Last Updated on October 15, 2025 by Tori Pines
Let’s face it, Hawaii has a reputation for being pricey. But that doesn’t mean your trip to Oahu’s most iconic spot, Waikiki, has to break the bank. In fact, some of the best things to do in Waikiki are completely free. From sunrise hikes and nightly hula shows to beach days and fireworks, you’ll find plenty of ways to soak up the aloha spirit without spending a dime.
Whether you’re visiting Waikiki with family, friends, or solo, here are 15 free things to do in Waikiki, Hawaii, that deserve a spot on your itinerary, plus some of my best tips to make the most of each one.
Free Things to do in Waikiki Map
1. Watch the Sunrise Over Diamond Head
If you’re coming from the mainland, your body clock will probably wake you up early for the first few days. Take advantage of it! Watching the sunrise in Waikiki is a beautiful and peaceful way to start your day. Another plus, is you’ll get to watch the surfers. Every single day there are tons of people out on the water surfing at sunrise, they’re so much fun to watch!
If you’re lucky enough to have a hotel room with a view of the water, sit out on your balcony and enjoy the sky changing colors. Otherwise, go grab some coffee and walk to Waikiki Beach, sit in the sand and have the best start to the day!
If you’d rather spend a few bucks, you can pay to enter Diamond Head and hike to the top for sunrise. I loved hiking Diamond Head at sunrise the first morning of one of our trips to Oahu! But it does cost $5 per person to enter, plus $10 to park. It’s one of the best sunrise hikes on Oahu.
Tori Tip: I highly recommend packing a Teema Towel to sit on at the beach, you won’t regret it. There are so many great ways to use it. At the beach and pool, as a blanket on the plane, as a picnic blanket, etc. It’s my favorite travel item!
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2. Lay Out on Waikiki Beach
Yes, it’s obvious, but it’s iconic for a reason. Waikiki Beach is free, beautiful, and packed with energy. You can swim, sunbathe, people-watch, or even snorkel in the calmer, protected areas.
It can get very busy, so just accept that you won’t have a ton of sand to yourself. If you want the most relaxation, get out there early before the crowds hit by 9 or 10am.
Tori Tip: Since you won’t be able to bring beach chairs or umbrellas with you to Hawaii, you either need to buy them when you get there or rent. Renting can be super expensive, but some hotels do include the use of chairs for free with your stay, so look into the included amenities first! Otherwise, I highly recommend checking out the Facebook group “Pass it On” where people pass along their chairs and other beach items (umbrellas, coolers and even food) so that they get more life, and you dont have to spend the money! Or if you do buy chairs, (at Target or Walmart or the ABC store) then I encourage you to pass them on through this group!
3. Walk Kalākaua Avenue
Waikiki’s main strip is always buzzing with energy. From performers and musicians to pop-up vendors and street art, there’s always something happening. You can spend hours a day browsing shops, admiring the statues, grabbing free samples, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Tori Tip: Look out for live hula dancing or ukulele shows near the Royal Hawaiian Center or International Market Place.
4. Watch the Friday Night Fireworks
Every Friday night around 7:45 PM, the Hilton Hawaiian Village sets off a free fireworks show over the beach. It’s short but magical, and watching it from the sand is a Waikiki must. Anywhere along Waikiki Beach with a clear view of the Hilton has a view of the show. The Sheraton Waikiki can block the show from certain spots, so you either need to get just around the Sheraton, or go further down the strip!
Tori Tip: Grab a Hula Pie from Duke’s to-go window or shave ice or dessert beforehand and make it a sweet little picnic!
5. See a Free Hula Show
You don’t need to splurge on a luau to experience Hawaiian culture. Catch a free hula show at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound (near the Duke statue) on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6:30 PM.
Tori Tip: Arrive a bit early to grab a good spot, bring your Teema Towel to sit on!
6. Snap a Photo with the Duke Statue
Right in the heart of Waikiki, the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian legend and the father of modern surfing, stands with open arms, welcoming all.
Tori Tip: It’s a classic photo op, especially at sunset. Look for fresh lei draped around his neck, locals often leave them in tribute.
7. Go Snorkeling
There’s no admission fee to dive into the turquoise waters of Waikiki, and snorkeling on Oahu is SO much fun since there’s so much to see! You can pay to rent snorkel gear, but for free (or cheaper in the long run), you can bring your own gear with you! We bring our own snorkel gear when we go to Hawaii to save a lot of money and not have to rent it each time.
You can just walk into the water off of Waikiki Beach and see fish and turtle! Want something even calmer? Walk toward the Hilton Hawaiian Village and check out the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, a man-made saltwater pool perfect for snorkeling, especially with kids.
When snorkeling, I recommend wearing a rash guard, they make super cute ones these days! For a full list of what to wear in Hawaii, check out my what to wear in Hawaii post!
Tori Tip: The most famous spot on the island to snorkel is at Hanauma Bay, but it does cost about $25 per person to enter.
