HONOLULU — Licensed tour vehicles and permitted scuba and snorkel guides will be allowed at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve next year, according to a news release. 

Hanauma Bay was completely closed in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in Dec. 2020 with new rules — prices were increased for nonresidents, only 720 visitors were allowed per day, and no commercial activities were allowed except for City concessionaires.

In June 2021, the nonresident visitor entrance fee was increased again from $12 to $25. The City and County of Honolulu says now about 1,500 people are admitted daily to the Marine Life Conservation District. And in 2023, commercial activities will once again resume. 

Starting on Jan. 4, 2023, licensed tour buses with Public Utility Commission certificates will be admitted to the commercial vehicle parking lot at Hanauma Bay, which will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sundays. 

Tour buses may only use the parking lot for 15 minutes, while visitors may take pictures from the upper level of the nature reserve. They are not allowed to descend to the beach. 

Commercial vehicles must pay a fee based on their number of passengers — $10 for 1-7 passengers, $20 for 8-25 passengers and $40 for 26 or more passengers.    

The fees for the visitor parking lot will remain the same, $1 for residents and $3 for nonresidents. Visitors who stay 15 minutes or less may get a refund on their parking fee.

In February, permitted scuba and snorkel tours will also be allowed at Hanauma Bay again. 

Scuba and snorkel guides may acquire monthly and daily permits. Five monthly permits and four daily permits will be issued at a time. Annual permits will resume in 2024. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.