First Thing on the List? The Beach

Many Faces of Waikiki

Waikiki Beach is actually several beaches, each with its own personality. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, named after the famed Olympic swimmer, sits in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach and Resort. A protective seawall makes it a safe swimming spot for families. Prince Kuhio Beach is usually crowded, but it’s another family-friendly locale. Lava walls enclose two shallow swimming ponds perfect for little swimmers. San Souci Beach is on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, fronting Kapiolani Park. A few hotels share the sand, but most of it is undeveloped, and healthy reef is roughly 50 yards out, which makes it good snorkeling territory. This is a favorite of the locals, particularly students from the University of Hawaii. Its nickname is “dig me beach” because beachgoers come to see and be seen. The swimsuits tend to be a bit more abbreviated than on most other parts of Waikiki Beach.