A beautiful vacation destination on the coast of Oahu, Waikiki is a holy land for surfers, sunbathers and sightseers. Hang 10 on world-famous Waikiki Beach, commemorate history at Pearl Harbor, learn about Hawaiian royalty at Iolani Palace, snorkel in Hanauma Bay, feast at a Hawaiian luau, and explore the living reef at Waikiki Aquarium. From the sacred sands and surf of Waikiki Beach to the soaring volcanic peaks of Diamond Head, Waikiki is blessed with exciting attractions and exciting island adventures.

Waikiki Things To Do & See

Waikiki Beach/ Waikiki Beach Walk- Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations and beautiful beaches in world. Lined with white sand beaches waterfront restaurants, lively nightclubs, unique attractions, and trendy shopping, Waikiki Beach awakens your senses. Lounge on the sands of Waikiki Beach, sip Mai Tais, and dance the hula. Surf, swim, boogie board and kayak in the azure Pacific waters. See legendary attractions, such as Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Diamond Head, and Iolani Palace. Sightsee along Waikiki Beach Walk, an oceanfront fetsival with more than 50 shops, galleries, and restaurants. Discover Waikiki's history on the Waikiki Historic Trail, with 23 historic sites marked by bronze surfboards.

Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial - The most famous landmark in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor is the largest harbor in Hawaii and the only naval base designated as a National Historical Landmark. Explore Pearl Harbor's historic attractions, museums and memorials that honor the events that shaped Hawaii, including a battleship, a World War II submarine, and Pacific Aviation Museum with fighter planes and flight simulators. The site where World War II began and ended for the US, Pearl Harbor is home of the USS ArizonaMemorial, honoring the battleship's crew who died during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Take a guided tour of the 184-foot-long memorial - the hull of the sunken battleship- and the Visitor Center museum and exhibits. A short documentary film highlights the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Visit http://www.nps.gov/usar.

Waikiki Aquarium- Situated on the Waikiki shoreline - next to a living reef and Kapiolani Park - Waikiki Aquarium exhibits over 3,000 aquatic animals and plants of Hawaii and the Pacific Tropics. Celebrated for its living reef exhibits, Waikiki Aquarium houses giant octopus zebra sharks, tropical fish, living corals, and the endangered Hawaiian monk seals. See wondrous exhibits such as Hunters on the Reef, with Hawaiian sharks and predatory jacks, Ocean Drifters Gallery, featuringgraceful jellyfish, and the Corals Are Alive exhibit highlighting the planet's oldest ecosystems. The Aquarium offers exciting excursions such as scuba diving trips and shark adventures. Visit www.waquarium.org. 

Honolulu Zoo - Known for its remarkable natural beauty, Honolulu Zoo spans 40 lush acres in Kapiolani Park, between Diamond Head and Waikiki. Explore the animal habitats of the African Savannah, Pacific Islands, Tropical Rainforest, and Children's Zoo, where you will encounter over 1,000 species of exotic animals, mammals, reptiles and birds. The third oldest zoo in the country presents amazing creatures including African lions, Indian elephants, Sumatran tigers, white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, orangutans, komodo dragons and the first Galapagos tortoises bred in captivity. Join the Twilight Tours and the Dinner Safari. Visit www.honoluluzoo.org.

 Iolani Palace - Constructed in 1882, Iolani Palace was the official residence of the last rulers of the Hawaiian Kingdom - King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. This beautifully restored National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu teaches us about the history of Hawaii's royalty - from its ornate throne rooms to elegant meeting halls. Marvel at the American Florentine architecture of Iolani Palace, reminiscent of a medieval European castle Tour the opulent galleries filled with the Hawaiian crown jewels, ancient regalia, and historic portraits and photographs. Enjoy Friday concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band and wine tasting events in the stunning Palace courtyard. Visit www.iolanipalace.org.

The Contemporary Museum- The only museum in the state of Hawaii dedicated to contemporary art, the Contemporary Museum features dynamic and provocative visual art in a stunning island atmosphere. TMC presents innovative exhibitions of significant contemporary art from 1940 to the present at two venues- the historic Cooke-Spalding house set on acres of terraced gardens in Makiki Heights and at the First Hawaiian Center in Downtown Honolulu. The beautiful museum offers a museum shop and a gourmet café. Visit http://www.tcmhi.org.

Historic Honolulu/Chinatown- Discover Historic Honolulu's rich past and heritage through historic neighborhoods and buildings like Iolani Palace, Kāmehameha I Statue, Hawaii State Capitol, Mission Houses Museum and Kawaiahao Church. Honolulu's historic Chinatown district is a maze of specialty shops, open markets, Chinese herbalists, lei stands, antique dealers, art galleries, temples, theaters, and restaurants housed in historic buildings. Sample fresh sashimi at Oahu Market, buy precious jade down hidden streets, learn how flowers are strung into leis, and enjoy the Friday evening gallery festival. Aloha Tower Marketplace offers oceanfront dining, shopping, and entertainment with views of Honolulu Harbor. Visit http://www.chinatownhi.com. 

Royal Hawaiian Center - Located on three fabulous blocks in the heart of Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Center is Honolulu's hottest shopping, dining and entertainment destination. The Center features over 110 shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues, where you'll find everything from jewelry to apparel, steak to sushi. Four levels feature fashionable boutiques, such as Ferragamo, Fendi, Cartier, Kate Spade, bebe and Juicy Couture.  For a true taste of Hawaiian culture, participate in complimentary cultural enrichment classes including ukulele, lei-making, hula, Lomi Lomi massage and Hawaiian quilting. Visit http://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com. 

Diamond Head State Park- A 760-foot volcanic summit soaring above the eastern shores of Waikiki, Diamond Head State Monument is conic for its historic hiking trail and panoramic views of the Oahu Coast. Hike along 475 acres of scenic trails, including the outer and inner slopes of the 3,500 foot crater, formed 300,000 years ago by a dramatic volcanic eruption. Hike the winding trail across the saucer-shaped crater floor, up the walls of the extinct volcano to the tall summit and observation deck. Enjoy breathtaking vistas of Oahu's Windward Coast and Waikiki Beach. Visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/.

International Market Place - Located under a canopy of century-old banyan trees in Waikiki, International Market Place is a lively open-air emporium with over 130 shops, artisan stands, carts, restaurants and bars. A Waikiki shopping tradition since 1955, International Market Place is the place to browse for jewelry, gifts, souvenirs, apparel, candles, crafts and Hawaiian cuisine. Bargain with local artisans and snap a photo by the waterfall and a 100-year old banyan tree. Feast on international cuisine and enjoy Hawaiian entertainment at the famed International Food Court. Visit www.internationalmarketplacewaikiki.com.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve- Located 10 miles from Waikiki, Hanauma Bay snorkeling was named one of the "Top Ten Trips with a Splash" by National Geographic and Good Morning America. One of the most remarkable natural attractions on Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a protected marine sanctuary and underwater park between volcanic craters. With crystal-clear waters, this shallow curved bay and protected cove is Oahu's most popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Swim through the rich coral reef and discover a magical underwater world with diverse marine life and colorful tropical fish. Dive to the bay floor, the crater of an ancient volcano, or enjoy sunbathing on the large sandy beach for sunbathing and relaxing. Hiking  trails overlooking the bay offer breathtaking lookouts of the Oahu Coast.