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.
Beach near the Wall
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Kapiolani
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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.
Kuhio East
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Kuhio Centre
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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.
Mid Waikiki
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Fort DeRussy Beach
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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.
Ala Moana Park
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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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