Waikiki, Hawaii: A Family Friendly Guide To The Beaches, Tours, and More!

Ever picture a white, insert sandy, Christmas instead of that white fluffy snowy Christmas? We did and scampered away from the cold north to enjoy the holidays in Hawai’i. Spending a few days on the popular beaches of Waikiki on Oahu is all you would expect. Perfect.

The boardwalk was lined with well known brand name shops and Hawaiian threads stores too, restaurants, cafes and foodie delights galore. Waikiki is ready for tourists and tourists better be ready for it! How is Hawaii in December? Just perfect if you ask me. Head to Hawaii for Christmas and enjoy all there is to do underneath the warm sun with the sand between your toes.

There is a lot of info here. Do you want to skip around? Here is what you can find:

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How To Get To Waikiki

First Fly In: To get to Waikiki first you’ll need to fly into Honolulu Airport (HNL) which is named Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Check Skyscanner.com for the best rates on flights. The airport is about 25 minutes from Waikiki.

Second Travel By:

Airport Shuttle: Schedule the pick up in advance so the driver is ready and waiting and the transfer from plane to van is easy. Get from the airport right to Waikiki easily without worry.
Uber OR Lyft: As of 2018, Uber and Lyft are officially able to offer pick up and drop off service at the airport. The ride share services have designated pick up areas on the second level. The first pick up at is Terminal 1 across from Lobby 2 and the second is at Terminal 2 across from Lobby 8. This can sometimes be an economical choice however the shuttle will be cheaper when headed to Waikiki.
Rent a Car: Oahu is actually pretty easy to get around without a car while the other islands of Hawaii are fairly difficult. You can certainly rent one if it makes you more comfortable, but there are other options like bike rentals, trolleys, and Uber as mentioned above.

How To Get Around Waikiki

The Waikiki Travel Pass

This 1, 4, or 7 day pass provides travelers a hop-on, hop-off open air trolley that hits all of the major stops. The trolley has 6 different routes and the pass is flexible to allow travelers to get around easily on any of them. The one day pass requires travelers to choose which routes they want to cover while the 4 day and 7 day passes are all-line access. The lines are differentiated by different colors and provide stops at all of the major must see sites like Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Aloha Stadium, Foster Botanical Garden and so much more. The pass is a great deal for any traveler that wants to stay in the Waikiki area but see all there is to see. Get your card here easily with Klook and get a discount when you do.

Rent A Car

If you don’t plan to stay in just the Waikiki area but want to see more of the island, then renting a car is definitely the best option. Avis is generally our company of choice, but Advantage, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National are all available. The rental car counters can be found in the baggage claim area.

Where To Stay In Waikiki

The Royal Hawaiian Luxury Collection Resort

Located in the heart of Waikiki, this beautiful resort is striking with a gorgeous pink exterior. The resort has two outdoor pools and an exclusive beach area and provides plenty of beach activities to partake in. Take a walk along the beach and see the sunset from this gorgeous resort that has it all including a great location. Though we didn’t stay here, this hotel immediately caught my eye as we were out shopping in the area. It’s definitely a must visit.

Book a stay here now on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Espacio The Jewel of Waikiki

When you’re not enjoying the beach out front, take a dip in the infinity pool on the roof. Rooms feature Italian marble and all of the high end finishes one would expect in an elegant suite and the suites even feature private jacuzzis. This property provides complimentary luxury vehicles and plenty of other perks which makes this the spot to stay if you want an unforgettable vacation.

Book your stay here on Booking.com

The Modern Honolulu

Spacious rooms and a world class restaurant along three bars on the property mean this is a hotel that is perfect for the couple looking to have a good time. Rooms include organic breakfasts with Molokai sweet bread French toast and banana macadamia nut waffles or eat at The Grove the on-site restaurant that features farm to table dishes that celebrate the coastal cuisine of the island. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay here with it’s healthy atmosphere with a dose of fun fun fun.

Book a stay here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Beaches In Waikiki & What To Know

Once where Hawaiian royalty hung out, Waikiki is known as “spouting waters” and was really introduced to the world in 1901 when the first hotel, Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores. Now there are way way more hotels and way way more people frolicking this way and that and there is a TON to do and see in Waikiki, too! Not that you’re likely to stay in the hotel all day, but if it has to be said, don’t… don’t stay in the hotel.

Get out, get about, and see everything! Waikiki is the premier vacation spot in Honolulu, Hawaii so don’t expect to be on your own. There will be people, but it wasn’t too crowded for us. When you can see out to the horizon over the ocean, nothing is every too crowded.

