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"I paused for a minute to witness the sunrise over Waikiki Beach... For the first time, I knew what I wanted. I wanted to live my life in color." ― Anna Gomez Y'all... The sun glitter. Wow. Sun glitter is a bright, sparkling light formed when sunlight reflects from water waves. It happens everywhere but the sun glitter casted on Waikiki Beach, onto the Pacific Ocean, is unlike others. Sure, I've stood on beaches in California and Florida but something about Hawaii just makes the sun glitter that much better. It's mesmerizing. The gentle waves roll onto shore in a rhythm that somehow makes the world feel slower. Early in the morning, before the crowds arrive, Waikiki feels almost peaceful despite being one of Hawaii's most famous beaches. The water shifts between shades of turquoise, aqua, and deep sapphire depending on where the sunlight hits. Combined with the silhouette of Diamond Head in the distance, it's the kind of view that makes you stop walking just to stare. Life's better with Hawaiian sand between your toes.
We stayed near Waikiki Beach so it was within walking distance. It can be crowded during mid afternoon but there was always still somewhere to find to enjoy the beach. The beach was just so beautiful and the weather was perfect! I enjoyed walking along the beach at all times of the day. There are so many different shops, restaurants, and hotels near by too.
I've looked at pictures for years, but Waikiki Beach is so much more beautiful in person. The views of diamond head are amazing. But not only is the beach scenic, it's lively and the water is a perfect blue. The spots closer to diamond head had bigger waves and most of the surfers were there, and the farther you go away from diamond head, the more picturesque it gets. It does get pretty crowded but that's what makes it fun
The very first place (besides the airport) in Hawaii that we visited 24 years ago, Waikiki Beach continues to show my wife and me why we love the islands so much, We didn't get a chance to visit Waikiki the last time we were in Oahu, so was excited. We came via Lyft from the cruise port. Public access is mandated for all beaches in Hawaii so we went through the Beachcomber hotel to put feet on sand. There were umbrellas and loungers already spread across the beach, for hotel guests. We had planned ahead and brought towels and it was fine: the sun and sand hadn't gotten too hot yet. The beach is typically described as being 2 miles long, with distinct sections having their own name. It has warm, clear water with no floating debris, and soft waves. What I've always found unusual is how a tour company giving large catamaran tours will actually board/offload right in the middle of the beach. I got the opportunity to hear them come in, using constant whistles to warm swimmers and sunbathers to get out of the way. When they are not there, one can't really tell what the area is used for, since there are no barriers or fences to warn. It's a place that as time passes since our last visit, I become less enamored of the memory of the area because of news on crime, crowdedness of tourism, and general behavior of people. But as soon as we sat foot with the outline of Diamond Head in the background, all that is forgotten, and we start thinking about the next time we will be back. Just love this beach (and the area).
This famous beach is a tourist icon that you should visit at least briefly if you are in Honolulu. This is our second visit and it has been interesting each time. The beach is almost a sub-culture in itself and provides beautiful ocean views, great sand stretches, opportunities for people watching, surf viewing and of course second-to-none sunning. I am not particularly a beach person but this place is worth an hour of time just to say you've been there if you are in Honolulu.
We stayed right on Waikiki Beach so it was a quick and easy walk from our hotel. This is probably the most tourist heavy and popular spot on Oahu, and dare I say even Hawaii--not necessarily for it being the best beach ever but yeah. It's very long, it expands quite far. There's shopping and food along the street, and the beach is just below. I will say it's convenient if this is the part of Oahu you're staying in, but throughout our Island exploration, we found, in our opinion, more beautiful and serene beaches than this one. We only stayed on the actually beach part to swim for around an hour. Do yourself a favor, and either rent a car or at least go to other beaches on the island. But that aside, it's the famous Waikiki Beach, definitely visit!!
This iconic landmark in Waikiki is one of Hawaii's most famous beaches, located on the south shore of Oahu. Waikiki Beach was just absolutely beautiful!! There I saw surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers on the beach all day long. They also have boat tours in Waikiki & there is also plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. I really loved this beach and will make sure to stay here again when I come to the island of Oahu.
It was a pretty busy day with a lot of people however we chose to rent an umbrella with two beach chairs at $18 and hour. Since we weren't staying too long. They did have a daily rental fee if wanted to stay all day. The staffs were friendly and attentive. They took us to out spot right away. We were right in the front near the beach. The area and view was perfect. The beach water was not cold but has a nice warmth to it. However the water was rough. Not calmed at all. I probably went in the water 3 times and stayed under the umbrella afterwards.
