Coconut Waikiki Hotel’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Everyone knows you should visit Pearl Harbor, but one of our staff who used to work at the National Park had some tips to make your trip even better: There are lots of tours you can join, but to save money and time, just hop on a bus or shuttle and go on your own. Get there right when they open and get your ticket to the USS Arizona Memorial right away so you don’t have to wait hours for your admission time. And don’t miss the tour of the Pacific Aviation Museum, where you can talk to an actual survivor of Pearl Harbor on Saturdays and Thursdays.
97 locals recommend
Pearl Harbor
Everyone knows you should visit Pearl Harbor, but one of our staff who used to work at the National Park had some tips to make your trip even better: There are lots of tours you can join, but to save money and time, just hop on a bus or shuttle and go on your own. Get there right when they open and get your ticket to the USS Arizona Memorial right away so you don’t have to wait hours for your admission time. And don’t miss the tour of the Pacific Aviation Museum, where you can talk to an actual survivor of Pearl Harbor on Saturdays and Thursdays.
If you come to Hawaii for an adventure and who loves to hike, we recommend Diamond Head Crater, just 15 minutes drive away from our hotel!
261 locals recommend
Diamond Head Crater Hike
KapahuluIf you come to Hawaii for an adventure and who loves to hike, we recommend Diamond Head Crater, just 15 minutes drive away from our hotel!
Although it’s about half an hour away by car, this pineapple empire might be worth a drive if you’re traveling with kids. The enormous store itself is worth a visit, with gifts, handcrafts, and food items galore. (It’s one of the best smelling stores you’ll ever visit.) There’s a pineapple maze and the Pineapple Express Train Tour, both with a separate admission.
179 locals recommend
Dole Plantation
64-1550 Kamehameha HwyAlthough it’s about half an hour away by car, this pineapple empire might be worth a drive if you’re traveling with kids. The enormous store itself is worth a visit, with gifts, handcrafts, and food items galore. (It’s one of the best smelling stores you’ll ever visit.) There’s a pineapple maze and the Pineapple Express Train Tour, both with a separate admission.
In the Hawaiian Hall of this fascinating museum, you’ll find over a million Polynesian artifacts that tell the story of Hawaii. There’s also a planetarium and Science Adventure Center — complete with an erupting volcano — that’s a hit with the kids. In other words, bring the whole family.
361 locals recommend
Bishop Museum
1525 Bernice StIn the Hawaiian Hall of this fascinating museum, you’ll find over a million Polynesian artifacts that tell the story of Hawaii. There’s also a planetarium and Science Adventure Center — complete with an erupting volcano — that’s a hit with the kids. In other words, bring the whole family.
Get a better appreciation for what’s swimming around out there at this small but interesting aquarium. Jelly fish, flashlight fish, monk seals, coral — this is your chance to get an up-close look at marine life without having to put on sunblock.
197 locals recommend
Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua AveGet a better appreciation for what’s swimming around out there at this small but interesting aquarium. Jelly fish, flashlight fish, monk seals, coral — this is your chance to get an up-close look at marine life without having to put on sunblock.
Beaches
Despite the fact that this is many locals’ favorite beach, it’s rarely crowded. The currents can be strong, which means it’s not always ideal for swimming (ask the lifeguard), but you can’t beat the scenery: it’s set in a cove-like bay against a mountain of black lava rock crowned by a lighthouse. (Bring your camera!)
41 locals recommend
Makapu'u Beach Park
Despite the fact that this is many locals’ favorite beach, it’s rarely crowded. The currents can be strong, which means it’s not always ideal for swimming (ask the lifeguard), but you can’t beat the scenery: it’s set in a cove-like bay against a mountain of black lava rock crowned by a lighthouse. (Bring your camera!)
Hit the North Shore at this gorgeous beach that’s famous for big-wave surfing. In the summer, the water is calm enough for swimming and snorkeling, but in the winter months, the waves pick up and the surfers come out to play. It’s amazing to watch, and at the end of the day, you’ll be rewarded with the beach’s other claim to fame: sunset.
167 locals recommend
Sunset Beach
Hit the North Shore at this gorgeous beach that’s famous for big-wave surfing. In the summer, the water is calm enough for swimming and snorkeling, but in the winter months, the waves pick up and the surfers come out to play. It’s amazing to watch, and at the end of the day, you’ll be rewarded with the beach’s other claim to fame: sunset.
Try a different side of the island at Kailua Beach Park. A beautiful drive up Highway 61, this park has white sand beaches and full facilities for you and your family. Just down the road is beautiful Lanikai beach, which doesn’t have parking or facilities, but is a gorgeous slice of island.
200 locals recommend
Kailua Beach Park
526 Kawailoa RdTry a different side of the island at Kailua Beach Park. A beautiful drive up Highway 61, this park has white sand beaches and full facilities for you and your family. Just down the road is beautiful Lanikai beach, which doesn’t have parking or facilities, but is a gorgeous slice of island.
Just a few miles away from Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana has the same golden-sand beaches, the same view of Diamond Head, but a totally different vibe. There’s nearly a mile’s worth of beach, so there’s plenty of room to spread out, picnic, and play beach volleyball. Swimming is great here, too: the seawalls and outer reef provide protection, making the water perfectly calm.
