On Oahu’s southeastern shore resides one of the most famous stretches of ocean and sand in all of Hawaii. And the argument can be made that the white sand beach here is one of the most well known beaches in the entire world. With popular hotels lining the sand, and nearly non-stop activity, Waikiki Beach is not only one of most popular destinations on Oahu, and also one of the must-see destinations during your trip.
With easy access to the ocean and plenty of activities to keep you busy, you may not even want to leave the area. But with transportation for many activities departing from your hotel, the opportunity to discover more of the island should definitely be taken advantage of, and you’ll be dropped off at your hotel following your day of fun and adventure on Oahu.
In the early days of Hawaii, the entire area of Waikiki was a marshland, with streams, rivers, and springs flowing into the area. The name Waikiki translates to spouting water, taken from the natural spring that spouted from the swampland in the days of ancient Hawaii. Through the 1800s, the area was beginning its development and was a retreat for royalty, used to escape the busy city of Honolulu. Though the city was drastically different than it is today, Honolulu was the trading post for the island, and the capital district was located at the Iolani Palace and surrounding area. And despite being close to the downtown, the travel time was a couple of hours by carriage.
The one constant in all the years that Waikiki has been in use is the iconic Diamond Head Crater. Overlooking the entire area, the extinct volcano has long been the focal point of the area. Today, Diamond Head serves as a landmark and the place to witness the best sunrise views in Waikiki.
All along the streets of Waikiki, you’ll discover a number of must try restaurants and great stores for top notch shopping. With many well known restaurants and great local finds, you’re guaranteed to taste a sampling of delicious foods and have your pick at any number of great meals. From plate lunches to fresh sushi and fine dining options, anything that you wish to eat can be found. And the outdoor seating areas at any restaurant offers the chance for a refreshing cocktail and a sunset view that can’t be beat. As an added bonus, on Friday nights, the Hilton Hawaiian Village sets of a beautiful display of fireworks, and you can see these fireworks from the best views available with Makani Catamaran. This is a can’t miss activity.
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Oahu tours and Oahu activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance, especially our top seller Sea Life Park Luau. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
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