Hawaii is perfect for a solo holiday and Waikiki has everything you need when you’re traveling alone – the perfect beach, fab restaurants and live music, shopping and cocktails! I just spent five days of bliss in Waikiki and here are my favourite things to do!
Before you travel make sure to download your VPN to protect your data, and get your travel insurance (always read the PDS carefully) I stayed at the Waikiki Beachcomber and the Outrigger Reef and absolutely loved both of them, and I flew with Hawaiian Airlines.
My daughter and I stayed at Disney Aulani on our last trip, and we also love Kauai – here’s our favourite things to do in Kauai.
Splash out and hire a beach lounge and umbrella for the day.
It’s an investment for sure but spending around $80US on a sunlounge and umbrella for the day is worth it. The lounges are set up mid morning, and are so comfortable, plus the shade means you can stay on the beach all day, and the help attendant will move it for you to follow the shade.
Hire them at the Outrigger Waikiki on the main beach ($87 USD) or a little further south at the Outrigger Reef for $75 for the day.
I was lucky and a lady who had hired one for the day left early and gave me her lounge for the whole afternoon!
Treat yourself with a famous Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai
At the southern end of the beach and just footsteps from the water you’ll find the Royal Hawaiian bar with a fab selection of cocktails – but it’s hard to go past their famous Mai Tai. Served with fruit and a little umbrella it’s delicious and an excellent photo prop too! Apparently you are not supposed to drink on the beach but the takeaways come in plastic cups so…
Grab an outdoor table and have a leisurely brunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
You haven’t visited Waikiki until you’ve had a meal at the Cheesecake Factory. Grab an outside table and enjoy brunch on weekends or lunch or dinner during the week. It’s the best! There are so many cafes and restaurants n Waikiki serving coffee and acai bowls so def wander and share the love. The Cheesecake Factory though…I know some people aren’t fans but especially for us Aussies it’s a must.
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Have a waterless pedicure at the Halekulani
Pamper yourself with a relaxing foot trestment at the Halekulani Spa. Steaming hot towels replace the water soaking and you recline in the most incredible chair (so incredible many customers request the details and then order one!). It’s a blissful way to spend an hour in the afternoon after the beach and pre cocktail hour.
Watch live music at Happy Hour
Wander down to the public bar at Dukes for cocktail hour and watch the sunset colour the sky as you listen to live music. The Hyatt Regency Waikiki overlooking the beach has a gorgeous view and Happy Hour prices from 4-6pm daily. It’s the perfect way to end the day.
Get up early to watch the sunrise
Stretch, walk or simply watch the sunrise over the moutains from the beach and see the golden morning light create bveautiful clours in the sky and on the water. It’s a peaceful way to start the day.
Take a sunset SUP tour with the Surfing Sensei
A small family business, Michael at the Surfing Sensei takes surfing and SUP lessons, and the sunset SUPs are especially popular. Michael tries to get away from the the trips crowds to the trips leave from Ala Moana Beach, about a 20 minute walk from the southern end of Waikiki. You can chat to Michael on Instagram and mention Evie fro a 10-%
Buy a floatie from ABC stores and laze away in the water
For only $11.99 US you can pick up a water floatie and sit and relax in the water for hours. And if you don’t want to stretch for the umbrella and lounge from the resort you can pick them up here for cheap too, just like I did.
Sail on a catamaran right off Waikiki Beach
The hour-long catamaran surises leave from the southern end of the beach and everyone loves them. Buy drinks on board or BYO as you sail out of the bay and out into the ocean. It’s so easy to buy tickets direct from the man on the beach right near the catamarans. Kepoikai catamaran has $25 sailings with $2 drinks on board, and Na Hoku II is the yellow catamaran – you can’t miss them.
Have lunch, a beer and watch a band at the Maui Brewing Co
Just footsteps from the beach at the Waikiki Beachcomber you’ll find the Maui Brewery with a huge outdoor seating area, great meals, boutique beer and live music. What more could you ask for? Well there’s a daily Happy Hour here too. Check it out here
Pick up some bargains at Ross Dress for Less and Nordstrom Rack
You can easily shop at Waikiki and pick up some bargains to take home too. Waikiki has all the shops and the discount stores too. Take an extra bag!! If you fly with Hawaiian Airlines you get two bags of 32 kilos.
If you’re keen to be more active…
Grab your Go Hawaii pass
If you feel being more active make sure to get your Go Hawaii pass – it’s unreal and has unlimited entry to 40+ top Oahu attractions. You can save up to 55% on attraction ticket prices to the top things to do in Oahu like the Polynesian Cultural Center, USS Arizona Memorial, Sea Life Park, Makani Catamaran Sail, and more. Get your discount pass here.
Half day snorkelling and turtle watching tour.
Check out all the Hawaii activities here.