Waikiki
3.9(845)yelp
BeachCoastOcean ViewLocal LifeFamily
Overview
Waikīkī (; Hawaiian: [wɐjˈkiːkiː, vɐjˈtiːtiː]) is a Honolulu neighborhood and the eponymous Waikīkī beach on its south shore, on the island of Oʻahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. (Despite situational use of the spelling "Waikiki", typically in materials aimed at tourists, the spelling "Waikīkī" is official and common.) Waikīkī Beach is one of six beaches in the district, along with Queen's Beach, Kuhio Beach, Gray's Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach, and Kahanamoku Beach. The sandy beach is almost entirely man-made.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-3 days
Best TimeThe dry summer corridor from April to October delivers the ultimate Hawaiian resort atmosphere. Plan your core experience between 4:42 PM and 9:00 PM; this magic window lets you stroll the white sand as the midday heat drops, witness an iconic pastel-colored Pacific twilight, and enjoy the torch-lit boardwalk nightlife.
Getting ThereAs a world-class resort district, it features Oahu's most robust public transit grid. Driving is highly discouraged due to confusing one-way grids and exorbitant parking fees. Visitors can seamlessly utilize Oahu's TheBus network (Routes 2, 8, 13, 20) or hop onto the frequent open-air Waikiki Trolley Pink Line shuttles.
Travel Tips
- Free parking across Waikiki is non-existent, and street metered stalls carry aggressive commute-hour tow-away restrictions; unauthorized parking in hotel resort parking garages scales to 15-30 dollars per hour, and towing fines start at 200 dollars.
- Illegal beachfront vendors operate un-permitted surf lessons or gear rentals near the sand; Honolulu statutes require all authorized commercial waterman guides to wear official county-numbered green vests, making verification mandatory.
- Per municipal code, the entire Waikiki beach ribbon enforces a strict nightly public curfew from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM; sleeping, erecting shelters, or loitering on the sand during these hours prompts physical arrest and criminal trespassing fines.
Reviews
Positive
- With fine white sand, swaying palms, and Diamond Head in the distance, the classic Hawaiian city-beach landscape is stunning.
- Public transit is incredibly advanced; numerous trolleys and buses run frequently, making the beach a short walk from any hotel.
- Surfing lessons and catamaran cruises offer immense fun; the strip features abundant multilingual signs and welcoming hospitality.
- The beach is completely free to the public; free hula shows and street art after dark deliver a rich festive atmosphere.
Heads up
- The crowd density here is terrifying; the sand is covered edge-to-edge with towels, making it hard to find a quiet space.
- It is overly commercialized; surrounding convenience stores and diners are heavily marked up, and umbrella rentals feel like a cash grab.
- Driving on Kalakaua Ave is a nightmare due to heavy traffic gridlocks; parking fees at hotels and malls are extortionate.
- Due to high traffic, public restrooms and showers get dirty by afternoon peaks; occasional homeless gatherings disrupt the serene vibe.