A guide to Waikiki: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to sunbathe. The highlights of Waikiki: fresh reviews and photos, places to see, branded entertainment and beaches.
One of the best beaches in the world, whose name has long become synonymous with an upscale “sunny” holiday, the famous Waikiki stretches for 2.4 km along the coast of the Hawaiian capital Honolulu. There is absolutely everything for a serene pastime here: magnificent fine sand, low and “long-playing” waves, ideal for beginners to comprehend the basics of surfing, and a lot of entertainment at the water’s edge – from daytime lounge bars with comfortable sofas and light DJ sets to evening movie screenings on giant screen and wild parties until dawn. The Waikiki waterfront is lined with luxury hotels, and there are always a lot of tourists here – sometimes too much. However, the Diamond Head mountain hovering over the beach does not let you forget about the beauty of the wild nature, because this is the main “trick” of Hawaii.
How to get to Waikiki
According to toppharmacyschools, Waikiki is one of the districts of Honolulu. From the airport of Oahu, you can get both to the city as a whole and directly to Waikiki. The Waikiki Airport Shuttle Buses depart from the airport every half an hour and travel through the Waikiki tourist area, stopping at the hotels passengers need. You should notify the driver in advance of your stop. The fare is 17 USD. In addition, you can get from the airport to the beach by ordinary city buses No. 19 and No. 20. The traffic interval is the same half an hour, the route passes through the center of Honolulu, and the fare will cost 3 USD. Keep in mind that luggage must fit under the bus seat or on the passenger’s lap – so if you are flying with a full “combat kit”, it is better to use the shuttle.
You can also cover the distance between the airport and Waikiki by taxi – cars are waiting for riders at the exit from the arrivals hall.
Transport
Following a charming and very direct native tradition, when moving around Waikiki or asking for directions, be prepared to use Hawaiian words rather than specific addresses.
A short course in orienteering: “mauka” means closer to the mountains, that is, to the north; “makai” – closer to the sea, that is, to the south; “eva” – towards the beach of Ewa Beach in the west, “diamond head” or “coco head” – towards the mountain of the same name, that is, to the east.
Waikiki Beach has not been ignored by world hotel chains: there are two Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Trump International.
In general, Waikiki is easy to get around on foot – along the entire coast there are three main parallel streets of Kalakaua, Kuhayo and Ala-Wai. Another option is to rent a scooter in the rental offices generously scattered around the area. Finally, an option for tourists is the Waikiki trolleybus of three routes: the green one “shows” beautiful views and gets to Diamond Head, the red one runs through historical and cultural attractions, the pink one will take you to shopping centers and restaurant “clusters”.
Waikiki beaches
Waikiki is one big beach; more specifically, there are six “separate” beaches, which, however, pass one into another and stretch from the entrance to the Ala-Vai channel to the Diamond Head mountain.
The extreme western beach of Kahanamoku, named after the famous native surfer, is man-made, as is the adjacent Ala Moana lagoon. Here is the widest coastline and a gentle slope into the water. One of the best resort hotels, the Hilton, is located on Kahanamoku.
Fort de Roussy Beach is always noisy and fun, this is one of the most popular beaches in Waikiki. There is as much sand here as on Kahanamoku, which allows you to sit comfortably at a relative distance from other sunbathers. There is also a direct road for snorkelers here – a coral reef lies a little further from the coast.
Royal Manoa Beach is filled to capacity with tourists, it makes sense to come here if you want to have fun first of all, and not relax lying in the sun.
But on the Kuhayo beach, on the contrary, it is very calm, this is an ideal place for families with children and peace seekers. Beginner surfers will also like it here – it is convenient to hone your skills on low, but long waves.
Kuhayo Beach is a popular photo op spot in Waikiki thanks to the monument to pioneer surfer Kahanamoku, lavishly adorned with flower garlands.
It makes sense to go to Queen Surf Beach for those who like to swim with a mask and snorkel, as there is a remarkable variety of underwater inhabitants. It is also a popular gay hangout.
Sans Souci Beach boasts a calm atmosphere of relaxation and the almost complete immobility of the ocean surface – the coast protects the coral reef from the waves. Families with children like to relax here.
4 things to do in Waikiki
- Get the desired chocolate-peach skin tone on the best beach of one of the most beautiful islands on the planet.
- Climb Diamond Head Mountain for ocean views.
- Dine at the revolving Top of Waikiki restaurant and, again, enjoy the view of the ocean.
- Take a couple of surf lessons at Kuhayo Beach.
Waikiki Hotels
Waikiki hotels are mostly high-end for the corresponding price of accommodation. They are located on the first line of the beach or on the nearest Kalakua street. There is no point in chasing all-inclusive, as there are absolutely no problems with restaurants in Waikiki: any cuisine for any budget. As for the names, Waikiki Beach has not been ignored by world chains: there are two Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Trump International.
Cuisine and restaurants in Waikiki
On Waikiki Beach and its surroundings, you can find a lot of inexpensive eateries, good restaurants and pompous places to go. The best place to kill a worm without going far from the water is Duke’s, which has live music on Sundays. Enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and Diamond Head from your table at the Top of Waikiki revolving restaurant on the 18th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza.
Attractions and Attractions Waikiki
First of all, tourists go to the Diamond Head mountain nature reserve, which is an extinct volcano more than 200 thousand years old. From the top of the volcano there is a breathtaking view of the ocean and Honolulu; the last kilometer to the highest point of the mountain will have to be done on foot, leaving the car or scooter in the parking lot. The climb is easy and suitable for hikers of all ages.
On Waikiki Beach near the zoo, films are shown every night on a 9-meter open-air screen.
Families with children will love the Kapiolani amusement park: the little ones are welcome at the Waikiki Zoo, which is home to many exotic animals, including elephants, rhinos, lions, zebras and giraffes. The Waikiki Aquarium located here is the oldest in the United States. It features hundreds of underwater inhabitants of Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean – sharks, jellyfish, octopuses, reef fish, etc. The Waikiki Shell Amphitheater often hosts concerts and performances by folklore troupes.
On Waikiki Beach near the zoo, films are shown every night on a 9-meter open-air screen. You should definitely take a ride around the island in a mini submarine or sail on a classic yacht cruise – a walk at sunset is especially picturesque.
