Waikiki Beach is one of the world's most famous beaches, named for the Hawai'ian word for spouting fresh water, a reference to the region's former wetland springs. The popular Honolulu neighborhood is actually home to six beaches, including its namesake beach, Kahanamoku Beach, Gray's Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach, Kuhio Beach, and Queen's Beach. Two miles of pristine white sand beaches stretch along the calm turquoise oceanfront, with many high-rise resorts located nearby.
Lifeguards are staffed on duty at the beach, though swimmers, surfers, and bodyboarders should still exercise caution due to the high volume of other tourists in the water. A myriad of public events are hosted at the beach throughout the year, including outdoor music performances, surf competitions, and hula dancing events. Nearby, world-class dining and shopping opportunities are offered on Kalakaua Avenue's main strip, while attractions such as Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace will delight history buffs.
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Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.