Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach, Waikiki

Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach is in the center of Waikiki. It feels like the beach pretty much joins up with Kalakaua Avenue here, in one big crowd of people. This is where the action is! Usually I don't like crowded spots, but there's something so beautiful about Waikiki that it's nice anyway. It's harder to find a place for yourself on the beach and in the water here, but once you do, man is it good! The swimming here is tops! Clear perfect water with tiny bouncy waves, soft sandy ocean floor, views of Diamond Head, colorful sailboats, palm trees....The happy people floating around on swim rings just add to the fun feeling. If I need to feel better in the middle of winter, I just conjure up sensations in my mind of what it felt like to swim here.

If you want to ride the little waves, you can rent bodyboards and surfboards right on the beach.
The wide sidewalk by the beach has fountains, an old-style clock, and pretty landscaping. There is a mound where hula is performed in the evenings. Men run by lighting the torches along the street at sunset. A big beautiful banyan tree stands in the middle of it all. Next to it is a statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian surfing legend who brought surfing to the rest of the world, including Australia. He was also an olympic swimmer. Read about him, with your kids, in the award winning book Surfer of the Century- this will really add to your trip!
Just west of Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach is the Moana Surfrider Hotel. An architectural gem with gracious beaux-art white columns, it was opened in 1901 as the first beachfront resort in Waikiki. Step inside and see the wise, calm Indian Banyan tree that stands 150 ft wide and shades the Moana's large oceanfront patio. The patio is a romantic place to order drinks and listen to the live music and the ocean rolling in to shore.
A children's book, Little Princess Kaiulani tells about this area of Waikiki as it was long ago when Princess Kaiulani used to have her own garden here. It has become a beloved book in our house!
Other nice spots in Waikiki from east to west are: the Hau Tree Beach all the way on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki- lots of shade and a lovely swim; the great bodyboarding beach near Kapahulu Avenue; the ocean swimming pool, a safe spot for more timid swimmers, and very romantic at night with the moon shining on the still water; the Royal Hawaiian Beach, warm warm water and the stunning pink hotel; the Waikiki Oceanfront Stroll, a romantic walk beside the ocean in front of the grand hotels; and all the way west before you hit the harbor, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach, with tons of fun stuff for kids to do.
For a walk in the jungle, rent a car and head over to Lyon Arboretum. It's only a ten minute drive to get there!

Directions

This beach is located near the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Uluniu Street.
Parking is limited so park at the zoo and walk. The zoo has metered parking: $1 buys you an hour of parking. The maximum allowed is 4 hours. The zoo parking is on the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Kapahulu Avenue.
There are restrooms and outdoor showers near this beach.

Click on map for interactive view