Waikīkī, Honolulu & the Southeast · Oʻahu

Activities in Waikīkī & the Southeast

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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Snorkel a drowned crater teeming with reef fish — reservations required.

The flooded volcanic bowl east of Honolulu is Oʻahu's premier easy snorkel: shallow coral gardens, parrotfish clouds, frequent turtles. Entry is capped and reserved online a couple of days ahead, it closes weekly for the reef's rest days, and the slots go fast — treat the reservation like a flight.

Price: $
Time: Half day

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Waikīkī Surf Lesson or Outrigger Canoe Ride

Learn where surfing was reborn — or ride a wave the old way, six paddlers strong.

The beach-boy tradition continues on Canoes break: hour-long lessons put most first-timers on their feet, and outrigger canoes catch the same gentle waves for those who'd rather paddle than pop up.

Price: $$
Time: 1-2 hours

Beaches in Waikīkī & Honolulu

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Waikīkī Beach

The world's most famous learn-to-surf wave, framed by Diamond Head.

A chain of named sub-beaches along the hotel strip — Kūhiō for calm swimming behind the seawall, Canoes for first waves, Queen's for bodyboarding. Gentle rollers, beach boys with boards for rent, and that skyline-to-crater view that started Hawaiian tourism.

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Ala Moana Regional Park

Honolulu's half-mile lagoon-calm local beach, protected by an outer reef.

Hikes around Honolulu & the Southeast

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Koko Crater Railway Trail

1,048 railroad-tie steps straight up a WWII tramway to a 360° summit.

A stair-master with a view: the old military tram line climbs the crater's flank without a single switchback. Brutal in midday sun — go at dawn or late afternoon. The bridge section has open gaps; a side path bypasses it.

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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Mānoa Falls Trail

A rainforest walk to a 150-foot falls, minutes above the city.

1.6 miles round trip through banyan and bamboo in the back of Mānoa Valley. Expect mud — this valley makes its own rain — and admire the falls from the viewing area; the pool is closed for rockfall.

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Hotels in Waikīkī

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Halekūlani

"House Befitting Heaven" — Waikīkī's quietest luxury, and sunset mai tais at House Without a Key.

Class: 5★
Price: $$$$

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The Royal Hawaiian

The 1927 'Pink Palace of the Pacific,' still holding court mid-beach.

Class: 4.5★
Price: $$$$

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Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel

Retro-styled mid-ranger with the best Diamond Head views per dollar.

Class: 3.5★
Price: $$

Restaurants in Waikīkī & Honolulu

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Helena's Hawaiian Food

James Beard-winning traditional Hawaiian plates since 1946.

Cuisine: Hawaiian
Price: $$

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Marukame Udon

Fresh-pulled udon with a line out the door — worth it.

Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $

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Ono Seafood

Made-to-order poke from a tiny Kapahulu storefront — worth the line.

Cuisine: Hawaiian / Seafood
Price: $

Sights in Waikīkī & Honolulu

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Diamond Head State Monument

Crater-rim hike with the definitive view over Waikīkī.

A 1.6-mile round-trip trail climbs through a 300,000-year-old volcanic crater to WWII bunkers and a 360° summit view. Reservations required for out-of-state visitors.

Time: 1.5-2 hours

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Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial and WWII historic sites.

Time: Half day

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ʻIolani Palace

The only royal palace on U.S. soil.

Time: 1-2 hours