Hawaii Waikiki Beach. Tell me about it.

[bayerische]

So guys, sitting here planning our next long-haul trip, and seems like it will be the West Coast US and perhaps Hawaii.

We’re looking at Waikiki/Honolulu as Oahu seems to be the one with most things to do. Pearl Harbor is a must for me. Hotels are also quite reasonable, so it got me thinking.... Is Waikiki the Canary Islands of the Americas??? I sure hope not.

I know Honolulu is a big city, and that’s okay, we aren’t looking for another honeymoon, we want sun, fun and some activities. Will definitely rent a car for some or all of our visit to Hawaii.

Time wise looks to be end of january/early february. Thought about spending 9 days at Waikiki.

Hawaii is (I guess) very exotic for us finns... I think I know about one or two persons who have visited.

Travelled a lot in Asia, the Caribbean, etc etc so I know what a good beach is, I’m guessing Waikiki will be quite busy...? Which is also OK as long as the water is reasonably nice.

[Tools]

Waikiki is a man-made sand beach that is narrow and not very long. I would visit it so that you can say that you have been there, then jump in that rental and head over to the North Shore of the island. Winter time is when the big waves are in and the beaches are less crowded and more plentiful..

Unless, of course, you like the jet-set bar scene with sand. Then Waikiki is for you.

Personally, when the wife and I go to Hawaii, we go to Maui.

[Dr. Robert]

Kauai is mo bettah brah!

[Star Ferry]

Hawaii has a far classier crowd than the Canary islands. It's a long flight, even for Californians.

Around Waikiki, it's worth walking/hiking up Diamondhead. Mount Haleakala was also interesting. I would advise against spending your whole trip on Oahu -- at least visit Maui and/or the Big Island

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by bayerische

So guys, sitting here planning our next long-haul trip, and seems like it will be the West Coast US and perhaps Hawaii.

We’re looking at Waikiki/Honolulu as Oahu seems to be the one with most things to do. Pearl Harbor is a must for me. Hotels are also quite reasonable, so it got me thinking.... Is Waikiki the Canary Islands of the Americas??? I sure hope not.

I know Honolulu is a big city, and that’s okay, we aren’t looking for another honeymoon, we want sun, fun and some activities. Will definitely rent a car for some or all of our visit to Hawaii.

IMO, other than Pearl Harbor for history, stay away. If you are going to fly all that way, take the puddle jumpers to the smaller islands. I agree with Haleakala. Go at dawn. Beautiful. An old scanned pictured but stunning in person



Try the tiny islands few go to, Molokai, rural, quaint, off the beaten track. Lanai, even better, a couple of more luxurious hotel, Manale bay http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/lanai/fo...ns-manele-bay/ (they change the time and ownership I guess).

Stay away from tourist traps, luaus, all for tourist $$$.

[breitlings]

best beaches in hawaii need a 4x4 (or a car you dont care about and positive momentum) or some hiking, maybe a boat to get to imo. some are amazing with almost no one around. black sand is pretty nice as well

[SDRider]

Wherever you end up staying on the islands make sure you book a helicopter tour of whatever island you're on. We did one in Maui and it was absolutely the highlight of the trip (although, my wife might disagree with that as we bought her a new Rolex on that trip too). Snorkeling at Molokini was also pretty cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4L...ature=youtu.be

[Blansky]

All the Hawaiian Islands are fun and usually have great weather. Each island has it's own eco system with a rainy side and a dry side.

Honolulu on Oahu is the busiest island and bit of a zoo, but if you're looking for action, perhaps your best choice.

Maui is my favorite island and is the second most "active".

Kauai is the greenest, least active and far more laid back.

The Big Island is like the surface of the moon and laid back.

All the islands have great beaches to go to but for the best Hawaiian experience all the islands except Oahu are your best bet. It's very crowded with a ton of tourists everywhere. And Waikiki is zoo central. Honolulu is a big city and has big city life.

It takes approx 5 hours from San Francisco and LA to get there. It's the most remote islands on the planet, 2000 miles from anywhere.

Have fun.

[GfromMT]

Maui is our favorite island as well. Beautiful, natural sand beaches, great restaurants and activities, fantastic resorts, and it usually has reliable weather during the winter. Enjoy!!

[Hooper]

We love Waikiki Beach! Although quite small, it does have character and great shopping. If you want a great beach, waimanalo beach isn't too far, but man beautiful water!! Even a little before you have hanauma bay has great snorkeling but can be very crowded. Next you have all of the North shore, all this can be accessed by city bus if your staying in Waikiki. I will not compare to the other islands, all are different and beautiful in there own way!

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by Hooper

We love Waikiki Beach! Although quite small, it does have character and great shopping. If you want a great beach, waimanalo beach isn't too far, but man beautiful water!! Even a little before you have hanauma bay has great snorkeling but can be very crowded. Next you have all of the North shore, all this can be accessed by city bus if your staying in Waikiki. I will not compare to the other islands, all are different and beautiful in there own way!

