Waikiki Beach (Honolulu, USA)
Aloha! Welcome to Waikiki Beach…
Few places conjure up images of tropical beachside fun and sun-kissed good times quite as easily as Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. Known for its turquoise ocean, hula troupes and world-famous surfing, this idyllic stretch of white sand sits on the south shore of Hawaii’s main island Oahu, curving some two miles from the Ala Wai Canal in the west to the iconic Diamond Head volcanic cone in the east. The perfect mix of big city buzz and laid-back bliss, Waikiki offers travellers the chance to chill-out, play around or party hard in equal measure. Indeed, Waikiki Beach is actually made up of several distinctly different sections, with some areas boasting a peaceful, family-friendly vibe while others bustle with activity, watersports and nightlife. Whatever you’re looking for in a trip to your tropical paradise, you’re sure to find it here…
A Host of Things to do in Waikiki
Of course, the beach itself is the big draw here; you can easily spend your whole time sunbathing and swimming and no one would blame you. Strike out though and you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. Surfing the legendary beach break and paddling across the water on an iconic outrigger canoe are arguably the two main things to tick off any ‘must do’ list. Opportunities to try parasailing, kayaking and beach volleyball abound too. Child-friendly lagoons and safely enclosed ‘ponds’ are good places for families to retreat too, plus there are shady parks with picnic spots offering respite from the sun. Away from the beach you can enjoy world-class shopping, dining and entertainment along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue, spend a day at the 42-acre Honolulu Zoo, and get up close and personal with the islands’ aquatic residents at the superb Waikiki Aquarium. Watching the sunset with a mai tai in hand is a fine way to wind down after a full day of tropical fun.
Take Your Pick of Waikiki Beach Hotels
One of the most attractive aspects about Waikiki accommodation is that the vast majority of hotels in the district are just two or three blocks away from the ocean, with a good many overlooking or actually on the beach. As the very first hotel built on Waikiki Beach back in 1901, the beloved Moana Surfrider is very much the place to stay in Honolulu. Known by all as the “First Lady of Waikiki”, this most prestigious of Waikiki hotels boasts a location to match its heritage, set as it is directly on Waikiki Beach, right off Kalakaua Avenue. If you’re travelling with kids then the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is likely to tick all your boxes - and then some. Set on 22 beachfront acres, this vast family-friendly hotel is blessed with beautiful gardens and six pools, one of which is home to the longest waterslide in Waikiki. Elsewhere you’ll find 20 kid-friendly restaurants and bars, not to mention kids clubs, activity programmes and a full entertainment programme. Right at the other end of the spectrum is The Modern Honolulu, a hip hotel on the far western end of the beach that’s perennially popular with party-loving young things. It’s on-site nightclub, Addiction is top place to get acquainted with Waikiki’s legendary nightlife.
Contact
Kalakaua Avenue,