16 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Waikiki Hawaii
Waikiki, Hawaii is a world-famous seaside resort. This Honolulu beach overlooks the huge South Sea, Hawaii's top tourist attraction. Waikiki, Hawaii is the heart of Honolulu and the Hawaiian archipelago,
9 Mins
43 Views
November 19, 2023
Waikiki, Hawaii, Most Well Konw Attractions and Things To Do in 2023/2024
Waikiki, Hawaii is a world-famous seaside resort. This Honolulu beach overlooks the huge South Sea, Hawaii’s top tourist attraction. Waikiki, Hawaii is the heart of Honolulu and the Hawaiian archipelago, located between downtown and Diamond Head Crater. Waikiki’s shoreline and Kalakaua Avenue, the main roadway, are lined by Hawaii’s densest hotel cluster. The streets off Kalakaua Avenue are full of restaurants, shops, entertainment, and other activities. Waikiki epitomizes Honolulu’s beauty. Waikiki is the top destination in Oahu and Hawaii for lavish beach aesthetics and vibrant energy. Start planning your Waikiki sightseeing trip with our carefully curated list of top attractions and activities.
1. Waikiki Beaches
The two-mile sandy beach on Waikiki’s seafront is its main draw. Most of Waikiki’s beaches are perfect for swimming and water sports like snorkeling, boogie-boarding, canoeing, and surfing.
The coastline runs east from Duke Kahanamoku Beach, named after the Olympic swimmer, in front of Hilton Hawaiian Village to Sans Souci Beach at Diamond Head. These beaches blend together, making them practically unnoticeable to tourists.
Fort DeRussy Beach Park, an idyllic spot for picnics and entertainment, sits just beyond Kahanamoku Beach. This is followed by the little Gray’s Beach and the Royal Hawaiian Beach, Waikiki’s most famous and busy. This beach has catamaran rentals, outrigger canoes, surfing lessons, and beachside shacks.
2. Diamond Head Crater
Waikiki is near Oahu’s best hiking paths, including the ascent of Diamond Head Crater, known as Le’ahi in Hawaiian. This dormant volcano east of Waikiki, Hawaii symbolizes Oahu and Honolulu. The crystals in Diamond Head Crater were mistaken for diamonds by seafarers in the 19th century, giving the incredible landscape its name. Diamond Head survived the misidentification. Diamond Head State Monument has a popular hiking track. This historic trail in the state landmark climbs from the crater’s floor to the summit via a steep incline, then stairs. Visitors get a breathtaking view of Waikiki at the top. This trek is easy for experienced hikers. The trail is densely populated, so movement is slow and often requires single-file passage.
3. Atlantis Submarines
Atlantis Submarines allows travelers to explore the ocean without getting wet. They offer dry and fascinating passenger submarines to explore the ocean’s mysteries.
As submarines traverse the depths, expert instructors provide fascinating stories about fish and water critters. Offshore artifacts like purposefully sunken ships and airplanes are also discussed. These underwater barriers and sanctuaries help reefs and marine life recover from natural and human-caused damage.
These submarines provide an authentic underwater experience for families and non-scuba divers. A lucky sighting could be a whale studying the submarine from its underwater domain.
4. Waikiki Aquarium
Visitors learn about Hawaii’s marine life and the South Pacific’s complex ecosystems at the Waikiki Aquarium. The aquarium has exhibits on coral reef ecology and animals in various settings.
Young minds explore clownfish-sea anemone symbiosis in immersive coral reef exhibits. Sharks and groupers and the aquarium’s coral farm, which grows colonies for aquariums worldwide, can be seen by visitors. Visitors love the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands display, which has two critically endangered monk seals and several marine species unique to these deserted islands. The aquarium shows a mangrove forest underwater with huge clams, jellyfish, and uncommon deep-sea fish and invertebrates.
5. Honolulu Zoo
The 42-acre Honolulu Zoo has many mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The vast grounds have a variety of wildlife and tropical plants, creating a botanical garden atmosphere with native Hawaiian vegetation. The Hawaiian Goose (Nene) and Hawaiian Hawk (‘Io) live alongside tigers, elephants, monkeys, and Komodo dragons in this lush paradise.
