Waikiki

Waikiki is Honolulu’s city within a city dedicated to fun and sun. Stroll down the main oceanfront thoroughfare, Kalakaua Avenue, and place a lei on the Duke Kahanamoku surfer statue; splash in the surfer’s namesake Kahanamoku Lagoon; shop in one of several open-air malls; grab lunch along the way for a picnic in Kapiolani Park; and see the sunset behind the profile of Diamond Head.

Waikiki sightseeing tours by trolley or Segway are a great way to learn about the area and cover greater distances than you can on foot. For a different perspective, take to the water aboard a sunset dinner cruise, or get on the water in this watersports wonderland: Learn to surf, take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson, or try kayaking, parasailing, or scuba diving. Many Oahu tours, including circle-island tours and helicopter tours, depart Waikiki and allow visitors to see sights beyond Waikiki Beach.

• Waikiki is a must-see for first-timers to Oahu, families, sunbathers, and more.

• Oahu enjoys daytime temperatures that hover around 80°F (27°C) year-round. But come nightfall in spring and winter, it can get cool—bring an extra layer if you plan to be out past sunset.

• Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen. and sunglasses. Though if you do, several ABC Stores—a Hawaii retail chain—offer replacements along Kalakaua Avenue.

Waikiki, a 3.4-square-mile (8.8-square-kilometer) neighborhood in southeast Honolulu, encompasses everything between Ala Wai Boulevard, Kapahulu Avenue, and the oceanfront. It is serviced by several local bus routes, including the 2, 8, 9, 13, and 22. By road, the area is within 30 minutes of most main Oahu attractions, including the 23 sites covered by the Waikiki Historic Trail, Pearl Harbor and the USSMissouri andArizona memorials, Iolani Palace, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, the popular snorkeling haunt of Hanauma Bay, and Sea Life Park Hawaii.

Waikiki’s peak season coincides with the United States’ spring, summer, and winter school holidays. If you plan to visit during these times, it pays to book tours and hotels well in advance. Several of the region’s best (and most unusual) festivals, such as the parades and cultural demonstrations of the Aloha Festival in September and the Waikiki Spam Jam in April, beckon in the off-season.

Balmy Waikiki provides a tropical respite to the mainland’s chilly winters, but in these months the rains are more frequent, the waves can be wilder, and temperatures still dip a bit—expect 77 to 82°F (25 to 28°C) as opposed to summer’s 82 to 89°F (28 to 32°C). Still, warm-weather seekers will be in good company: Between November and March, hordes of humpback whales migrate down from chilly Alaska to mate, splash, and put on a show for eager onlookers.

No, the Pink Line of the Waikiki Trolley is not free. If you want to ride the trolley, you’ll need to buy a ticket online or through a licensed dealer. A variety of ticket types are available, including single-line, 1-day tickets and all-line passes for 1, 4, and 7 days.

You should give yourself at least three days to visit Waikiki, though many people stay a week or longer. With more days in town, you’ll have time to visit other spots within driving distance, including Pearl Harbor, the Dole Plantation, and the beaches of Oahu’s North Shore.

Yes, it is easy to get around Waikiki without a car. The area is walkable, and there are plenty of public transportation options, including hop-on hop-off trolleys. Taxis and rideshares abound, and travelers who wish to explore further afield also can book private and group tours.

The best time of year in Waikiki depends on what kind of weather you like. Summer weather is the driest and tends to be slightly warmer, and these months typically attract more visitors. Winter has cooler weather with a bit more rainfall, and crowds ease up after the New Year.

The busiest months in Waikiki correspond with US holidays. The summer vacation season runs from June–August and draws plenty of vacationers, while December gets holiday travelers. You also can expect crowds around Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Early fall and spring tend to be calmer, but Waikiki is generally busy year-round.

The fastest—but most expensive—way to get from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor is to take a taxi, which will whisk you between the two spots in about 25 minutes. The bus is cheaper but can take more than an hour. Tours provide an alternative, and many include tickets and hotel pickup.