110 locals recommend
Ala Moana Beach Park
1201 Ala Moana BlvdJust a few miles away from Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana has the same golden-sand beaches, the same view of Diamond Head, but a totally different vibe. There’s nearly a mile’s worth of beach, so there’s plenty of room to spread out, picnic, and play beach volleyball. Swimming is great here, too: the seawalls and outer reef provide protection, making the water perfectly calm.
One of the most famous beaches in the world, and with good reason. The beautiful setting includes golden sand beaches and views of Diamond Head crater, and you can swim, sun, snorkel, or surf, all within the same area. With its gentle slope and pool-like conditions, it’s even great for wading with little ones, especially near the seawall in the Kuhio Beach section.
63 locals recommend
Waikiki Beach
One of the most famous beaches in the world, and with good reason. The beautiful setting includes golden sand beaches and views of Diamond Head crater, and you can swim, sun, snorkel, or surf, all within the same area. With its gentle slope and pool-like conditions, it’s even great for wading with little ones, especially near the seawall in the Kuhio Beach section.
Food scene
Made famous way back in 1925 in a Charlie Chan novel (they’ve been open since 1917), this beachfront restaurant and bar has an expansive patio where people flock to watch the sunset each night, with live Hawaiian music and signature mai tais making for a perfectly memorable evening. (Don’t let the “bar” part fool you: it’s all about the music and the sunset, so you can bring your kids with a clear conscience.)
33 locals recommend
House Without a Key
2199 Kālia RdMade famous way back in 1925 in a Charlie Chan novel (they’ve been open since 1917), this beachfront restaurant and bar has an expansive patio where people flock to watch the sunset each night, with live Hawaiian music and signature mai tais making for a perfectly memorable evening. (Don’t let the “bar” part fool you: it’s all about the music and the sunset, so you can bring your kids with a clear conscience.)
Enter through the ground-level store, pass the Hawaiian shirts and upscale souvenirs, and make your way to the second floor for well-executed Hawaiian-inspired dishes. Or, go up to the third-floor bar which has its own private “beach” and plenty of umbrella drinks.
42 locals recommend
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
298 Beach WalkEnter through the ground-level store, pass the Hawaiian shirts and upscale souvenirs, and make your way to the second floor for well-executed Hawaiian-inspired dishes. Or, go up to the third-floor bar which has its own private “beach” and plenty of umbrella drinks.
The lines can be long at this popular noodle joint, but they’re worth it. Their Sanuki-style Udon noodles are freshly made, as are the broths, and half the fun is picking the fresh garnishes and toppings to create your perfect bowl of Udon.
176 locals recommend
Marukame Udon Waikiki
2310 Kūhiō Ave.The lines can be long at this popular noodle joint, but they’re worth it. Their Sanuki-style Udon noodles are freshly made, as are the broths, and half the fun is picking the fresh garnishes and toppings to create your perfect bowl of Udon.
Fish tacos on the beach? Yes, please! The Hula Grill serves up Hawaiian specialties all day long, from macadamia nut pancakes to pan-seared ono for dinner — all against the backdrop of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.
58 locals recommend
Hula Grill Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua AveFish tacos on the beach? Yes, please! The Hula Grill serves up Hawaiian specialties all day long, from macadamia nut pancakes to pan-seared ono for dinner — all against the backdrop of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.
This beachfront classic embraces its Hawaiian side with just a touch of tiki. They’re open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the breakfast buffet has been a long-running favorite for over 25 years, with made-to-order omelets, piles of fresh fruit, and more to fuel your adventures.
311 locals recommend
Duke's Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua AveThis beachfront classic embraces its Hawaiian side with just a touch of tiki. They’re open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the breakfast buffet has been a long-running favorite for over 25 years, with made-to-order omelets, piles of fresh fruit, and more to fuel your adventures.
Get your eggs (‘n things) any way you like them—or some ways you haven’t even thought of yet—at this casual nearby eatery. Although the focus is on eggs, the “things” include pancakes, acai bowls, crepes, and evening entrees with no eggs in sight.
37 locals recommend
Eggs 'n Things Waikiki Beach Eggspress
2464 Kalakaua AveGet your eggs (‘n things) any way you like them—or some ways you haven’t even thought of yet—at this casual nearby eatery. Although the focus is on eggs, the “things” include pancakes, acai bowls, crepes, and evening entrees with no eggs in sight.
Sip, snack, and socialize at this café that celebrates local flavors. The menu focuses on fresh,
locally grown, and organic ingredients, so you can feel good about what you eat. And the
atmosphere is fun and laid back, with just the right amount of surfer chic. Serving breakfast,
lunch, and dinner downstairs at the Shoreline Hotel.
48 locals recommend
Heavenly Island Lifestyle
342 Seaside AveSip, snack, and socialize at this café that celebrates local flavors. The menu focuses on fresh,
locally grown, and organic ingredients, so you can feel good about what you eat. And the
atmosphere is fun and laid back, with just the right amount of surfer chic. Serving breakfast,
lunch, and dinner downstairs at the Shoreline Hotel.