Waikiki Beach, Oahu

The most popular beach in Hawaii

For decades Oahu’s Waikiki Beach has been a mecca for tourists from all around the world. In 1937, Bing Crosby sang tenderly about it in the celebrated film Waikiki Wedding, and even today, this two-mile stretch of beach, perpetually covered with colorful umbrellas and bathing beauties, is still all that it’s hyped up to be. There is something for everyone here, and returning guests never tire of the breathtaking landscape or the plentitude of activities offered at the beach and in its surrounding area.

On the eastern end of Waikiki, at the foothills of Diamond Head, lies the stunning Kapiolani Park. It features picnic tables, restrooms and shower facilities. On weekends, beachgoers are invited to attend a film festival near the park, in which movies are screened in the open air.

Those who are athletically inclined will find that Waikiki is one of the most convenient locations to partake in a host of watersports, including snorkeling, surfing, bodyboarding, parasailing and even outrigger canoe riding. Equipment for these sports is available for rent right on the beach, and lifeguards are regularly on duty to answer questions about water conditions and general safety.

Many bars, hotels and restaurants with live music speckle the street opposite the beachfront, ensuring that Waikiki is as happening during the night as it is during the day. For visitors to Honolulu, a stopover at Waikiki Beach is a must. Come for the sun, the sand, the recreation, the history—and most especially, for the crowds.