The only royal land grant zoo, the Honolulu Zoo, is notable for its history. The modern zoo includes the African Savannah, tropical rainforests, and island ecosystems. The children’s zoo and playground enhance the family-friendly experience.
6. Kapiolani Park and Queen Kapiolani Garden
King Kalakaua’s gift to Waikiki, Kapiolani Park, currently named after his wife, beautifully separates the city from Diamond Head’s charming southwest residential area.
Kapiolani Park, Honolulu’s oldest public park. Family-friendly attractions include the Waikiki Zoo and Aquarium. The Queen Kapiolani Garden, a flower-filled sanctuary, is a real treat for grownups. This botanical garden features uncommon Hawaiian and other plants.
Kapiolani Park is a lovely recreational environment with many activities beyond its floral beauty. Tennis courts, picnic spots, and running routes make the park multifunctional. This beautiful park has historical significance thanks to the Queen Kapiolani Bandstand, which hosts the December Honolulu Marathon.
7. Explore the Reefs in Waikiki, Hawaii
Oahu has several great snorkeling spots, including one on Waikiki Beach. This long sandy beach is best enjoyed at the southern end of the Waikiki Marine Conservation District, near the Aquarium. Queens Beach and Kapiolani Park Beach feature obvious coral formations from the beach, making them good entry points.
The Waikiki Catamaran Snorkel and Turtle Tour is great for beginner snorkelers who want to view a reef. This hour-long adventure includes equipment, supervision, and a catamaran ride to Turtle Canyon, a reef known for its green sea turtles. The reef’s 20–30-foot depth makes it ideal for beginners and offers stunning views. Reef fish, starfish, and even octopuses inhabit this underwater world, making for a memorable dive.
8. Surfing on Waikiki, Hawaii Beach
Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian surfer, instructor, and Olympic swimmer made Waikiki a surfing hotspot. Waikiki’s mild waves make it a great place for novices to surf. With several rental shops on the beach, surfing in Waikiki is a must for visitors.
Surfing lessons are a great way to try this water sport. Professional surfing lessons on Waikiki Beach are customized to your skill level. Beginners learn basic surfing methods from the start with assistance. Dedicated instructors can help experienced surfers improve their abilities for a complete surfing experience.
9. Glass-Bottom Boat Cruises
Waikiki’s underwater worlds are beautiful even for non-divers. The wheelchair-accessible Waikiki Glass Bottom Boat Cruise is fun and accessible. This one-hour sail on the 50-foot catamaran Haleiwa Queen opens a transparent floor to see the lively world below. Clear views of colorful fish, beautiful sea turtles, and other aquatic beauties unfurl. Views of Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu, and migrating whales and dolphins are also available from the boat. For sun-sensitive passengers, the boat has a sheltered space and knowledgeable guides.
10. Kalakaua Avenue
Experience the vibrant pulse of Waikiki along the iconic Kalakaua Avenue. This mile-long thoroughfare, stretching parallel to the beach from Beretania Street to the edges of Kapiolani Park, is the epicenter of activity in Waikiki. Boasting the highest concentration of hotels, world-class restaurants, and premier shopping destinations, Kalakaua Avenue offers a dynamic city vibe within walking distance of the serene beach.
Indulge in luxury shopping escapades and savor culinary delights at fabulous restaurants that line this bustling avenue. Encounter the Waikiki Shopping Center, the International Market Place, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center—all contributing to the avenue’s allure as a hub of entertainment and sophistication in the heart of Waikiki.
11. International Market Place Waikiki, Hawaii
Explore the International Market Place, a timeless collection of open-air stores in Waikiki’s core under the shade of gigantic banyan trees lit up at night. The marketplace is a retail paradise with Saks Fifth Avenue, Burberry, Swarovski, and Kona Coffee.
