Waikiki Vacations

When you're looking to enjoy a beach getaway that involves more than just swimming and sunbathing, then a vacation to Waikiki might be just what you're looking for. Waikiki is the top vacation destination in Oahu, partly because most of this Hawaiian island's top hotels can be found along world-famous Waikiki Beach. It also has a lot to do with the good weather, the mix of interesting attractions, and the wealth of shops and restaurants. You could easily spend all of your time in Waikiki on an Oahu vacation and not run out of fun things to do. Waikiki vacations can easily be all about relaxation, but there's plenty to keep you busy if you're up for some adventure on the side.

Waikiki Beach, which is often crowded with locals and tourists alike, is one of Hawaii's top beaches for a reason. The relatively calm water conditions along this two-mile stretch of sand make for good swimming, and when the surf is up on windier days, both beginning and advanced surfers are bound to enjoy the long and rolling waves. In addition to swimming and surfing, your Waikiki Beach vacation can see you setting sail on a catamaran, taking to the water in an outrigger canoe, and boogie boarding, among other things. Various tourist facilities front Waikiki Beach, as do high-rise hotels, so numerous services and amenities will be at your disposal. Surfing lessons can easily be booked on a Waikiki Beach vacation, and snorkeling equipment is available for rent if you want to explore the underwater realms. If you are especially interested in snorkeling, you might also consider a side trip to nearby Hanauma Bay during your vacation to Waikiki.

Spending quality time on Waikiki Beach is just part of what Waikiki vacations are all about. Thanks to the abundance of unique shops in this vibrant neighborhood, shopping also figures among the top things to do on a vacation to Waikiki. In the heart of the area, the International Marketplace is a good place to peruse some goods. You might also want to check out the Waikiki Beach Walk, which is one of the neighborhood's newest shopping hot spots. Of course, Kalakaua Avenue, which is Waikiki's main drag, is not to be neglected on shopping trips. These top Waikiki shopping destinations are also great places to dine, so you'll have no problem finding something good to eat when you need a break from the stores.

For some travelers, going out on the town once the sun goes down is of considerable interest on a vacation to Waikiki. Waikiki boasts a fine array of nightclubs and bars, and if you're up for a luau, including one on the nightlife itinerary won't be hard. The luau, a dinner show that revolves mostly around Polynesian culture, should be added to the itinerary for any Oahu vacation, but for those who are interested in Waikiki nightclubs as well, there are plenty to choose from. Some of the clubs are open until 4 a.m., so you can party well into the morning hours on Waikiki vacations if you please. Just remember to get some sleep, as you'll want to have energy for things like a hike to the top of Diamond Head Crater, which lies on the eastern edge of Waikiki.

Diamond Head, which is an extinct volcanic cone, rises some 750 feet into the Oahu sky. For those who make it up to the summit, breathtaking views of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu await. The 30-minute hike up to Diamond Head's summit is relatively easy, so almost everyone in your group should be able to handle it. Back at sea level, stopping by the Waikiki Aquarium is something that families with kids will definitely want to include in their Waikiki Beach vacation plans. Kayaking on the Ala Wai Canal, booking a pleasure cruise, and enjoying the open green space that Kapiolani Park provides are just some of the other options for things to do on Waikiki vacations.

The proximity to the Honolulu International Airport helps make Waikiki vacations so attractive, and taxis and shuttles are available to get you to your Waikiki hotel. The rest of Honolulu and all its great attractions beg to be explored if you're looking for things to do on the side during your Waikiki Hawaii vacation, and you're encouraged to rent a car and explore the rest of Oahu as well. Whale watching in Waianae, lounging on Lanikai Beach, and enjoying an ATV tour in the Kaaawa Valley are just some of the options when it comes to things to do in the rest of Oahu. With the array of things to do in the area, visitors to Hawaii will easily find plenty to create a personalized, memorable itinerary for their Waikiki Hawaii vacation.