John Hoover, in his comprehensive book Hanauma Bay: A Marine Guide to Hawaii's Most Popular Nature Preserve, helpfully details the various Zones and Areas in the bay. The the two maps on this page offer an overview of these diverse environments and habitats existing in the 100-acre bay, Hawai'i's first Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).

The first map outlines the three Zones found in Hoover’s book that describe the general snorkeling areas within the bay. Each of these Zones contain distinct Areas which range in size, location, ocean conditions, and other environmental attributes. The second map plots these Areas, with brief descriptions and examples of the marine life that can be found in each.