Waikiki Family Activities: A Local’s Guide Beyond the Beach

Waikiki family activities go well beyond sunbathing and shave ice. Just outside the resort strip you’ll find rainforest hikes, a boat trip to snorkel with sea turtles, a quaint zoo and aquarium, and some of the best malasadas on the island, all within walking distance or a short bus ride away.

Rent the Car (At Least for a Couple of Days)

Some of my favorite spots on this list are outside of Waikiki, and I’d highly recommend renting a car, even if just for a couple of days, to get out and explore.

But parking and car rentals are pricey, and your vacation love language may be lounge mode, in which case you want logistics as simple as possible. If that’s you, you have options. TheBus, a Biki bike, the trolley, and rideshare will all get you around Waikiki itself. Just know that’s Waikiki only. No normal visitors are biking to the North Shore. Technically, I have (and you can) put a bike on a city bus and travel to the north shore and beyond, but that takes real commitment (aka a broke, car-less grad student with a desire to explore).

Easy Hikes and Outdoor Adventures Near Waikīkī

If you’re in the mood to escape Waikīkī for a change of scenery, there are several nearby hiking trails, close enough that a rideshare or the bus gets you there without renting a car for the day.

Manoa Falls Trail. Experience the rainforest with a canopy covered stroll along the stream culminating in a waterfall. It’s a 1.7 mile hike to get to the waterfall and back, but the path is wide and well-marked. Expect to pay a parking fee and go early or late to avoid crowds.

Diamond Head. Make your way to the top of this iconic crater for stunning Waikiki views. They created a reservation system to limit crowds so plan this one in advance by snagging your spot from the park here. P.S. it’s typically hot and exposed so go early or late.

Waahila Ridge. Escape the beaten path with this steep ridge hike or take your pick from an extensive trail system at the back of Makiki Valley just beyond Waikiki.

Alternatives to Waikiki Beach

I don’t often seek out Waikiki, but on the rare occasion I do visit, the clear water and perfect waves remind me how special this place is at its core. I have memories of sitting in the surf lineup at sunset, live music from the beach bars filtering across the water. If you’re looking for something quieter than that though, here are a few nearby options.

Magic island. A bustling park and a perfect little crescent beach sit at the top of Ala Moana Beach Park. Great for a swim and a picnic, with sunset views of Diamond Head and the Waianae Mountains. Visit on a Friday evening and you might catch the Hilton’s fireworks show from across the water. It’s also right next to Ala Moana Mall, so if anyone in your group would rather shop than swim, they don’t have to choose.

Diamond Head Beach Park. If you’re a surfer looking to escape the crowds at Waikiki or have a curious kid who loves tidepools, this narrow rocky beach is a fun change of pace.

Waialae Beach Park. Escape the crowds for a stroll along this palm-tree-lined beach in the upscale neighborhood of Kahala. The water is usually calm and clear, but the beach is narrow, so it’s best at low tide. It’s a lovely spot for sunset family photos.

Take to the Seas

There are lots of different flavors here depending on your interests. You can dive (or snuba), take a sunset sail, a whale watch tour (from December to May), charter a fishing boat, ride a submarine, or see Waikiki from above on a parasail.

A turtle snorkel with Oceanstar. I once spent several days documenting a family’s full circle island trip, cacao farms, food trucks, beaches, a whole island’s worth of adventure, and their turtle snorkel with Oceanstar was one of the highlights of the whole week. They’re a woman-owned, Asian-owned local operation out of Kewalo Basin, worth supporting if you’re picking between a few similar tours.

For Animal Lovers

If you’re an animal lover you might want to check out the Honolulu Zoo or the Waikiki Aquarium. Both are small and lovely (the aquarium has air conditioning indoors, sweet relief!). They are not state of the art institutions but my kids always begged to go again, and again, and again.

Best family places to eat while you’re in Waikiki

Real talk about eating in Waikiki with a family. A lot of it is expensive and just okay, looking at you, Duke’s, and the flashy new spot keeps changing since restaurants come and go here faster than most neighborhoods. Yes, there are Michelin caliber options if that’s your trip. But if you’re just hungry, don’t want a reservation, and don’t want to blow the food budget on mediocre, here are a few reliable options.

• Marugame Udon. The line looks scary long but moves faster than it looks. Fresh udon, good tempura, and it won’t wreck your budget.
• Musubi Cafe Iyasume. Low key, no fuss, a real local staple. Sample a few kinds of musubi and call it lunch.
• Leonard’s Malasadas. Non negotiable. How many are too many is the only real question, and the answer is dobash.

If you want the newest, fanciest, or most talked about spot right now, skip my list and go straight to Frolic Hawaii, they cover Oahu’s food scene in real time and keep up with what’s opening and closing.

One More Thing to Pencil In

Somewhere between the hike and the malasadas, it’s worth setting aside time for a family photo session. Not a formal, everyone matching, you-better-behave type of affair, but a morning playing and exploring with your favorite people so you can take home happy memories. Here is what that actually looks like, a family climbing through the tropical park in Nuuanu, another catching the last light at Magic Island, a third one splashing around a quiet Kahala beach without another soul in sight. What would a morning adventure look like for your family?

FAQs: Waikiki with Kids Answered