Honolulu’s neighborhood Waikiki, in South Maui, is the most recognized for Waikiki Beach. Even though artificial, Waikiki beach is as gorgeous as any other. As you walk along the 2-mile long beach, your feet sink into the soft white sand while crystal water waves rush alongside. Tourists flock every day and night on the pristine beach to enjoy the sun and all the fun beach activities. The Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium., Fort DeRussy, Kahanamoku Lagoon, Ala Wai Harbor, and the oldest Kapiolani Park are the major tourist top attractions in Waiki. Fantastic vacation accommodations, places to go, top restaurants near Waikiki beach, and shopping zones make Waikiki Beach one of Ohau’s favorite tourist destinations.
Book the flight and take your next vacation to Waikiki with our travel guide possessing all the necessary details and information on the best beaches, best accommodations, best shopping areas, best restaurants, and many more.
Places To Stay in Waikiki Beach
Along the shores of Waikiki Beach, you will find arrays of hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near the beach. One of the most esteemed beaches of South Ohau, Waikiki Beach encompasses Oahu’s 95% accommodations. Among the long list of resorts, Hilton Hawaiian Village is a remarkable place to stay. The best beachfront resort has an extravagant vibe and offers tons of facilities like a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a spa with couples massages, and a bar best-known for the nightlife. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is one of the top-rated beachside resorts in the area. This resort offers similar facilities, but this resort’s best qualities include clean and comfortable rooms, fine dining, an excellent location, and modern architecture.
In the hotels, Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel is close to the waters and minutes away from the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium. The hotel has cozy rooms with individual ocean-viewing balconies, a bar, an open-air dining area, and an outdoor pool. Alohalinai Resort is a high-end hotel close to the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Besides the usual amenities, the hotel has two Asian restaurants, a bar, and a giant aquarium.
Comment on our local travel guide to find out more specific information on accommodations in Waikiki.
Things To Do Near Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is divided into eight regions, and each portion specializes in one or more enjoyable activities. Let’s find out the top activities that you can enjoy in some of these regions.
Prince Kuhio Beach and Duke Kahanamoku Beach are two of these regions, highly recommended for swimming. If you do not want to swim, you can play volleyball and have an excursion; visit Fort DeRussy Beach Park is a grassy and palm tree-shaded region.
If you want to experience some adrenaline rush, visit the Royal Hawaiian Beach or Outrigger Canoe Club, where you can have an exciting time by riding the waves on paddleboats, boogie boards, and canoes to your heart’s desire.
The San Souci Beach area is harbors varieties of marine life and colorful coral reefs. Snorkel in these waters to explore this fascinating marine world or surf above and ride the wild waves. Opportunities for scuba diving, jetskiing, and parasailing is readily available on Waikiki Beach.
Besides having fun in the sands, you can roam around and explore Waikiki. Spend some quality time at the Waikiki Aquarium with only $12 for adults and $5 for children, watching the colorful aquatic creatures in action through glass walls. Families can visit the Honolulu Zoo at the Kapiolani Park, costing $19 for adults and $11 for kids, where they can learn about Hawaii’s endangered wildlife. For large groups, friends, or families, a hiking adventure on Diamond Head is suitable for everyone. It is exciting, thrilling, and a great bonding experience for every group.
If you are a history buff, you will love going to the Fort DeRussy is where restored military vehicles are stored, and the legendary Iolani Palace, home to rulers of Hawaii’s kingdom.
Finally, after having fun in the waters, roaming around, and exploring Waikiki, get some relaxing single massages or romantic couple massages at the renowned massage places Spa Passion Massage and Aisawan Thai Spa & Massage.
Where to eat near Waikiki Beach?
Waikiki boasts a long list of the best restaurants and local eateries near the beach. Most of these focus on Hawaiian fusions and seafood dishes. Hula Grill is one of the highest-rated restaurants, located in Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. The beachside restaurant always harbors a cheerful crowd and has live music for entertainment. It is best known for serving tropical drinks, the freshest shrimps, and fish tacos.
Grab some fancy dinner and umbrella drinks at Duke Waikiki, another local favorite food destination. Do not forget to try the most raved dishes like the Kings Own Hula Pie, Duke’s Mai Tai, steak meal, and Ahi Poke. Sky Waikiki is an alfresco restaurant and bar on Kalakaua Avenue.
The menu comprises gourmet dishes like Lobster Roll Sliders, Grande Short Rib Fajitas, and Sizzling Surf & Turf. Refreshing beverages like Bahama Mama, SKYTai, and Blue Hawaii start at $15.
Basalt Waikiki at Kuhio Avenue is also a famed local eatery with a comfortable selection of dishes to choose
Waikiki’s Cheesecake Factory is also well-known for its large portions of meals and decadent creamy desserts.
Shopping near Waikiki Beach
Go on a shopping spree at Waikiki’s Ala Moana Shopping Center. This outdoor shopping center has about 350 stores and restaurants. From swimwears shops to souvenir stores to Hawaiian attire stores, this mall has got everything.
Let the shopaholic in you lose at the International Marketplace. Explore all the fun and fashionable local and branded stores and have a therapeutic shopping session. International Marketplace also has the largest number of restaurants in Waikiki. Do not forget to check out the Waikiki Shopping Plaza, the central shopping zone of Honolulu. Visit the arcades, specialty stores, luxury and boutique shops, and many more.
Snorkeling in Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay offers an exceptional pre-snorkeling and snorkeling adventure. Start by hiking 700 feet through the forest to reach the beach. You can climb up to the top of the cliffs to get a clear view of the area you are about to dive in. Once you have reached the beach, swim to the nearest rocky shore, about 600 feet away from the beach, where you will spot catamarans dropping people off to snorkel in the spot.
There you will see different kinds of colorful fishes like Big-eye, Boxfish, butterflyfish, Coris, Puffer, Toby, etc. aquatic-life such as turtles, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and fascinating corals like blue life, cauliflower, thick finger, rice, ginger and many more.
The waters in Honolua bay are calm even when the winds are high. However, we suggest you abort your snorkeling plans immediately after a downpour.
Best Time To Visit Waikiki Beach
April-June and September-December are the best durations to visit Waikiki Beach. During these periods, the beaches and tourist sites are less congested, hotel fairs are substantially low, and the temperatures are soothing as well. Events and festivals like Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, The Aloha Festival, Mai Kinohi Mai: Surfing, Honolulu Marathon, and so on, are also in season.
Waikiki Beach Activities Frequently Asked Questions
Waikiki Beach is settled on the island of Oahu, belonging to the state of Hawaii.
Waikiki Beach has tons of opportunities to have fun other than sunbathing and swimming. Snorkeling, surfing, jet skiing, canoeing, and parasailing are the top activities at the beach.
Hotels along the shores of Waikiki Beach are a 20-minute drive from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Waikiki Beach is the heart of Honolulu’s neighborhood Waikiki. This man-constructed beach is widely famous among tourists and locals.
Nearby Beach Destinations
Kailua Beach =16 km Kaanapali Beach =124 km Maui Beach =163 km
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