Things to do nearWaikīkī Beach
Waikīkī Beach is Honolulu's most iconic shoreline, drawing visitors to Hawaii with its calm turquoise waters, golden sand, and sweeping views of Diamond Head.
Waikīkī Beach carries a history that stretches back centuries, when Hawaiian royalty, known as alii, reserved this stretch of coastline as a place of leisure and surf. The name itself translates roughly to spouting fresh water, a reference to the wetlands and streams that once fed into this part of southern Oahu before the land was gradually developed through the twentieth century. By the early 1900s, Waikiki had become a destination for travelers arriving by steamship, and the opening of the Moana Surfrider hotel in 1901 cemented its reputation as a place of refined tropical hospitality.
Today the two-mile arc of sand fronts a dense corridor of hotels, shops, and open-air restaurants, yet the beach itself retains a democratic, communal energy. Visitors come to swim in the reliably calm nearshore break, take surfing lessons from instructors who have worked these waves for decades, or simply sit on a rented beach chair and watch the parade of life unfold. The reef offshore keeps the surf manageable for beginners while still offering enough character for experienced riders. Diamond Head crater anchors the eastern horizon, lending every photograph and every idle glance a sense of place that is unmistakably Hawaiian.
Kalakaua Avenue, the main boulevard running parallel to the beach, offers a range of dining that spans casual plate-lunch counters to longstanding restaurants serving fresh local fish. The surrounding neighborhood of Waikiki is also home to the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium, both within easy walking distance of the sand. For anyone seeking an introduction to the natural beauty and layered cultural history of Hawaii, Waikīkī Beach offers an experience that is both immediately pleasurable and genuinely rooted in the spirit of the islands.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Waikīkī Beach
Visit during the early morning hours, around sunrise, when the crowds are thinnest and the light over Diamond Head is at its most striking.
Try a traditional outrigger canoe ride offered by beach concession operators along the main strip for a perspective of the shoreline few visitors experience.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, as Hawaii state law prohibits sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect the coral reef ecosystem.
Walk east along the beachfront path to the quieter stretch near the Kapahulu Groin, a favorite spot among local bodyboarders and a less congested place to swim.
Time an evening on the beach to catch the weekly Friday fireworks display launched from the Hilton Hawaiian Village waterfront, visible from the sand at no cost.
Top tours & experiences near Waikīkī 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
Guided Foodie Bicycle Tour in Honolulu
Bike Honolulu’s shoreline with foodie stops, murals, and local narration
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
Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Tour on Oahu
Watch spinner dolphins and snorkel Oahu’s west coast, with lunch and water activities
Manoa Falls Guided Hike From Waikiki With Lunch
Hike Mānoa Falls Trail with a guide and lunch
Oahu 9-Hour Circle Island Bus Tour With Local Food
Circle Oahu by bus with scenic lookouts and local food tastings
Private Whale Watch & Snorkel Tour in Waikiki
Spot humpbacks on a private Waikiki catamaran with optional snorkel time
Private Sunset Snorkel Catamaran Cruise in Waikiki
Cruise Waikiki at sunset on a private catamaran with a swim and snorkel stop
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
Take a Guided 9-Hour Oahu Circle Island Tour
Circle Oahu in a day with narrated stops, turtle swim time, and Dole Plantation
Swim with Sea Turtles & Tour Oahu Highlights
See Oahu's top sights with a local guide, narrated stops, and a turtle snorkel
Full-Day Guided Oahu Circle Island Tour
See Oahu in a day with a narrated mini-bus tour and Turtle Beach swim stop
Waikīkī Coast Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise the Waikīkī coastline for humpback whale viewing during peak season
Explore Oahu on a Private Custom Circle Island Tour
Private circle island tour built around your family’s interests
Explore Pearl Harbor on a Private Guided Tour
Private Pearl Harbor tour with your own guide and transportation
Explore Oahu South Shore Private Guided Tour
Private South Shore tour with beach lookouts and flexible stops
Off-Road Tour On Oahu’s North Shore
Ride a Ford Raptor into North Shore sanctuaries with a private driver-guide
Sail & Swim on a Waikiki Sunset Cruise
Bring your own drinks on a Waikīkī sunset sail with a swim stop
Hike & Swim at Waimea Falls Guided Tour From Waikiki
Explore Waimea Valley and swim at Waimea Falls, with breakfast, lunch, and a Dole Plantation 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
Watch Whales in Waikiki With Hydrophone Audio
Cruise Waikiki on a trimaran and listen for humpback whale songs
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
2024 Suzuki Burgman 400 ABS Scooter Rental in Waikiki
Ride a premium 400cc scooter with Waikiki delivery and ABS for confident exploring
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
2.5-Hour Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise off Waikiki to spot seasonal humpback whales (Dec–Mar)
Cruise & Snorkel on a 1.5-Hour Waikīkī Private Charter
Private 1.5-hour Waikīkī snorkel charter with gear and snacks
Private 2.5-Hour Snorkel Charter In Waikiki
Cruise the Waikiki coastline on a private 2.5-hour snorkel charter
Private 3.5-Hour Waikiki Snorkel Charter
Cruise the Waikiki coastline on a private 3.5-hour snorkel charter
5-Hour Private Scuba & Snorkel Charter In Waikīkī
Cruise the Waikīkī coastline on a private 5-hour scuba and snorkel charter
Cruise Waikīkī On A 90-Minute Private Sunset Charter
90-minute private Waikīkī sunset cruise for up to 6 guests