meitzler
fraggy
What are the best places to visit in Oahu for reef hobbist? Has anyone purchased livestock there and brought it back to the states.
Best Places To Visit in Oahu, Hawaii
- Thread starter meitzler
- Start date
Help Support Reef Aquarium & Tank Building Forum:
Hi there. I've lived on O'ahu for about 9 years, for reefers one of the best spots is Hanauma Bay (hands down...the best, for the money and accessibility). I've snorkeled there many times, and this last time, there was a 2 foot naso tang about 5 inches from my face. Fishes are very docile and all I believe are resident fishes. Gobies, urchins, etc...as well.
Drive on Kalanianaole Hwy heading towards Hawaii Kai. THe drive itself is worth it. One of the best on the islands. The roads will curve as you see the ocean from the hillside.
If you have snorkel gear, bring them as luggage, or you can buy cheap ones at one of the ABC stores...or rent them at Hanauma.
If you want to see sharks...there are lots of hammerheads at Kaneohe Bay...by Chinaman's Hat..
Other beaches that are must see are...Haleiwa (surfing town, literally), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach....Lanikai & Kailua Beaches...Sandys Beach... Don't forget to eat at the shops off the roads. Some are the best on the island.
Best,
Ilham
Drive on Kalanianaole Hwy heading towards Hawaii Kai. THe drive itself is worth it. One of the best on the islands. The roads will curve as you see the ocean from the hillside.
If you have snorkel gear, bring them as luggage, or you can buy cheap ones at one of the ABC stores...or rent them at Hanauma.
If you want to see sharks...there are lots of hammerheads at Kaneohe Bay...by Chinaman's Hat..
Other beaches that are must see are...Haleiwa (surfing town, literally), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach....Lanikai & Kailua Beaches...Sandys Beach... Don't forget to eat at the shops off the roads. Some are the best on the island.
Best,
Ilham
meitzler
fraggy
Thanks Elmo.
My understanding is that Hanauma Bay is quite crowded and commercialized now. I agree it is a great place. I have also done Sharks Cove on the north side. Any other good snorkeling places that you can think of.
Have you ever purchased livestock there and brought it back to the states? Most Kole, Yellow, Archilles Tangs come from Hawaii. Are there any good aquarium stores there?
What kind of food do you order at the shops of the road? Or is it all good.
Thanks for the information.
Wayne
My understanding is that Hanauma Bay is quite crowded and commercialized now. I agree it is a great place. I have also done Sharks Cove on the north side. Any other good snorkeling places that you can think of.
Have you ever purchased livestock there and brought it back to the states? Most Kole, Yellow, Archilles Tangs come from Hawaii. Are there any good aquarium stores there?
What kind of food do you order at the shops of the road? Or is it all good.
Thanks for the information.
Wayne
Electrokate
Well-known member
Hey, you go yet? I live here now, was in Oly.
I think you can bring fish back with you as checked luggage but it would be easier to have it shipped to you. What I would buy... well that would be a hard call. Prices are not much better than on the mainland unless you buy Kellogii seahorses which are 25 bucks here and not available there. Could offset the shipping price by picking those up along with what you are after and then sell the seahorses.
Shark's Cove is a great snorkel spot in the summer, in winter too rough. Sometimes is ok right now, we are going tomorrow. North shore generally bad in winter unless you are seriously into surfing.
Don't forget snuba if you want to dive like a scuba diver 25 feet or less but not invest in the gear and training. Basically is a raft with air tanks and a divers flag that floats above you while you breathe through a tube attached to the gear.
Coral Fish Hawaii in Pearl City has quite the fish selection, Modern downtown has some zoanthids for about 2 hours til they sell out and nice fish in good health but not many of them. Worth checking out. Better service. Both stores run salinity low so acclimation will be slow. I have seen one store test at 1.012... right now is more like 1.018 though.
Kate
I think you can bring fish back with you as checked luggage but it would be easier to have it shipped to you. What I would buy... well that would be a hard call. Prices are not much better than on the mainland unless you buy Kellogii seahorses which are 25 bucks here and not available there. Could offset the shipping price by picking those up along with what you are after and then sell the seahorses.
Shark's Cove is a great snorkel spot in the summer, in winter too rough. Sometimes is ok right now, we are going tomorrow. North shore generally bad in winter unless you are seriously into surfing.
Don't forget snuba if you want to dive like a scuba diver 25 feet or less but not invest in the gear and training. Basically is a raft with air tanks and a divers flag that floats above you while you breathe through a tube attached to the gear.
Coral Fish Hawaii in Pearl City has quite the fish selection, Modern downtown has some zoanthids for about 2 hours til they sell out and nice fish in good health but not many of them. Worth checking out. Better service. Both stores run salinity low so acclimation will be slow. I have seen one store test at 1.012... right now is more like 1.018 though.
Kate
meitzler
fraggy
Hi:
During my visit, I did check fish in with the luggage. Worked fine. I also notice that they keep the salinity very low. North shore is tclearly the best snorkeling. Thanks for the input.
During my visit, I did check fish in with the luggage. Worked fine. I also notice that they keep the salinity very low. North shore is tclearly the best snorkeling. Thanks for the input.
