Are you looking for fun things to do in Waikiki? Keep scrolling for this list of the best Waikiki activities and adventures worth adding to your Oahu itinerary.
This list of the best things to do in Waikiki Hawaii was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I was 14 the first time I set foot in Waikiki, and I’ve honestly never gotten tired of it.
After 40+ trips to Hawaii, I’ve seen a lot of places on the islands that come and go in my personal rankings, but Waikiki stays on the list every single time.
There’s an energy here that’s hard to explain until you’ve felt it. The boutique shops tucked between the big resorts, the smell of plumeria everywhere, the way Diamond Head just anchors the whole skyline from the beach.
I’ve shown up exhausted from a long flight more times than I can count, and Waikiki has a way of shaking that off within about 20 minutes.
That said, Waikiki is not without its frustrations.
It’s crowded, it’s pricey, and if you’re not thoughtful about how you spend your time here, you can easily burn through your whole trip doing things that didn’t need to be on your list.
So here’s what I’d actually tell a friend to do with their days in 2026.
Quick Reference: Best Things to Do in Waikiki
| Activity | Best For | Cost (2026) | Book Ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Head Hike | Everyone | $5/person + $10 parking | Yes, required |
| Turtle Canyon Snorkel | Families, couples | ~$60-85 | Recommended |
| Na Lei Aloha Luau | Couples, families | Starts ~$129 | Yes |
| Atlantis Submarine | Families, non-swimmers | ~$168 adults, ~$75 kids | Recommended |
| Sunset Dinner Cruise | Couples, celebrations | $$$ | Recommended |
| Parasailing | Thrill seekers | ~$80-100 | Recommended |
| Waikiki Beach | Everyone | Free | No |
| Kapiolani Regional Park | Everyone | Free | No |
1. Hike Diamond Head — But Know What You’re Getting Into
Diamond Head is worth doing.
The panoramic views from the top stretch from Koko Head all the way toward the Waianae mountains on a clear day, and the trail itself is seriously interesting, with switchbacks, a 225-foot tunnel, and a steep stair section near the summit that surprises a lot of people who expected an easy walk.
What it is not, however, is a quiet early-morning escape. When I hiked it at sunrise with my oldest son, we thought we were being clever by going early.
By the time we reached the top, it was already shoulder-to-shoulder. The sunrise slot is the most coveted time slot for a reason, and it shows.
As of 2026, advance reservations are required for all non-residents through gostateparks.hawaii.gov.
Entry is $5 per person, parking is $10 per vehicle, and slots open 30 days out at midnight HST. The park runs from 6am to 6pm, with the last entry at 4pm. Hawaii residents get in free with a valid ID.
Skip it if: You’re claustrophobic (the tunnel is tight), you’re hiking with toddlers in carriers, or you expect a peaceful experience. It’s a well-managed tourist attraction now, not a hidden gem.
If you’d rather skip the parking logistics entirely, guided Diamond Head tours on Viator include roundtrip transport and entry fees and can genuinely simplify the morning.
2. Spend Real Time at Waikiki Beach
A lot of repeat visitors rush past the beach to get to “real” Oahu. Don’t. Waikiki Beach is iconic for good reason.
The water is warm and swimmable, the waves near the shore are gentle, and the view of Diamond Head from the sand is one of those scenes that really does look like a postcard.
You can rent a board, hire a surf instructor, flag down a catamaran, or literally just sit there with a shave ice and watch the world go by. All of it is fine. The beach doesn’t need to be a checklist item.
3. Learn to Surf
Waikiki is one of the best beginner surf spots in the world. This is where Hawaiian royalty surfed, and the long, rolling, forgiving waves are exactly why.
Surf schools line the beach and most people are actually standing within their first lesson.
It’s worth trying even if you think you’ll be terrible at it. You probably will be, and that’s half the fun.
Check current surf lesson rates and availability here.
4. Take the Atlantis Submarine Tour
This one surprises people in a good way. You board a boat at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, ride out to the dive site near Diamond Head, and then transfer onto a submarine that descends to about 100 feet below the surface.
From there, you glide past artificial reefs made from sunken ships and an airplane hull, now colonized by coral, Hawaiian fish, sea turtles, and sometimes sharks.
The whole experience runs about two hours, with roughly 45 minutes actually underwater. Adults run around $168 and kids start around $75 as of 2026, so it’s not cheap.
But for families with kids who can’t or don’t want to snorkel, or anyone who wants the underwater experience without getting wet, it’s a solid option.
One honest caveat: marine life is unpredictable. Some days you see turtles gliding past your window and families report seeing sharks. Other days it’s mostly fish. You can’t guarantee what will show up.
Kids must be at least 36 inches tall and able to climb a nearly vertical ladder independently. The crew does not make exceptions.
Check current rates and availability here.
5. Snorkel with Sea Turtles at Turtle Canyon
Just offshore from Waikiki is a natural “cleaning station” called Turtle Canyon, where Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, gather year-round to have small fish clean their shells.
