Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters," Waikiki was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikiki is Oahu's main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.
Waikiki is most famous for its beaches and every room is just two or three blocks away from the sea. With Leahi (Diamond Head) as your backdrop, the calm waters of Waikiki are perfect for a surfing lesson. In fact, legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku grew up surfing the waves of Waikiki. This Olympic gold medalist in swimming actually taught visitors how to surf at the turn of the century and was later known as "The father of modern surfing." Today, the Waikiki Beach Boys perpetuate Duke's legacy by teaching visitors how to surf and canoe and the Duke Kahanamoku Statue has become an iconic symbol of Waikiki.
But there's more to Waikiki than just the beach. Attractions of Waikiki like the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium offer fun for the whole family. You can learn about the history of Waikiki by reading the surfboard markers along the Waikiki Historical Trail. Among the various things to do, fantastic shopping and dining can be found all along Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues and at gathering places like the Royal Hawaiian Center and the Waikiki Beach Walk. And the fun keeps going long after the Waikiki sunset with amazing nightlife and live music.
Best of all, Waikiki is within a half hour of a variety of Oahu attractions, including Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout and Hanauma Bay. Other notable points of interest nearby include Ala Moana Center, the local neighborhood of Kapahulu and the arts district of Chinatown.
From Hawaiian royalty to Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Waikiki continues to be an evolving expression of the ancient spirit of aloha. On these famous shores, the past and the future are uniting in fresh and surprising ways.
Magic Island Beach Park
Just minutes west from Waikiki, this half-mile beach is protected by a fringing reef for calm waters. Extending out from the beach is Magic Island, a man-made peninsula with large seawalls and a shallow lagoon, making it a perfect place for keiki (children) to swim. Tables are available for picnics.
In addition to being a beautiful weekend destination for Hawaii visitors and local families, Magic Island is a popular venue for weddings, holiday celebrations, and special events such as 4th of July fireworks shows and the Honolulu Family Festival.
Magic Island is located on the east end of Ala Moana Beach Park between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, and more specifically between the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and Ala Moana Beach. The street address for Ala Moana Beach Park is 1201 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii. Arrive early on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays because Ala Moana Park and the Magic Island parking lot fill up fast on weekends.
Waikiki Aquarium
Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawaii since 1919, the Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,000 marine specimens. New Hawaiian Green Sea turtle exhibit. Peppermint Angelfish one of the Ocean’s rarest fish. Only one on display for the public in the world. Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Exhibit.
The Aquarium is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Admission prices: $12 Adults, $5 Children (4-12), FREE Children 3 & under, $8 Kama ‘aina, $8 Active Duty Military, $5 Seniors(65+), $5 persons with disabilities, FREE Fowa Board Members
2014 marks the 110th anniversary of the aquarium making the Waikiki Aquarium the 2nd oldest in the United States.
For more information about the Waikiki Aquarium, including membership and facility rentals, please call 808-923-9741 or visit www.waquarium.org.
Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo is open 9:00 am to 5:30 pm daily. The last entry is taken at 4:30 pm. We are open every day except Christmas Day.
Memberships are available for families for $40 a year and give you free admission, discounts in the shop, snack bar, and on our educational programs, plus the newsletter "Zoo View".
The Zoo is 42 acres and home to 995 different animals from the tropics. Komodo Dragons, orang-utans, elephants, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of African animals can be seen daily. Be sure to see the wildest place in Waikiki!
Twilight Tours of the Zoo are held every Saturday night from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. These walking tours are led by a guide and are appropriate adults and families with kids ages 5 and up. Please call (809) 971-7195 to register.
Aloha!
Ala Moana Shopping Center
Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest shopping center located in Honolulu just minutes from Waikiki, is an open-air shopping oasis. Ala Moana Center currently features more than 290 stores, including 80 dining options, one of the largest collections of luxury retailers in the world, four major department stores (Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sears) and several only-in-Hawai’i retailers featuring locally-made products.
The Ala Moana Shopping Trolley provides convenient transportation between the Center and 10 locations in Waikiki, every 10 minutes during Center hours.
Open Monday through Saturday 9:30am to 9:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am to 7:00pm. Department stores, restaurants and holiday hours may vary.
Join the Ala Moana Center eVIP Club and receive information about fashion, new store openings, exclusive offers, Center events, and more emailed directly to you. Visit our website to join now.
Diamond Head
The iconic silhouette of Diamond Head State Monument sits along the Honolulu skyline just beyond Waikiki. This 760-foot tuff crater is one of Hawaii's most famous landmarks.
Known as Leahi (brow of the tuna) in Hawaiian, the crater was named Diamond Head by 19th century British sailors who thought they discovered diamonds on the crater's slopes. These "diamonds" were actually shiny calcite crystals that had no value.
Formed more than 100,000 years ago, the crater was used as a strategic military lookout beginning in the early 1900's and was named a National Natural Landmark in 1968. Today, Diamond Head is a popular hiking destination with panoramic views of Waikiki and Oahu's south shore.
It only takes a short drive or bus ride to get to Diamond Head Crater from Waikiki. This moderately challenging trail includes two sets of stairs, totaling 175 steps, as well as dark, underground tunnels and old military bunkers that require a flashlight. The stunning views that greet you at the top of Diamond Head are well worth the effort.
If you plan to hike on Saturday morning, don’t forget to stop by the Kapiolani Community College Farmer's Market — Oahu's premier farmers market showcasing locally grown food and produce — across the street from the monument entrance on Monsarrat Avenue. In fact, there are a few notable cafes and restaurants lining Monsarrat that will make for a great pre or post Diamond Head meal.
Royal Hawaiian Center
The Center has more than 100 shops and restaurants to excite every taste! Royal Hawaiian Center, the premiere shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in Waikiki, consists of more than 310,000 square feet along a three-block stretch of Waikiki's famed Kalakaua Avenue. The Center has more than 100 shops and restaurants to excite every taste!
Complimentary music, hula, and cultural classes are available in the Royal Grove. It is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and beyond with late-night rendezvous hot spots.
World Famous Waikiki Strip
Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters," Waikiki was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikiki is Oahu's main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.
Waikiki is most famous for its beaches and every room is just two or three blocks away from the sea. With Leahi (Diamond Head) as your backdrop, the calm waters of Waikiki are perfect for a surfing lesson. In fact, legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku grew up surfing the waves of Waikiki. This Olympic gold medalist in swimming actually taught visitors how to surf at the turn of the century and was later known as "The father of modern surfing." Today, the Waikiki Beach Boys perpetuate Duke's legacy by teaching visitors how to surf and canoe and the Duke Kahanamoku Statue has become an iconic symbol of Waikiki.
But there's more to Waikiki than just the beach. Attractions of Waikiki like the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium offer fun for the whole family. You can learn about the history of Waikiki by reading the surfboard markers along the Waikiki Historical Trail. Among the various things to do, fantastic shopping and dining can be found all along Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues and at gathering places like the Royal Hawaiian Center and the Waikiki Beach Walk. And the fun keeps going long after the Waikiki sunset with amazing nightlife and live music.
Best of all, Waikiki is within a half hour of a variety of Oahu attractions, including Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout and Hanauma Bay. Other notable points of interest nearby include Ala Moana Center, the local neighborhood of Kapahulu and the arts district of Chinatown.
From Hawaiian royalty to Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Waikiki continues to be an evolving expression of the ancient spirit of aloha. On these famous shores, the past and the future are uniting in fresh and surprising ways.