Things to Do in Waikiki, USA (Hawaii)

About Waikiki

Waikiki Beach is the most famous stretch of sand in the Pacific — a 2-mile crescent of golden shore backed by tropical hotels, surfboard rental stands, and open-air restaurants, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Diamond Head crater. But Waikiki is just the starting point for exploring Oahu's extraordinary natural beauty: dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush rainforest hikes, powerful historic sites like Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore's legendary big-wave surfing make the island one of America's most diverse and captivating destinations.

Top Attractions in Waikiki

1. Diamond Head Crater Hike

   This iconic 2.6-mile round-trip hike inside an extinct volcanic crater rewards with panoramic views of Waikiki and the Pacific. Start before 8am to avoid heat and parking crowds — book the entry reservation online in advance.

2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial

   A moving tribute to the 2,403 Americans who died in the December 7, 1941 attack that brought the US into World War II. Reserve free boat tours to the USS Arizona Memorial well in advance.

3. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

   One of Hawaii's top snorkeling destinations — a protected marine sanctuary in a flooded volcanic crater teeming with Hawaiian green sea turtles and hundreds of tropical fish species. Book online reservations essential.

4. North Shore Surf

   From November to February, Oahu's North Shore hosts some of the world's biggest waves at Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. Even if you don't surf, watching professionals tackle 30-foot waves is incredible.

5. Polynesian Cultural Center

   A full-day immersive experience exploring the cultures of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and Aotearoa through villages, canoe rides, and a spectacular evening show.

6. Manoa Falls Trail

   A 1.6-mile jungle hike just 10 minutes from Waikiki leads to a 150-foot waterfall through a forest canopy that feels worlds away from the beach hotels below.

Best Neighborhoods in Waikiki

• Waikiki Beach Walk

  The hotel strip along Kalākaua Avenue has open-air shopping, beachside restaurants, hula performances, and the beating heart of Honolulu's tourist scene.

• Kaimuki

  Honolulu's best local dining neighborhood, with farm-to-table restaurants, craft beer bars, and a genuine neighborhood feel that Oahu residents actually frequent.

• Haleiwa, North Shore

  The charming surf town on Oahu's North Shore has excellent shrimp trucks, tropical smoothie stands, art galleries, and arguably the world's best shave ice at Matsumoto's.

What to Eat in Waikiki

• Plate lunch from Rainbow Drive-In
• Garlic shrimp at Giovanni's on the North Shore
• Shave ice at Matsumoto's in Haleiwa
• Poke bowls at Ono Seafood
• Spam musubi from any convenience store
• Malasadas (Portuguese donuts) at Leonard's Bakery

Best Time to Visit Waikiki

Hawaii is wonderful year-round. April to June and September to November offer the best balance of good weather, lower prices, and smaller crowds than peak summer or Christmas. December through March brings bigger North Shore waves and whale watching off the coast.

Getting to and Around Waikiki

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is 15 km west of Waikiki: a taxi or rideshare is $35–$50 and 25–40 minutes depending on H-1 traffic, shared shuttles run about $20 a person, and TheBus route 20 costs $3 but only allows luggage that fits on your lap. Within Waikiki you will not need a car; Kalākaua Avenue, the beach, Kapiʻolani Park and the foot of Diamond Head are all walkable, and TheBus ($3 a ride, $7.50 day cap with a HOLO card) or the Waikiki Trolley covers Ala Moana and downtown Honolulu. For Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore a rental car is the practical answer: budget $60–$110 a day plus $40–$60 a night for hotel parking, which is why many visitors rent for only one or two days of the trip. Waikiki to Haleʻiwa is about an hour via the H-2; Hanauma Bay is 25 minutes east. Biki bike share costs $4.50 per 30 minutes. Traffic is heaviest into Honolulu from 6–9am and out of it from 3–6pm.