8. Explore the Royal Hawaiian Center
Even if you’re not shopping, the Royal Hawaiian Center is worth wandering through. It often hosts free cultural activities like lei-making, hula lessons, or ukulele demos. It’s fun for adults and kids alike. There’s also tons of delicious restaurants located here. My husband and I love Doraku Sushi, but there’s also a great food court there with inexpensive options!
Tori Tip: Check their website or walk past their info booth for a weekly event schedule.
9. Stroll the International Market Place
Another fun, free Waikiki experience is exploring the International Market Place. The banyan trees, open-air layout, and koi ponds make it a peaceful break from the beach.
Tori Tip: If you’re visiting in the evening, you might catch a free hula show here too, usually around 6:30 PM.
10. Watch the Surfers from Shore
Even if you’re not hopping on a board, it’s mesmerizing to watch the surfers at Waikiki, especially during the early morning or just before sunset. There are hundreds of them out there all day long, so no matter when you go there will be surfers to watch! Plus, with Diamond Head in the background, it’s the most gorgeous setting!
Tori Tip: Want to join in? Consider taking a paid surf lesson another day. I loved Ty Gurney Surf School! I had never surfed a day in my life, yet for my hour long session I rode tons of waves in. It was SO much fun and I cannot recommend it more to everyone who visits Hawaii. It’s my favorite fun thing to do in Waikiki!
11. Catch the Sunset Every Night
Sunsets in Waikiki are a daily event. The sky lights up with golds, pinks, and purples as the sun drops behind the ocean. Locals and tourists alike gather on the beach to watch the magic. You can bring your Teema Towel and watch it from Waikiki Beach, have dinner on a patio of a restaurant like Hula Grill (if you want to pair it with dinner), or head to Sky Waikiki rooftop.
Tori Tip: Make it extra memorable and grab dinner or dessert to-go and have a beach picnic as the sun sets.
12. Visit the Honolulu Zoo Gardens (Outside)
While the Honolulu Zoo itself isn’t free, you can still walk around the beautiful surrounding park and gardens, and sometimes you’ll hear the animals from the outside! There’s also a great restaurant right on the beach not far from the zoo. It has yummy food, delicious drinks and a great happy hour! Plus, it’s a good spot to watch the fireworks too!
Tori Tip: Located on the quieter eastern edge of Waikiki, it’s a peaceful place for a morning walk.
13. Browse Waikiki’s Farmers & Craft Markets
Happening multiple days a week, these local markets are fun to explore and completely free to browse. For a full listing of current markets and local events click here. Try these:
- Waikiki Farmers Market (Hyatt Regency, Mon & Wed 4–8 PM)
- Aloha Market (Sun mornings)
Tori Tip: Even if you’re not buying, many vendors offer free samples, so come hungry!
14. Join a Free Walking Tour
A few local guides offer free walking tours of Honolulu and Waikiki. These are tip-based, so you pay what you want, but technically they’re free!
This is such a great way to learn more about the area, both the history and current information about the city and the rest of the island!
Tori Tip: These are great for learning more about Waikiki’s history and culture than you’ll get on your own.
15. Whale watching
Depending on the time of the year that you visit Waikiki, you might be able to see whales right off the coast! The winter months are when you’ll spot whales, we saw them most recently on our trip to Oahu in February! If your hotel room has views of the water, be sure to spend some time on your balcony with eyes peeled (and binoculars in hand). There’s a great chance you’ll see at least one if not many throughout your stay.
If you have a car and want to leave Waikiki, one of the best places to spot whales from shore is along the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. It’s one of the best things to do on Oahu and is super family friendly and accessible since the path is paved. And if you don’t want to do the entire hike, there’s an amazing whale watching lookout just a few minutes into the hike!
Tori Tip: And for a not free option, you can of course hop on a whale watching tour. We did this whale watching tour and had so much fun for around $45 per person.
Bonus: Cheap Things to do in Waikiki
While there are many completely free things to do in Waikiki, there are also a whole bunch of super inexpensive things to do in Waikiki as well! I have a full article on free and cheap things to do throughout Oahu that can help you plan out the rest of your vacation while still keeping the budget super low!
Final Tori Tips for Saving in Waikiki
- Pack snorkel gear from home so you don’t have to rent it.
- Bring a reusable water bottle, there are fill stations all over.
- Check your hotel for free classes, many offer yoga, hula, or lei-making! The Marriott Waikiki has amazing free activities that we really enjoyed during our babymoon in Hawaii!
- Use Facebook groups like “Pass It On Oahu” for free beach gear left by other travelers.
You Don’t Need to Spend Big to Enjoy Waikiki
Some of the best moments in Waikiki come from simple things, watching the surfers, listening to live music, or catching a killer sunset with a shave ice in hand. Whether you’re traveling with kids, doing a couples getaway, or solo adventuring, there are so many free things to do in Waikiki that are just as good (if not better) than the expensive tours.
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