Waikiki - Honolulu Hawaii

Waikiki is perhaps the most famous (and busiest) spot in the Hawaiian Islands. It’s a beach that you find on the Island Oahu in the city of Honolulu and its host to lots of different tourist facilities and activities. 

If you’re looking for a vacation with some action, fun and nightlife, and you don’t mind staying at a beach that’s filled with loads of other sunbathing tourists, Waikiki is definitely the place for you.

It’s a great place to have as a base if you want to rent a car and drive around the island to see more secluded areas, or you might just get so caught up in the fun here that you don’t want to leave even for a few hours.

The beach here is about 2 miles long and has fine, white sand. It’s the pefect place to learn surfing! You can rent a board and get a lesson for quite cheap and the waves are perfect for beginners. I was able to get up on my third try (styrofoam boards are way easier than fiberglass to learn on). It’s a bit crowded but you get perfect little waves for a good part of the day.

It’s also the perfect beach for people-watching and socializing and there are many stylish bars and restaurants nearby.

All the way along the beach you can find hotels and tourist facilities. If you’re going here in the tourist season e.g. the summer months, you might want to book ahead to make sure you get a nice room. The hotels here are in general a bit more pricy but it’s possible to find something for all budgets if you’re doing some research.

You might want to spend the days on the beach and then do a bit of shopping at Ala Moana Center, which is a large open air market.  A great place to get your souvenirs.

Waikiki also offers some cultural aspects to your holiday. You can visit the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium at the beach, close to Kapiolani Park. It’s a 20-foot-tall memorial archway and is topped by four stone eagles. It was built in 1927 as a reminder of those that was killed in World War I.

You can also visit Saint Augustine Church, built in 1854. A magnificent building that really stands out among the modern buildings in Waikiki.

If you’re visiting Waikiki with kids, or if you simply love animals, you definitely want to go to Waikiki Aquarium. It’s located close to the beach and you find over 400 different species here. The coral reef exhibit offers opportunities to get close to sharks, jellyfishes and sea turtles.

At night, Waikiki turns into a huge scene for nightlife, it’s a great place to watch the sunset and then you can find bars and nightclubs all around the area  with live music, cultural performances and all sorts of entertainment that you can wish for, seven days a week.

This, and so much more adds up to make Waikiki the most sought after spot of Hawaii. A paradise playground just waiting for you.