Hawaii Waikiki Beach Guide
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Waikiki Beach is located on the sheltered south
coast of Oahu a few miles to the east of downtown Honolulu.
Waikiki beach stretches for over 2 miles and
has several different facets. The eastern side of Waikiki
is dominated by the protruding cement pier known as "The
Slippery Wall" where surfers and body surfers show their
grit by surfing right up to the pier, and sometimes making
it clear over the wall. The wall is a man made structure to
help protect sand erosion and the beach here is officially
called Kuhio Beach. This saltwater swimming pool breaks the
surf and allows for calm swimming in any conditions making
it ideal for families with small children. A little further
east of the pier, away from Waikiki, is Kapiolani Park with
its lovely walkways through trees and picnic tables. The beach
here is much quieter if you want to get away from the crowds
and the swimming good.
Waikiki Beach has the following in its beach and park
areas:
LIFEGUARDS
SAND AND REEF
PICNIC AREAS
PHONES
SHOWERS
RESTROOMS
The wall stops near the flower-adorned statue of Duke
Kahanamoku Statue, the reveered royal surfer of the
early 1900's. The statue marks the spot where surf lessons
are given on the beach and boards of all sizes are rented.
The surf at this point is the most popular along Waikiki Beach
and whilst the surf is never dangerous, stray surf boards
and racing outrigger canoes have caused many accidents. Although
the surf at Waikiki is not the most challenging on the island,
it is certainly the most reliable. Winter surf is moderate
whereas the raging winter surf on the north shore is for experienced
surfers only. And when the surf on the north shore goes completely
flat in summer, the surf at Waikiki remains good. Waikiki
was where the Hawaiian royalty would come to during summer
for their surfing and relaxing.
Waikiki Beach is usually crowded but is a very
nice area where one can swim, canoe, surf and snorkel. The
areas towards Diamond Head are near to the expansive picnic
and recreational facilities, including those of Kapiolani
Park. Kristina Malsberger writes, "As I thread my way through
a maze of umbrellas, sand castles, and bronze bodies, it seems
that some things have hardly changed since the days when Bing
Crosby crooned 'Sweet Leilani' here in the 1937 film 'Waikiki
Wedding.' Yes, the surfboards and swimsuits have shrunk and
the high-rise forest has grown, but folks still come here
for the same reasons as always: to soak up the tropical sunshine,
to splash around in the surf, and to engage in that unique
Waikiki tradition — the outrigger canoe ride."
Newcomers should take special care when using personal flotation
devices (e.g., inflatable mattresses, styrofoam swim boards,
et al.) — they are just no substitute for good swimming technique.
Be wary of runaway surfboards - they can be dangerous. Ask
the lifeguards where the deep holes are. Stay off of the breakwater
and sea walls; they are slippery and you can get pounded and
hurt - especially during high surf.
Up to this point, the beach is open to the shore front and
main road, but to the west of here, hotels claim the beach
front and the main road is forced inland from the beach. However,
public access to all beaches is allowed and even the grand
resorts do not object to passers-by walking through their
properties. Several catamarans and racing outrigger canoes
are available for rides around the Waikiki surf at this point.
The beach gets progressively narrower until just beyond the
famous original Waikiki Hotel, the Pink Royal (now
Sheraton) where high tide comes right up to the seawall. The
beach then opens up again and is officially called the Fort
DeRussy Beach and reaches its widest point near the crescent
shaped bay holding back Ala Wai Harbour. Here the sea is usually
dead calm and great for swimming with sandy bottom and shallow
water. Casual water activities are also popular.
Beyond Ala Wai Harbour is the equally attractive setting
of Ala Moana Beach Park with its paved pathways, cove
beach, joggers and fishermen and views of Downtown Honolulu but a stone throw away.
Although Waikiki has almost all Oahu's accommodation, there
are lots of other lovely beaches around Oahu which
can be explored by car.
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