Duke Kahanamoku Beach (All About The Waikiki Beach)

Introducing Duke Kahanamoku Beach

For its postcard-worthy scenic beaches, it’s no surprise that travelers from all over the world choose Hawaii as a dream destination. If you're in Oahu, stopping by the impressive Waikiki Beach is an absolute must. It stretches across two miles of white sand and is divided into eight beaches, with each section featuring its own unique vibe and range of exciting water activities.

The widest beach of the stretch is known as Kahanamoku Beach. Located on the western end of Waikiki, it was named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (1890-1968), a three-time Olympic Gold medalist swimmer and respected Hawaiian surfer. He later went on to become a movie star AND the Sheriff of Honolulu. Talk about a man whose career knew no limits.

Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Kahanamoku Beach

Notably, the beach itself had been voted the #2 best beach to visit in America Dr. Beach's annual list back in 2012. This list ranks beaches according to their sand and water quality, safety, and environmental practices. Here’s where you'll also see the iconic Duke Kahanamoku statue, enacted in honor of the legendary Hawaiian athlete.

Getting There

If you're coming straight from the Honolulu International Airport, you can either rent a car, get a Taxi, or take an Uber to get to Waikiki beach. The drive is 9.6 miles long and takes only about 20 minutes.

As the beach is in the center of all the action at Waikiki, it may be slightly challenging to get parking there lest you're staying in one of the hotels in that area. Street parking near Waikiki beach is also limited, so your best bet might be to travel via Taxi/ Uber or shuttle services to get to Kahanamoku beach quickly.

A typical taxi ride costs anywhere between $30 and $50. Fly Shuttle offers a shuttle service from Honolulu airport to Waikiki and back. They are a top-rated airport transportation service, and the rates for one-way rides start at $17.80. Alternatively, Go Waikiki Shuttle offers round-trip rides costing $30 per person, with a minimum of two passengers on board. In true Hawaiian spirit, you can upgrade your experience to include a traditional airport greeting with a Hawaiian flower lei.

For a more affordable option, consider taking TheBus, Oahu's official public transportation service. It offers several bus routes from the airport that stop at various locations. Take bus number 20 outside the main terminal, which will take you to a stop that's a four-minute walk away from Waikiki beach. The entire journey takes about an hour and will cost about $3 per person (free for children under five).

Helicopter view of Duke Kahanamoku Beach and the famous Hilton “Rainbow Towers”

Kahanamoku Beach fronts the luxurious Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Hilton Village Lagoon, where you'll often see tourists kayaking in. This self-contained resort is the perfect accommodation choice if you're looking to explore Kahanamoku beach and the surrounding Waikiki beaches during your stay. All visitors will have access to unobstructed ocean views from their own rooms and a range of cultural activities like hula lessons.

Fun Fact: The Hilton Hawaiian Village has served as a filming site for many scenes of the hit TV series Hawaii 5-0. In particular, you may recognize the place for its iconic rainbow tower, Tropics Bar & Grill, and stunning beachfront stretch have been featured in multiple episodes. For diehard fans, Hilton offers an exclusive Hawaii Five-0 package, designed to give you the ultimate TV show experience. Minus the brutal crimes and high-speed car chase, of course.

Once you reach Kahanamoku beach, take in the glorious sound of tides, sights of gorgeous sea views, and tiki torches scattered all over. There's also access to a boardwalk that connects to other beaches of Waikiki and nearby hotels along the shoreline, and dining options are all within walking distance.

Activities at Kahanamoku Beach

The beach is an excellent spot for relaxing, having a picnic, or simply admiring the view. For the adventurous at heart, plenty of equipment rentals, surf lessons, and other water activities are available. As Kahanamoku Beach is well protected from strong currents by man-made breakwater, the waters there are generally calm.

Make sure that you wear reef walkers or protective footwear, as the Westend beaches tend to have a slightly rocky bottom near the shoreline than those on the east side. If you're looking to go into the waters for more than just a quick dip, you may want to explore some of the beaches further east, such as San Souci Beach, which is better for swimming.

View from Kahanamoku Beach

Every Friday night, visitors are treated to a free "King's Jubilee" torch-lighting ceremony and fireworks display at Kahanamoku Beach.

If you’re interested in viewing some authentic Hawaiian music and dance, head over to Kuhio beach for a free hula show that’s held every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening. The venue is easily accessible from Kahanamoku Beach, located near the Duke Kahanamoku statue and diagonally across from the Hyatt Regency hotel. Make sure you check the official Waikiki Improvement Association's website for the most updated show timings before heading there.

Once you’re done enjoying the beach, you can visit the multitude of family-friendly attractions in the area, like the Waikiki Aquarium or the Honolulu Zoo. If you’re not one for swimming, but would still like to observe Hawaii’s sea life up close, a boat tour is your best option. Here are a few of our top picks for your Waikiki travel itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Waikiki

As a year-round paradise, Hawaii is a destination you'll enjoy visiting at any time of the year. However, two major peak periods tend to draw in more crowds to the islands—during summer, from June to September, and in the winter months, from December to March.

Surfers at the Duke Kahanamoku Beach

The best time to visit Kahanamoku Beach and the rest of Oahu is during the off-peak months of Spring, from March to late May, or fall time, from September to November. Not only will the beaches, bars, and restaurants be less crowded, but the weather will likely be fair, with little to no rainfall.

Pro Tip: Find out the holiday events and festivities that happen throughout these periods before booking your flights. The islands tend to draw in greater numbers of celebrating tourists on those dates.

Now that you’ve got the beautiful Kahanamoku Beach on your bucket list, check out what’s in store for you at Halona Beach Cove, a hidden gem in Oahu. It's time to get your Aloha spirit on and start planning that trip to Hawaii!

Table of Contents
Getting There
Activities
Best Time to Visit