Waikiki Beach

Waikiki is one of the most naturally splendid beaches in the world, so it's no wonder why it got so popular. If you like to be around restaurants, shops, lots of people and see a lot of excitement then this is the place for you. The waves are no doubt the most perfect ever for learning to surf, because the come very regularly, are mellow, and break for a very long distance. This is a magical place, witht he views of diamond head, but if you're looking for an authentic romantic beach experience try another beach on Oahu. This is good for young people, teens, and people who like shopping. But it gets very crowded. If you want to experience it all to yourself, get ther early, about 9am or so. Most of the crowds don't arrive till later in the day.

The beach bathrooms and showers are pathetic. The bathrooms stink and are almost not functional. The beach is crowded.

i'm a little sad that people are mad about the homeless in waikiki or at the other places honolulu. cuase to me it a just a part of hawaii i'v been there 5 times and there has always been homeless roming around. people froget that honolulu is a big city not just a tourist destination. it not there fualt that the price to live there is crazy. if you hate spending all the money on hotel and have to deal with homeless then you should spend the money to help them out cause their not going any where.and besides the fact waikiki is over poupulated as it is if i cant make it north shore when i want to go the beach ill go to ala moana its way less crowed and i dont have to deal with stupid tourist. one good thing about waikiki is that you do get a good view of diamond head.

wow.. I was pretty disappointed to see so many homeless folks wandering around Kapiolani park near Waikiki beach - not safe at all and quite a filthy experience. I'm not sure I'll return if this has become the norm, especially given the amount of $$ you have to drop to stay in Waikiki

Waikiki has got to be the greatest beach town in the world. Everything is at your door. The beach, shopping, tours, restaurants. Why would anyone go anywhere else?

Waikiki has changed quite a bit since my last visit - the homeless wonder around the streets fronting the beach and are living in nearby parks. How can the Hawaii government allow this to happen? I didn't feel safe taking a stroll along kalakaua avenue and in kapiolani park in the evening. During the day, I saw the homeless do things that my family should not have been subjected to, especially given how much we spent to come there. In terms of the atmosphere, I felt like waikiki has become a little too commercial, too much concrete and not enough greenery- looking more and more like san diego

I'm sure my friends think I'm crazy (except for one or two that are as equally obsessed with the islands as I am) but I can't get enough of the Hawaiian islands. I've remember my first trip with my family about 10 years ago, which was a last minute change to our travel plans and from the moment I stepped onto HNL's Wikiwiki airport terminal transfer bus I knew there was no turning back. Aside from the natural and individual beauty that each island has to offer, the main thing that keeps me coming back is the hospitality of the island folk and the unavoidable vibe of relaxation and happiness that must emanate from the evening trade winds that sweep the islands each day. After being back on numerous occasions some of my favorite things to do include hiring a kayak and heading out to do some ocean kayaking, making sure I've got my snorkel gear packed at all times and heading up to the north shore of Oahu and indulging in an acai bowl from a little yoghurt stall near the supermarket. Naturally I could write an essay about what's great on each island but I think it's best left to making your own discoveries while you're there. The biggest mistake you could make is not getting out of Waikiki and seeing Oahu and the other islands. The first time I went off Oahu was on a day trip to Maui which my travel agent Holidays On Location www.holidaysonlocation.com suggested. I wasn't even thinking about inter island trips but the girls in the office there have been to Hawaii so many times, armed with great local knowledge, that they insisted I take a trip and now I'm a fully fledged Hawaiian islands traveller, with only one more island to visit before I've been to them all. Can't wait to go back!!!!!!!!!!

I was stationed in Oahu for over 3 years and recently had to come back home to Houston. I loved the place, never a dull day, never an ugly day, even in bad weather I was awed at the beauty of the island. The weather is pretty much year round average in the 80s, and from mid December to mid January it gets really rainy and windy. If you want to hang out at a relaxed and gorgeous beach, white sand, swim in the water, head to Kailua/Lanikai Beach on the Windward Side of the island (East/Northeast). If you want to enjoy the best snorkeling in Hawaii, check out Hanauma Bay, you're blessed to swim with the peaceful giant sea turtles. For the best breakfast in Waikiki, it's the Wailana Coffee House across the corner from the Hilton on Ala Moana Blvd. There's plenty of night life in Waikiki alone, and in Honolulu, just down Ala Moana Blvd, is the mall, the Ward center with theaters, restaurants and a Dave & Busters. If eating in Kailua, try Boots & Kimo's, trust me, ask any local how to get there. If eating breakfast in Kaneohe, without any doubt, hit up Koa House, that has to be the best on the island. I loved the Loco Moco from L & L Drive Inn, trust me, it's good. Please visit Pearl Harbor, i was on the island for 2 years before i finally did, and it was a very sobering experience. Take a trip up to North Shore to check out the hard core surfers in action, the turtles lazying it up on the sand. You'll enjoy the ride up H-2, or the long way on the H-3, through the tunnel, you get an amazing view of the Windward side of the island and all the cliffs. If you like camping, and dont mind grabbing gear at the Sports Authority in Honolulu or at Walmart, spend a night in Waimanalo on the beach, just southeast of Kailua. It gets a little breezy and cool at night, so cozy up, but the clear view of the stars in the Hawaiian night sky is awesome. And be friendly and courteous to our local kama'aina, the residents of Hawaii. Pay it forward, and trust me, you'll have a pleasurable time around them. Word from the unwise, don't act rowdy, obnoxious or arrogant when out dining or at a bar, the locals do not like their relaxed vibe to be disturbed. It's Hawaii, soak it in, relax, don't fret or stress out. Enjoy!

We just got back from a week in Hawaii. We decided to save some money by staying in a Honolulu hotel. Walking to the beach took less than 10 minutes and we saved around $400 avg. Waikiki beach was everything advertised, especially the crowds. Loved the scenery especially the view of a volcano (Diamond head) right beside the beach. The water was calm for the most part depending on where you were, but full of everything. We even hand-fed some fish. The weather was great, also heard that rain was rare. Wear lots of sunblock though. Much easier to get burned in Hawaii than anywhere (something to do with the location and heavy UV rays) We enjoyed window shopping and there was entertainment around every corner (especially at night) Many varieties of foods and places to eat (check out Chinatown just across the city) Found gifts for everyone at the International marketplace, and the (very large) Ala Mona Mall isnt far from the Waikiki area either. Lots of activities everywhere you look. Cirque du Soleil and magic show, a nearby zoo, tours, cruises, and really nice nightclubs..We went out one of the many sunset dinner cruises, our last night, and had the "best" time we've ever had together since our honeymoon. The beauty of this beach combined with all it has to offer makes Waikiki our fav so far. The only downfall is the large crowds, but everyone was friendly and getting to point A to point B was always easy. Visiting Hawaii was kind of expensive ( should have got a travel package) and with this economy it may be a long time before we go back. If we do however, I look forward to becomming a Waikiki beach-bum for the 1st day.

We've been to Hawaii four times (usually 6 day visits) since 1992 I think. Its too much to see and do on the island to be spending too much time in Waikiki beach. 1st timers will wanna visit there as soon as they arrive. Make a day out of it. Afterwards you can take your time and enjoy the rest of the island. Waikiki is not as crowded as some California beaches but its not a beach for taking a peaceful romantic walk on either. They have some really good resturaunts and many places to buy gifts. The people are friendly for the most part. Lots of stuff to rent from chairs to surf boards to canoes. It gets kind of loud at night but the Waikiki vicinity is beautiful and always fun to walk around and look. We'll probably visit Hawaii again in 2012, and will spend atleast a day but no more, at Waikiki beach.