When visiting Hawaii, it is natural to look for homes for sale. Oahu, Hawaii is the place for lovers of sun and surf, and to be close to the primordial environments of Hawaii. One such spot is the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Doctor Stephen Leatherman, a leading environmental scientist, named Hanauma Bay "America's Best Beach". Every day, more than 3000 visitors come to Hanauma Bay to sunbathe, snorkel, swim, and even picnic. With all of its amenities, this is one of Hawaii's premiere nature spots.
Image Credit: opacity
Hanauma Bay is about 35,000 years old. It is a volcanic crater that has a gaping opening to the ocean. It is believed that the outside wall disintegrated and the ocean rushed in. Because of its circular shape, it naturally shelters its waters and denizens from the waves and currents. In 1967, Hanauma Bay was dedicated as a marine conservation site. People come from all over the world to swim, snorkel, and study marine life here. On sunny days, it's easy to see the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai. During the winter months, dedicated onlookers watch humpback whales jump and dance across nearby open ocean waters. Many people winter in Oahu, or purchase a home, for this very reason. Prices can be moderate to high but there are amazing homes for sale. Oahu, Hawaii is eventually called home by many visitors from many parts of the world, whales included.
Hanauma Bay is a wonderful spot to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. Snorkelers can swim with local beauties such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, trumpet fish, butterfly fish, and many more. Hanauma Bay is sheltered by the winds as well, so sunbathers can cook and not worry too much about windburn. Hanauma is an awesome place to soak up the rays.
The downside of Hanauma Bay's popularity is its impact on its marine environment. Conservation measures were administered and are enforced. Beach access and parking are now controlled. Visitors are no longer allowed to feed the fish by hand. These efforts have been successful in reviving Hanauma Bay's raw natural beauty.
Recently, in 2002, an award winning Marine Education Center was built. Visitors can watch a video and learn about the different aspects of the marine life of the bay. People love interacting with this exotic environment and learning how to protect this fragile living reef, and come back numerous times. People fall in love and don't want to leave. That's one of the many reasons people move here, and you can find a wide variety of homes for sale. Oahu, Hawaii, is a wonderful place to live. |