This beach is absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to go back. Despite the crowds, there's so much to love about it. The blue waters, palm trees, warm weather, and being surrounded by tons of hotels and restaurants. If you go on a Friday night, you can catch the Waikiki Friday Night Fireworks show. It starts at 7:45pm.
Most popular and easiest beach to go in Oahu. It is not the most clean and beautiful but because this beach is right in the front of Waikiki, you can just walk there and enjoy almost everything. The beach is totally city vibe so if you can't stand being crowded you might have to come super early or late night, but you won't see anything or if you rent a car you can go to another beach that more private. Overall, I like it. so lively and festive.
Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii. Such a relaxing vibe. Now I see why the locals say laying on the beach is serene, brings balance to the spirit lots of food options close by you can bring the food to the beach just make sure to clean up after yourself. I loved it here read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
My review is based on the Royal-Moana Beach area. This is a great spot to watch the sunset from. The boats that are usually docked here set sail before sunset, leaving you with unobstructed views of Diamond Head. We came around 5:30 and found a nice spot to relax on the soft sand. It wasn't too crowded in this area, which was also a plus. read more
3 years ago
Stayed on a hotel near this iconic beach.. so beautiful and a lot of people here especially on a sunny day. This is where you'll find the iconic statue of the Duke and the Surf Guy.. a lot of swimmers and surfers at daytime and at nighttime the street lights and the shops, bars and restaurants by the beach keeps it alive. read more
5 years ago
PACKED WITH PEOPLE. On top of that PACKED WITH SURFERS. If your trying to enjoy the beautiful water and go a little deep you will have to evade getting hit by the surfers. Lots of surf shops giving surfing lessons and rental for surf boards. Honestly, way to crowded for me to enjoy! read more
Waikiki Beach is THE Beach in Honolulu!! Always poppin, day or night. And talk about a lot of people, I don't think I've ever been on a beach this crowded, on the beach or in the water!! And you can literally hang out here all the time, go grab a bite to eat at the nearby strip or one of the many beachfront hotels, and be right back. Sunscreen is a must here!!! Even if you're not a beach person, Waikiki Beach will turn you into one, great times here!!! read more
Very clear water - combination of green and clear. Unique thing is that it's such a flat beach for such a long stretch. You would feel like you are in the middle of the ocean and still on your feet. I rented floaters to relax on the water. Views are breadth-taking. It's really crowded though and chairs+umbrella cost $60-$80 a day. Great restaurants in the proximity. Actual beach area is very small so it gets real crowded. read more
7 years ago
The famous Waikiki Beach! There was so many people on a Thursday morning, I was worried I wasn't going to find a spot on the beach at all! I walked a little further down the beach and there was plenty of space. The sand is warm and the water is the perfect temperature; not hot or cold, but super refreshing when you step in. Sunscreen, beach towel, hat, sunglasses, water and whatever else you'll need for the beach. The sand is clean and you don't have to worry about stepping in trash or needles like at Ocean beach in San Francisco. It's a beautiful beach for relaxation, swimming, napping and getting an awesome tan. read more
Waikiki Beach is beautiful!! Nice clean blue water, that you can go pretty far out and still be able to stand up in. Do purchase one of those floaty donut things because they make the experience just that much great! Do bring a blanket and find a nice palm tree to sit under because the cabana's can be expensive (I hit up the nearby Ross and bought one for 8 bucks. Do expect to get randomly rained on- you're in Hawaii and that happens several times a day. Don't turn your back to the water- I was running my mouth and got knocked out twice by the waves (can't be cute with a mouth full of sand rofl.) read more
This iconic landscape is by far one of the busiest beach playgrounds for all ages. With Diamond Head State Monument basking in the background, the beautiful coastline is sheltered by a large reef that creates consistent sets of gentle waves made for easy, laidback surfing. If you can handle the huge crowds, mainly tourists seeking that classic Hawaiian Kine suntan (or popular lobster red sun burn) Today, I have come prepared to watch the 4th of July canoe regatta and cheer on Team Hui Nalu! Of course I have come prepared for an all day out door adventure; umbrella, high backed folding chair with mini table, cooler with snacks & ice cold beverages and lots of sun block! The wave riding life guards are busy rescuing the many outrigger canoes that succumb to the relentless surf and do the infamous Hui flip and roll! The gorgeous bikini clad ladies from all regions of the world are also very appealing for those on Babe watch. The trade winds are blowing enough to keep you cool in the shade. Seeing the Hawaiian State flag flying next to Old Glory here on the beach, reminds me of the sweet freedom we have. I am so blessed to be apart of the Land of the Free, thanks to the Brave, Our Defenders of Freedom! Shaka to all that strive to keep our beaches pristine and safe! Spread the Aloha and THROW A SHAKA INSTEAD OF SAND! read more
