Last Updated on January 12, 2025 by Tori Pines
As a tourist visiting Oahu, Hawaii, there’s a very good chance you’ll be visiting Waikiki. It’s the tourist epicenter of Oahu and Hawaii as a whole. And while it might get a bad rap for being overly touristy, and it definitely is, there’s a good reason for it. It’s beautiful, fun, and there are so many great things to do in Waikiki.
And while it is definitely incredibly packed, and very touristy, we love spending time in Waikiki. There are many more unique things to do in Waikiki than just sit on the beach or go shopping. But don’t worry, I encourage some of that as well.
But be sure to experience as much of Waikiki and Hawaiian culture as possible while you’re here. And most importantly, spend plenty of time exploring the rest of the island as well!
This post may contain affiliate links for activities, destinations and products that I love, and think you will too!
Best Places to Stay in Waikiki
On the island of Oahu, there are three main areas to stay. Ko’olina has a few large resorts that are very expensive and very family friendly. Turtle Bay on the North Shore is a large complex for a super relaxed and more remote option. And the most common, Waikiki, is a very busy area with tons of hotels.
There are SO many places to stay in Waikiki that it can be very overwhelming. Here’s a few of my favorites that I recommend!
Looking into a travel credit card? I swear by the Southwest Credit Card for earning free flights around the US and the chance to earn the companion pass where you can take anyone on a flight with you for FREE!
Sheraton Waikiki: Easily the best hotel to choose in Waikiki. The Sheraton is super big with lots of rooms, two stunning pools, gorgeous ocean and Diamond Head views and the rooms are modern and clean! Plus, it is within super quick walking distance to almost all of the things to do in Waikiki!
Waikiki Marriott Resort: Another place we enjoy staying is the Marriott Waikiki. It is on the very end of the Waikiki strip closest to Diamond Head which makes it super easy to get there early in the morning for a Diamond Head sunrise hike! The rooms are bright and modern and every room has a view of the ocean. They also offer tons of free activities each day for adults and kids!
Hilton Hawaiian Village: The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a super popular place to stay on Oahu and is especially family friendly. It is located just a bit outside of the main Waikiki strip, but is still within walking distance to everything. The property is huge with tons of amenities and things to do!
Want more great travel articles? I have many more blog posts coming soon, so join my email list to ensure you never miss a post!
Map of the Best Things to do in Waikiki
The Best Things to do in Waikiki
1. Take Surf Lessons
It’s a super iconic thing to do in Waikiki; go surfing! But I would bet that most people visiting Hawaii for the first time probably have never surfed. So don’t worry if you have zero experience. Book a surf lesson with Ty Gurney Surf School and you will be standing up on the board in no time!
I’ll be completely honest here, I am not a very athletic person. Sure, I played some sports growing up but…my husband definitely giggles at my lack of skills with most sports. Yet, despite that, I managed to catch several waves during my 30-minute lesson, and had SO much fun!!!
You can book group classes, doubles classes, or individual classes, which is what I did. I cannot recommend the 1 on 1 class enough. This allows the instructor to stay with you the whole time and helps you swim out past the waves after each one you ride in. This was by far the best part for me, because paddling back out is EXHAUSTING! So It’s definitely worth the extra money.
For other surf school options, check out these surf lessons!
2. Go for a Ride on a Sunset Cruise
Easily, without a doubt, the second best thing to do in Waikiki is to go on a sunset cruise. They typically take off right from the main strip of Waikiki Beach and ride along the gorgeous coastline for about 90 minutes as the sun goes down.
You’ll listen to island music, drink Mai Tai’s, admire Diamond Head and take in that gorgeous sunset. We have made it a tradition to book the sunset cruise on our first night each trip to Oahu, as it is the perfect way to get into the island vibes. It is the most beautiful and relaxing experience that you can imagine!
While there are many companies who offer sunset cruises from Waikiki, we love going with Mai Tai Catamaran! But there are plenty of other sunset cruises to choose from as well.
And if you’re visiting Oahu in the winter then keep your eyes peeled for whales!
Love to travel? Join my Facebook group to be a part of a small community of fellow travel lovers! Get inspiration for your next trip, ask and answer questions and make new friends who also love exploring the world!
