Waikiki is Hawaii’s most famous beach and home to more tourists than all other beaches put together. This “pearl” of a beach is really a string of beaches, pearls, if you will, that stretch for over 2 miles of glistening sand where you can frolic, bathe, gawk, and…

In general, just have the time of your life. The beaches of Waikiki are special, despite the number of people you’ll see on each of the dozen or so “pearl beaches” each day. See? A string of pearls. For Free. Everyday. Guaranteed. Just walk on the beach from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to near Diamond Head. See? Not pleased?

Local folks in Hawaii don’t think of Waikiki Beach as a single destination. They know the difference, for example, between Publics and Queens’ Surf; Gray’s Beach and Sans Souci (not anywhere near each other).

It’s different strokes for different folks when you hit the beaches of Waikiki.

If we start our quick tour near the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west, you’ll see the tranquil smooth waters of Kahanamoku Beach and Lagoon. It’s quiet, calm, and pleasant. Perfect for the laid back atmosphere of the Hilton.

Nearby you’ll find a small pier which is the starting point for sight-seeing submarines and catamaran cruises.

Next to Kahanamoku Beach is military property, although you can use the beach. This is known as Fort DeRussy Beach, a 20 acre property with lush lawns, plenty of trees. And a beach. Not much surfing here and there’s plenty of military folks who use the large hotel nearby for hard-earned R & R.

OK beachgoer, grab your flip flops, a towel, some sunscreen, and your sunglasses.

We’re going beach hopping. And nowhere is it easier to hop from beach to beach than Waikiki.

Not far from Fort DeRussy is Gray’s Beach, which also fronts the luxurious Halekulani Hotel. Swimming is good. Surfing is not. Gray’s Beach was named for Mrs. LaVancha Gray who, story has it, operated a boardinghouse where the Halekulani now stands. Some boarding house.

Walking on the beach past the Sheraton (the beach is surprisingly, uh, well, modest, in front of the Sheraton — I was going to say crummy but you should check it out for yourself) toward the Royal Moana Beach. Now we’ll see some waves.

The Royal Moana Beach fronts the Pink Palace (Royal Hawaiian Hotel) and the Moana Hotel, the two oldest hotels along Waikiki. The nearby Outrigger runs a beach activity center which features canoe rides, and surf lessons.

Surprisingly, the canoe rides are rather inexpensive and a special treat you won’t find in many Midwest locations like Chicago, Des Moines, or Topeka.

The surf along this beach is smooth, slow flowing, but strong.

Nearby is the Waikiki Beach Center; perfect for food, benches, chairs, and canoe rentals.

Kuhio Beach Park is along the wall which extends into the ocean. Viewing is perfect here. The waves are slow and steady, the crowds are heavy, the surfers are plentiful, and the bikinis are skimpy.

Just the way God intended the world to be.

Right in front of the Honolulu Zoo is a concrete pier which juts into Queen’s Surf; one of Waikiki’s most popular boogie board locations (also known as body boards, not to be confused by “body surfing” which is different, but is also popular along this beach: Confused?).

From Queen’s Surf, there’s Publics, San Souci and a host of smaller, off the beaten-path (if you can say that about a place that doesn’t have a path, is mostly water, and inhabited by fish) beaches which scurry along the coast all the way to the base of Diamond Head.

Diamond Head’s waves are usually larger, being on the other side of the natural wind break. Wind surfing is very popular at the base of Diamond Head.

In summary, Waikiki Beach is a delightful stroll so long as you don’t mind taking pictures of sun, sand, surf, and people. Not necessarily in that order.

The Beaches of Waikiki
2201 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii (Oahu)

Pros: Stunning views, day or night, variety of beaches.

Cons: Crowded, many rocks.

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.