Located near the central business district of Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Waikiki is one of the world’s picture-perfect travel destinations. During the 1800s, Waikiki Beach, as well as its endless stretch of white sand that is kissed by the turquoise water, can only be experienced and enjoyed by royalty. Today, Waikiki is home to hundreds of tourist resorts along with with blingy boutiques, verdant tropical gardens, and high-rise hotels. At night, you can see flaming torches that cast their flickering shadows as happy tourists and locals dine in bistros and high-end restaurants. In this article, we are going to give you a guide when visiting Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.
Popular Waikiki Tours
Hawaiian Foodie Tour by Bike – On this tour, you will get to have the chance and visit several local eateries in the Kapahalu, Diamond Head, and Kaimuki neighborhoods along with a local guide. We assure you that you would enjoy several tastings that include vegetable dishes, small goods, seafood, fruits, and so much more.
Paradise Cove Luau Tickets – Your visit to Hawaii would never complete if you don’t go to a luau at least once. If you’re looking for the best place, then we suggest that you try Paradise Cove Luau because it is one of the biggest and most popular luau shows in all of the Hawaiian islands. Ordinary tickets often include a welcome drink, a cultural presentation, and a buffet dinner. You can also add hotel transfers and upgrade to premium seating.
Oahu Atlantis Submarine Adventure – If you want to explore the waters of Waikiki beach, then this tour is the right one for you. You will get to see what lies beneath the spectacular blue waters that surround the island of Oahu on this Atlantis Submarine tour. You’ll have the chance to observe the amazing marine life at a depth of 30 meters.
Oahu Whale Watching Cruise – On this whale-watching cruise, you will have the chance to witness the humpback whales travel to the warm waters of Hawaii, especially if you book during late December through to early May. Trust us, your trip to Hawaii would be more memorable if you get the chance to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals.
Oahu Grand Circle Island Day Tour – On this tour, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty that Oahu has. You will have the opportunity to see the Dole Plantation, the North Shore, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Byodo-In Temple, the Halona Blowhole, and more. Aside from that, you are going to be accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
Relaxing in Hawaii
To start relaxing in Waikiki beach, Hawaii, all you have to do is head on down to the glorious beachfront, feel the sand on your feet, then watch the day away while sipping a drink, reading a book, or taking a dip in the water. If you feel that you’re energetic and you want to have a little bit of adrenaline rush in your body, then you can rent a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard and just go into the beautiful clear waters. If you do not know that much about stand-up paddle boarding or surfing, there are basic lessons that are offered at the Waikiki beach.
When the afternoon comes, you can sit back and relax with a cocktail at one of the several hotel bars that are located at the line of the beach. Don’t worry, all of them offer happy hours.
If you want some relaxing and pampering experience, then we suggest that you head on down to the LaaKea Day Spa that is located at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. They have an extensive relaxation menu that you can choose from, such as a traditional kahuna massage.
If you want to take a little breather away from the tourist crowds, then you can book a sightseeing cruise with Holokai Catamaran. There you will be able to see the catamaran moored on the sand. The sightseeing cruise has trips throughout the day, and early evening if you are up to make a short trip around nearby Diamond Head, this includes a snorkeling stop-off at Turtle Canyon.
If you want to witness breathtaking views up the Waikiki oceanfront, then we suggest that you take a leisurely stroll all the way up to the top of Diamond Head and back. The trek may take an hour or so, which is why it’s better if you have a friend with you.
If you’re a History Lover
As most of us know, Hawaii has been a US strategic military post for several years. Which is why the US Army Museum is located in Hawaii. The museum is home to a wide variety of memorabilia from World War II and an old artillery battery. You can also see various pieces of heavy war machinery that stand in front of the museum.
Most of the time, people like to take a tour of Pearl Harbor. This place is known for its memory of the wartime tragedy, which about 2,403 lives; today, Pearl Harbor is now a memorial that honors the victims of the surprise attack on December 7, 1941, by the Japanese Imperial Army.
Take note that the memorial can get very busy because the place can only accommodate a limited number of people.
If You Want to Get to Know More About their Culture
Obviously, surfing is one of the favorite pastimes of locals, and it is even considered to be more of a daily ritual for locals, in fact, it has been that way for centuries. Some European confirm that surfing in the islands has been part of the lives of the locals since the 1700s.
Oahu is home to several cultural influences, which is why spending your morning visiting some of the island’s museums will give you the place’s backstory and some more knowledge that you can bring anywhere with you.