Oahuwaikiki Beach

Waikiki

Waikiki is without a doubt the most popular and well-known of all Hawaii’s Beaches, and this is certainly with good reason! Waikiki Beach is sun-soaked and warm year-round. This 1.5-mile long crescent stretch of white sand if filled with interesting tourists, attractive locals, and an international array of professional surfers. On Waikiki you soak in the sun, take a dip in the crystal clear Pacific waters, or rent all kinds of water sport equipments. Waikiki is also home to a wide assortment of luxury high-rise hotels (such as Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Sheraton Waikiki) and old-style historic hotels from the early 20th century. The beach hosts a variety of cultural events such as outdoor performances, hula dancing shows, and free sunset movie nights.

Waikiki is found on the capital city of Honolulu. It is the relaxing getaway spot for a bustling city of almost 1,000,000 locals and thousands of tourists year-round. Many people consider Waikiki the most well-known beach in the entire world. Waikiki was always a hot spot for Hawaii locals dating back to the 19th century when the area would be used by Hawaiian royalty. Back then, it was more an area of wetlands and streams than a white-sand beach. It was during the 1920s that the government decided to build the Ala Wai Canal, allowing for the draining of the wetlands that would lead to later development in the area. Over the years, the area has developed into what has now become the unforgettable Waikiki Beach. It is the center of Hawaii’s tourist industry combining the pleasures of a sun-soaked beach and crystal-clear waters with the luxury of high-class living.

A lot of people who come to Oahu stay in Waikiki, but you don’t have to stay right on the island to enjoy its offerings. This is a very popular spot, especially on the weekend, so it is recommended that tourists arrive as early as possible. The beach is actually fairly small and a part of it is marked off for surfers. The beach is one of the most ideal in Hawaii (next to the north shore of Big Island) for surfers with its long rolling break surf that allows for long boarding, tandem surfing, and even practice for novices.

Some of the best spots for a bite to eat near Waikiki Beach include the MAC 24-7 at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel (open 24 hours for those late-night muhnchies), Golden Dragon (fine Chinese cuisine), and the Hula Grill Waikiki (with authentic Hawaiian cuisine). If you are looking for a place to stay, we recommend the Aqua Waikiki Wave (about a 10 minute walk from the beach with newly renovated décor located in a less chic and glamorous part of town), the Halekulani (with five acres of beachfront), or the Royal Hawaiian (boasting historic-style décor and a private beach).

While in Waikiki there is plenty for you to do outside of Waikiki Beach. You can go out to Kapiolani Park, located at the eastern end of Waikiki (the district) where you will find the Waikiki Shell Amphitheater for shows and performances, and the Honolulu Zoo. Or you can head out to the Waikiki Aquarium on Kalakaua Avenue and explore the 3rd oldest aquarium in the United States. My favorite thing to do while in Waikiki/Honolulu is to hike up to the Diamond Head Crater and get a glimpse of the breathtaking views from up there. It is a mild hike and takes about 1.5 hours. And then there is, of course, the fantastic night life! For music clubs, we suggest House Without a Key at the Halekulani Hotel for traditional Hawaiian music, Indigo’s for jazz music, and Pipeline for pop and rock concerts. For the drinkers, we suggest O’Toole’s Irish pub with its friendly, low-key ambiance or Moose McGillycuddy’s which is right across the street from O’Toole’s and is famous for its cheap drinks and fun events.