Obama enjoys Christmas break

President Barack Obama spent his morning on the beach and afternoon on the golf course yesterday, both favourite destinations during his Hawaiian holidays.

The president’s motorcade arrived at the Hanauma Bay nature preserve late in the morning.

The area is closed to the public on Tuesdays, giving the president’s party a chance to snorkel with friends and family in private.

The president earlier in the day made his daily trip to the gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and later played golf at Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua.

Reporters travelling with him watched Mr Obama miss a 12-foot putt on the ninth hole before sinking a shorter, one-footer.

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