15 Things to Do and See at Waikiki Beach!
Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Kelly
Waikiki Beach is one of the best beaches in all of the Hawaiian islands. It’s an incredibly popular beach… millions of tourists visit each year! Waikiki Beach has a rich history, as it was a gathering place for Native Hawaiian royalty. Today, it’s a major hub of Honolulu. The beach is approximately two miles long and is known for its golden sand and sparkling turquoise water. Despite being a touristy place, I love Waikiki. I’ve been there several times, and in this post, I’m sharing my experience visiting Waikiki Beach. I’m sharing my photos, tips, and hotel recommendations below!
About Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is actually comprised of 9 distinct smaller beaches:
- Kahanamoku Beach
- Fort DeRussy Beach Park
- Gray’s Beach
- Royal Moana Beach
- Kuhio Beach
- Kapiolani Beach
- Queens Beach
- Kaimana Beach
- Outrigger Canoe Club Beach
We especially loved spending time at the Kahanamoku Beach because it was close to a beautiful lagoon and lots of restaurants. (We were staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort, so it was very convenient!) We also recommend visiting Royal Hawaiian Beach and the Prince Kuhio Beach, as they’re both close to a lot of Waikiki landmarks!
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Tips for Visiting
- Be sure to pack reef-safe sunscreen, which is required at Waikiki Beach. (Many other sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm the ecosystem.)
- It’s illegal to drink alcohol on the beach. Instead, you can drink alcohol at one of the many beach bars.
- Don’t take any sand or coral home with you. Please be a respectful visitor and follow Leave No Trace principles.
- Don’t touch or feed any of the local wildlife.
- Don’t leave your valuables unattended on the beach.
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated! If you bring an insulated water bottle, your water will stay cooler for longer.
| See our Hawaii itinerary to help plan your trip! |
Things to Do on Waikiki Beach
1. Go Swimming
The first thing you should do is go swimming at the beach! The water at Waikiki Beach is clean and very comfortable. When we visited Waikiki, the water temperature was about 78 degrees. It was perfection! We could have spent all day swimming at Waikiki Beach.
Waikiki Beach is open 24 hours a day. Because of the time change difference, our toddler woke us up at 3am on our first morning in Hawaii. What did we do? We went for a beach walk! The beach was empty and it was very peaceful.
2. Learn How to Surf
If you’ve ever wanted to try surfing, Waikiki is the place to learn! Sign up for surf lessons and learn how to ride a wave. The best part about learning to surf in Waikiki is that you’ll be surrounded by other beginners, so don’t feel shy about your ability level and give it a try!
3. Walk the Waikiki Historic Trail
As you walk through Waikiki, you may notice surfboards with historical information written on them. This is part of the Waikiki Historic Trail. If you walk the full trail, you’ll learn all about the history of Waikiki.
4. Grab a Drink at Duke’s Waikiki
Duke Kahanamoku was one of Waikiki’s most famous residents. He was an Olympic swimmer and award-winning surfer. At Duke’s Waikiki, you can go to the Barefoot Bar and have a cocktail. (Try their signature cocktail, the Duke’s Mai Tai!)
5. See the Duke Kahanamoku Statue
One of the most famous sights on Waikiki Beach is the Duke Kahanamoku statue. The statue is located on Kuhio Beach and honors Duke Kahanamoku as the Father of Modern Surfing.
6. Book a Mermaid Photo Shoot
With a mermaid photo shoot tour, you’ll learn how to snorkel while also being dressed as a mermaid for a photo shoot. They’ll provide you with a mermaid tail and show you the best poses.
7. Hop On the Waikiki Trolley
A fun way to explore the city is to take the Waikiki Trolley tour. You can hop on and off as you like, and you can buy passes for 1, 4, or 7 days. It’s a fun way to cruise around Waikiki Beach.
8. Take a Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
With an afternoon cruise, you’ll be able to peer through a hole in the ship to look down to the water below. The catamaran crew will share about Hawaii’s history, all while looking for turtles, dolphins, and other wildlife.
9. Have a Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian
The Royal Hawaiian is a historic resort located right on the beach in Waikiki. You can’t miss the blush pink hotel! The Mai Tai has its origins at the Royal Hawaiian, so be sure to try one of their signature cocktails at Mai Tai Bar. The bar has outdoor seating and is steps away from Waikiki Beach.
10. Take a Shaxi Dive Bar Tour
If you book this Shaxi Dive Bar Tour, you’ll hop in an open-air shaxi and visit 4 dive bars in Waikiki. You won’t have to worry about driving, and you’ll get to check out some great bars!
11. Go On a Guided Turtle Snorkel Adventure
Take a catamaran and snorkel around Turtle Canyon. With a guided turtle tour, all the snorkeling gear is included. All you have to do is show up and have fun!
12. Learn How to Scuba Dive
Take a scuba-diving class and explore the waters around Honolulu. With a scuba diving tour, you’ll get to take home video footage of your underwater adventure!
13. Book a Sunset Cruise
A sunset cruise is the perfect way to cap off a day at Waikiki Beach. With this sunset cruise tour, you’ll get a 1.5 hour cruise during the sunset hour. The price includes an appetizer and two alcoholic drinks. When we visited Waikiki, it was kind of difficult to find a spot to see the sunset. We had to walk to the far end of the beach to be able to see it. A sunset cruise would solve that issue and make it very easy to see the sun dipping below the horizon! If you’re lucky, you might even see the famed green flash at sunset. The green flash is a phenomenon in which the sunset glows green due to how the earth’s atmosphere bends the light.
14. After Dinner Walking Tour
If you want to see Waikiki at night, take a walking tour. You’ll learn about Waikiki’s history and you’ll stop at notable land marks.
15. Watch the Fireworks
The Hilton Hawaiian Village hosts a fireworks display every Friday night. If you’ll be in Waikiki on a Friday, be sure to check them out!
Where to Stay
We recommend staying in Waikiki when you visit Honolulu. You’ll be steps away from the beach, and you’ll have a dazzling array of restaurants and shops within walking distance.
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort: When we visited Waikiki in 2022, we stayed at the Ali’i Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Ali’i Tower is the most luxurious tower on the resort property, and it has its own private pool, lounge, and check-in.
- Halekulani Hotel: This luxury 5-star hotel has a beautiful pool overlooking Waikiki with a mosaic floor of 1.2 million pieces of glass tiles. The hotel also offers daily surfing demonstrations.
- The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort: This is another 5-star located right on the beach with two pool options. (Plus poolside cabanas!)
Summary
Waikiki Beach should definitely be added to your travel bucket list. It’s one of the most famous beaches in the world. We loved the turquoise waters and the easy access to Honolulu’s best shops and restaurants. We hope this article inspires you to visit Waikiki Beach and see it for yourself!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please see individual websites embedded in this post for the most current trip-planning information.
