Waikiki in Honolulu

What are the highlights and features of Waikiki?

Waikiki is an especially well-known name among surfers, thanks to the famous beach breaks of Waikiki Beach. The 2-mile-long beach on Oahu’s southern coast is actually mostly manmade, but that certainly doesn’t stop it from drawing people in with its soft white sand, turquoise seas and, of course, frequent gentle rollers. With no undercurrents or rogue waves, it’s a very safe place to surf – ideal for beginners, but also a good place for more experienced surfers to hone their skills.

You may be surprised to learn that there are 8 distinct beaches in Waikiki. The namesake beach is certainly the most famous, but there’s also Kahanamoku Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Kūhiō Beach, Queens Beach, Kapiʻolani Beach, and Kaimana Beach. You may be further surprised to learn that none of these is Hawaii’s most popular beach. That title goes to Ala Moana Beach Park, which is just west of Waikiki.

There’s a lot more to Waikiki than just the beach, though. The main road through the neighbourhood – Kalakaua Avenue – is lined with street performers and designer stores, including luxurious lifestyle brands and popular surf fashion outlets. Kūhiō Avenue, which runs parallel to Kalakaua, is the place to go for dining and nightlife.

Fort DeRussy Beach Park provides a little patch of tree-shaded peace by the sea. As its name suggests, it contains a former fort – a coastal artillery battery, to be precise – which has been converted into a little military museum displaying ancient and contemporary weapons and vehicles. There are also courts for beach volleyball and tennis if you want a break from surfing.

At the far western end of Waikiki, you’ll find Kahanamoku Lagoon, which is a massive harbor for small boats and pleasure craft. You can easily find boat trips, whale-watching excursions, sunset cocktail cruises, and submarine tours departing from here.

Where to eat in Waikiki?

The range of cuisines available in Waikiki is absolutely staggering. There's the local cuisine, like the iconic poke, alongside Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Korean fare. You can also find a good array of delis and grocery stores for stocking up on supplies, as well as excellent food trucks patrolling the streets.

The star of the dining scene in Waikiki is La Mer. This French seafood restaurant is considered one of the best in all of Hawaii. What they can do with the locally caught fresh fish that most of the neighbourhood’s eateries make us of boggles the mind! All of the luxury hotels in the area have great dining outlets, which are well worth checking out.

Is it better to stay in Honolulu or Waikiki?

Waikiki is very definitely a tourist destination. In fact, it was Hawaii’s first resort area, with its first hotel opening in 1901. That being the case, it's a very convenient place to stay. The neighbourhood has everything you need in one place. Its location is excellent, being close to the best beaches and Diamond Head, as well as the commercial and retail hub of Ala Moana. If you’re planning a simple beach vacation, this is one of the best places to aim for in Honolulu.

On the other hand, Waikiki is a tourist hub. If you’re hoping for a taste of real Hawaiian culture, this is definitely not the place for you. Being right out on the eastern end of the city, it’s about 10 miles from the airport, 4 miles from Downtown Honolulu, and about 12 miles from the historical attractions around Pearl Harbor.

Good to know about Waikiki

While Waikiki is generally a safe and family-friendly destination, any popular tourist spot inevitably attracts unsavory elements – especially pickpockets and opportunist thieves. That being the case, it’s always wise to keep your valuables safe and don’t leave your belongings unattended on the beach. There’s a Honolulu Police Department substation near the beach that sends out patrols 24/7, but they can’t be everywhere at once.

Furthermore, some of the nightlife neighborhoods of Kūhiō Avenue are a lot less family-friendly. While they are generally safe, it’s still best to seek out more wholesome evening entertainments in other neighborhoods of Honolulu if you’re traveling with little ones.