WaikikiHonolulu

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Honolulu Travel Guide

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.

Top hotels in Waikiki

Estimated price for 1 night / 2 adults
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
4 out of 5
2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI
NZ$314
per night
15 Dec. - 16 Dec.

Located in Waikiki, this beachfront resort is in the entertainment district and within 1 mi (2 km) of Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikiki Beach. Honolulu Zoo and ...…

4.1/5Very Good! (15,490 reviews)

"I like the location of this property...I don't like the resort fee daily, especially when it cost to have a chair in the sand on the beach! I did not enjoy our room, which was an 'up-graded' when we arrived...on the 3rd floor facing Diamond Head....because actually we had a view but also the roof ..."…"

Reviewed on 20 Nov. 2019

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
5 out of 5
2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI
NZ$502
per night
18 Dec. - 19 Dec.

With direct access to the beach, this Waikiki resort is in the entertainment district and within a 10-minute walk of Kuhio Beach Park, International Market Place ...…

4.2/5Excellent! (1,947 reviews)

"Awesome club level and infinity pool. Staff was very friendly and accommodating"…"

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2019

'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
4 out of 5
2169 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI
NZ$326
per night
14 Dec. - 15 Dec.

Located in Waikiki, this beachfront hotel is on the boardwalk, just steps away from U.S. Army Museum of Hawai'i and Waikiki Beach Walk. Royal Hawaiian Center ...…

4.4/5Excellent! (5,853 reviews)

"Good location, walkable to Waikiki beach, or the beach to the west. And not to slow to get to Ala Moana park or Honolulu."…"

Reviewed on 22 Nov. 2019

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
4 out of 5
2424 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI
NZ$357
per night
16 Dec. - 17 Dec.

Located in Waikiki, this beachfront resort is connected to a shopping centre and within a 5-minute walk of Kuhio Beach Park and International Market Place. Honolulu ...…

4.1/5Very Good! (4,812 reviews)

"Location was great. Near beach, shopping, dining, and transportation. Easy walks to many locations."…"

Reviewed on 21 Nov. 2019

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2570 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI
NZ$289
per night
10 Dec. - 11 Dec.

Offering direct access to the beach, this Waikiki hotel is in the entertainment district and within a 10-minute walk of Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium. Ala ...…

3.9/5Very Good! (8,582 reviews)

"Loved the ocean view from the balcony. Front desk (Russian man) and Valet guys were efficient and very friendly!! Great Aloha Spirit. Location was great!"…"

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2019

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
3.5 out of 5
175 Paoakalani Ave, Honolulu, HI
NZ$341
per night
10 Dec. - 11 Dec.

Located in Waikiki, this hotel is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park and 2.5 mi (4 km) from Diamond Head.…

4.2/5Very Good! (3,893 reviews)

"Beach amenities they had was great. Breakfast was delicious"…"

Reviewed on 20 Nov. 2019

Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
See all 1622 properties in Waikiki

Popular activities in Waikiki

Honolulu Zoo
Image for Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu Zoo

4/5(79 reviews)

Make friends with the meerkats, chat with the cheetahs and play with the pot-bellied pigs at one of the island’s favourite destinations.

Waikiki Beach
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Waikiki Beach

4.5/5(472 reviews)

Nowhere sums up the spirit of Hawaii more powerfully than its world-famous beach – so grab your swimming gear and prepare to be wowed by Waikiki!

Top activities in Waikiki

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial
Image for Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial

NZ$65

On this USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor tour, immerse yourself in the history of the attack which launched the United States into World War II. Experience the sobering memorial to the sunken USS Arizona, and learn fascinating details about the attack from your guide and the comprehensive museum.

Germaine's Hawaiian Luau
Image for Germaine's Hawaiian Luau

Germaine's Hawaiian Luau

NZ$147

Delve into the ancient traditions of the islands and celebrate the cultures of the South Pacific at Germaine's Luau—where dance, cuisine, and customs meld seamlessly together to capture the beautiful spirit of old Hawaii.

Paradise Cove Luau
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Paradise Cove Luau

NZ$159

Embrace the culture and spirit of Hawaii with an evening of lively entertainment and delicious cuisine at the spectacular Paradise Cove Luau. Participate in island games and crafts, learn about traditional ceremonies, and savor a buffet dinner while you watch a revue filled with music and dance.

Catamaran Sunset Cruise
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Catamaran Sunset Cruise

NZ$77

Barefoot, board the boat right on Waikiki Beach and sail out through the surf line, leaving the hustle and bustle of Waikiki behind. Sit back and enjoy Hawaii's beauty as you experience a true Hawaiian sunset and sip beverages such as Mai Tais, beer, champagne, wine, juice, and soft drinks.

Xtreme Parasail
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Xtreme Parasail

NZ$75

Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Honolulu and beyond as you take to the blue skies above Waikiki on a thrilling parsasailing adventure. With room for up to 2 people, you can fly solo or team up with a friend to take a tandem flight that lets you out on lines up to 1,000 feet (305 m) long.

Shark Cage Diving In Oahu
Image for Shark Cage Diving In Oahu

Shark Cage Diving In Oahu

NZ$180

Our Shark Vessel “Kainani” departs Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor on Oahu's North Shore daily. We motor out to International waters, 3 miles off shore to the shark grounds. For the next hour and a half we share the excitement and our knowledge of the sharks of the famous North Shore.

See all activities in Waikiki

Other areas in Honolulu

Downtown Honolulu
Downtown Honolulu featuring modern architecture

Downtown Honolulu

Known for Chinatown, Culture, Shopping

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Many of Hawai’i’s most important historic sites and beautiful buildings are clustered together here at the hub of the city, with the ocean just a short walk away.