Synonymous to paradise, Hawaii is undoubtedly one of the most attractive locations on everyone’s bucket list. Within Hawaii, a famous neighborhood known as Waikiki has been gaining a lot of traction in the past decade due to the introduction of its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider. It’s easily accessible from Australia, Eastern Asia, and America with reasonably priced flights. Waikiki translates to ‘spouting waters’ in the Hawaiian language and offers a plethora of shopping, dining, and adventurous experiences.
If you’re planning to visit Waikiki during your next holiday, here’s a guide to assist you in planning your trip.
Location
More likely to be a peninsula, Waikiki is located on the southern shore of Honolulu on Oahu Island. This neighborhood is surrounded by the Ala Wai Canal, Kapi’olani Park, and the Pacific Ocean. Kalakaua Avenue serves as the main road of Waikiki, followed by Kuhio Avenue. These two lanes have some of the most famous hotels in Waikiki. The southeastern part of Waikiki also accommodates the Diamond Head Crater.
Weather
Even though it’s a tropical destination, Waikiki experiences rather pleasant seasons with the temperature ranging from 15°C to 28°C, depending on the time of year. The months of June to November witness hurricanes and the rain pours between November to March. The winters aren’t too cold, and the summers aren’t too hot, making it an ideal place to visit at any point throughout the year.
Accommodation
There’s no shortage of good accommodation in Waikiki. While visiting this place, you can find over 100 lodging properties, with the majority being hotels and others being condominiums. With famous hotels like the Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian. Accommodation in Waikiki is the last thing that you’d need to worry about.
Activities
If you’re looking for an adventurous experience, Waikiki is just the place for you. It has a range of interesting outdoor sports activities as well, such as canoe rides, snorkeling, and hiking. Waikiki is a great place to learn surfing due to stable and safe waves in the ocean. You can also look forward to an exciting sunset cruise that offers a range of tropical cocktails. Apart from these, you can indulge in a visit to the Honolulu zoo, take a look at the art on the Zoo Fence or the Duke Kahanamoku statue, or explore the Army Museum at Fort DeRussy. The options are endless.
Dining and shopping
Dining and shopping in Waikiki are far from disappointing. With local shopping boutiques to fabulous spa experiences, this destination has it all. The curators at CollectionsOfWaikiki.com take pride in presenting a myriad of shopping and dining options while exploring Waikiki. You can shop a variety of crafted accessories and products like the famous Waikiki chapel hats, intricate quilts, floral shirts, local footwear, and jewelry. Also, you shouldn’t miss out on popular Waikiki eating experiences like Honolulu coffee and various tropical cocktails. And the local seafood is to die for.
Entertainment
While you’re exploring any famous beachside restaurant, make sure to book a table around the evening to watch the breathtaking sunset. The main street, Kalakaua Avenue, hosts a number of live street performances, forming a lively atmosphere at sunset time. Another famous event that takes place is the Rock-A-Hula concert, which encompasses many amazing performances and is held at the Royal Hawaiian Centre.
Major Attractions
Waikiki Aquarium
This famous attraction is located on the shoreline of this neighborhood that is also comprised of living reefs. The aquarium represents around 420 species of living tropical animals of the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific Ocean. It is around a century old and witnesses more than 350,000 tourists every year.
Diamond Head
This is a volcanic Tuff cone that looks like a tuna fish’s dorsal fin. If you’re up for some adventure, you can hike up the trail of Diamond Head to reach the top.
Honolulu Zoo
Located in the Kapi’olani Park, the Honolulu Zoo hosts rare animal and bird species, some of which cannot be found elsewhere. It covers around 42 acres of land and hosts more than 600,000 visitors annually. Initially known as the Queen Kapiolani Park, it was formally established in the year 1947 when it was renamed as the Honolulu Zoo.
It is really easy to access the entire neighborhood of Waikiki as most places are accessible by foot, and you can find bikes, rental cars, and buses for cheap passes on the go. You should definitely consider discovering Waikiki for your next adventure to experience its stunning diversity and magnificent culture.
