Welcome to Waikiki
Beach!
Your Guide to this Pacific Paradise
Diamond Head makes the perfect backdrop to Waikiki Beach.
There is indeed something called the Aloha Spirit, and it's evident everywhere in Waikiki Beach.
One of the world's most famous stretches of sand, Waikiki welcomes visitors from all over the world while also accommodating locals. Once playground of the elite, it's now a diamond for everyone.
Framed by the most photographed landmark in the world – Diamond Head – Waikiki Beach is part of the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. It's beach is both wide and narrow, so narrow in places, that it actually disappears entirely and requires a walk across a small concrete walkway to reach the rest of the sand.
Heard of 'hanging 10?' Looks like they are going to 'Hang 20.'
The activities on the beach are plentiful. Yes, any squids can learn how to surf; the waves roll very slowly to shore (in the winter, at least) and while first-timers won't be able to hang 10 right away, they can say they surfed Hawaii.
Outrigger canoes also cut through the waves ($25 for two rides) and there are several catamarans that provide everything from leisurely sails to booze cruises ($30-35). No reservations needed, either; this is Hawaii and things are indeed as laid-back as they seem.
One of the main pastimes on Waikiki is suntanning. But be careful not to overdue it, especially on the first days of a vacation. The only way to prevent a sunburn, after all, is to first get a suntan. For more suntan tips, click here.
Waikiki Beach is only a few miles long and is lined with hotels, along with a few bars and restaurants. By far, the most famous is Duke's, in which every tourist seems to visit at least once per visit to Waikiki, if not repeatedly. But don't overlook Rumfire in the Sheraton, a very nice bar with a sensational Happy Hour.
There's beauty all around the beaches of Honolulu and Waikiki
And there's more to Waikiki than the beach. Kalakaua Ave., runs behind the beach and opens up all manner of restaurants, bars and shopping. The most prevalent of the latter is the massive, multi-level Royal Hawaiian Center. Check out the free music shows daily!
The Waikiki Walk on Lewers Street has more shopping and dining, plus free Hawaiian dance shows daily on the lawn.
As mentioned above, there are free Hawaiian-style shows at the Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikiki Walk. But that just scratches the surface of the free (or almost free) things to do in Waikiki. How about a surf museum at no charge? Or an exhibit of penguins. That's right, penguins. For a complete rundown of these and other such activities, click here.
When it comes to staying in Waikiki Beach, there are rooms overlooking the beach righ ton Waikiki and several hotels across Kalakaua or back one more block. For details and deals, click the hotel ads on this page.
A few tourist tips about Waikiki: Those slow-rolling waves are predominantly in the winter months (this is when the North Shore really rolls). In the summer, big swells can hit the beach, so be careful when entering the water...Those on a budget can save about $100 a night on a room by staying a block or two off the beach. Nearly every hotel room in Waikiki is within 2-3 blocks of the beach....It's not necessary to rent a car while in Waikiki. Hotels can rent them for day excursions to the North Shore, Pearl Harbor or other areas....Honolulu has an excellent bus system; this is a cheap way to get to, say, Diamond Head...Be careful of the mai tais at the Royal Hawaiian's Mai Tai Bar. The originals pack quite a punch and can level unseasoned drinkers...There is good snorkeling toward Diamond Head at Queen's Beach in front of the Aquarium...The proper term for the button-down
is "Aloha shirt," not "Hawaiian shirt"
Oahu's natural landmark is actually Mt. Leahi
Sunsets on Waikiki Beach are a free must-see nightly event.
Aloha, from the hula dancers on Lewers Street.
 Related Article;: Hawaii's North Shore
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