Waikiki Beach is a picture perfect beach. The crescent shape, nice sand, accessibility, color of the water, all make it ideal. Now as a practical matter, the beach is a bit crowded. And if you swim, you must stay aware of your surroundings because there's so much activity- beginner surfers, boats, and everything else right near swimmers. But I had a blast swimming about 600 yards up and back. Exercise caution- there are coral areas that can cut your feet. Wear water shoes or be extra careful to avoid the coral. Sun screen is a must- I recommend applying a good layer of SPF 100. The sun is intense. Also, consider swimming with a watch with a timer set to remind you when you reach your limit on sun exposure. Expect fees for chair and umbrellas. If you're cheap, like me, bring your own towel from your hotel and don't pay extra for a chair. read more
We were heading back to our Airbnb and decided to walk along Waikiki Beach. We started our stroll after we visited Halekulani on Saturday, March 2nd around 1:30pm. I have fond memories of this beach. The first time the roommate and I went to Hawaii together, we stayed at the Royal Hawaiian. Since I'm an early riser, I would head down to the roped off area and just hang out on the loungers until the roomie woke up. We'd basically do this every morning, so we hung out at Waikiki daily. I don't ever remember the beach feeling too crowded. This time, during our walk, it felt a lot more crowded. Still, I think it's a nice beach to hang out at. Especially for families with kids as you can go out quite a ways into the water before it gets deep. I remember walking for a while and it was still knee or thigh deep. Definitely worth visiting once. Especially if you're in the area. read more
Locals don't come to this beach. Only tourists do. There's no free parking, it's waaaay crowded now. Came here with some friends/family visiting. It's convenient for those already staying in Waikiki. No need to drive here and worry about parking. There are rentals right on the beach for the surfboards and beach umbrellas. Ugh, don't get me started on the beach umbrellas. There's a whole section fronting the beach between Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider hotels, "designated" for renting beach umbrellas. They take up quite a bit of space. Think rental was $60-$80 for 4 hours. Rates vary by how many hours. Coming in the early afternoon, you can't find a spot right away. Spend some time walking on the hot sand and under the hot sand. read more
4 years ago
While there are many great beaches on Oahu, Waikiki does have the appeal of being surrounded by everything. Shopping, eating, views, and tons of activities in addition to swimming and relaxing. read more
5 years ago
It's paradise for a busy city beach - this place is awesome. Usually when a beach is next door to tourist central and high rises everywhere it can get dirty and disgusting. But not this beach it is very lively and clean for being used by thousands a people everyday. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
The beach is amazing, the area is super busy and lots of people! The vast majority are there to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches on the island! My wife loves the crowds and hustle and bustle, me on the other hand like things a little more intimate and secluded. This beach is super busy! The water is perfect, people friendly, but for me a bit congested. But I did get a walk in early in the morning and it was majestic! read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
This beach is insanely riddled with people at any time of the day. So much so that I didn't even feel comfortable taking off my mask despite it being outdoors. It is definitely convenient with such a long strip of coast alongside Downtown Waikiki, but I'd highly recommend going further out to a less populated beach. Since the beach faces west, a view of the sunset can be seen. For sunrise, it's at most a red glow on the horizon. Early mornings have significantly less people, but still clearly visible in the waters. Honestly I had to photoshop out a ton of people to get a somewhat decent photo of the sunrise. As for the quality of the beach itself, both the sand and water is rather clear. I did not notice much pollution on the coast. In the section that I walked, I couldn't find restrooms, but perhaps they are located elsewhere. read more
Being from Miami, the last reason why Id come to Hawaii would be for Waikiki beach! It's overly touristic. I walked on it once and saw the sunsets. But I'm not a layout kinda person (in summer it is far too hot anyway). read more
5 years ago
Gorgeous beach but it is super crowded. We rented umbrellas and chairs and had a member of our party go stakeout a section for us early in the morning while we went to the aloha swap meet. If not for that we would not have had a spot! Despite the crowds the beach is beautiful and we had a ton of fun , the water was a bit rough. Not sure if that's a regular occurrence but it knocked me down a few times. Perfect beach day was had, we took ice, drinks , speakers etc. only negative is the chair and umbrella rentals end at 4pm. I was not ready to leave and could have stayed a few more hours! read more
2 years ago
We chose Prince Kuhio Beach as it is a contained swimming area (kind of like a lagoon) where we didn't have to be concerned with surfers and boogie boarders. The waves were very small due to the breakwater. This part of the beach is ideal for children and there were quite a few. This small beach was pretty packed but we easily found a spot to lay our towels down. There was a little shack behind us selling drinks from coconuts and pineapples (of course I had to have one). The ocean was emerald green, clear and the water was pretty temperate. This beach is kept very clean and there are life guards keeping it safe. Beautiful day on the beach, we will choose this spot in the future. read more