My wife was kind enough to inform me that it was Lanikai beach I was describing and not waimanalo, but waimanalo beach is also as beautiful!

Thanks honey for showing me the error of my ways...

God I love my wife

[JasoninDenver]

No more than two days on Waikiki.

This is from my friend who lived there for 10 years.

Maui is best choice for beaches in January and February. The whales are all over the Kaanapali and Wailea shores. Reliable weather and waves.

Kaui is awesome but best seen in June - September when you can see the north side (Hanalei & Princeville) without worrying about big waves and storms.

Inter-island flights are quick and cheap so stopping over for a couple of days on Oahu would be very easy allowing you to see Pearl Harbor before heading to Maui for beach time.

[uscmatt99]

On Oahu my favorite beach is Lanikai, not too crowded, powdery sand, calm waters. Waimea on the north side is great as well, but a steeper drop and can get rough. My wife and I like staying in Waikiki but find ourselves driving all over the island for daytime activities.

I'll go against the grain and advise against going to multiple islands. Just did that with 5 days in Kauai and 5 days in Maui, and wish we'd just spend all the time on one or the other. Even the short flight is a pain in the rear and kills the day by the time you've checked out of one place, checked into another, and suffered through the TSA atrocity.

If you're open to other suggestions, I'd also recommend Maui and the big island as alternatives if you just want to relax. Millions of things to do on both islands without ever getting the city feel.

[HorologyK]

Makena. Little beach.

[GB-man]

Oahu is great if you want the ability to hit pearl harbor and maybe a mall on an off day. You’ll likely want to drive up to the north shore at least once and hike diamondhead another day.

I have been twice and have done Oahu, Kauai and Maui. Seeing as you seem to want to have options aside from sand all day I would go Oahu or Maui.

Either way you’re in for a great time

[BravoOne]

Nine days is way to much time. As others have suggested get out to at least one other island as they have beautiful hotels and great scenery. My choice would be Maui, but others may have different views. The helicopter ride is a must on the outer islands.

[Gaijin]

I went to college in Honolulu in the 80s and was a patrol officer with HPD for 5 years working and living in Waikiki for about 3 years plus.

Even worked on some Magnum P.I. episodes as an extra.

I went back last year having been gone a long time. Still a must see and exciting yet paradise. But definitely way busier.

You won't run out of places to shop or eat that is for sure. I don't know, I like the beach there. I used to go swimming at sunset there almost every night I could.

But the outer islands are chill. It depends on what you want to do.

Second on the Waimanalo Beach suggestion.

If you need some restaurant suggestions in Waikiki from a semi local let me know.

[Spartacus]

Waikiki is a very popular destination for visitors, I liken it to being the Time Square of Hawaii. Lots of shopping and "American" things to do.

I enjoyed my trip there a few years ago, favorite tourist spot was Haunoma Bay for snorkeling. Car breaks-ins are somewhat common, personally I never have had an issue.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Waikiki is a very popular destination for visitors, I liken it to being the Time Square of Hawaii. Lots of shopping and "American" things to do.

I enjoyed my trip there a few years ago, favorite tourist spot was Haunoma Bay for snorkeling. Car breaks-ins are somewhat common, personally I never have had an issue.

I’ll second this description of the Waikiki area. I spent a week on Waikiki a little over 30 years ago on my honeymoon. It was busy but nice. I returned last year for a day trip (I was staying in Maui) to visit Pearl Harbor with a friend who had never seen it. We had brunch at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel which is right on the beach of Waikiki. I couldn’t believe how busy that area had become! It is so built up you can’t even see the hotels from the main drag. Every designer store you can think of is represented there. You may as well be on 5th Ave in NY, Michigan Ave in Chicago or Rodeo Drive. This is big city all the way.
I’ll never go back, but if you’ve never been it’s worth spending a day or 3 there. Especially to see Pearl Harbor, which is an incredibly moving experience.
Pick another island to spend a week, or two, on to get that “Hawaiian experience”.

[Gaijin]

Here is a cool fact from being a cop there. There is a beach there which we called "Police Beach." You had to go to the union office to get a key to the gate. You had to return the key or else.

Long drive out in the country and deserted. You had to be a police officer to go there. There was a caretaker ( a retired officer ) that lived out there and he would come over to you and ask to see your badge and ID.

The times that I went out there my then girlfriend and I were the only two on the beach.

I can't tell you where it's at.

[Kimber007]

Just got back from Oahu 3 days ago and we stayed in Ko Olina. It is WAY less busy than Waikiki. There are only 4 hotels here, we stayed at the Marriott but there is also a Four Seasons. Incredible views, plenty of lagoons, pools, and hot tubs around the hotels. We spent 8 days in Oahu and rented a car for the entire trip so we could travel to Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and the North Shore.

There are some excellent snorkel excursions off the coast within walking distance of Ko Olina. They take off from the marina and it was my favorite day there. We got to swim with dolphins all around us, sea turtles, beautiful reef's with thousands of colorful fish, and we even saw a whale.

