24 Hours in Waikiki

Take a 24-hour trip through Waikiki, from sunrise at Queen's Beach to Waikiki after dark with established local, pro beach volleyball player Stein Metzger.
Running time: 2:34

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"Hawaii is a wonderful place to vacation any time of the year. With an average temperature of 28°Celsius and the trade winds always blowing gently, the weather is very pleasant. Rain showers are normally brief."

"This is not a "fly and flop" destination. There are no all inclusive resorts. You'll want to be active. Get out and really enjoy what Hawaii has to offer."

"Our first place to visit as soon as we arrive is Duke's Canoe Club, the original outrigger canoe club, now located in the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel. It's filled with surfing memorabilia and situated right on the beach so a great spot to soak up the atmosphere of Hawaii straight away."

"Honolulu is my favourite place in the islands. This city is so vibrant and there is a lot to see and do. I like to walk and discover the different areas. There is great shopping and dining in the city as well as in Waikiki."

Hawaii for Adventure

"I really enjoy outdoor adventure activities. These are some I highly recommend.

• Climb Diamond Head - This dormant volcano at the end of Waikiki Beach is a great place to walk and see the spectacular views from the top.
• Snorkelling with Sea Turtles - This is a thrilling adventure, popular on all the islands. One of my favourites is the catamaran snorkelling adventure from the Outrigger Reef Hotel on Waikiki Beach. You don't have to be a guest to take the excursion which costs $30.
• Snorkelling on Lanai - From Maui, the guided Zodiac snorkelling adventure to the island of Lanai is really worth taking. The guides are very helpful. We saw a Moray Eel and colourful fish swimming around lava. Riding in the Zodiac was an adventure in itself!
• Helicopter Tour, Kauai - The dramatic scenery of Kauai is best seen by helicopter on a 45 minute tour that really shows you the natural beauty of the island.
• Movie Set Tour, Kauai - A 4x4 tour of movie sets is very interesting. Many famous films were made here including South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Jurassic Park and Fantasy Island.
• Hiking - Hawaii is a hiker's paradise there are so many beautiful places to discover. It's good to get off the beaten track and see what you can find on all the islands.
• Volcano Sunrise, Maui - Being at the top of Mt. Haleakala for the spectacular sunrise is a must. You can drive to the top or take a sunrise tour.
• Surfing - My husband had a good experience with Hawaii Fire. These are off duty firemen who teach you how to surf. It's a lot of work but well worth it. They even take photos for you as a souvenir. You can also ride the waves on one of the outrigger canoes at Waikiki Beach which is a thrilling experience.
• See Oahu - From Honolulu, rent a car or take a Circle Island Tour to see the beautiful island of Oahu. There are amazing beaches on the north shore worth checking out and some charming little towns mixed in with pineapple fields, banana and coffee plantations, avocado farms."

Travel Tips

• "West Jet and Air Canada both offer flights to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and Kona on the Big Island from Canadian gateways.
• The Aston Waikiki Beach is my preferred hotel in Honolulu. They offer a daily "Breakfast on the Beach". Every morning you can pick up your breakfast and take it in the cooler across the street to the beach. This is included in the price of your stay.
• For those wanting to renew their vows, the Outrigger Reef Hotel offers a group Renewal of Vows on Waikiki beach twice a week. Sign up at the desk. You don't have to be a guest to join in.
• Be sure to pack water shoes and take your own snorkelling equipment. You can rent equipment and drop it off at another location if you are travelling around, but rental equipment won't be as good quality as your own.
• Wear a T-shirt when snorkelling so your back doesn't get burned.
• You can do Hawaii on a budget as there are all kinds of accommodation from hostels and Bed and Breakfasts to 5 star condos and resorts. Just remember you get what you pay for and a budget hotel may mean no pool and a view of the parking lot."

Article by Susan Milne

IMPORTANT: When booking, ask us for the appropriate supplier brochure for complete details and terms and conditions for your vacations and as well inquire about any possible past guest savings. Offers are space available and may be withdrawn at anytime without prior notice and are not combinable with other offers (unless stated otherwise). All prices, details and offers are subject to change. We are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Articles by Susan Milne