Where to Stay in Waikiki

Waikiki's hotel rows cover every budget: tower hotels a block or two back from the sand run $200–$350 a night, oceanfront properties along Kalākaua Avenue $400–$800, and hostels and older walk-up hotels around Kūhiō Avenue $60–$150. Resort fees of $35–$50 a night are almost universal, so compare the all-in rate. The Diamond Head end of Waikiki is quieter and closer to Kapiʻolani Park and the crater trailhead; the Ala Moana end is closer to the shopping centre and the beach park where locals surf. Kaimuki and Kapahulu, ten minutes inland, have guesthouses and vacation rentals at $150–$250 with the island's best casual dining on foot. For a North Shore night, Haleʻiwa has a handful of B&Bs and cottages at $200–$300, and the big-wave season from November to February books out months ahead. Oahu's short-term rental rules are strict outside resort zones, so confirm a rental's permit number before paying.

3 Days in Waikiki: A Sample Itinerary

Every stop below is one of the places named in this guide. Use it as a starting point, or let the planner build a version around your dates, pace and budget.

Day 1: Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach

1. Morning: Diamond Head Crater Hike

   The Diamond Head Crater Hike with a 6am reservation, when the trail is cool and the sunrise lights Waikiki below; malasadas from Leonard's Bakery on the way back.

   

2. Afternoon: Waikiki Beach Walk

   A surf lesson on the gentle Canoes break off Waikiki Beach, then a plate lunch from Rainbow Drive-In and an hour under an umbrella on the sand.

   

3. Evening: Ono Seafood

   Sunset from the beach, the free hula show at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), and a poke bowl from Ono Seafood.

   

Day 2: Pearl Harbor and the east side

1. Morning: Pearl Harbor National Memorial

   Pearl Harbor National Memorial on the first boat program of the day to the USS Arizona Memorial (reserve on recreation.gov up to eight weeks out), then the Bowfin submarine or the Battleship Missouri if time allows.

   

2. Afternoon: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

   Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve for two hours of snorkelling with green sea turtles (reservations open two days ahead at 7am); if it is booked out or raining, hike the Manoa Falls Trail instead.

   

3. Evening: Kaimuki

   Dinner in Kaimuki, where Honolulu goes out to eat: farm-to-table plates and a local craft beer.

   

Day 3: The North Shore

1. Morning: Haleiwa, North Shore

   Drive the H-2 to Haleʻiwa for shave ice at Matsumoto's, then Waimea Bay for a swim in summer or, from November to February, big-wave watching at the Banzai Pipeline.

   

2. Afternoon: Polynesian Cultural Center

   Garlic shrimp at Giovanni's shrimp truck in Kahuku, then the Polynesian Cultural Center villages from 12:45pm.

   

3. Evening: Polynesian Cultural Center

   Stay for the Polynesian Cultural Center luau and evening show, or watch the sunset at Sunset Beach and be back in Waikiki by 9pm with a Spam musubi from a 7-Eleven on the way.

   

Plan this trip — get a personalized day-by-day Waikiki itinerary with drive times, restaurant picks and a packing list.

Waikiki Travel Tips

• Rent a car to explore beyond Waikiki — Oahu's best experiences are spread around the island
• Book Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay reservations as soon as you book your trip — they fill up weeks in advance
• Surf lessons on Waikiki Beach are beginner-friendly — the gentle waves make it one of the world's best learn-to-surf spots
• Sunscreen note: reef-safe sunscreen is legally required in Hawaii — standard sunscreens containing oxybenzone are banned
• The Hawaiian Islands are far — add at least one extra day each way for jet lag recovery

Waikiki FAQ

When is the best time to visit Waikiki?

Hawaii is wonderful year-round. April to June and September to November offer the best balance of good weather, lower prices, and smaller crowds than peak summer or Christmas. December through March brings bigger North Shore waves and whale watching off the coast.

How much does a day in Waikiki cost?

Plan on an average daily budget of $120–$250/day in Waikiki. The local currency is the US Dollar ($).

How do I get around Waikiki?

Rent a car to explore beyond Waikiki — Oahu's best experiences are spread around the island.

What should I know about safety and etiquette in Waikiki?

Sunscreen note: reef-safe sunscreen is legally required in Hawaii — standard sunscreens containing oxybenzone are banned.

What are the top things to do in Waikiki?

Top attractions in Waikiki include Diamond Head Crater Hike, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, North Shore Surf and Polynesian Cultural Center. Waikiki is best for beaches, surfing, nature and families.

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