You board a catamaran, gear up, and jump in. The water clarity is usually excellent out there.
This is my pick over the submarine if you’re comfortable in the water and want a more active experience.
The turtles come to you at their own pace, and seeing one pass a few feet away with nothing between you and it is one of those moments that sticks with you.
Honu are protected under federal law. Touching them or chasing them is a violation and it genuinely disrupts their behavior. Give them space and they’ll often approach on their own.
Book a Turtle Canyon snorkel tour here.
6. Attend the Na Lei Aloha Luau at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki
I’ve been to a lot of luaus. More than most people ever will, partly because of how often I’m in Hawaii and partly because as a hula dancer of over 20 years, I care about whether these shows actually represent the culture or just perform a version of it for tourists.
Na Lei Aloha is the one I recommend without hesitation.
It’s the only all-Hawaiian luau in Waikiki. No Samoan fire knife section, no pan-Polynesian variety show.
The entire performance is built around authentic Hawaiian hula, mele, and the cultural history of lei making, and it’s done in partnership with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
The performers are employees, not contractors, and it shows in how personally they engage with the audience before and during the show.
The show is held on the third-floor rooftop terrace of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki’s Diamond Head Tower, right on Kalakaua Avenue.
Most Waikiki hotels are within walking distance, which eliminates the whole “hour in traffic to get to a luau on the other side of the island” problem. You watch the sun set over the Pacific from your table.
Check-in starts at 5:30pm and the show runs about 2.5 hours. The dinner package includes an all-you-can-eat buffet with prime rib, snow crab legs, sushi, poke, oysters, and Korean and Hawaiian specialties.
If you’re short on time, there’s also an express show-only option.
One thing to know: it’s a boutique, intimate show, which means you’re never far from the stage but also means tickets sell. Book ahead.
7. Take a Sunset Dinner Cruise
This is the one I point couples and honeymooners toward every time. You sail the Waikiki coastline as the sun goes down, dinner and cocktails on the water, often live music and dancing on board.
If you go on a Friday, you get the Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks from offshore, which honestly makes a good night a great one.
Skip it if: You get seasick easily. The catamaran is stable, but choppier days are real. Book on a refundable rate if weather is a concern.
Check current sunset cruise rates here.
8. Try Parasailing
Eight hundred to 1,200 feet above Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head to one side and the Pacific stretching out in every direction.
It sounds terrifying and it kind of is, but in the best possible way. The whole experience is about an hour with boat time, and the actual fly time is around 10 minutes.
Not for everyone, but if you have any adrenaline-seeker tendencies at all, this is the one.
9. Book a Hawaiian Food Tour
The food scene in Waikiki is genuinely good, but it’s also easy to end up at the tourist-trap version of everything if you’re wandering without a plan.
A local-led food tour takes you to the spots that actually matter and gives you context for why Hawaiian cuisine is the way it is, which is actually a fascinating story when someone who knows it is telling it.
Skip breakfast and go hungry. Check current availability here.
10. Have Dinner at Hula Grill Waikiki
Hula Grill sits on the second floor of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, right above Duke’s, with open-air tables that look directly out at the beach and Diamond Head.
The menu leans on locally sourced fish and produce, and the seafood chowder in a coconut base has a loyal following for good reason.
But honestly? We always go for the Hula Pie. It’s enormous, it’s meant to be shared, and it’s one of those desserts that shows up on the table and makes everyone at the restaurant turn and look. Get it even if you think you’re too full.
Reservations are a good idea for dinner, especially if you want a rail table with the beach view. Open daily from 7am to 10:30pm.
Skip it if: You’re watching your budget. Waikiki has cheaper ways to eat well. But if it’s a celebration trip or you just want one really good dinner on the beach, this is a solid choice.
11. Stroll Kalakaua Avenue
This one sounds like filler advice until you’re actually doing it at 7pm with a shave ice and the whole Waikiki scene happening around you.
Kalakaua runs from Kapiolani Park toward Ala Moana and has everything from Hermès and Tiffany at the Royal Hawaiian Center to local boutiques and the world’s most plentiful ABC Stores.
There are also free hula performances at the Royal Hawaiian Center that are worth stopping for.
It’s the kind of spontaneous evening that ends up being one of your best memories from the trip.
12. See the Duke Kahanamoku Statue
Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic swimming champion, the father of modern surfing, and one of the most beloved figures in Hawaiian history.
The 9-foot bronze statue honoring him at Kuhio Beach is always draped in fresh lei, and if you walk past it without stopping, you’re missing something.
It’s free, it takes five minutes, and the spot is one of the best on the beach for photos with Diamond Head in the background.
13. Take a Catamaran Sail
A daytime catamaran sail is the water activity for people who don’t want a water activity.
No snorkel gear, no briefing, no ladder to climb. You just get on a boat, drift along the Waikiki coastline, and look at Diamond Head from an angle you can’t get from shore.
Dolphins show up regularly. If you’re visiting between December and April, humpback whales pass through Hawaiian waters and a sighting from the boat is not unusual.
