Waikiki Hawaii - Sunny Beach Days

The last instalment of my Hawaii Holiday is finally here. Today I am sharing my five nights in Waikiki. We were in Hawaii for two weeks and divided our time between:

++ Maui Island (read that post here)

++ Haleiwa, The North Shore (read that post here)

++ Waikiki

We experienced Waikiki at it's best - the ocean was crystal clear, the skies so blue and the days so hot!

I would compare Waikiki to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Lots of chain stores, food and restaurants, beautiful beaches and lots of tourists.

With the weather so warm, we spent every day at the beach. It's funny how you find your little routine when on holidays. We would head off for breakfast, then head down to the beach to set up our umbrella to have a few hours in the sun. We would then retire from the sun and head off in search of lunch. Our favourite place was The Cheesecake Factory. At night, the line was out the door, so we found it a great and quick eat at lunchtime instead. With over 250 menu items, supersized well priced meals and of course the most extensive cheesecake menu its definitely a crowd pleaser. 

After lunch we would wander the shops, before heading back to the beach until sunset where we would then slip into Duke's Beachfront Bar for a happy hour cocktail and enjoy the last of the day. 

Night time at Waikiki is alot of fun - there are so many great restaurants to dine at, lots of street performers and buskers on each corner and lots of action to see. We found ourselves eating late, then wandering the streets with an ice cream in hand back to our hotel.

An entrée sized chicken salad at The Cheesecake Factory - it was massive, I couldn't finish it!

Downtown Waikiki

 Some shopping finds

 We conquered the Diamond Head Crater - never been so hot and exhausted in my life. 

37 degree heat and the humidity nearly killed me!

We did peel ourselves away from the beach some times - we climbed the Diamond Head Crater, which was hard but so worthwhile. It gives you the best panoramic view over Waikiki and Honolulu and the ocean is simply incredible from above. Make sure you wear good shoes though, we did see some crazy people attempting it in high heels and thongs. You need runners people, trust me, unless you want to be airlifted off the crater!

We also visited Pearl Harbour, which truly is a must do when in the area. We did the free tour of the USS Arizona and there are others you can do, for a small cost - submarines, aircrafts and other navy attractions. It was so humbling to stand above the site where over 1000 heroic soldiers lay tombed in time. I felt very patriotic and a sense of proudness when visiting the site, thinking of our amazing Aussie soldiers and the battles we have fought over time. 

 USS Arizona Memorial

USS Arizona Memorial

As it was our last leg of the trip, we tended to try and relax before heading home to what always is a busy period at work leading up to Christmas. We just enjoyed the sunshine and lapped up all the tropical summer vibes. That truly is what Hawaii is all about, just taking it easy and going slow. There is no rush or anywhere to be on time.

We enjoyed our stay, but cannot say that we would go back to Waikiki again. I would much rather spend my time island hopping to some of Hawaii's little kept secrets and leave the busy touristy areas to others to enjoy. A quiet beach, palms swaying in the breeze and sipping from a coconut is more my thing. Not ducking from learner surfers and worrying my head was going to be decapitated hehe!

Here are some tips, on my guide to Waikiki:

- In Australia we call entrée a small, pre dinner meal. In America an entrée is a main meal. I got caught out a few times before I caught on! I would end up with a super sized 'entrée' meal, then not be able to eat my main!
- If you want to save money on accommodation, stay a block back from the beach. It will literally save you at least $100 a night!
- If you are heading to Pearl Harbour, make sure you get there early. We were in and out in 1.5 hours, other times people line up for an hour just to get in! We arrived at 9am fyi.
- The convenience stores (ABC) sell beach chairs and umbrellas, if you are there for a few days holidaying then its worth purchasing your own, otherwise to hire them on the beach will get very expensive.
- Get out on the water if you can - hire a paddleboard or go on the catamaran on sunset, as the view back to Waikiki and Diamond Head is beautiful.
- If you are heading to Diamond Head to walk the crater, consider catching a cab. We paid approx $12US from Waikiki centre and took us direct to the beginning of the walk, versus the bus which you have to walk a couple of extra kilometers. Trust me, the crater walk is enough, you don't want the extra couple of kilometers!
- Don't underestimate the value of small change. The $1 notes are fabulous when it comes to tipping at restaurants, otherwise you can get caught overtipping and overspending.
- Keep an eye out for turtles, as busy and crowded as Waikiki was, there was a few turtles that would pop up here and there at low tide as they combed the shallow rocks near shore for food.

Waikiki sunset from our hotel balcony

Waikiki sunset from the Top Of Waikiki Revolving Restaurant

Yes we paid $20 for a cheesy touristy photo, but you only live once right?! :P

We spent our last day on paddle boards floating around, it was so much fun. 

I never wanted to leave!

TELL ME, IS WAIKIKI ON YOUR 'TO VISIT' LIST? 

Or have you been before? Is a hot tropical beach holiday your type of holiday? What would you like to see and do in Waikiki? 

Until next time, aloha island lovers x

Linking up with Essentially Jess

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