Honolulu: Travel Guide

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the only major US city located outside the continental United States. It sits on the southeastern coast of Oahu, with Waikiki — the state’s most famous beach — running for two miles along the southern shore. The city is simultaneously a Pacific resort destination, the commercial hub of Hawaii, and a place of genuine historical significance: the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 brought the USA into World War II, and the memorials on the harbor remain among the most visited in the country.

Oahu’s appeal extends well beyond Waikiki. The North Shore is one of the world’s premier big-wave surfing destinations from November through February. The windward (east) coast has a dramatically different character — wetter, greener, less developed. And the volcanic landscape that shaped the island is visible from the top of Diamond Head, the Pali Lookout, and dozens of trailheads within 30 minutes of the city center.

Getting There and Around

Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) handles all flights to Oahu. Mainland US flights from the West Coast take approximately five to six hours. International flights arrive from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and other Pacific Rim destinations. A taxi from the airport to Waikiki costs approximately $30–40 as of 2026; a rideshare approximately $18–28.

The TheBus (Oahu’s public bus system) covers the island for a flat fare of approximately $3 per ride. Route 20 from the airport to Waikiki costs approximately $3 and takes 45–60 minutes. The Skyline rail system (opened in 2023) currently runs from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium and will extend to downtown Honolulu and eventually Waikiki by the mid-2020s — check the current terminus before relying on it.

For the North Shore, Kailua, Hanauma Bay, and other points around the island, a rental car is significantly more practical than public transport. Rental cars at HNL run approximately $45–80/day as of 2026 (higher in peak season). Book well in advance — Oahu rental car shortages during peak periods can push daily rates above $150.

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki is two miles of southeast-facing beach on a narrow peninsula between the Ala Wai Canal and the Pacific Ocean. The sand is excellent, the water temperature is typically 75–80°F year-round, and the wave pattern on the eastern end of the beach (near the Outrigger Waikiki hotel) is gentle enough for beginner surf lessons. No entry fee. Lifeguards on duty 9am–5:30pm.

Surf lessons are widely available from beach concessions along Kalakaua Avenue. Group lessons run approximately $45–60 per person for a two-hour session; private lessons approximately $120–150. The historically correct claim is that Waikiki is where modern surfing was introduced to the mainland USA, and the beachboys giving lessons here in the early 20th century were directly responsible for spreading the sport globally.

Diamond Head

3300 Diamond Head Rd. A 760-foot volcanic crater offering one of the most rewarding short hikes in Hawaii — 1.6 miles round trip with a 560-foot elevation gain, ending in panoramic views of Waikiki, the Honolulu skyline, and the Pacific. Entry approximately $5 per person on foot, $10 per car as of 2026. Timed entry reservations required — book online at gostateparks.hawaii.gov up to two weeks in advance. The site fills quickly; 6am openings sell out on weekdays and weekends. Wear closed-toe shoes — the final section involves concrete stairs and a narrow tunnel. Allow 90 minutes round trip.

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center — 1 Arizona Memorial Place. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 sank 19 US Navy ships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 Americans. The Arizona Memorial sits above the sunken battleship USS Arizona, which remains in the harbor with 1,177 crew members still on board. Entry to the Visitor Center is free; the boat tour to the Memorial itself (free but requires a timed ticket) frequently sells out — reserve in advance at recreation.gov.

Additional Pearl Harbor sites require separate tickets:

• Battleship Missouri Memorial — The battleship where Japan signed the formal surrender on September 2, 1945. Entry approximately $29 for adults, $14 for children (ages 4–12).
• Pacific Aviation Museum — Entry approximately $25 for adults, $15 for children.
• USS Bowfin Submarine Museum — Entry approximately $17 for adults, $8 for children.

A combo ticket covering all four sites costs approximately $65 for adults as of 2026. Allow a full day for the complete Pearl Harbor experience.

Hiking

Diamond Head — See above. The most accessible and most popular hike on the island.

Manoa Falls — 3860 Manoa Rd. A 1.6-mile round-trip trail through a lush rainforest valley to a 150-foot waterfall. Entry approximately $5 as of 2026 (recently introduced fee). Open daily 6am–6pm. Muddy in places — wear trail shoes. One of the most rewarding short hikes within 20 minutes of Waikiki.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail — End of Kalaniana’ole Hwy near Makapu’u Beach. A 2-mile paved path along the southeastern tip of the island, with whale-watching opportunities from January through March and views of the Molokai Channel. Free. Open daily 7am–7:45pm.

Koko Crater Trail — End of Kokonani St, Hawaii Kai. An extremely steep 1.8-mile round trip up a retired railway track built on the crater wall. 1,000-foot elevation gain — not for those uncomfortable with heights or exposed terrain. Free. Open daily.

Pillboxes Trail (Lanikai) — Kaiwa Ridge Trail, Kailua. A short but steep 1.8-mile round trip to World War II-era concrete military observation posts, with views over Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands offshore. Free. Best at sunrise.