It’s a good option for mixed groups where not everyone wants to snorkel or do something structured. Check current rates here.
14. Visit the Waikiki Aquarium
I always hesitate to call this one underrated because that phrasing has become its own cliché, but the Waikiki Aquarium genuinely gets overlooked.
It’s operated by the University of Hawaii, focuses specifically on Hawaiian and Pacific marine life, and has exhibits on Hawaiian monk seals and chambered nautiluses you won’t find elsewhere.
It’s compact, it’s walkable, and it’s the right call for a midday stretch when the sun is at its worst. General admission is around $12 for adults.
15. Walk Through Kapiolani Regional Park
Most visitors walk right past Kapiolani Park on their way to Diamond Head and never slow down. That’s a shame.
It’s 300 acres of open green space at the far end of Waikiki that’s been public land since the 1870s, and on any given morning you’ll find joggers, families, kite flyers, and locals doing what locals do when tourists aren’t watching.
Walk out there early before your day starts, follow the seawall back toward your hotel, and stop somewhere for coffee.
It costs nothing and it’s one of my favorite ways to start a Waikiki morning.
The park also connects directly to the aquarium, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Diamond Head trailhead if you want to keep moving.
16. Get a Shave Ice (and Yes, It Matters Where You Go)
This is not a “stop at any ABC Store and grab one” situation. Real Hawaiian shave ice is made with finely shaved ice and quality syrups, and there’s a noticeable difference.
Island Snow and Ululani’s, which has a Waikiki location, are the names that keep coming up for good reason. Add azuki beans and ice cream at the bottom if you’re doing it properly.
17. Taste Kona Coffee
Kona coffee comes from the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island and is one of the most distinct coffees produced anywhere in the world.
You don’t have to fly to the Big Island to try it.
Kona Coffee Purveyors, Kono’s Northshore, and Island Coffee Vintage are all within walking distance of the beach. Try it black once so you actually taste it.
Planning Your Time in Waikiki
Waikiki is walkable and compact, but it gets genuinely crowded from June through August and again over the holiday season.
Shoulder season (April to May or September to October) is noticeably calmer and usually cheaper for hotels.
Most water activities run best in the morning when conditions are calmer and tour boats have better availability. Diamond Head is cooler and less crowded early. Save Kalakaua Avenue, shopping, and dinner for the afternoon and evening.
If you’re debating whether to base yourself in Waikiki or somewhere quieter on Oahu, my complete Oahu travel guide covers that decision in detail.
And if you want to hear me work through the honest pros and cons of staying in Waikiki versus exploring alternatives, Episode 45 of my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy is exactly that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Waikiki
What are the best free things to do in Waikiki?
Waikiki Beach, Kapiolani Regional Park, the Duke Kahanamoku statue, and the free hula performances at the Royal Hawaiian Center are all free and worth your time. Walking Kalakaua Avenue costs nothing and can easily fill an evening.
Do you need reservations for Diamond Head in 2026?
Yes. All non-residents must book in advance through gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Entry is $5 per person and parking is $10 per vehicle. The park is open daily 6am to 6pm with the last entry at 4pm. Popular time slots, especially the 6am sunrise slot, sell out weeks in advance.
What is the best luau in Waikiki?
The Na Lei Aloha Luau at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. It’s the only all-Hawaiian show in the area, walkable from most hotels, and the food and performance are a step above what most Waikiki luaus offer.
Is the Atlantis submarine tour in Waikiki worth it?
Yes, with one honest caveat. It’s around $168 per adult and $75 per child as of 2026, and marine life is unpredictable. Some days turtles and sharks glide past your window. Other days it’s mostly fish and shipwreck. If you go in expecting a guaranteed wildlife spectacle, you may be disappointed. If you go in knowing you’re descending 100 feet underwater on a real submarine and whatever shows up is a bonus, it’s a cool experience. Best fit: families with younger kids who can’t snorkel yet, or anyone who wants to be underwater without getting wet. Kids must be at least 36 inches tall and able to climb a near-vertical ladder independently. No exceptions.
How many days do you need in Waikiki?
Two to three days covers the highlights without feeling rushed. If you’re using Waikiki as a base to explore the rest of Oahu, two nights works well. A full week in Waikiki alone gets repetitive unless you’re intentionally going slow.
What time of year is best to visit Waikiki?
April to May and September to October are the sweet spots. Crowds and prices drop noticeably from peak summer levels and the weather is still excellent. If humpback whale watching matters to you, December through March is when they’re in Hawaiian waters.
After 40+ trips and counting, Waikiki still earns its place on every Oahu itinerary I help plan.
The key is knowing what’s worth your time and what you can skip, and going in with honest expectations about the crowds.
It’s one of the most visited places in Hawaii for good reasons, and when you’re there at the right moment, it still manages to feel a little magical.
If you want help building your full Oahu trip around a real itinerary that works for your travel style, I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where we map the whole thing out together. No generic advice, just planning that’s specific to you.