Beyond shopping, meander around this charming neighborhood with tropical flora and water features, excellent for people-watching. Food options range from quick snacks to full-service eateries, including Asian and Tex-Mex. The International Market Place hosts food festivals, music, and lei-making lessons, making it a popular Waikiki nightlife destination.
12. Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
It’s surprising that Waikiki is a vibrant metropolis on a little island in the Pacific Ocean with a tiny beach. This blip on the map has many designer and brand-name stores, mostly at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center on Kalakaua Avenue is a modern luxury mall containing watches, jewelry, boutiques, designer clothing, and restaurants.
Many of Waikiki’s greatest restaurants are in the shopping center. People enjoy fresh poke bowls at the food court or fine dinners in the higher-end dining rooms at any time.
More than just a shopping complex, the Royal Hawaiian Center provides many free activities, which is appreciated in Honolulu, an expensive city. Kumu teaches hula, ukulele, lauhala weaving, and lei crafting.
Regular hula shows involve costumed dancers and explain the art form’s history and significance in Hawaiian culture. The center hosts evening live entertainment and frequent Hawaiian traditional and modern music events.
13. US Army Museum of Hawaii
Explore a captivating journey through military history at this petite yet compelling museum. Exhibiting an array of weaponry spanning from the Hawaiian wars in the 18th century to the Second World War and the Vietnam War, the collection includes American soldiers’ uniforms from the past two centuries, alongside the uniforms of adversaries.
Of particular fascination are the ancient Hawaiian weapons adorned with sharks’ teeth, once wielded in fierce battles between Hawaiian leagues. These artifacts transport visitors back to a time of historical conflict. Housed in a 1909 building, originally constructed for the defense of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, the museum provides a unique glimpse into the region’s military heritage. Temporary exhibits further enrich the experience, making this museum a compelling destination for those intrigued by the evolution of military history.
14. Shangri La In Waikiki, Hawaii
First and foremost, Shangri La, a Pacific Island cultural wonder, reflects Doris Duke’s deep love for the island and Islamic culture. Shangri La, Doris, and her husband’s vacation getaway, is now the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, home to 2,500 items.
The collection features the best of Middle Eastern, Moorish Spanish, Indian, and Asian art in glass, pottery, textiles, and more. Shangri La is known for its treasures and architecture. The 1930s mansion features massive Moroccan, Indian, and Iranian installations, creating a unique atmosphere.
The Honolulu Museum of Art, located downtown, runs Shangri La, a cultural symbol. Besides Islamic art, the museum has permanent and seasonal exhibits of Asian and other art. Visitors can see Monet and Van Gogh’s works plus Egyptian, Roman, and Greek antiques.
15. See the Kūhiō Beach Hula Show
Experience Hawaii’s rich culture with traditional hula performances, which make for magical nights. Kūhiō Beach, near the Honolulu Zoo, offers free hour-long hula dances many evenings a week. As a conch shell trumpet sounds and torches light, the ceremony begins on an authentic hula mound or pa hula. Local dancers capture Hawaiian culture on stage.
Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center on the other side of the island for an hour to learn more. This living history museum has six Polynesian village replicas: Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and Aotearoa. Participate in hands-on activities, watch traditional dances, and enjoy a luau for a whole Pacific Island experience.
16. Visit Iolani Palace In Waikiki, Hawaii
Firstly, Waikiki, Hawaii is a place of great historical significance, as it is considered the heart of Hawaiian heritage. One of the most important aspects of Waikiki is its beach, where the Hawaiian royalty used to welcome esteemed visitors. To truly understand the depth of Hawaiian culture in Waikiki, a visit to the Iolani Palace in nearby Honolulu is necessary.
Iolani Palace, built in 1845 and later replaced in 1879, served as the residence for five Hawaiian monarchs and holds significant historical importance in Hawaiian culture.
Currently, the palace’s first and second floors are carefully restored and are now open for guided tours. The first floor showcases the grand and luxurious rooms like the Grand Hall, State Dining Room, Blue Room, and Throne Room. On the second floor, visitors can explore the private rooms where the monarchs, including the chamber where Queen Liliuokalani was held captive for eight months after her government was overthrown.