Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu on Oahu's south shore, known for a beach with long, rolling waves that suit beginners and longboarding, and for views of Diamond Head.
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Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of Oahu, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is bounded by the Ala Wai Canal on the west and north and by Diamond Head on the east. The name is often translated as "spouting fresh water," a reference to the springs and streams that once fed wetlands here. Most of Honolulu's hotels are in this small area, which also has a wide range of restaurants and an active nightlife.
Waikiki Beach is the main draw. Half of it is marked for surfers, and the long, rolling waves suit beginners and longboarding. Shallow water with rocks extends some distance out, and waves can be strong on windy days. Experienced surfers usually choose the North Shore, where waves are higher. Kapiolani Park, at the east end, is Hawaii's first public park and has a zoo, an aquarium and sports areas. The weather is usually warm and cloud-free, and sunsets over the sea are visible from the beach from about mid-September to late March.
Waikiki in five
- Reserve Diamond Head before you flyNon-residents need an entry and parking reservation for Diamond Head State Monument, with a fee of $5 per person and $10 per vehicle. The park opens at 6 am, so a sunrise slot beats the heat.Diamond Head and Hanauma reservations
- Choose a hotel row by the water, not the priceBeachfront blocks near Kalākaua Avenue are busy and costly; streets one or two blocks back cost less and still walk to the sand. Compare room rate and resort fees before booking.Where to stay in Honolulu
- Plan one day outside WaikikiThe beach is easy, but Oʻahu's best days are out of town: Hanauma Bay, the North Shore, Pearl Harbor. Decide before you arrive whether you need a rental car or tours.How many days in Honolulu
- Learn on the small waves firstWaikiki's gentle breaks suit a first surf or outrigger lesson, and most operators run on the beach. Book a morning lesson, when the water is calmer and the sun lower.
- Avoid renting a car just for WaikikiParking at hotels is an extra daily charge, and the beach, restaurants and bus stops are on foot. Rent for a single day trip instead.Honolulu travel guide
Things to do in Waikiki
See all attractions in Waikiki
Need to know
- Airport
- Daniel K. Inouye (HNL), about 30–45 min by car or shuttle
- Getting there
- Fly into Honolulu; Waikiki is on the south shore of Oʻahu
- Getting around
- Walking, TheBus and bike share; a rental car only for day trips
- Best base
- A hotel one or two blocks inland from Kalākaua Avenue
- Time needed
- 2–3 days here; 5–7 with the rest of Oʻahu
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Cool, North surfJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, North surf
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Whale seasonFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whale season
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Spring breaksMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring breaks
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm, easyAprilRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm, calm seaMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm sea
- JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, busyJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hot, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Hot, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Hot, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, quieter
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Warm, dryOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Mild, showersNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Holidays, rainDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holidays, rain
Average daily high and low in Waikiki, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Waikiki
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 39 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Waikiki
12:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°21°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue25°22°92%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed26°22°98%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Thu26°22°90%Thursday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri25°22°83%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Sat24°22°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sun25°21°78%Sunday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 11:41 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Waikiki, the full guide- Diamond Headabout 15–25 min by car or busA short crater-rim walk to the lookout, with a reservation for non-residents.
- Pearl Harborabout 30–40 min by carMemorials and ships, best with a booked time and a half-day.Read the guide
- North Shoreabout 1 hour by carWinter surf and summer swimming beaches, a full day by car.Read the guide
Before you go to Waikiki
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Rules for Waikiki, checked
- Diamond Head State Monument: non-residents need entry and parking reservations; $5 per person, $10 per vehicle; daily 6 am to 6 pm.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Waikiki
Waikiki blocks, Ala Moana or the quieter side
Read the guideDiamond Head and HanaumaReservations for the big three sights
Read the guideHow many days in HonoluluA short stay or a full Oʻahu loop
Read the guideAll of the USAEntry rules and the Hawaii picture
Read the guideHonoluluThe city around the beach
Read the guideOʻahuThe North Shore, windward coast and Pearl Harbor
Read the guideRoad to HanaMaui's famous drive, a second-island day
Read the guideWaikiki FAQ
Is Waikiki worth staying in?
Yes for a short first trip: the beach, restaurants and transport are on foot. Skip it if you want a quiet beach or a slow, local feel, and stay on another side of Oʻahu instead.
Do you need a reservation for Diamond Head?
Yes for non-residents. The state lists entry and parking reservations for non-residents, at $5 per person and $10 per vehicle, with the park open daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
Do you need a car in Waikiki?
Not for Waikiki itself. Hotels often charge for parking, and you can walk or take a bus to most things. Rent a car for one day when you want the North Shore or windward coast.
When is the best time to visit Waikiki?
April to June and September to October balance warm water with fewer crowds. Winter brings big surf to the North Shore and sometimes showers in town; summer is the busiest period for family trips.
How many days do you need in Waikiki?
Two or three days cover the beach, Diamond Head and a lesson or a sunset sail. Add days for Pearl Harbor, the North Shore and Hanauma Bay.