Things to do nearKuhio Beach
Kuhio Beach is a beloved stretch of Waikiki coastline in Honolulu, Hawaii, known for its calm protected waters, rich cultural history, and iconic views of Diamond Head.
Kuhio Beach takes its name from Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a beloved Hawaiian statesman and delegate to the United States Congress who donated a portion of his Waikiki estate to the public in the early twentieth century, establishing the grounds that would become this community gathering place. The beach sits at the eastern end of the Waikiki strip in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is distinguished from its neighbors by a series of low stone breakwaters that extend into the ocean, creating calm, shallow pools ideal for children and casual swimmers.
Beyond the water, the beach is a living crossroads of Hawaiian culture. The statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the Olympic gold medalist and father of modern surfing, stands watch over the sand and serves as an unofficial symbol of the aloha spirit that defines this shoreline. Each evening, the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound hosts traditional hula performances and torch-lighting ceremonies that draw both locals and visitors into a shared moment of cultural appreciation. Outrigger canoe rides depart from the beach, offering a way to experience the ocean the way Native Hawaiians have for centuries.
The surrounding Waikiki neighborhood provides easy access to open-air dining, plate lunch counters, and shave ice stands that reflect the islands' multicultural culinary heritage. Whether you spend an afternoon in the water or simply sit with the sound of the waves behind you, Kuhio Beach offers an authentic connection to Hawaiian history and the natural beauty that makes this coastline genuinely worth the journey.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Kuhio Beach
Visit during the early morning hours, around sunrise, when the crowds are thin and the light on the water is at its most striking.
Try a beginner surfing lesson directly on the beach, where certified instructors have taught the sport in these gentle waves for decades.
Bring a blanket and stay past sunset to watch the free hula and torch-lighting ceremony held at the nearby Duke Kahanamoku statue most evenings.
Explore the bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku at the eastern end of the beach to learn about the Hawaiian swimming champion who helped popularize surfing worldwide.
Wear reef-safe sunscreen, as Hawaii state law restricts certain chemical sunscreen ingredients to protect the coral ecosystems just offshore.
Top tours & experiences near Kuhio Beach
Parasail Above Oahu’s South Shore
Parasail up to 1,000 feet with Diamond Head views
Private BYOB Waikiki Boat Tour & Snorkeling
Customize your ocean adventure with snorkeling, wildlife spotting, and BYOB relaxation
Oahu Sunset Boat Charter with Music & Drinks
Relax with music and drinks while watching Oahu’s sunset from the water
Private Whale Watching Charter in Honolulu
Speed along Oahu’s coast on a fast boat to maximize your chances of spotting humpback whales.
Private Sunrise Coastal Cruise in Honolulu
Catch breathtaking island sunrise and enjoy gourmet donuts and bubbles on a private 2-hour cruise.
Honolulu Sunset Cruise to Secluded Tiki Bar
Sail to Oahu's original tiki bar at sunset for cocktails and coastal views
Honolulu Private Snorkeling & Wildlife Cruise
Enjoy a customizable private cruise with snorkeling, wildlife watching, and spectacular South Shore scenery
Private Surf & Paddle Board Lesson in Waikiki
Master waves or paddle boarding with personalized one-on-one coaching from licensed instructors.
Semi-Private Surf Lesson In Waikiki
Learn to surf or stand-up paddleboard with a semi-private group in Waikiki
4-Hour Honolulu Night Guided Tour
See Honolulu after dark, from Iolani Palace to Tantalus Lookout
Guided Historical Bike Tour in Honolulu
Cycle Waikiki to Chinatown with Aloha Tower views on a guided history ride
Guided Foodie Bike Tour in Waikiki
Ride Waikiki and taste local favorites with 5–6 food stops
Paddleboard Rental on Waikiki Beach
Rent a stand-up paddleboard and paddle along Waikiki Beach
Outdoor Escape Room Scavenger Hunt in Waikiki
Solve clues on a guided 1.5-mile Scaventour in Waikiki
Solve an Outdoor Escape Room Game in Waikiki
Crack clues on a guided Scaventour walk in Waikiki
E-Bike & Hike Tour to Manoa Falls From Honolulu
E-bike 10 miles, hike 2 miles to Manoa Falls, then refuel at a local cafe
Catch Waves on Outrigger Canoe with Captain
Catch waves with certified Canoe Captains on a 30-minute Waikiki ride
Take a 75-Minute Family Surf Lesson in Waikiki
Surf together in a 75-minute family lesson at Waikiki Beach
Small-Group Surf Lesson in Waikiki Beach
Surf in Waikiki with a 2–3 person lesson and all gear included
Explore Honolulu on a Private Guided Bike Tour
Private Honolulu bike tour customized to your plans
West Oahu Dolphin Sail with Lunch & Snorkeling
See wild dolphins, snorkel with turtles, and enjoy lunch on a 3-hour West Oahu sail
2-Hour Guided Snorkel Tour at Turtle Canyon, Waikiki
Snorkel Turtle Canyons with guides and included gear
2-Hour Waikiki Sunset Cruise & Swim Charter
Cruise from Waikiki and swim as the sun sets at sea
2-Hour Honolulu Snorkel Tour at Turtle Canyons
Snorkel Turtle Canyons with expert guides and all gear provided
Waikiki Friday Fireworks Sunset Boat Cruise
Sail at sunset to view Waikiki’s Friday fireworks with music and snacks
Explore Pearl Harbor on a Private Guided Tour
Private Pearl Harbor tour with your own guide and transportation
Sail & Swim on a Waikiki Sunset Cruise
Bring your own drinks on a Waikīkī sunset sail with a swim stop
VIP Waikīkī Luau: Prime Rib, Lei & Stage Seating
Enjoy closest-to-stage seating, a welcome lei and cocktails, plus a prime rib buffet with live Polynesian performances
Snorkel Turtle Canyon on a Waikiki Sail Cruise
Sail off Waikiki and snorkel Turtle Canyon for tropical fish and sea turtles
Electric Bike & Hike Tour to Diamond Head From Waikiki
E-bike to Diamond Head crater, then hike for Honolulu views—lunch included
Watch Whales in Waikiki With Hydrophone Audio
Cruise Waikiki on a trimaran and listen for humpback whale songs
Oahu Scuba Diving: 3-Tank Wreck & Reef Tour
Explore Oahu’s wrecks and reefs on a guided three-tank dive with premium gear included
Watch a Rooftop Hula Show & Cocktails in Waikiki
Sip a cocktail and watch the Nā Lei Aloha hula and music show on a Waikīkī rooftop
Waikiki 2 Tank Scuba Dive
Discover Waikiki's underwater world on a two-tank dive with all gear included.
Bring Your Own Drinks Waikiki Sunset Cruise
Cruise Waikiki at sunset on a BYOB 90-minute power boat
Wai'anae Ultimate 3 Tank Dive
Explore Oahu’s west-side wrecks and reefs on three guided dives with a PADI pro
Guided Honolulu Bike Food Tasting Tour
Pedal from Waikiki to four Honolulu food-tasting stops