Obama spends day at golf course, gym and Hanauma Bay

AP

President Barack Obama, right, and friend Mike Ramos, left, react to Obama's putt as they golf at Mid-Pacific County Club in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

AP

President Barack Obama drives down the first fairway at Mid-Pacific County Club during his holiday vacation in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

AP

President Barack Obama waves from the first fairway at Mid-Pacific County club with friend Mike Ramos during his holiday vacation in Kaneohe, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

AP

A motorcade carrying President Barack Obama drives the Kalanianaole Highway on the east coast of Oahu, Hawaii, while on vacation with the first family, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

AP

A motorcade carrying President Barack Obama drives the Kalanianaole Highway on the east coast of Oahu, Hawaii, while on vacation with the first family, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

AP

President Barack Obama, right, and friend Bobby Titcomb, golf on the ninth green at Mid-Pacific County club near where his holiday vacation in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

AP

President Barack Obama walks up to a green as he golfs with friends at Mid-Pacific County Club in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

AP

President Barack Obama pauses as he golfs with friends at Mid-Pacific County Club in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama is snorkeling with friends and family at Hanauma Bay, a favorite destination for the first family during their Hawaiian vacations.

The president's motorcade arrived at the nature preserve late Tuesday morning. The area is closed to the public on Tuesdays, giving the president's party a chance to enjoy the bay in private. Reporters and photographers traveling with the president were also kept away. The group spent about two hours at the bay and left just before 1 p.m.

The Obamas spent time at Hanauma Bay last Christmas. The area is popular with snorkelers and is known for its coral reef.

After the beach, the president hit the links at the Mid Pacific Country Club, golfing with friends Bobby Titcomb, Mike Ramos, Eric Whitaker and Marty Nesbitt.

Reporters traveling with him watched Obama miss a 12-foot putt on the ninth hole before sinking a shorter, one-footer. The group finished 12 holes before heading back to the vacation home as the sun was setting.

The president waved to a few dozen onlookers before driving his golf cart to the next hole.

The president finished 12 holes before leaving as the sun was setting over Kailua.

Earlier in the day, the president made his daily trip to the gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii

The president's motorcade left the Kailua neighborhood where he and friends are renting vacation homes just after 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Obama has repeatedly used the base during his year-end holiday on the island where he was born and lived for 14 of the first 18 years of his life.

He's been to the gym almost every morning since he arrived last week. He's also taken his children bowling, been golfing and attended church on the Marine base.