3. Watch the Sunrise
Wondering why I would tell you to wake up early on vacation? Well in Hawaii, watching the sunrise is much easier than when you’re at home if you live on the mainland U.S. Your body will take a while to adjust to the time change (or never, if you’re like me) so you’ll naturally wake up early enough to watch the sunrise!
Waikiki faces southwest, so to get good views of the sunrise you’ll have to have a hotel room facing east (and preferably on a higher floor) or head over to Diamond Head (or one of the other great sunrise hikes on the island) and hike to the top of the crater. More on that below!
As for the hotel views, I cannot recommend the Sheraton Waikiki enough! You’ll want to book the Diamond Head view room to get these stunning sunrises like we had. It’s one of the best things to do in Waikiki! So get up early, go grab some coffee and sit out on your balcony each morning watching the sunrise over Waikiki and watch the surfers heading out to get the first waves of the day.
Watching the sunrise from the top of Diamond Head is worth the effort, as the sun peeks up over the ocean and the sky turns gold. I’ll tell you more about the hike below!
4. Watch the Sunset
One of the best things about being on an island is that you can watch the sunrise and sunset over the water! Waikiki faces mostly west, so you are treated to fabulous sunset views from the beach.
Everyone flocks to the sand every evening to watch the sky change colors and the golden sun dip below the Pacific Ocean.
While you can head to the beach, sit on your balcony, or hang out on one of the many hotel rooftops for sunset, my absolute favorite spot to watch the sunset in Waikiki is while having dinner at Hula Grill. More on that later!
5. Watch the Fireworks
Will you be in Waikiki on a Friday night? Then you’re in luck! Each Friday there’s a beautiful fireworks show set off from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. So take a seat from almost anywhere along the beach at 7:45pm and enjoy the show. We got to see them on our most recent trip, and it was so cool to see how the whole bustling city just stopped and paused for a few minutes. It was so peaceful.
6. Hike Diamond Head
It’s the backdrop of almost every Waikiki photo you’ve ever seen, and just a quick drive from the main strip. Hiking Diamond Head is one of the best things to do in Waikiki for anyone, the hike is short and pretty easy!
I have a lot more information that I share in my post about hiking Diamond Head, but one important thing to know is that reservations are required! So be sure to reserve your spot, throw on your sneakers and head to the top of the crater for beautiful views of Waikiki, the ocean and much of the island.
I highly recommend the Diamond Head hike for sunrise to get extra special views! We did the hike for sunrise during our last trip to Waikiki and it was so much fun! I was 7 months pregnant and still managed to make my way to the top.
7. Eat Poke
It’s a classic Hawaiian dish, and definitely should not be missed on your vacation in Waikiki! Poke has definitely become increasingly more popular on the mainland in the past several years, but has been a staple of Hawaiian cuisine for decades.
You can find poke all over Waikiki, including several shops right on the main strip. Poke Bar was delicious and super convenient. However, the best poke on the island will be found at the Foodland grocery stores. There’s two locations just a quick drive from the beach so hop in the car and grab some poke here or here. It will be much simpler than you’re used to at the poke restaurants, but the fish is out-of-this-world fresh!
8. Lay out on the Beach
Sure, there are tons of beaches all around the island to enjoy, but laying out on Waikiki Beach to get some sun is absolutely a top thing to do in Waikiki! This beach is incredibly busy but there’s always something to do and people watching to be had.
A nice perk about Waikiki beach is that a section of the water is blocked off by barriers. This means the shore is protected from waves, and the water is warmer. This makes this section especially perfect for little kids!
At Waikiki beach you can also go snorkeling! While there might not be tons of coral reefs here, there’s still tons of fish (and even turtles) to see! Plus it’s a great place to practice and get your feet wet (literally!).
9. Swim in the Resort Pools
You’re in Hawaii; obviously swimming is going to make the list of the best things to do in Waikiki Beach. And while I highly recommend booking a beachfront resort with a huge pool like some of the ones I mentioned at the top of this article, I also understand that it’s not feasible for everyone. They can be very expensive!
So if you aren’t staying at a hotel with a pool, or it’s just small and not as grandiose, then consider spending a day at one of the big fancy resorts by buying a Resort Pass. If you visit that website, enter a location, like Waikiki for example, and it will show you all of the resorts in the area that sell day passes. It’s way more cost effective to do that for a day then pay to spend a week at the super expensive hotels!
