Waikiki Beach Ocean Swimming Pool

A rock wall protects this area of Waikiki Beach from waves- not that there are big waves at Waikiki Beach- making it a swimming pool right there at the beach! Some people call this area Kuhio Beach or Kuhio Ponds. Timid swimmers or children may enjoy it for its peaceful atmosphere. I prefer to swim directly in the waves, since there is more cleansing ocean flow there. This pool, however, is fairly open to the ocean and therefore gets somewhat refreshed. The area nearby is just gorgeous! Lots of swaying palms, bright blue sea meeting the horizon, and throngs of interesting tourists and locals walking by on Kalakaua Avenue.

People sit and watch this area from the Waikiki Wall, a rock jetty with a gazebo on the end. You can see all the city lights reflected in the ocean at night. There is a landscaped waterfall nearby along Kalakaua Avenue that is lovely. At night, tiki torches are lit all along Kalakaua Ave and it's great for a stroll. Very romantic!
If you're hungry, across Kalakaua Avenue, on the corner of Kapahulu, there is a Starbucks, and Lulu's, a diner. Lulu's food isn't the greatest but the view is nice, because you can sit on the balcony and look out over the water.
In the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel is Tiki's Grill and Bar. It's expensive- $20 a plate- but it's relaxing to sit outside on their balcony amongst the tiki torches with a view of the ocean. There is live music sometimes.
Across Kalakaua Ave from the ocean swimming pool is St. Augustine by the Sea Church. It's an adorable A-frame church with a green roof and a huge triangular stained glass window that tells the story of Jesus. Inside is an alcove with statues of Mary and Jesus, plus a tropical flower arrangement. You can light a candle here to give thanks for your vacation! There are Polynesian decorations throughout the church, and songs in Hawaiian by a singer with an angelic voice. It is not open to the public but you can come during mass times (enter through the gate in the parking lot) which are Mon Wed Fri Sat 7am, Sat 5pm, and Sun 6am 8am 10am 5pm.
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;  a promenade directly on the water's edge called Queen's Surf Boardwalk; the great bodyboarding area called Waikiki Wall near Kapahulu Avenue; this ocean swimming pool, very romantic at night with the moon shining on the still water; Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach, in the center of it all; the Sheraton Beach, crowded but with great swimming; and all the way west before you hit the harbor, my favorite spot, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach, with tons of fun stuff for kids to do.
To prepare for your trip, introduce your toddler to animals in Hawaii with this adorable touch and see book, Seashore Touch-N-See Hawaii. It is one of my daughter's favorite books.

Directions

Click on the "satellite" button on the map and you can see the ocean rock wall in a satellite photo.
Parking is limited here so park at the zoo and walk. The zoo parking is on the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua. It costs $1 per hour and you can use your credit card to pay the parking meter.
Tiki's Grill and Bar, upstairs on the corner of Kalakaua and Paoakalani Ave, 2570 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu HI 96815, call (808) 923-8454.

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