Waikiki Beach is considered the ocean playground for the Hawaiian royalty. Waikiki is best known for its world-famous beach that extends two miles of white sand and warm waves set against the iconic backdrop of Le’ahi, Diamond Head. As it is the most touristy place, it’s filled with world-class resorts, adventure sports, shopping centers with various souvenir kiosks, and international restaurants with delicacies. So, planning a trip to Waikiki can seem confusing and challenging, but you don’t have to worry. In this guide, I’ve included the best advice for people who want to explore Waikiki on their own and create memories for a lifetime.
Planning Your Trip to Waikiki
Exploring Waikiki Beach in Honolulu has a vibe of its own. Every tourist will find something they enjoy at this place, as Waikiki offers happy times all year long. However, most people think the best time to travel to Waikiki is during late spring, early summer, late fall, or early winter.
If you’re not a fan of crowded beaches and local visitors, these months offer the perfect time to have some good adventures. These are off-season times when Waikiki is less packed with tourists, and temperatures are moderate. Just for your information, summer is the peak tourist season. So, the first piece of advice to you is that it won’t be nice to enjoy your trip if you have to wait in line in dry weather to see attractions and enjoy the beach.
Next, let’s talk about the hotels you should consider booking during your visit to Hawaii. There can be so many hotel options for you, but before picking a hotel, consider a few things, like the distance to Waikiki Beach. For your convenience, you can book a hotel right near the beach. However, it will be inconvenient if you book a hotel that is far from a block or two of Kalakaua Avenue. You should, of course, consider your budget. If you’re close to the heart of Waikiki, it will be pricey. If you’re okay with minimal quality and convenience, you can go for some cheaper hotel options. Also, a tip is to book your hotel room in advance, especially during peak season, as there can be many offers and discounts, so keep an eye out for such things.
One of the biggest essentials in your travel bag should be proper sunscreen. Make sure you pack reef-safe sunscreen, as Hawaii has banned harmful chemicals. If you’re unsure about your current sunscreen, you can consider buying one on the island after you arrive.
One other piece of advice is to learn and research Hawaiian city names and learn a bit about Oahu so that you can navigate the island easily.
Getting Around Waikiki Tips
If you want to experience Waikiki with your heart, walking is the key. Waikiki is a pedestrian-friendly area where you can be part of adventures, activities, and sightseeing, all within walking distance. If you’re staying in a hotel that offers shuttle services, make sure to use that service as well.
If you’re staying at a hotel further away, you can take the bus or taxi to get to the beach and explore the nearby areas. Public transit is much more affordable, considering a single ride only costs $3 and a day pass is $7.50.
You can consider renting a scooter to explore other parts of Waikiki and Honolulu. There are many scooter rentals available near Waikiki, where they will deliver the scooter to your hotel. These scooter rentals provide discounts, insurance, and assistance to help people rent scooters to explore the city.
Waikiki Beach Essentials
Waikiki Strip is the main deal for many visitors. The pearl-reflecting white sand and the famous stretch walk should be the top priority for first-time visitors. Spanning a two-mile stretch, Waikiki is actually made up of a number of beaches, including Fort DeRussy Beach to the west, Kuhio Beach (along Kalakaua Avenue), and Queen Surf Beach, home to quieter stretches on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki.
You can enjoy the beautiful waves and palm trees at Waikiki Beach. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas to relax in comfort. If you love swimming, don’t forget to take a dip in the ocean and enjoy under the sunny skies (with proper safety gear).
Don’t forget to try out the usual Hawaiian vacation options like sipping a Mai Tai at a touristy tiki bar, booking reservations for a free Hawaiian luau, or taking a surf lesson at Waikiki Beach. You can visit the International Market Place for shopping and dining options.
Tips When Visiting Waikiki Beach
- Try arriving early to secure a spot on the sand.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and Hawaii’s marine life.
- You can find nearby malls to buy beach towels, float rings, and snorkel sets.
- You can rent beach chairs at an affordable rate.
- Respect the wildlife by not touching or getting close to them.
- Drinking alcohol on the beach is illegal.
Make sure to follow proper beach etiquette, and here are a few pieces of advice if you’re not aware of the beach etiquette followed in Hawaii:
- Keep a 10-foot distance from sea turtles at all times.
- Don’t shake off sand downwind from anyone.
- Take your trash and any other trash you find.
- Don’t touch any wildlife.
What Else To Do At The Beach
- You can try snorkeling. If you bring your own snorkel set or buy a cheap one from nearby stores, you can enjoy snorkeling in the waters.
- You can try paddleboarding, water biking, or surfing in the waters.
- Don’t forget to try shave ice. You can sample different flavors and enjoy one that can be as big as your head!
- Wander into any of the beachfront hotels and have a look around.
- Watch the free fireworks that kick off at 7:45 PM every Friday night from The Hilton Hawaiian Village end of the beach.
Exploring Waikiki and Beyond
Hiking Diamond Head is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you love hiking and scenic mountain views, you should definitely try this out. After taking in some breathtaking Diamond Head Crater views, make sure to rehydrate on the way down at the Honolulu Pineapple Company, which has a shop set up at the bottom of the mountain.
Waikiki is not all about the beaches; there are so many places and nearby attractions that you can’t miss on your trip to Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. If you’re a history nerd and love historical experiences, you should visit Pearl Harbor and the US Army Museum.