Nice beach with a nice view especially at sunset. It was within walking distance of the place I was staying at but it was overcrowded. During the evening there weren't as many people as during the daytime but still a lot of people. If you are looking to surf or go swimming I'd go to a different beach. read more
Beautiful beach in Hawaii. I am a beach person and really enjoyed spending a couple of hours at Waikiki Beach. It's very clean and the Pacific Ocean felt so good and refreshing. The water was clear and not salty at all. read more
6 years ago
Review #035 - 2020 My daughter loves the beach so we've been to a different beach almost everyday since we've been in Hawaii. She can spend all day at the beach, if I let her! We've been to other parts of Waikiki Beach, but this was our first time being in the heart of it. The water here is very clear and beautiful. The sand is nice and warm, maybe a little too warm. It does seem a lot busier in this area, especially since it was Valentine's Day so it's crowded. But it is a quick walk from my brother's place so I can't complain too much. read more
6 years ago
After having a quick lunch we walked down to the beach, turns out we were only 1/2 a block away. During peak hours this place is crowded like crazy more so on the weekends. So it's hard to find a spot on the sand unless you come really early. There were some days we came out early in the morning out for breakfast and we were able to catch a couple of shots of the sunrise, the beach was beautifully deserted. Well um except for the people camped out asleep but most did move on once people started arriving at the beach. They do have fireworks every Friday Night, if you find a good spot you can see them from Waikiki Beach. It's a pretty cool show. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Beautiful beach. clear and calm. Perfect for surfing and there are small fishes that swim around the shore right next to you. It is so shallow, perfect for kids and you won't have to worry about them drowning or yourself lol. Perfect weather and perfect temperature in the beach. Best Beach I have ever been to. I love that there are like no waves. Follow me on Instagram @willeatfood read more
While I can't say that this is my favorite beach in Hawaii, I can't deny how insanely beautiful it is. I mean, it's pretty obvious why it's so popular and heavily frequented by tourists. It's just super convenient! Just a few minutes walk from my hotel room and many other hotels in the area. It's right across the street from numerous restaurants and shopping. It's huge! There really is enough room for everyone to get a little piece of this pretty beach. While there are tons and tons of people, it's actually a great place to people watch if that's your thing. You can see the beautiful beach bodies... and the NOT so beautiful beach bodies roaming around the ocean. There are so many kids and even a few dogs that I spotted. Of course, there are many surfers who get out here early to catch the waves. The earlier you come out, the less crowded it will be. But, this is a beach that you can never fully have alone to yourself. In a way, that can be a good thing I guess. This is probably one of the few beaches where I'd feel safe to hang out at night. It's so close to downtown that it stays well lit, and again, people hang out here at all hours of the day and night. The water is clear and beautiful. Its' cold embrace against your skin will easily make you feel warm inside. If you're coming to Waikiki, you're almost guaranteed to stop by and take a dip or at least put your feet in the water when you walk by. if convenience and people watching is your thing, then this beach might very well be for you. read more
2 years ago
I absolutely love Waikiki beach and have so many special memories and experiences here. It has to be the most iconic beach in the world where Duke started surfing and introduced the sport to the world. The views are amazing with the crystal clear turquoise blue water. The majestic views of Diamond Head crater frame this special beach. There are so many places to walk, shop, eat, play and relax. A must place for you to visit if you can. read more
A fantastic beach to make memories with your family at. Came here in December of 2021 and our family really enjoyed our experience here. Great place to watch the sunset and the crowds are overall friendly and the vibes are good here. 4 Yelp stars and a recommended to come visit here. The beach is beautiful and there is plenty to do in the area. read more
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Honolulu, HI 96815
Waikiki
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Ask the Community - Waikiki Beach
Is there a public restroom here?
There are restrooms in several areas across the different sections of Waikiki beach, but you should use caution due to the homeless in the area who can be a mentally unstable or on drugs and/or alcohol.
Is there parking? If so, Can you park overnight here?
There's street parking. And no, I don't think there is overnight parking (might be able to with a permit)
How much is it to ride the catamaran? Thank you!
Here are a few different ones and they all have their different rates. I went on the yellow one a few years back and I believe it was $20 a person. But I was a long cruise & they had unlimited drinks. Well worth the cost of admission.
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Waikiki Beach - beaches - Updated August 2026
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