ALOHA!
If you are looking for a low-key evening in Waikiki, then here are some ideas of Waikiki evening activities!
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1. Friday night fireworks in Waikiki
One of the best things to do in Waikiki for free at night is to watch the Waikiki fireworks!
This happens once a week, so if you are on Oahu for more than a week, then you can (almost!) definitely see the fireworks! (Almost, because… weather!)
There are different spots that you can watch the fireworks from depending on if you want to be closer to the fireworks, or you don’t mind watching from a bit further away.
Waikiki Beach does curve a bit, and there are tall buildings along the beach, so there are some spots that you won’t be able to see the fireworks as well.
If you want to be right where the fireworks take off, you want to be near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Getting a bit further away, but still close, one perfect spot to see the Waikiki fireworks is from Fort DeRussy Beach in front of the Outrigger Reef hotel and Steak Shack!
And then further away, another spot that you might think is perfect to see the fireworks is from near the Barefoot Beach Cafe and Queens Beach.
Explore the map.
See more about where to watch the Friday night fireworks in Waikiki
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2. Moana Surfrider banyan tree at night
You can see the Moana Surfrider banyan tree lit up at night!
The best way to see the Moana Surfrider banyan tree at night is from Waikiki Beach!
You can walk along Waikiki Beach from the beach access next to the Waikiki Beachside Bistro, and then you’ll walk for a couple of minutes on the beach and you will start to see the banyan tree!
You will know when you see it, because you can see it lit up!
This is one of the many banyan trees in Waikiki.
Explore the map.
3. Moana Surfrider Beach Bar
There are a number of restaurants and bars that are along Waikiki Beach with outdoor dining, and the Moana Surfrider is one of them!
It’s located right at the banyan tree.
You can also walk to the Moana Surfrider Beach Bar from Kalakaua Avenue through the main entrance of the Moana Surfrider hotel.
The Moana Surfrider hotel is also a historic hotel in Waikiki, also known as the First Lady of Waikiki, so it’s worth walking past it on the street side (Kalakaua Avenue) too so you can see its architecture! (Well, you can see it lit up at night too!) This is a Westin resort in Waikiki.
Explore the map.
Read the reviews: Moana Surfrider Beach Bar reviews
See the menu: Moana Surfrider Beach Bar dinner menu
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Here are some popular activities you need to know about to get some very-Hawaii experiences! Read the reviews on the partner websites listed below!
🐢 You can swim with turtles in Waikiki!
Read the reviews for the turtle canyon tour on viator and the turtle canyon tour on getyourguide.
🌺 Eat Hawaiian food at a luau with a fire show! Have a look at the Mauka Warriors Luau or the Toa Luau.
🐠 If you're going snorkeling (or to the beach!), here are things you must consider packing for Hawaii!
You can find these things on Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate.
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel
- walking sandals perfect for Hawaii
- teva is a popular outdoor shoe brand
- teva sandals for women
- teva sandals for men
I also don't go snorkeling in Hawaii without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.
Search for the cheapest car rentals at the Honolulu airport.
/end side note
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4. Duke’s Waikiki
Duke’s Waikiki is one of the most popular restaurants in Waikiki.
This is another restaurant along Waikiki Beach with open-air dining, and at night you’ll see a bunch of torches lit up!
You’ll also see outrigger canoes on the beach nearby!
So once again, if you’re looking for another low-key way to spend your night in Waikiki, you can also go to Duke’s Waikiki.
Read the reviews: Duke’s Waikiki reviews
See the menu: Duke’s Waikiki dinner menu
Explore the map.
5. Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar
The Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar is one of the most famous restaurants in Waikiki, also along Waikiki Beach with outdoor dining.
So once again, if you’re looking for another low-key way to spend your night in Waikiki, you can also go to the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar.
And yes, it is famous for the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai!
The Royal Hawaiian hotel is the famous pink palace hotel in Hawaii, so it’s worth walking this part of Waikiki Beach during the day too so you can better see the pink-ness of the palace!
Read the reviews: Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar reviews
See the menu: Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar dinner menu
Explore the map.
6. Duke Kahanamoku Statue
The Duke Kahanamoku Statue is one of the Waikiki statues that you need to see during the day because it’s a Waikiki icon!
But you can also walk by the statue at sunset…
👆 Waikiki in the evening at sunset: Spot the Duke Kahanamoku Statue! Hint: Look for the surfboard that’s sticking up! This is the iconic surfer statue of Waikiki!
And you can also walk by the Duke Kahanamoku Statue at night!
7. Walk Waikiki Beach at night
Yes, you can walk Waikiki Beach at night!
Well, as long as it’s not too late.
There are signs along Waikiki Beach that say that Waikiki Beach is closed between the hours of 2am and 5am.
If you want to do a Waikiki Beach walk at night, then one section you might want to try is the section that includes passing by the beach side of the 3 Waikiki hotels/restaurants mentioned above! (Moana Surfrider, Duke’s Waikiki, and the Royal Hawaiian.)
If this sounds good to you, then you can start your Waikiki Beach night walk at the Waikiki Beachside Bistro. This Waikiki Beach food spot won’t be open at night, but there’s public beach access near it so it’s an easy landmark. This is also right by the Honolulu police station.
Or, you can also start the Waikiki Beach night walk from the Waikiki Surfboard Alley that’s next to the Cheesecake Factory. This Waikiki food spot is open until 11pm.
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8. Kuhio Beach hula show
There is a free hula show in Waikiki at night, and it’s the Kuhio Beach hula show!
It’s an outdoor hula show that starts around sunset right near Waikiki Beach, and you’ll get a bit of Hawaiian culture and entertainment in the form of dancing and music.
It starts off with a traditional blowing of the conch.
Then begins the live Hawaiian music and dancing!
You can catch the sunset before the hula show starts, and you can see the sky changing colors if you look back at the ocean throughout the show too!
9. Luau in Waikiki
If you like the idea of a hula show, you might also like the next level up, and you can go to a luau too!
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10. Waikiki Beach sunset!
And finally…
Yes, you can watch the sunset in Waikiki!
Watching the sunset at Waikiki Beach is FREE so you can watch it every night!
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And those are some ideas of things to do in Waikiki at night outdoors!
HAPPY SEEING WAIKIKI AT NIGHT!
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Plan your day on Oahu!
- Things to do in Waikiki (for VIEWS!)
- Fun Waikiki snorkeling spots
- Free hula show in Waikiki
- Cheap way to get to the Diamond Head hike