North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu is 35 miles from Waikiki (approximately 55 minutes by car on H-2 and Highway 99). From November through February, Waimea Bay, Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), and Sunset Beach host professional surfing events and wave faces of 20–40+ feet. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing runs December through January at Pipeline and Sunset Beach; the Eddie Aikau Invitational at Waimea Bay is held only when waves reach 40 feet or more (typically one or two times per decade). No entry fee to watch from the beach.

In summer (April through August), the North Shore is calm, the waves are minimal, and it becomes the island’s best snorkeling destination. Laniakea Beach on the North Shore is also a reliable sea turtle viewing site year-round — turtles haul out on the sand in the afternoon.

Haleiwa Town — The main commercial center of the North Shore, with surf shops, shave ice stands (Matsumoto Shave Ice has been operating since 1951; line typically 30–60 minutes; cones approximately $3–5), and several strong lunch spots. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (original at the north end of Haleiwa, approximately $15–17 per plate) has been the template for the garlic shrimp truck tradition replicated across Oahu.

Where to Eat

Alan Wong’s — 1857 S. King St. One of Hawaii’s most celebrated chefs, and the flagship restaurant of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement that elevated local ingredients into fine dining in the 1990s. Tasting menus approximately $110–145 per person. Dinner only Tuesday–Saturday. Reservations required weeks in advance.

Senia — 75 N. King St, Chinatown. The most exciting restaurant in Honolulu as of 2026, serving a creative prix-fixe menu with strong Japanese and Hawaiian influences. Prix-fixe approximately $150 per person. Dinner only; closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations required.

Highway Inn — 680 Ala Moana Blvd (Kaka’ako). The most respected traditional Hawaiian plate lunch restaurant in Honolulu, serving lau lau (tiki-wrapped pork, approximately $14), kalua pig (approximately $14), poi, and lomi salmon. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. No reservation needed.

Ono Hawaiian Foods — 726 Kapahulu Ave. Another benchmark for traditional Hawaiian comfort food — poi, lomi salmon, haupia (coconut pudding), and squid luau. Counter service, cash preferred, small and crowded at lunch. Most plates approximately $12–16.

Sushi Sho — Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikiki. One of the most exclusive omakase experiences in the USA, with the Honolulu outpost of the legendary Tokyo restaurant. Omakase approximately $250–350 per person. Book months ahead.

Marukame Udon — 2310 Kuhio Ave, Waikiki. An assembly-line udon counter with bowls from approximately $5–9, produced at extraordinary volume with consistent quality. Queue around the block at lunch; expect a 20-minute wait. One of the best low-cost meals in Waikiki.

Where to Stay

Halekulani — 2199 Kalia Rd, Waikiki. The standard for Honolulu luxury since 1917, with 453 oceanfront rooms, the House Without a Key oceanfront restaurant (the best sunset view in Waikiki), and a service level that places it among the best hotels in the USA. Rooms from approximately $500–800/night; ocean-view rooms from approximately $700/night. The property occupies a premier section of Waikiki Beach with direct sand access.

Royal Hawaiian — 2259 Kalakaua Ave. The “Pink Palace of the Pacific” opened in 1927 and remains one of the most iconic buildings in Hawaii. 528 rooms in the original building and a newer tower. Rooms in the historic Maimai Wing from approximately $500/night; ocean-facing rooms from approximately $700/night. The beachside Surf Bar is one of the most atmospheric outdoor bars in the state.

Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort — 2365 Kalakaua Ave. Opened in 1901, the oldest hotel in Waikiki. 793 rooms, beachfront location, and a landmark veranda restaurant (The Verandah) overlooking the beach. Rooms from approximately $350–500/night. A strong mid-luxury option on the beach.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort — 2169 Kalia Rd. A large resort with direct beach access, multiple pools, and a good location between the central Waikiki strip and the quieter Diamond Head end of the beach. Rooms from approximately $280–420/night.

Alohilani Resort — 2490 Kalakaua Ave. A contemporary resort with ocean-floor aquarium lobby, multiple pools, and a well-regarded pool deck. Rooms from approximately $280–450/night. One of the better modern design properties on the strip.

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel — 2570 Kalakaua Ave. A solid mid-range option on Kalakaua Avenue with rooms from approximately $200–300/night. No direct beach access but steps from the sand.

Budget tier: HI Honolulu (Waikiki) is consistently rated one of the best hostels in the United States — dorm beds from approximately $45–65/night as of 2026, private rooms from approximately $120–160/night. For travelers who want more space at lower cost, staying in neighborhoods like Moiliili or Kaimuki (both a 10–15 minute bus ride from Waikiki on TheBus) cuts hotel rates by approximately 30–40% compared to beachfront equivalents, with the same access to the beach via Route 20.

Beyond Waikiki: Kailua and the Windward Coast

Kailua Beach on the windward (east) coast of Oahu is consistently rated one of the top beaches in the USA — a wide arc of white sand with calm, turquoise water protected by an offshore reef. Kailua town (a 35-minute drive from Waikiki, or 45 minutes on TheBus Route 57) has a good cluster of independent restaurants and cafés. Kailua Cellars and Cinnamon’s Restaurant are both widely recommended for breakfast. No formal hotels in Kailua — accommodation is through vacation rentals.