Here is a picture from our suite on the top floor:


And our view from dinner one night at the hotel:

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Kimber007

Just got back from Oahu 3 days ago and we stayed in Ko Olina. It is WAY less busy than Waikiki. There are only 4 hotels here, we stayed at the Marriott but there is also a Four Seasons. Incredible views, plenty of lagoons, pools, and hot tubs around the hotels. We spent 8 days in Oahu and rented a car for the entire trip so we could travel to Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and the North Shore.

There are some excellent snorkel excursions off the coast within walking distance of Ko Olina. They take off from the marina and it was my favorite day there. We got to swim with dolphins all around us, sea turtles, beautiful reef's with thousands of colorful fish, and we even saw a whale.

Here is a picture from our suite on the top floor:


And our view from dinner one night at the hotel:

Good to see the Ihilani open again and the Four Seasons running it. It was closed for a year or so. We stay at the Marriott once in a while as well as we own timeshares in Hawaii. Disney is next door as well.

We stay in Hawaii for a month every year but usually Maui.

[RW16610]

Lovely! I've always wanted to visit, it's my ideal travel destination!!!

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by RW16610

Lovely! I've always wanted to visit, it's my ideal travel destination!!!

A friend of mine went to Bora Bora a couple years ago. They raved about it. Might go there next year... which reminds me, my passport expires next year so I need to renew that.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by SDRider

A friend of mine went to Bora Bora a couple years ago. They raved about it. Might go there next year... which reminds me, my passport expires next year so I need to renew that.

No passport, no problem, Kauai is as close to French Polynesia as you can get.
Great beaches, hiking etc.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by SDRider

A friend of mine went to Bora Bora a couple years ago. They raved about it. Might go there next year... which reminds me, my passport expires next year so I need to renew that.

Oh man, another ideal destination! I remember years ago when the amazing race was there, wow. Renew that passport ASAP! Earlier this year I did mine for ten years (a somewhat new option here) so I'll be good for a while.

[encarter13]

My father lives on Oahu, so I have visited several times. First thing to know about renting a car....TRAFFIC. The traffic on the island is horrendous at times. Make sure you get a feel for it. It is easier to just stay put and enjoy the scenery and leave an hour later than to sit in the car for 2 hours.

I like action, so I would stay in Waikiki. When the traffic isn't bad, I feel like you can get almost anywhere on the island in 3 hours. That being said, I like to stay in Waikiki and then take "day trips" across the island. You can make several stops and see several sights in a 7-9 hour day. Then, you can end the day in Waikiki for some night life.

When you go to Pearl Harbor, you get a time to return for your tour. Instead of waiting onsite several hours for your tour, head over the the swap meet (google aloha stadium swap meet) and do some shopping. It is all the "touristy" type souvenirs but sold a much lower price because the market is geared towards locals. If you are staying for more than 6 days, I would stay 3-5 days in Waikiki and 2-3 days on the North Shore.

Lastly, a helicopter tour should be your #1 top thing to do when visiting. Other things I would do:

Hike Diamond Head
Hike Cocoa Head
Snorkel Hanauma Bay
Visit Pipeline and watch the giant waves (especially in the winter)
Eat lots of Poke
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
Pearl Harbor
Drive the H3 through the tunnel and rainforest over to Kaneohe

[Honza]

Hawaii is a great place. I have been living here for 12 years now. Waikiki is busy compare to other places on the island. The suggestions you got from others are great.

I used to work for various hotels in Waikiki, if you narrow the possible hotels you might be staying let me know. I can tell you if its any good. There are great hotels as well as not as great;)

Feel free to reach out to me if you need any help or looking for island specific advice. I might be able to help.

Cheers,

Honza

[bondtoys]

Waimanalo Beach is beautiful and if in Waikiki, try Barefoot Beach, particularly for sunset.

Best Udon outside of Japan: Marukame Waikiki!

Originally Posted by SDRider

A friend of mine went to Bora Bora a couple years ago. They raved about it. Might go there next year... which reminds me, my passport expires next year so I need to renew that.

We've just returned from Bora Bora - it's our favorite place on this planet!

[rouxeny]

Lived in Waikiki before, now on Maui.

9 Days in Oahu would be great, assuming you want to be in more of a city environment mixed with beach/outdoor activities.

However, 9 days in Waikiki seems really painful, unless you are the kind of person who likes to lounge around the pool and not really leave the resort much.

The North Shore in the winter is definitely exciting, if you happen to be there during one of the surf competitions, they're a lot of fun to watch. However, because the surf is big (sometimes really big), I would not recommend swimming, trying to surf, or even going in the water there, unless you really know what you are doing. Too many people get into trouble.

Maui is also very popular, especially if you're looking for a little bit of a slower pace.

Personally, I'd go to Princeville in Kauai. Nice and relaxed, great beaches, just enough civilization to make life easy.