The Best Waikiki Beaches
The best Waikiki beach? It depends.
The best Waikiki beaches are different for activities like surfing, snorkeling, sunbathing, people watching, cultural activities and dining.
Though you have six gorgeous golden sand beaches to choose from, figure out first what you want to do!
First time to Oahu and no time to plan? You can’t go wrong selecting from these 5-star rated, immensely popular experiences! Reserve now (with free cancellation) before they get filled.
Don’t like where you are? Just walk a few minutes along the beach, and you’ll be in a totally different beach with a new vibe and other things to do!
Let’s explore each beach, working our way from western end: Kahanamoku Beach, Fort Derussy Beach, Royal Hawaiian Beach, Kuhio Beach, Queen’s Beach and the Kaimana Beach (Sans Souci Beach).
Duke Kahanamoku Beach
No, you won’t find his statue here (head to Kuhio Beach for a selfie with him).
Backed by the sprawling Hilton Hawaiian Village resort, Duke Kahanamoku Beach is known for its fine, golden sands and calm ocean waters protected by an offshore reef.
A family-friendly protected lagoon is adjacent to the resort and separated from the ocean waters.
You’ll often find this beach in the list of the top 10 best beaches of America from popular travel magazines.
The beach is named after Duke Kahanamoku, one of the most famous Hawaiian natives, Olympic medalist, swimmer and surfer, who grew up in the neighborhood.
Best Waikiki Beach for Fireworks Show & Families with Kids
Families with children can enjoy the protected lagoon while availing of excellent facilities, including showers, restrooms, and picnic areas.
A weekly Friday night fireworks show is hosted by the Hilton Hawaiian Village in front of the lagoon.
Turtle Canyon Snorkeling
The Turtle Canyon Snorkel from Waikiki Tour leaves from the Ala Wai Boat Harbor next to the beach, and is 5-star rated tour to Turtle Canyon off Waikiki Beach.
Turtle Canyon is a “turtle cleaning station”, a spot where you’ll see Hawaiian green sea turtles gather to get cleaned by tropical reef fish.
Atlantis Submarine Underwater Adventure
The popular, highly rated Waikiki Atlantis Submarine Adventure tour starts from the beachfront of the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort next to the Tropics Bar & Grill.
This submarine dive with a glass-bottom and panoramic windows, a popular adventure, is perfect for those who want to admire Hawaii’s underwater seascape without getting wet!
Fort DeRussy Beach
More relaxed and less developed than its neighboring beaches, Fort DeRussy Beach offers a serene grassy park with ample shade.
Best Waikiki Beach for Picnicking & Volleyball
The Fort DeRussy Beach Park has volleyball courts, ample green space and shade for recreational activities like family picnics.
The Military Museum nearby can add a touch of history to your beach day.
Private Surfing Lessons
Want to learn surfing? Private group surfing lessons are available next to DeRussy Beach, offering you and your family a personalized experience.
More affordable semi-private surfing lessons are also available.
Royal Hawaiian Beach
With an energetic vibe, the Royal Hawaiian Beach is the nerve center of Waikiki Beach, lined with rental stands, beach bars and live entertainment.
The pink, renovated and luxurious Royal Hawaiian Hotel, one of the first hotels on Waikiki Beach, is an iconic landmark known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific”.
They offer beachside service, so grab a mai-tai to chill while relaxing on the beach!
You get exceptional views of the Diamond Head crater from this section of the beach, views you’ll see plastered on Tshirts and picture postcards.
Best Waikiki Beach for Water Activities & People Watching
Into water sports? Beach stalls rent everything you’ll need: surfboards, paddleboards, outrigger canoes, snorkeling gear and beach gear.
Cultural activities such as lei making, ukulele lessons, and Hawaiian storytelling are offered by the Royal Hawaiian.
Kuhio Beach
Kuhio Beach is a very popular and central Waikiki Beach area because there are no hotels lining this stretch of the beach.
The sandy beach backs onto Kalakaua Avenue, where you can snap a selfie with the Duke Kahanamoku statue along Kalakaua Avenue.
A vast swimming area with calm waters called Kuhio Ponds lies behind ocean rock wall barriers and surf breaking reefs, and you’ll find young kids splashing around and having fun, protected from the large ocean waves.
Best Waikiki Beach for Swimming & Cultural Shows
Due to enclosed sea walls, Kuhio Ponds is the best swimming area on Waikiki Beach for kids and beginning swimmers.
Kuhio Beach is considered the cultural hub of Waikiki Beach with torch lighting ceremonies, Duke’s Statue lei draping ceremony and free beachside hula shows held in the evenings.
The iconic Kapahulu Pier that stretches into the ocean is a favorite romantic walk at sunset for honeymooning couples! You also get a great view of the Friday fireworks from the pier.
One of the favorite Waikiki Beach surf breaks, Canoes, is located in front of the landmark Moana Hotel.
Waikiki Beach Sunset Sail
Catamarans and boats come right upto the beach, and you can book a tour to view sunsets,
Queen’s Beach (Queen Kapi’olani Beach)
Next up and heading towards the Diamond Head end of Waikiki is the Queen’s Beach, and you will leave the touristy vibe of Kuhio Beach to a much more local vibe.
With the grassy and green areas of Kapi’olani Regional Park and the Kapiolani Beach Park at the back, and the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District on waters fronting the beach, Queen’s Beach offers a totally different vibe compared to the neighboring Kuhio Beach.
Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo are located in the near vicinity.
Best Waikiki Beach for Snorkeling
The best snorkeling on Waikiki Beach is at Queen’s Beach. With the protection of the Marine Life Conservation District, you’ll see larger fish, bigger schools, and more species!
With a surf break called the Publics, surfing and bodyboarding on Queens Beach is also popular, and you’ll see many outfits conducting lessons here.
Diamond Head Luau at the Waikiki Aquarium
One of the best cultural experiences in Hawaii is a luau, a traditional Hawaiian cuisine feast with cultural activities like making leis and entertainment typically involving flame throwing dancers silhouetted against an ocean backdrop.
The Diamond Head Luau at the Waikiki Aquarium is right off Waikiki Beach.
Queens Beach Surfing Lessons
If you want to try your hand at surfing, check out these affordable group lessons or this 5-star rated 1-to-1 private surfing lessons.
Kaimana Beach (Sans Souci Beach)
Beyond the Waikiki Aquarium is San Souci Beach, a section of Waikiki Beach favored by endurance swimmers and triathletes due to its clear waters and peaceful setting.
The least crowded of all the Waikiki Beaches, Kaimana Beach is mostly frequented by local families on weekends.
Best Waikiki Beach for Avoiding Crowds
Can’t handle the crowds on the other Waikiki beaches? Kaimana Beach is the perfect spot to curl up with a book or some private sunbathing.