Located in beautiful city of Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu is the beautiful district city Waikiki. It is quite possibly one the most popular beaches around the globe. This 1.5 mile stretch of beach, with its white sands and blue waters, is the center of the tourism industry in Hawaii. Amongst the beautiful high rise hotels and the luscious green palm trees, there is much to do for those who choose to visit Waikiki on their next vacation.

As previously mentioned, the one thing Waikiki is best known for is its beaches. Waikiki beach is actually a series of smaller beaches. When people look at postcards of Hawaii, the Waikiki beaches are most likely what people see. The Royal Manoa Beach is one of the most crowded beaches in the area because of its location at the center. Fort DeRussy Beach is the largest beach as well as the most popular with a lot of the tourists and the locals. It is the perfect place to go snorkeling as there is a coral reef located just a bit offshore. Other great beaches in Waikiki include Kahanamoku Beach, Kuhio Beach, San Souci Beach, and Queens Surf Beach.

Just south of the beautiful Waikiki is the Diamond Head Crater. It is one of the definitive landmarks in all of Hawaii. It is a volcano crater that cannot be missed no matter where someone stands in Waikiki. Many visitors take the trip up to the observation deck where they are presented with magnificent panoramic views of Oahu’s beautiful southern coast line. There is also a 1.1 kilometer hiking trail that goes from the parking lot to the rim of the crater. It is a popular hike and not very difficult to do, but a bottle or two of water is advised.

The Waikiki Aquarium, the third oldest aquarium located in the United States, is not to be missed. This attraction houses over one hundred different marine life species that are found around Hawaii and throughout the Pacific Ocean, like reef fish, jellyfish, octopi and even sharks. One of the most popular sites in the aquarium is the outdoor exhibit featuring Hawaiian monk seals.

The Honolulu Zoo is also another great place to go while in Waikiki. It covers 42 acres and features over one-thousand animals in habitats specially designed. The zoo is filled with a number of exotic and big named animals, including giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, and rhinos.

There is much that can be done while in Waikiki. Visitors can watch a movie on the beach on an outdoor nine meter screen or take a submarine tour right off the coast, allowing visitors to get up close to coral reefs, marine life, and various shipwrecks. Check out the International Market Place where over one-hundred stalls and shops are laid out and is the best place to buy souvenirs along a jungle-themed backdrop.

When in Waikiki, Hawaii, to get the most out of everything there is to offer, stay at the Embassy Suites Waikiki!