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Waikiki Beach, near Kapahulu Avenue

Oahu, HI
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Waikiki Beach, near Kapahulu Avenue, Oahu Hawaii

Description

I like this part of Waikiki Beach if I want to go bodyboarding! It's right near the zoo parking so it's an easy walk with a bodyboard and fins. Also, it has the best bodyboarding close to shore that can be found in Waikiki! The only caveat: there is a lot of reef and it's an inch from your knees as you zoom along at lightning speed! Still, if bodyboarding gives you a high, this place is for you!
The sand here is wide and nice. There are usually lots of kids swimming. Because of all the coral, your only choice is to swim near the shore. If you need shade, you'll find some on the south end of this beach. A wide lawn stretches out there with abundant shade trees. Coconut trees also provide some shade on the sand.
A few times a year, the city of Honolulu hosts the most amazing spectacle here- a movie on the beach! Nothing could be more blissful than sitting on a fold-up chair, toes buried in the sand, listening to the waves crash on the shore and the palms sway overhead, while watching a giant movie screen play a favorite film. And it's free! Parking can be bad so come early. 
Nearby is Tiki's Grill and Bar (on the second floor of the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel). It's relaxing to sit outside on their balcony among the tiki torches and red lanterns with a view of the ocean enjoying the wonderful live music. Try the amazing purple taro bread rolls served with banana butter- yum! Request the mashed purple Molokai sweet potato instead of fries. The coconut shrimp is delicious!
Across Kalakaua Avenue, on the corner of Kapahulu, there is a Starbucks.
At night it's romantic to walk to the gazebo at the end of the jetty and take in the city lights, warm breeze, and salt water mist on your face.
Just across the street from this beach is Honolulu Zoo, my favorite zoo of all the zoos I've been to in the world! Walk over to Monsarrat Ave for a row of cafes and coffee shops!
Other nice spots in Waikiki from east to west are: the Hau Tree Beach all the way on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki- lots of shade and a lovely swim; the ocean swimming pool, a safe spot for more timid swimmers, and very romantic at night with the moon shining on the still water; Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach, in the center of it all; the Sheraton Beach, crowded but with the warmest water for swimming; and all the way west before you hit the harbor, my favorite spot, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach, with tons of fun stuff for kids to do.
To prepare for your trip, introduce your toddler to animals in Hawaii with this adorable book about where animals sleep, Naptime by the Sea. It is a magical book.

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Photo Gallery

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Favorite local band, FreeSound, playing before the movie at Sunset On The Beach.
Favorite local band, FreeSound, playing before the movie at Sunset On The Beach.
The part of Waikiki Beach called Kuhio Beach lies between two jetties. At sunset it is delicious!
The part of Waikiki Beach called Kuhio Beach lies between two jetties. At sunset it is delicious!
"The Wall" is the name of the bodyboarding spot here.
"The Wall" is the name of the bodyboarding spot here.
Movie screen in the sand!
Movie screen in the sand!
Marvelous clear waters...Oh yeah.
Marvelous clear waters...Oh yeah.
Stunning view of Diamond Head from Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.
Stunning view of Diamond Head from Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.
Sunset over the water, seen from Park Shore Waikiki Hotel room.
Sunset over the water, seen from Park Shore Waikiki Hotel room.
Balcony at Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.
Balcony at Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.
The breezy tropical lobby at Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.
The breezy tropical lobby at Park Shore Waikiki Hotel.
Tiki's Bar and Grill is on a balcony across from the water.
Tiki's Bar and Grill is on a balcony across from the water.
Tiki's Grill and Bar has nice atmosphere.
Tiki's Grill and Bar has nice atmosphere.
The lanterns and ocean beyond at Tiki's Grill and Bar.
The lanterns and ocean beyond at Tiki's Grill and Bar.
View of the Waikiki Beach Ocean Swimming Pool (see entry) from Tiki's Grill and Bar.
View of the Waikiki Beach Ocean Swimming Pool (see entry) from Tiki's Grill and Bar.
A tiki dude and torch at Tiki's Grill and Bar.
A tiki dude and torch at Tiki's Grill and Bar.
Pink sunrise over the beach. Life doesn't get much better than waking up to this!
Pink sunrise over the beach. Life doesn't get much better than waking up to this!
Diamond Head, you are beautiful! Sunrise...
Diamond Head, you are beautiful! Sunrise...
Busy day at the beach!
Busy day at the beach!
Tons of people having fun.
Tons of people having fun.
You have to swim close to shore because of the reef.
You have to swim close to shore because of the reef.
Park Shore Hotel on Kapahulu Ave.
Park Shore Hotel on Kapahulu Ave.
Gazebo and turquoise water.
Gazebo and turquoise water.
Coconut trees, plumeria tree, and bright ocean.
Coconut trees, plumeria tree, and bright ocean.
Rock fountain along the road.
Rock fountain along the road.
Footprints along the shore.
Footprints along the shore.
A lovely place to swim!
A lovely place to swim!
Banyan tree for shade.
Banyan tree for shade.
Looking up at the banyan tree.
Looking up at the banyan tree.
Running out of the water.
Running out of the water.
View of "The Wall" from the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
View of "The Wall" from the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
Bodyboarders ride the waves. You can watch them from the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
Bodyboarders ride the waves. You can watch them from the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
View of Diamond Head and the beach from the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
View of Diamond Head and the beach from the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
Diamond Head is perfect.
Diamond Head is perfect.
Landscaping along Kalakaua Ave.
Landscaping along Kalakaua Ave.
Early morning at the ocean water swimming pool.
Early morning at the ocean water swimming pool.
Soft sand in the early morning.
Soft sand in the early morning.
The ocean water swimming pool and the coconut trees that line the beach.
The ocean water swimming pool and the coconut trees that line the beach.
Sunset on the lawn by the sea.
Sunset on the lawn by the sea.
Barefoot Beach Cafe at sunset.
Barefoot Beach Cafe at sunset.
Hawaiian dancer and musician at Barefoot Beach Cafe.
Hawaiian dancer and musician at Barefoot Beach Cafe.

Directions

This section of Waikiki Beach (sometimes called Kuhio Beach) is at the end of Kapahulu Avenue. There is a long jetty with a gazebo to your right as you look out at the ocean.
Parking is limited here so park at the zoo and walk. The zoo parking is on the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua. It costs $1 per hour and you can pay the parking machine with your credit card.
Tiki's Grill and Bar, upstairs on the corner of Kalakaua and Paoakalani Ave, 2570 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu HI 96815, call (808) 923-8454.
Great Place to Stay: Park Shore Waikiki Hotel, 2586 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, call (866) 406-2782.

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:


Elle
03/01/2011 15:04
Tikis is one of the best places in Waikiki. Outdoor with ocean view. Free parking. Good prices and terrific food at bar - Taco Tuesday $2 and happy hour. What\'s not to like!

Jeff
03/01/2011 09:25
Wish I was there it doesn't get much better then live music at tikis

Sara
01/05/2011 19:19
your pics are fantastic and an inspiration- planning my vacation today!

pete
06/06/2010 14:42
Pink Cadillac was a great night club in the 80s on waikiki strip...

Amy
12/21/2009 09:24
sunset on the beach was awesommeee.. i loved it soo muchh :)

Shellie
10/22/2009 20:13
I stayed here last November and loved every minute of it. There was never a minute without something to do.

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Last Updated: Sun, 30 Jan 2022 20:17:08 GMT