Waikiki Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Waikiki
Waikiki
Honolulu showing general coastal views, swimming and landscape views
Waikiki
Honolulu which includes tropical scenes, a coastal town and swimming

One of Hawaii’s most popular beach settlements features bright white sand, beachfront hotels and O’ahu’s landmark volcanic crater.

World-famous for its long beach and waterfront hotels, Waikiki is where many visitors to Honolulu choose to stay. While the beach is nearly always crowded, family activities, surf classes and fun nightlife give plenty of reasons to spend your time here.

Spend a day enjoying the beach’s many watersports. Hire equipment for snorkelling or scuba diving and explore the coral reefs spread out further off the shore. Go parasailing, Jet Skiing or windsurfing across the small waves in summer. If you’re a novice surfer, book some lessons with a surfing class and then paddle out to join the experts on the break. In the winter, notice the professional surfers riding the heavy swells over the reef.

Kuhio Beach lies to the south of Waikiki Beach behind a coastal wall. In the evening, take a walk along Kapahulu Pier just off Kuhio. The beautiful sunset over Waikiki is best viewed from here.

Head to the southeast end of Waikiki for the family-friendly Queens Surf Beach, which is less crowded. Picnic here in peace and gaze along the wide, curving stretch of scenic Waikiki Beach.

The Diamond Head State Monument, a landmark crater popular for its walking trails and views over glittering Waikiki, stands nearby. Hike along the trail up into the crater to see a lighthouse and a 69-metre (225-foot) tunnel leading to a former military bunker.

Luxury shops and hotels line Honolulu’s Kalakaua Avenue, which stretches behind the beach. Order a fruity cocktail at the fancy Royal Hawaiian or the Moana Surfrider hotel. Enjoy the music and antics of street performers along the Kalakaua strip. If you want to go dancing, the bars are open until early in the morning.

Take the kids to the Waikiki Aquarium, home to more than 500 marine species, and the Honolulu Zoo. See Waikiki’s wildlife in its natural habitat on a submarine tour. Old shipwrecks and colourful sea animals await at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Waikiki Hotel Deals

'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

5 out of 5
2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI
The price is NZ$598 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
NZ$598
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Honolulu. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,082 reviews)
"10/10"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

4.5 out of 5
2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI
The price is NZ$685 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$685
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Honolulu. Enjoy 5 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 9 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (8,311 reviews)
"My family was looking for a short getaway where we could go to one spot and enjoy the beach, dining, shopping and not have to leave the resort. This delivered exactly what we were looking for. Good dining options right at the resort. We rented Casabellas so we didn't have to deal with the pool chair ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
2424 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI
The price is NZ$549 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$549
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Honolulu. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,327 reviews)
"Amazing resort! Breakfast buffet was absolutely great! Staff friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

4 out of 5
2255 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI
The price is NZ$999 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$999
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Honolulu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,301 reviews)
"Excellent hotel"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
Waikiki Resort Hotel

Waikiki Resort Hotel

3.5 out of 5
2460 Koa Avenue, Honolulu, HI
The price is NZ$370 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$370
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Honolulu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,072 reviews)
"The room was clean and the bed was comfortable"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Waikiki Resort Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach

Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach

3.5 out of 5
2330 Kuhio Ave, Honolulu, HI
The price is NZ$392 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
NZ$392
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Honolulu. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"2nd time staying at the property. Clean and very comfortable."

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Waikiki

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McCully - Moiliili

Though McCully - Moiliili may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach Walk.

McCully - Moiliili
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Ala Moana

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Ala Moana, Ala Moana Center and Magic Island are top sights worth seeing.

Ala Moana
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Kaka'ako

While visiting Kaka'ako, you might make a stop by sights like Ward Village Shops and Hawaii Children's Discovery Center.

Kaka'ako
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Downtown Honolulu

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Unique features of Downtown Honolulu include the shopping and beaches. Make a stop by Honolulu Harbor or King Kamehameha Statue while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Honolulu
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Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis

5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis, Waikiki Beach and Honolulu Zoo are top sights worth seeing.

Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis
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Kaimuki

If you're spending some time in Kaimuki, Diamond Head State Monument and Kapi'olani Community College Farmers' Market are top sights worth seeing.

Kaimuki


Waikiki Travel Guide

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