Waikiki Beach
Gentle waves made for a first surf lesson or an outrigger canoe ride. Mornings are calm and quiet, and the sunsets over the water are worth planning dinner around.
- Go
- Early morning, then sunset
- Best for
- Everyone
Waikiki, Hawaii
Easy beach days, Diamond Head sunrises and a short hop to the North Shore. Here’s how to enjoy all three.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Best time to go
- Mid-December to March, for whales and big surf
- Trip length
- 5 to 7 nights
- From Atlanta
- About 10 hours to Honolulu
- Waikiki to the North Shore
- About 1 hour by car
- Weather
- January highs near 81°F, lows near 66°F
- Book by
- Six to nine months ahead for the holidays
Why Waikiki is so easy to love
Few beach trips are this effortless: step out of your hotel onto the sand, with Diamond Head at one end of the bay and great dinners a short walk away.
Winter is a lovely time to come. Highs sit in the low 80s, the water stays warm, and humpback whales arrive from Alaska, with the best whale watching from January through March. Waikiki is easily walkable, so you won’t need a car until the day you head north.
The classic hotels are part of the magic. Halekulani has welcomed guests on this beach since 1907, with Diamond Head views and sunset cocktails at House Without A Key. The Royal Hawaiian, the Pink Palace of the Pacific, opened in 1927 and is home to the much-loved Mai Tai Bar.
Easy days in and around Waikiki
Beach time comes first, but these are the outings we’d add, and when to go for each.
Diamond Head
A steep, rewarding climb inside an old volcanic crater to a summit with views over Waikiki and the coast. Non-residents need a reservation, so we book yours ahead.
- Go
- At the 6 a.m. opening
- Best for
- Sunrise and the view
Pearl Harbor
A moving half day at the USS Arizona Memorial and the museums nearby. The memorial program uses timed tickets, so we reserve yours ahead.
- Go
- First thing in the morning
- Best for
- History lovers, families
Whale watching
From January through March, humpbacks breach, slap their tails and sing off the south shore. A small-boat cruise from Honolulu puts you right in the season.
- Go
- January to March
- Best for
- A winter-only thrill
Diamond Head at sunrise
Watching the sun come up over the Pacific from the crater rim is one of the best mornings you can have on Oʻahu. It just takes a little planning.
Diamond Head State Monument opens at 6 a.m., and non-residents need an entry reservation, plus a parking reservation if you’re driving. Reservations open 30 days ahead and can sell out, so we book the first slot of the day as soon as your dates are set.
In winter the sun rises a little after 7 a.m., which gives you time for an unhurried climb up the switchbacks, a set of stairs and a short tunnel to the lookout. Bring water and a light layer for the breezy summit, then head back to Waikiki for breakfast.
What to know before you go
- ReservationsRequired for non-residents, up to 30 days ahead
- Hours6 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.
- Fees$5 per person, plus $10 to park, paid online
- ArrivalWithin the first 30 minutes of your slot
- ClosedChristmas Day and New Year’s Day
A day on the North Shore
From November through April, big swells roll into Oʻahu’s north-facing beaches. It’s about an hour’s drive, and one of the great days out in Hawaii.
Waimea Bay
Calm as a lake in summer, thunderous in winter. On the biggest days, watch from the overlook as the world’s best big-wave surfers take their turn.
- Go
- When a big swell arrives
- Best for
- Big-wave watching
Pipeline
At Ehukai Beach Park, the famous barreling waves break close to shore, so you can watch from the sand. Stay well back from the water’s edge.
- Go
- Early, for parking
- Best for
- Surf fans
Sunset Beach
A long golden beach with a big, powerful wave. Bring a folding chair, find a spot at the grassy west end and settle in.
- Go
- Late afternoon
- Best for
- A slow afternoon
Haleʻiwa
The North Shore’s easygoing surf town, with galleries, food trucks and Matsumoto’s shave ice, a local favorite since 1951.
- Go
- Lunchtime
- Best for
- Wandering and snacking
Laniakea Beach
Green sea turtles often rest on the sand here. Give them space, at least 10 feet, and enjoy the show.
- Go
- On the way to Haleʻiwa
- Best for
- Families
Waimea Valley
A lush botanical garden and Hawaiian cultural site just inland from the bay. A lovely option if the weather turns.
- Go
- Mid-morning
- Best for
- Gardens and culture
Good to know
The small things that make a winter week on Oʻahu feel easy.
Respect the winter surf
On big days, North Shore beaches are for watching only. Follow the lifeguards, and save your swims for calmer Waikiki.
Leave early for the North Shore
Traffic can stretch the drive on weekends and contest days. A private driver lets you enjoy the views and stay for sunset.
Book Diamond Head first
Early slots go quickly. We reserve yours 30 days out, then plan the rest of the week around it.
The Eddie is rare
The famous Eddie Aikau big-wave contest at Waimea only runs when waves reach about 40 feet, and in many years it doesn’t run at all.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Pack mineral sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard. The sun is strong, even on breezy winter days.
Add a second island
A short flight takes you on to Maui, Kauaʻi or Hawaiʻi Island. Many travelers start in Waikiki and finish somewhere quieter.
Planning the whole trip?
Our Hawaii guide
Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island compared, whale season, month-by-month weather and an island map.
See the Hawaii guideLet’s plan your Waikiki escape
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.