Meander through the Honolulu Zoo, which is just a couple of blocks from the Waikiki Resort Hotel. Its 42 acres are filled with Hawaiian indigenous species, plus family favorites like elephants and monkeys. You should check out the Ala Moana Beach Park for a more secluded beach experience. Ala Moana Recreational Park and Magic Island Lagoon can be reached from Waikiki by walking for 40 minutes or by taking a short bus ride.
If you decide to visit Waikiki during the peak tourist hours, you might get an off vibe, so branch out and check out Kaka’ako. Kaka’ako is an up-and-coming neighborhood known as the hip part of town, about half a mile away from Ward Centre. It’s a 30-minute bike ride from Waikiki or about a $15 Uber/Lyft ride each way. You can find murals, souvenir shops, and even some restaurants and farmers’ markets in the area, and have a cool experience.
Special tip: On Saturday mornings, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, head down to the Kaka’ako Farmers’ Market to find everything from stunning art and clothing to tasty treats like mochi, mocktails, specialty spätzle, Taiwanese bao buns, fruit, and more.
Food and Drink in Waikiki
There are considerably so many dining options in Waikiki, so here are some tips and advice to get the most out of it. One thing you can try is local Hawaiian cuisine, such as poke bowls and laulau.
Honolulu has hundreds of restaurants, diners, and dives for sampling island favorites like:
- Loco moco (hot rice smothered in gravy, topped with a beef patty and a fried egg)
- Spam musubi (spam prepared almost like sushi)
- Poke bowl (fresh raw fish, marinated in Hawaiian seaweed and sauces)
Don’t miss Leonard’s Bakery for their famous malasadas: Portuguese donuts. It is a 30-minute trek inland from the beachfront but it is so worth it. Some other affordable and popular local options in Waikiki are Marugame Udon and Rainbow Drive-In.
Make sure you check out the offerings at Waikiki Food Hall Co. in the Royal Hawaiian Center in downtown Waikiki including garlic shrimp, onigiri, and burgers, and the food trucks at the Food Truck Park on the corner of Kalākaua Avenue and Niu Street.
Staying Active and Relaxed in Waikiki
To stay active and relaxed on your trip to Waikiki there are so many activities you can do.
You can visit the lush grounds of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The tropical grounds of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel are peaceful and far from the tourist zone, and you can spend some time there to relax and rejuvenate.
You can take a surf lesson or rent a paddleboard to enjoy the ocean. Stand Up Paddling (SUP) combines the best of kayaking and surfing, offering you the option to cruise in calm lagoon waters or charge waves in the open ocean. You can also test your balance and work out your core while you enjoy your time in the water. You can also swim in Magic Lagoon, it is a great spot for swimming in the calm waters.
You can also try parasailing over the beach. You can connect with parasailing tour operators and see if you’re interested in soaring hundreds of feet above Waikiki on the Hawaiian trade winds.
Enjoy a sunset hike for breathtaking views. The best time to visit Waikiki Beach to escape the crowds is once the sun has set. You can walk along the darkened beach past the bright lights of the waterside resorts.
Here are some ocean safety tips for you to follow
- Swim in designated areas with a lifeguard present
- Pay Attention To Warning Signs
- Don’t venture out alone when swimming in the ocean
- Be aware of the weather and potential hazards
- Enter the water feet first
- Swim parallel to the shore
Beach Gear to Bring on Your Waikiki Trip
Sunscreen: apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you get out and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, make sure you use reef-friendly sunscreen
Reusable water bottles: try staying hydrated while out in the sun, and refill before leaving indoors.
Sun Resistant accessories: try to bring a sun hat to ensure total coverage, which has a 3 to 4-inch brim, and protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses.
Baby powder: Baby powder is considered a great way to remove sand from between your toes and other parts of the body. It can absorb excess moisture on the skin.
Beach towel: Whether using it for laying down on the sand or drying off after a swim, a good beach towel is one of the main essentials when going to the beach.
First Aid Kit – For emergency cuts and scrapes, have a small kit containing a few essentials including band-aids, anti-bacterial ointment, sunscreen, aloe gel, and some pain relief medication. If you need immediate assistance, seek out the nearest lifeguard on duty.
Advice for a Memorable Waikiki Experience
Before leaving for the Waikiki trip, I suggest you take your time to learn about Hawaiian traditions and history. When you have a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of hula, traditional chants, or historical landmarks, it can improve your appreciation for the islands. Showing genuine interest and respect for these aspects not only enhances your experience but also honors the heritage of Hawaii’s native people. You can start by embracing the Aloha Spirit, which encourages kindness, friendliness, and generosity. A warm “Aloha” goes a long way in fostering positive interactions with locals.
When exploring the island’s natural beauty, you should properly practice environmental mindfulness. Please avoid stepping on coral reefs, as they are delicate ecosystems crucial to marine life. And always remember to dispose of your trash responsibly to help keep Hawaii pristine. You can also pick up other trash if you notice any.
I think with these Waikiki tips, you’ll be well-prepared to explore this tropical paradise. There are plenty of ways to enjoy all that Waikiki has to offer, the beaches, souvenirs, and the love for nature. So pack your bags, and embrace the Aloha spirit!
FAQs
What is not allowed on Waikiki Beach?
It is prohibited for individuals to strike or throw balls or objects on Waikiki Beach. Additionally, flying a kite is not allowed in this area.
How much do you tip in Waikiki?
The basic tipping guidelines in Hawaii are similar to those in most US households: 10% for good service, 15% for exceptional service, and 7% for poor service.