I was reading posts on another travel message board regarding Waikiki Beach and it seemed that an overwhelmingly large amount of people consider Waikiki Beach the most beautiful beach they have ever seen. I've also seen it ranked pretty high on many of those top 10 beach lists that seem to be everywhere (although I guess a lot of those lists take many different things into consideration). I was just there this past July and must say that I was disappointed with the beach itself. It seemed like there wasn't much sand in many places and it was usually way too crowded. I went to other beaches on Oahu, such as Lanikai and Kailua, and thought they were so much nicer than Waikiki Beach. Did I just get a bad impression of Waikiki Beach or is it really not all that it's cracked up to be? Again, this is only in regards to the beach itself, not hotels, nightlife, etc.

It depends on what one considers to be beautiful or "best". Some people want lots of sand with few people, while others want to people watch and don't really care about the sand. And still others (like me) don't give a hoot about either one -- we judge a beach by its facilities, the quality of the waves/water and ocean bottom.

Most of the time Waikiki is listed in the top ten just because it's most popular, and it's where tourists who don't know any better always go first.

I think the ocean is beautiful at Waikiki and the view of palms and Diamond Head is a classic. Plus its a world class place for people-watching; I enjoy the overall carnival-like vacation atmosphere. However, I do not like the hard packed sand, I much prefer the bigger, grainier, deeper volcanic sand on Kauai's north and east beaches. I think Kee Beach on Kauai is the most gorgeous beach I have ever been.

Waikiki by Andy Cummings

There's a feeling deep in my heart
Stabbing at me, just like a dart
It's a feeling heavenly...

I see memories out of the past
Memories that always will last
Of a place beside the sea...

Waikiki, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear your rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me...

Waikiki 'tis for you my heart is yearning
My thoughts are always returning
Out there to you across the sea...

Your tropic nights and your wonderful charms
Are ever in my memories
And I recall when I held you in my arms
An angel sweet and heavenly...

Waikiki my whole life is empty without you
I miss that magic about you
Magic beside the sea

Magic of Waikiki
Waikiki, Waikiki
Magic of Waikiki


About says it all, now doesn't it???

It certainly says something !!!

I agree that Waikiki Beach wasn't the most beautiful i've ever seen. Too hectic. I'm one of those who values more sand, less people. I thought Maui beaches were better. Bermuda too...but just my opinion.

Waikiki isn't even one of the better beaches on Oahu, let alone in all of Hawaii (not to even mention the world) !!

Waikiki has a mystique, it is an original so to speak. It is old and revered. As for actual beach quality I prefer Palm beach in Aruba. the water is calm, clear, warm and shallow. You can wade to perhaps 80-90 yrds. before you're up to your neck. 7 mile beack in Grand Cayman is better too IMHO. However neither of these has the allure of Hawaii.

Jacketwatch has it exactly right. The lure of Waikiki is due to it's history. The years leading up to WWII, during the war and immediately after is when Waikiki built its' reputation. You have to remember, that back in those days, it was not anywhere near built up like it is now. There were only one or two hotels on the whole beach and the setting (with Diamond Head in the background) is really very beautiful. So you had a place on a lovely tropical island (certainly unspoiled in those days), with warm water, great weather, a lovely backdrop, and one or two first class hotels pretty much alone on the beach. It must have been truly wonderful. How could it not develop a reputation?

Now of course the area has become fully developed and Honolulu is the 10th largest city in the USA. So is it spoiled compared to what it was? Of course it is - but it's still pretty nice when you consider that it is the main beach of such a very large city. You can'r really fairly compare Waikiki to the empty beaches of the windward or north shores, let alone to the beaches in much emptier places. If you want to fairly compare it to other beaches, compare it with places like Miami Beach, Ipanema Beach, or the more developed areas of the French Riviera.

Waikiki is a classic - but, like Miami Beach, it's not a place for everone - though sometimes it may seem that everyone is there! I do think Waikiki can be a great choice for people - depending on what they are looking for. Personally, I prefer quiet near-empty beaches (and have wished from time to time that I was able to go back to the Hawaii of 1940), but many people want to mingle, see-and-be-seen, party at night, and have endless choices in regards to dining, shopping and entertaining - plus have nice, warm, water in which to swim or surf. Waikiki will give you that.

Ken

Certainly doesn't make my top 10 beaches list. I judge beaches by sand quality, water color, waves, horizon and beachback scenery, crowd factor, and exoticness. Waikiki has too many negatives for my taste, primarily crowds and urban/congested feel, which ruin the ambience.