Plus, you’ll want to be exploring Waikiki and the rest of the island the other days, so you won’t need access to the fancy pools every day of your trip!
10. Eat Sushi
Another super common and super delicious food you must eat, and one of the best things to do in Waikiki, is eat sushi! Now, of course this is originally a Japanese dish, but with the proximity to Japan, sushi is huge here on the islands, and the fish is always super fresh.
We are obsessed with Doraku Sushi located in the Royal Hawaiian Center. It’s definitely in a super touristy spot, but don’t let that fool you, the food is always outstanding. We even usually eat here multiple times in one trip; that’s how much we love it!
The prices are pretty average, the variety is good and the location cannot be beat. It’s within walking distance to all of the big hotels and one of the best things to do in Waikiki by far! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
But don’t worry, there are TONS of other places to eat Sushi in Waikiki!
11. Go to the Zoo
When you think of the best things to do in Waikiki you probably didn’t think of the zoo. But you’ll be surprised to find out there is a zoo located right off the main strip in Waikiki, and visiting the zoo is one of the best things to do in Waikiki especially if you have kids!
The Honolulu Zoo is a really good size, especially for being located right in Waikiki amongst all of the tourist spots. They’ve got tons of the popular animals including elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, flamingos and more! And the tickets only cost $21 for adults and $13 for children.
So when you get bored laying on the beach or sitting by the pool, take the family to the zoo for a few hours for a change of scenery!
12. Walk the Main Strip (Kalakaua Ave)
One of the best things to do in Waikiki, and something that’s always free and always entertaining, is to just walk along the main road in Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue. It runs along the beach throughout the main portion of Waikiki, and it’s here you’ll find the hordes of tourists, numerous restaurants, gift shops and more.
There’s so much to see along the main strip, you don’t even need to spend any money to always be entertained. People watch, listen to music, watch hula dancing and more along Kalakaua Ave.
13. Take your photo with Duke
Also located on Kalakaua Ave is the statue of Duke! He is a legend in Hawaii, so snapping a picture with his statue is a must-do of the things to do in Waikiki.
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, otherwise known as just Duke around the islands, is famous for being the person to popularize the sport of surfing. He was a competition swimmer and won many olympic medals over the years.
With how important surfing is to the culture of Hawaii, you can understand why he is so famous and well-loved by the locals. His statue sits right on Kalakaua Avenue, so walk along until you see him holding out his hands for a photo with you!
14. Go Shopping
There are endless options for shopping in Waikiki, so you might as well spend some time looking for a special item to bring home! Explore the two large shopping centers in Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Center and the International Market Place.
But be sure to stop into the smaller shops all throughout Waikiki as well. There are, of course, many ABC stores to visit, with practically one every time you turn around. But we also love the Crazy Shirts stores and the Tori Richard store located in Waikiki!
15. Watch a Hula Show
Free Hula shows can be found all around and are some of the best things to do in Waikiki Beach! Not only is it entertaining and beautiful to watch, but hula dancing is a huge part of Hawaiiain culture and something everyone should experience while in Hawaii.
There’s multiple places to catch a hula show (usually for free) around Waikiki Beach. One of the main places to watch a hula show is at the International Market Place. They currently are offering free shows Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30pm. You can also catch a show at the Royal Hawaiian Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday at 5:30pm.
For more information about these and other hula shows in Waikiki, please visit Waikiki Beach Stays for more information!
16. Have Dinner at Duke’s or Hula Grill
Something we do every time we are on Oahu, and one of the best things to do in Waikiki, is to have dinner at one of the famous restaurants on the strip, Duke’s or Hula Grill. These two restaurants are located at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and are a part of a small (mostly) Hawaiian restaurant chain. But most importantly both are incredible places to eat dinner. Seriously, I dream about these meals!
Typically big fancy restaurants located in large hotels on the beach are not going to be an authentic dinner option. And sure, there’s many more authentic restaurants to try inland that you absolutely should visit too. But save a night for dinner at Duke’s or Hula Grill.
The menus at these restaurants are very similar but we like Hula grill a little bit more. Plus, Hula Grill is located on the second floor, so the sunset views are even better.