Did you know: There are no billboards in Hawaii in an effort to keep the views clear and the ocean viewing immaculate.

The beaches of Waikiki are perfect for families with small children as there is a section that has a barrier to break the waves where all of the small children can play without worry that they will be swept out to sea. While we were on the Big Island, most of the beach time was spent with the little one in tide pools and an ever watchful eye on her just in case because those Hawaiian waves can be intense. With the break wall on the famous Waikiki Beach, there wasn’t anything to worry about so it was a nice and a bit more relaxing time in the water.

The wave break also provides a place where people can climb up to get shots of the waves breaking and splashing beneath them. Seemed to make for some stunning shots for some people that timed it just right and then some soaked laughing shots for the people that didn’t. Even with the barrier, the views were incredible and the surfers many. We even spotted a surf board parking lot…

What To See In Waikiki

There is a TON to do in the area and these are just some of the great options. I won’t go into the beach because I assume, you know you’ll spend time at the beach. But a little tidbit, the ocean temperatures stay around 75 to 80 degrees year-round which means whether you visit in the summer or winter, you’ll still be able to swim comfortably… and maybe some of these other great sights.

Pearl Harbor

About 30 minutes from Waikiki, visitors can find Pearl Harbor and learn more about the events that transpired on December 7, 1941 that changed so much in American and world history. Walk through an airplane hangar and peer down through the oil covered waters where the USS Arizona still rests. There is a striking white memorial that was built over the sunken battleship in 1964 which bears the names of the 1,177 sailors and marines that lost their lives there that day.

I can’t say much more about this because whenever I visit a site with such a history and such death, I do a lot of inner reflection and use the quiet time to think about those that we lost. When I write about sites such as this, that feeling comes back and I am at a loss for words to describe the immense feelings that a site such as Pearl Harbor really brings up. It’s a must see and I’ll leave it at that.

PRO TIP: Do NOT just put Pearl Harbor into your GPS or you will be taken to the active military base rather than the memorial. Input the address below.

Address: Pear Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii
Hours: Every day: 7:00am ~ 5:00pm (Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and January 1)

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace is the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchs. This is the only official state residence of royalty in the entire United States and from 1882 until 1893 it was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani.

Visit the palace that was opened to the public in 1978 to see portraits of the Hawaiian royal family, the ornate furniture in the abode, a beautiful koa staircase, and a beautiful throne room among other gorgeous rooms. It takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half to see the grounds.

Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI
Hours: Closed Sundays. Monday – Saturday: 9:00am ~ 4:00pm
Admission: Guided Tours: Adults: $27.00 & Children: $6.00; Audio Tours: Adults: $20.00 & Children: $6.00
Website: Iolani Palace

Nuuanu Pali Lookout

Just northeast of downtown Honolulu is the Nuuanu Pali Lookout that offers panoramic views of the Koolau cliffs and the Windward coast. Over a thousand feet above the Oahu coastline, this peak is accessible with a car and is a windy must-see. If you don’t have kids that can hike, or can’t get away to Diamond Head on your own, this is another great option to see views out over Oahu that is vehicle friendly.

Address: Nuuanu Pali Dr, Kaneohe, HI
Hours: Every day: 6:00am ~ 6:00pm

Mauna Kea

Head up to one of the world’s best astronomical observation points and have an unforgettable experience. At 4,205 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the state of Hawai’i. There are over 300 clear skies a year here so you’re almost assured to get an incredible show. Take in a view through the telescopes as a guide explains what constellations you can see. It’s an amazing experience on top of a dormant volcano.

Book: Book in advance on Klook to get a discount.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967, today the bay is a pristine marine ecosystem. This bay was the main fishing and recreation location for the Hawaiian royalty. After years of tourism and over a million tourists, there was a restoration plan in 1990 that has turned the bay into the 2016 Best Beach in the United States.

First time visitors to the area are asked to watch a 9-minute video to learn about the marine life and preservation before they enter. This is THE place to go if you want to snorkel with tropical fish.

Hours: Wednesdays – Sundays: 6:45am ~ 4:00pm
Admission: $25.00 (Children 12 and under are free to enter.)
- Currently reservations are required under the Pilot Program to ensure the protection of the area. Find out more on their website.

Ala Moana Center

If you want shopping shopping and more shopping, then this is the place for you. Just minutes from Waikiki, this is the largest and most decadent shopping center in Honolulu and the seventh largest shopping mall in the US. There are more than 290 stores, including 80 dining stops as well. From luxury retailers to major department stores and only-in-Hawai’i retailers too, if you want it, this is where you’ll find it.

Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI
Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm (They may have adjusted hours on holidays.)

Chinatown

Chinatown has everything from herbal shops, lei makers, antique dealers, temples and restaurants. Visit the Maunakea Marketplace or the Oahu Market to find fruits, seafood and interesting things like the “thousand-year old egg” and then visit the Izumo Taishakyo Mission Shrine or the Kuan Yin Temple.

If you need a foodie fix, there is everything from Chinese dim sum to Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Cuban food too. It’s not only a district for culinary food lovers but also an arts district too. If you need a break from the beach, this is definitely the district to head to. Don’t miss a stop into the Foster Botanical Garden which is also nearby and is the oldest botanical garden in Honolulu.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head is a dormant volcano that is a popular hike for a lot of visitors to the area. It is estimated to be around 200,000 years old and has been inactive for about 150,000 years so it’s safe to head up and along as well. This US State Monument provides a good hike that isn’t too long and only takes about 45 minutes but there are steep bits as it elevates 560 feet in a pretty short span.

The interior of this cone was actually the home to Fort Ruger, a United States military site at one point do to the lookout vantage points from there that allowed lookouts to be very effective defensively. The panoramic views are now enjoyed by tourists like us and only a National Guard facility remains inside. In 1968, the area was declared a National Natural Landmark and has been protected since.

While grandma was busy soaking up granddaughter time, we got a chance to head over to Diamond Head to take a little hike. Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone and is by no means a difficult hike. We went with Karen, a guide from Oahu Nature Tours because you can never be too safe when hiking in an unknown area, but in retrospect, the trails are very well marked and there are just so many people doing this hike that without a guide would have been easy enough too. We did have fun though, Karen was great and we learned quite a bit about the area and got some spectacular views.

We weren’t the only ones that were enjoying the hike over the Christmas holidays. While I have no pictures to prove it, because when famous people are enjoying family holidays I think it’s sort of pushy and rude to be snapping pics, Michelle Obama, her girls and a group of either friends or family were hiking too! Mrs. Obama passed within two feet of me at one point when her protective detail took her group around our group. Such an amazing lady and keeping fit with the family. I love it! You go girl! She was seeing the same sights I was! Now that’s fun. There is really a ton to see in the area though and we definitely didn’t get to it all, but for more ideas on what to do and see in the area of Honolulu, check out this post from Travelling King.

PRO TIP: While Diamond Head is the most popular hike in the area, visitors can also hike Koko Head, the lesser known of the two hikes on the dormant volcano. It’s a bit more of a challenge and perfect for those visitors looking for an extra workout opportunity.

Hours: Every day: 6:00am ~ 4:00pm (Closed Christmas and New Years)
Reservations are required

Kapahulu

From the eastern end of Waikiki, head out just five minutes and you’ll find this spot with vintage aloha shirts and the best local food. It’s a fun neighborhood with a local flare.

What To Do In Waikiki

To wrap up our time in Waikiki, we enjoyed a morning surfing lesson with some amazing guys from Gone Surfing Hawaii. We took a private group tour and had two guys teaching us the words and they were able to get every one of us (okay not the babies who waited on the sandy shore as their mamas and papas surfin safariied it out) up on our boards for a fairly decent amount of time. Because the lesson was so great and easy enough for this mix of beginner, never have beens, and beginner wannabes, we all thought surfing was definitely something we’d want to do again if given the opportunity.

(FYI: I found out there IS an opportunity to surf in Korea too! If you ever visit, head to Surfyy Beach on the east coast for some awesome surfing options.)

There are so many awesome activities to partake in while visiting Waikiki though and here are just SOME of them:

Jet Ski Experience: If flying above the water isn’t your thing, try this instead. Enjoy a high speed jet ski ride for an adrenaline-pumping ride.
Ecostar Helicopter Tour: Get a breathtaking birdseye view from above. This is a unique experience that will take your breath away.
Parasailing: Want to fly high above the water… attached to a boat instead of a helicopter? Parasailing is always a fun option and you can do it here too!

There are some great ways to see the amazing native marine life in the area. Here are some other options:

Snorkeling and Turtle Watching Tour: Head to Kewalo Basin Harbor for an unforgettable snorkeling experience. Dive into the crystal blue waters and see the corals and marine life up close.
Atlantis Submarine Experience: Climb aboard the largest sightseeing submarine in the world for a 45 minute underwater adventure to see marine life, shipwrecks, and a crashed air jet. Do it all while leaving the marine life undisturbed.

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