Information about Waikiki
Waikiki is a very popular area in the city of Honolulu. The city is located at the southerns edge of the Oahu island, which is part of the Hawaiian Islands (between Kauai and Molokai – they are relatively close to each other, so you can visit them by plane in under an hour). Waikiki is best known for it's sandy beaches, relatively calm ocean and sunny, yet moderate weather for most of the year. [Read more about weather in Waikiki]
What to do in Waikiki
These are some of the things you can do in Waikiki (copied from WikiTravel):
- First time visitors should be sure to book at least one luau. [...]
- Sunset On The Beach. Since 2001, there have been free movies on the beach in Waikiki near the Honolulu Zoo. You can view a movie on an outdoor 30 ft (9 m) screen.
- Surf, The beach (Walk towards the ocean). Anytime. Waikiki is good for beginners and old hands alike. It doesn't have the killer waves like Pipeline, but it has nice small longboard waves right off the beach which is where the beginners lessons are. A bit of a paddle will bring you out to some moderate sized waves. There are several places to rent boards and hire lessons right on the beach, all of which open early, and there countless cheaper places to rent off-beach. Varies.
- Atlantis Submarines, Hilton Hawaiian Village, (toll free: +1 800 548-6262). Daily 9AM-3PM. Submarine tours off the coast of Waikiki, getting up-close to marine life, coral reefs, and shipwrecks. $99, $45 children.
- Na Hoku II, the beach in front of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. Sailing trips off Waikiki. Drinks are free. Try the sunset sail for spectacular views of the sunset. $30 for a 90 minute sail.
- Walk on the makai (ocean) side of the street between Lewers and Kapahulu. The makai side of the street has more cool shade from the sun, fewer cross streets with vehicle traffic, and far less touts attempting to hand you flyers to overpriced restaurants and activities.
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kailua Beach, Hawaii. An activity where you stand upright оn a ѕurfbоаrd аnd uѕе a lоng paddle to mоvе about оn tор of thе wаtеr. It саn be рrасtiсеd оn саlm waters, challenging wаvеѕ and еvеrуthing in between.
- Experience Hawaiian Cultural Sport "Outrigger Canoe Surfing". There are several companies who offer this service but Waikiki Beach Services, located in front of the iconic pink hotel, "The Royal Hawaiian, Luxury Collection" is the oldest and the most respected companies of all. Lead by the owner, Teddy Bush, his boys try to maintain the legendary "Waikiki Beachboys", and they will help you have the best time on the beach and in the water! They offer all the "Surfing" activities; Surfing Lessons and Stand-Up Paddling Lessons. They also provide Beach Umbrella & Chair rental, board rental, and "Beachboy Valet" service where you can spend half day exclusively with a Beachboy. He surfs with you, rides on the canoes with you and so forth. Just look up Waikiki Beach Services' website to learn more about the company and all the services they provide, or call (808) 388-1510.
- Enjoy Live Entertainment at Night with Four Lads. Unlike Las Vegas, evening entertainments are a very few in Waikiki, but currently there is a Beatles Tribute Band, "FOUREVER FAB" performing the "Best of the Beatles" live in Concert at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, located at 120 Kaiulani Ave., Honolulu, HI. 96815. Did you know George Harrison and John Lennon actually visited Waikiki back in 1964 and stayed at the Royal Hawaiian, Luxury Collection on May 2nd? During the show, there will be a tribute to the island. Ukulele will be played by George Harrison as he "LOVED" Hawaii and Ukulele. Call (808) 725-4136.
