Things To Do in Waikiki & Honolulu

Adventures just steps from Aqua Waikiki Wave Hotel

Located steps to Waikiki Beach and an array of popular Honolulu attractions and activities, Aqua Waikiki Wave is at the heart of your Hawaii vacation adventure. Choose from numerous outdoor Honolulu activities: swim and snorkel in the clear waters of the Pacific, paddle a kayak, take a surfing lesson or an Oahu dive tour, or simply soak up the sun on one of Hawaii’s best beaches. For some of Oahu’s best shopping, embark on a Waikiki shopping safari at Royal Hawaiian Center, Luxury Row, Waikiki Beach Walk, or the International Marketplace. Venture in any direction from the hotel to explore the Waikiki strip comprising Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues, home to Waikiki’s best restaurants, bars, lounges, and live entertainment. After dark, enjoy the vibrant Waikiki nightlife surrounding Aqua Waikiki Wave. Whether you seek adventure or leisure, you’ll find no shortage of exciting things to do in Waikiki.

Waikiki Beach

One of the most breathtaking and popular vacation destinations in the world, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful 2-mile white sand beach fronted by shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife. Enjoy swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, and catamaran and outrigger canoe rides. The beach offers picnic areas, concession stands, and beach equipment rentals. Stroll along Kalakaua Avenue for waterfront shopping, dining, entertainment and activities.

Diamond Head State Park

Towering over the southeast coast of Oahu and Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Park is an extinct volcanic crater and Hawaii’s most photographed natural landmark. Created over 300,000 years ago, Diamond Head’s saucer-shaped crater spans 3,520 feet. Hike the challenging trail from the crater, up the inside wall of the extinct volcano, to the 760-foot summit, where you can savor breathtaking panoramic views of the southern Oahu coastline – from the white sand beaches of Waikiki Beach all the way to Koko Head.

Waikiki Shell

Located across from Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head for a backdrop, the Waikiki Shell is a magnificent shell-shaped outdoor venue and an amazing setting for twilight concerts and live entertainment under the stars.

Kapiolani Park

Hawaii’s largest and oldest public park, Kapiolani Park offers 500 beautiful acres of recreation and relaxation. Listed on Hawaii’s Historic Register, the park features 100-year old trees, beautiful scenery, shady picnic spots, soccer and sport fields, tennis courts, an archery range, and a 3-mile running trail that is part of the annual Honolulu Marathon Course.

Waikiki Aquarium

Located next to a living coral reef, Waikiki Aquarium exhibits 3,500 marine animals and aquatic plants, representing 500 species from Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Explore the breathtaking coral reef exhibit, look into the eye of a zebra shark or giant octopus, and see reef sharks, colorful tropical fish, living corals, graceful sea jellies, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals.

Honolulu Zoo

Set adjacent to beautiful Kapiolani Park, Honolulu Zoo is Hawaii’s oldest zoo and features over 1,000 animals, mammals, birds, reptiles and exotic wildlife. Explore naturalistic animal exhibits of the Pacific Islands, African Savannah, Tropical Rainforest, and Kabuni Reserve. Encounter a Sumatran tiger, Asian elephants, zebras, crocodiles, Komodo dragons, Hawaiian nene geese, and the first Galapagos tortoises born in captivity.

Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial

The history of Hawaii comes to life at Honolulu’s Pearl Harbor. Tour the legendary USS Arizona Memorial, commemorating the soldiers and crew who perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Take a guided tour of the sunken hull of Battleship USS Arizona and the museum, featuring WWII history exhibits and a documentary film. Celebrating US victory and the end of WWII, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is a living museum with exhibits, memorabilia and activities that tell the history of the world’s most famous battleship.

Waikiki Beach Shopping & International Market Place

A lively open-air market in the heart of Waikiki, International Market Place features over 200 shops, carts, kiosks, artisan stands, and restaurants. A Honolulu tradition built around a century-old banyan tree, International Market Place is a fun shopping spot filled with souvenirs, jewelry, gifts, clothes, artisan crafts and an International Food Cart with live music performances.

Ala Moana Center

Hawaii’s premier shopping destination, Ala Moana Center features everything from haute couture to local souvenirs. This massive open-air shopping mall features over 290 luxury stores, shops, salons and restaurants. Surrounding department stores like Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, you’ll find Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Betsey Johnson, Burberry, Chanel, Dior, Escada, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, J. Crew, Prada, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co. Ala Moana Center also offers wonderful restaurants and bars, an international food court, entertainment, shopping events and the Pearl nightclub.

Waikiki Beach Walk

Stroll along this colorful waterfront promenade lined with shops, art galleries, restaurants, spas, and bars. Browse for Hawaiian keepsakes, trendy fashions, and local crafts and arts, surrounded by the stunning seascape and ocean breezes. From island chic to trendy fashions, Waikiki Beach Walk offers over 50 shops, including Quiksilver, Honolua Surf Co., and Sunglass Solutions. The Walk offers popular Waikiki restaurants and bars like Roy’s Waikiki, Yard House, and Coconut Willy’s.

Hanauma Bay

‘Sea’ the aquatic life: For those who want to get up close and personal with colorful marine life, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is perfect. Situated 10 miles east of Waikiki, Hanauma Bay is one of Oahu’s most popular snorkeling locations because its calm waters are protected by an offshore reef. Sea turtles are also known to nest around this famous curved bay.

Oahu Dive Tour

‘Dive’ into your next adventure: There’s no better way to see and explore the Waikiki coastline than to take an Oahu Dive Tour below the surface to see where all the action is. Embark on your next adventure under the sea and scuba dive to experience the underwater world of the Pacific Ocean.

Royal Hawaiian Center

Located along three gorgeous blocks in Waikiki Beach, Royal Hawaiian Center is a popular shopping, dining and entertainment destination. The Center features 150 luxury and lifestyle shops and restaurants on four levels, offering a variety of merchandise and cuisine from around the world – from haute couture to hot dogs. Discover trendy boutiques, such as Cartier, Fendi, Kate Spade, bebe and Juicy Couture, and fantastic restaurants like Doraku Sushi and Senor Frogs. Enjoy free live entertainment and complimentary music, hula and culture classes in The Royal Grove.

Downtown Honolulu & Chinatown

Downtown Honolulu features Hawaii’s significant treasures, attractions, museums and historic landmarks. Explore Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, State Capitol Building, Mission House Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts from the first Protestant missionaries, and the Kamehameha statue in front of Honolulu’s old judicial building. Honolulu’s Chinatown is an 8-block maze of shops, galleries, ethnic eateries, bars, temples, historic buildings, lei stands, antique dealers, fresh produce vendors, and herbal shops.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Set on 42 acres of Oahu’s North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center represents Polynesian culture through eight native villages, fun exhibits and activities of the South Pacific nations. Enjoy an authentic Polynesian adventure as you walk by a lagoon, volcano, waterfalls, and lush greenery on the tropical landscape. Enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine and entertainment at the Alii Luau and see the spectacular evening show, Ha: Breath of Life.