarin wore a pink eka Los Angeles T-shirt with OLD NAVY shorts.
We chose the shirt because it had “ALOHA” and “HAWAII” printed on it.
And yes, mother and daughter were matching.
Little things like this make travel photos even more fun to look back on years later.
Disaster: My Phone Flooded Inside a Waterproof Pouch
We were expecting another fun afternoon of snorkeling.
Instead, I lost my longtime iPhone 6 to the ocean.
And yes, it was inside a waterproof phone pouch.
Whenever I went snorkeling, I usually put my phone inside one of these pouches and wore it around my neck or attached it around my waist.
I did exactly the same thing this time.
But somehow, water got inside.
I did not notice immediately, so the phone ended up exposed to seawater for a long time.
By the time I realized what had happened, it was no longer usable.
That was the moment I learned:
A waterproof pouch does not mean your phone is guaranteed to stay dry.
Water can potentially get inside if:
- The seal is not completely closed
- The pouch has deteriorated with age
- There is a tiny tear or gap you did not notice
After this experience, I would never assume that a phone is completely safe simply because it is inside a waterproof pouch.
My Phone Was Gone — But My Photos Were Not
Before traveling, I had a habit of backing up my phone.
When the phone stopped working completely, I suddenly realized just how important that habit was.
“Thank goodness I backed it up.”
Without a backup, transferring contacts and other data to a replacement phone could have been much more difficult.
Even more importantly, I was also using iCloud.
That meant the photos I had taken in Hawaii up until the previous day were still there and could be restored.
My phone was dead.
My Hawaii memories were not.
That alone was a huge relief.
When traveling, we take so many photos that losing a phone can mean losing an enormous part of the trip.
Now I strongly recommend checking your phone backup and cloud photo settings before leaving home.
My Travel Insurance Covered the Damaged Phone
Before this trip, I had purchased a Japanese overseas travel insurance policy from Sompo Japan.
The plan I had at the time included personal belongings coverage, and in my particular case, I was able to submit a claim for the phone damaged by seawater.
This was my personal experience with a policy I held in 2019.
It does not mean every travel insurance policy will cover a water-damaged smartphone.
Coverage can vary depending on the insurer, country, policy, exclusions, deductibles and circumstances of the accident.
If you want protection for your phone or other electronics while traveling, check whether your own policy includes personal belongings coverage and whether smartphones are eligible.
Photos and a Repair Estimate Helped with My Insurance Claim
After the accident, I kept photographic evidence of the damaged phone.
Once we returned to Japan, I visited an Apple Store and asked for an estimate.
I made an appointment beforehand, so the process went smoothly, and the estimate took around 10 minutes to prepare.
Because my phone had been exposed to seawater for such a long time, repair was not possible in my case, so I received an estimate based on replacement.
For my insurance claim, I submitted documents including:
- The insurance claim forms
- Photos of the damaged phone
- The Apple Store estimate
In my case, the insurance payment arrived about a week after I submitted the documents.
I had expected it to take longer, so I was relieved by how quickly it was processed.
Of course, claim procedures and processing times vary between insurers and policies.
If something happens while you are traveling, contact your own insurer and ask exactly what documents and evidence they require before throwing anything away.
3 Things My Hanauma Bay Phone Disaster Taught Me
Before this happened, I had purchased travel insurance many times without ever needing to use it.
It felt more like something I carried “just in case.”
Then my phone went swimming without permission.
Suddenly, all those boring preparations made sense.
These are the three things I would check before another overseas trip:
1. Check What Your Travel Insurance Actually Covers
Do not simply assume that electronics are protected.
If you plan to spend time at beaches or pools, check your personal belongings coverage and the rules for smartphones in advance.
2. Back Up Your Phone Before You Travel
A phone can be replaced.
Photos, contacts and other personal data may be much harder — or impossible — to replace.
3. Use Cloud Backup for Your Photos
Services such as iCloud can mean the difference between losing a device and losing your entire collection of travel photos.
And I would add one more lesson.
Do not trust a waterproof pouch too much.
Hanauma Bay itself was beautiful, and we had a wonderful time snorkeling.
I just did not expect my phone to go snorkeling with me.
It is funny now.
At the time?
Not quite so funny.
If you are planning to visit Hanauma Bay, check the latest reservation rules before you go — and perhaps check that phone backup one more time too.
This article is based on our 2019 snorkeling experience and insurance claim. Hanauma Bay visitor information was updated in November 2026. Admission rules, fees and operating hours may change, so please check the official Hanauma Bay website before visiting. Insurance coverage varies by policy and insurer.
