Waikiki is perhaps the most visited neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is famous around the world for its beach line. It is one of the proffered holiday destinations when talking about tropical exotics. Located in the southern part of Honolulu, Waikiki is one of the most expensive part of the city.
The name Waikiki literally translates to “fresh water”. It is associated with the many springs and rivers that once separated the neighborhood from the mainland. Most of the city’s interior is made up of all sorts of hotels, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.
The popularity of Waikiki as a tourist destination comes with the construction of the first Moana Surfrider hotel on its shore in 1901. Since then, the area has managed to become Honolulu’s most preferred and premium tourist area, with house prices increasing each year. Waikiki is also the only place to boast a royal palace. The reason for this is that as early as 1800, the Royal Hawaiian leaders loved surfing along the coast.
Waikiki beach water sports and activities
This is is one of the best spots to surf. Duke Kahanamoku, who a legendary Hawaiian surfer and the father of the modern surf, achieved a lot in this sport, practicing on the waves of Waikiki beach. Because of his great achievements, his statue has been erected as a Honolulu emblem.
Today, many tourists in this first class resort have the opportunity to hire a private surfer. Against the backdrop of the gigantic volcano crater Diamond Head, surfing on Waikiki Beach is an incomparable experience. You can practice virtually every water sport besides swimming and surfing. There are excellent conditions for body boarding, diving, windsurfing, paragliding, canoeing, catamaran sailing and even fishing.
Things to do
On the opposite sidewalk along the beach is where you can find the best shopping, dining, entertainment and all kinds of activities. The alley follows the full length of 2 miles of the most popular beach in Hawaii. Here, in the eastern part of the strip, right beside Diamond Head, there is also the pleasant Kapiolani Park, where you can have a picnic or just relax on the lawn with a book in hand. During the summer weekends, there are mini-film festivals at Waikiki Beach, near the park.
Waikiki can offer even more pleasant sights that you shouldn’t miss. You have to visit the Honolulu Zoo and the world-famous Waikiki Aquarium. This kingdom of the water world is a must-stop for every tourist. It exists since 1904. The aquarium is located next to Kapiolani Park, on the coastline. The Waikiki Aquarium is the third oldest in the United States and offers a huge variety of 500 species of seafarers and 3000 naval exhibits.
If you like shopping or just to have fun with your family go to Kuhio Avenues. Or you can also visit the Waikiki Beach Walk park and the Royal Hawaiian Center. We also recommend you to visit Pearl Harbor, the Botanical Garden, Iolani Palace and the historical monuments of Nuuanu Pali Lookout, as well as go to Hanauma Bay. They are only about half an hour from Waikiki.