As for food, I cannot recommend the Coconut Seafood Chowder enough! It’s on the menu at Hula grill, but Duke’s has something similar called Coconut and Ginger Braised Seafood. For appetizers, we loved the calamari, they were out of this world; way better than we have ever had before. But no matter what you order for dinner, you MUST end the meal with the famous Hula Pie!! More on that now.
17. Eat Hula Pie
Yes, the Hula Pie is so good it deserves its own line on the list of the best things to do in Waikiki! Because whether or not you eat at Dukes or Hula Grill, then you need to get the Hula Pie.
Hula Pie is like an ice cream cake, but better. A huge slice of macadamia nut (tastes like vanilla) ice cream pie in a chocolate cookie crust with hot fudge and macadamia nuts on top. It is heavenly and even better than it sounds.
While you can certainly get the pie and sit at the restaurant to enjoy it, we actually prefer it to-go! When you eat it at the restaurant it’s super cold and hard. But if you take it home it’s had some time to melt a bit (in a good way) and is so much easier and yummier after a few minutes as you walk back to your hotel room!
So if you eat at one of the restaurants then grab it on the way out, and if you aren’t eating there, then head to the eastern side of the building and you’ll find a to-go window where you can grab one quickly!
18. Play a Round of Golf!
Another surprising thing located in Waikiki is an 18-hole golf course, Ala Wai Golf Course, just steps from the main strip. Now, it’s not going to be the nicest course ever, but if you don’t have a rental car and want a course with easy access then this is the spot for you!
Another public course on the island that’s going to be quite a bit nicer is the Hawaiʻi Kai Golf Course. It’s located 30 minutes east of Waikiki, so you’ll either need a car or grab an Uber to get there and back.
19. Trolley Ride
One of the most relaxing things to do in Waikiki is to get tickets to the Waikiki Trolley and ride around town for the day learning about the area and getting off at stops along the way.
They offer 4 different lines and they have different pass options. The two longer lines will cost $31.50, but the short Waikiki line is only $5.50 for the day!
20. Shop at the Markets
There’s several fun markets that happen in Waikiki, and are a great way to shop locally without having to leave the tourist area! One option is the Waikiki Farmers Market which happens Mondays and Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm at the Hyatt Regency.
Another great option is the Aloha Market at Waikiki Sunday mornings from 8am to 1pm. But no matter when you will be in Waikiki, make sure to find a market and support the incredible local vendors! We bought our baby a hand made turtle stuffed animal from the market on our babymoon and it is something we will cherish forever!
21. Get Professional Photos
One of my favorite things to do while on vacation, and one of the best things to do in Waikiki, is to book a photo shoot to capture the memories of the trip! Whether you’re there with your family, friends, on a honeymoon or on a babymoon in Hawaii like we were during this photo shoot, it’s a fun activity and a way to have some beautiful photos to save forever!
If you choose to stay in Waikiki for these photos, then be sure to take them at sunrise. The lighting is great and there’s much fewer people out and about so they won’t be in the background. But there are tons of other spots close by to choose instead. We did ours at Makapu’u Beach Park.
We used Emily Rohman Photography and she was outstanding!! Not only was she wonderful to work with, the photos were perfection. We can’t recommend her enough!
22. Visit a Rooftop Bar
Watching the sunset in Waikiki is beautiful, but watching it from a rooftop is even better! There’s tons of rooftops on many of the hotels around Waikiki to choose from. Your hotel might even have a rooftop to relax on. But if you’re looking for someplace new, here’s a few you will enjoy!
Sky Waikiki
Tiki’s Grill & Bar
SWELL
23. Rent a Car…and explore the rest of the island!
As you can see, there are tons of amazing, fun and delicious things to do in Waikiki Beach on Oahu. But the best thing you can do is rent a car and explore the rest of the island! Sure, Waikiki is deserving of a few days of your trip, but the rest of the island has so much to offer. Head up to the north shore to see the surfing and eat local food. Or drive along the eastern side of the island to take in the views and make a stop at the stunning Lanikai Beach (one of the best clear water beaches in the world)!
Visit Pearl Harbor, go to a Luau, explore the Disney hotel and so much more! Read my guide for the best things to do on Oahu for more ideas as you get out and explore the stunning island of Oahu.
Use rentalcars.com to rack up some points, or look into getting a car from discounthawaiicarrental.com, they usually have awesome deals and the customer service is great!