The first capital of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, Waikiki was once a vacation retreat for Hawaiian royalty. King Kamehameha and others used to race canoes and swim along its shore in the 1800s. While this swampland has transformed into high-rises and commercial areas since then, the vacation feeling hasn’t left. About four million tourists come to Waikiki every year, seeking sun, surf and relaxation, and luxury resorts are central in the neighborhood. In these crowded, gridded streets, upscale restaurants and shops are highly walkable, and the beach is usually a few blocks from condos. The Ala Wai Canal flows north of this area, and Diamond Head State Monument towers in the south. As far as the 27,000 people who call Waikiki home, they likely rent part-time and live here seasonally. Landmarks like the pink-clad Royal Hawaiian and the Duke Kahanamoku surfing memorial probably aren’t novel to these locals, but Waikiki Beach always offers a fresh wave to catch.
Beach near Royal Hawaiian
Relax on the golden sand on Kuhio Beach in Waikiki.
1/2
Surfing at Waikiki Beach, concerts at Kapi’olani Regional Park
Maybe the most well-known stretch of sand in O’ahu, Waikiki Beach is considered by many as the birthplace of modern surfing. The Waikiki Beach Boys, a group of native Hawaiians, revived the sport here in the early 1900s and have taught people how to ride waves ever since then. Like most of the southern coast, the water stays at about 75 degrees year-round, and sea life is a common sight in crystal-clear reefs. The area is made up of several beaches, really, but they’re often grouped together; northern beaches such as Kahanamoku and Fort DeRussy likely have fewer tourists, and the same can be said for Kuhio and Queens Beaches on the southern end. The latter beaches lead to Kapi’olani Regional Park, a 200-acre green space and the former site of King Kalakaua’s polo fields in the 19th century. Along with waterside paths and sports courts, this park hosts the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium. The Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, toward the middle of the park, is a frequent venue for the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and musicians from around the world. Le'ahi — or Diamond Head National Monument — is just east along the coast, and it’s a volcanic cone that formed about 500,000 years ago. Today, this crater-like park is one of the most popular parks in Honolulu, as its hiking trails have elevated views of the city. Across from Waikiki’s northern canal, the Ala Wai Golf Course is a public 18-holer that’s hosted some United States Golf Association championships.
Kuhio Beach surfboard rentals
Vacationers enjoy a peaceful scene at a Waikiki resort.
1/2
High-rise condos and apartments are steps from the beach
Mixed in with hotels and resorts, high-rise condominiums and apartments offer vacation-style living, and they often have views of Waikiki Beach. Their recreation centers usually have pools, gyms and other amenities, and they were mostly built in the 1970s. Most buildings have minimalist architecture, colored in earth tones and topped with flat roofs. These properties are often second homes, so they’re usually occupied by part-time owners or renters. Many listings are leasehold: property rights transfer to the tenant for the duration of the lease and, afterward, revert back to the original owner. Unlike fee-simple or traditional leases, the property owners might only own the unit and not the land itself. Prices depend on the length or existence of this lease, in addition to beach proximity and square footage. Closer to the canal and farther from the beach, small units typically have one or two bedrooms. They start at $50,000 for summer-long lease periods but can reach $500,000 for longer-term rentals. Properties above this mark likely don’t have a lease, and buyers can own them outright. They’re likely a similar size to the leaseholds, and units can be found in the $600s. Luxury units often have views of the ocean and more square footage, and they can go above three million. Like most of Honolulu, some properties are in a flood zone: heavy rain in May 2024 resulted in a road closure along Seaside Avenue, and Hurricane Douglass resulted in minor damage in 2020.
Kalakaua Ave view towards Diamond Head
Expect higher prices for oceanfront condos in Waikiki.
1/2
Beachfront meals and luxury shops
Waikiki has some of the most popular restaurants in O’ahu, clustered around resorts and hotels. Ones closer to the coast have views of the water, and for these upscale spots, live music often accompanies the meal. Thanks to their location and popularity with tourists, restaurants here often have a big price tag; Duke’s Waikiki is always busy because of its beachfront surf and turf, and Hula Grill Waikiki specializes in pupu and fish tacos. The International Market Place is an open-air mall closer to the canal, featuring a food court with tastes from around the world. “It’s a big draw for people,” says Fran Magbual, a Realtor-Associate with Coldwell Banker since 2016. “My family loves Liliha Bakery in there, and they’re known for their cream puffs and oxtail soup.” This complex also houses one of Honolulu’s only Magnolia Ice Cream locations, another local chain that Magbual recommends. A center for entertainment, the Market Place has Polynesian song and dance on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. Well-known stores are here, too, including Macy’s, Billabong, Fabletics and Pandora Jewelry. The Royal Hawaiian Center is close by, and luxury brands here include Hermès and Tiffany & Co. This neighborhood, though, has everything from clothing boutiques to gift shops.
Enjoy a cup of coffee at the world-famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Coffee shop
1/2
Year-round festivals in these crowded streets
More than constant performances from musicians, Waikiki has a lot of signature events throughout the year. Waikiki Spam Jam is rated as one of the top annual food festivals in Hawai’i, a block party that celebrates the iconic canned meat. During this late April festival, vendors sell Spam-related merchandise, and local restaurants serve Spam-based dishes — a tradition that’s been called “Can to Table Restaurant Week.” POW! WOW! takes place in mid-February, and it’s a weeklong mural festival that draws artists from around the world. March brings the Honolulu Festival, a three-day celebration of Honolulu’s art, music and food scenes.
Waikiki hosts events and art fairs on a weekly basis.
Kapiolani Park provides open spaces for youth leagues and other entertainment.
1/2
Walkable schools with Hawai’i State Department of Education
President Thomas Jefferson Elementary is on the south side of Waikiki, and it gets a B from Niche. Its 300-plus students are a diverse group, representing about 25 different countries; they can take courses such as Hawaiian Studies and Garden Club. President George Washington Middle is about a mile north of the neighborhood and scores another B. It has a School Community Council, where staff members are elected by peers to advise the principal. The council works in tandem with WMS Ohana, a parent organization, to improve the school. About 2 miles north of Waiki, Kaimuki High receives a B-minus. Its campus is decorated with colorful murals, and sports include judo, water polo and paddling.
Jefferson Elementary in Honolulu values the input of students, parents, and teachers.
Ala Wai Elementary welcomes students and parents with a bright yellow sign.
1/2
Walking around town, driving to other parts of O’ahu
The beach is less than a half-mile from most homes, so walking around Waikiki is common. Wide sidewalks cater to crowds of tourists and surfers lugging boards, next to heavily trafficked thoroughfares such as Kalakaua, Kuhio and Koa avenues. Streets are busy with taxis and Ubers, but bike routes increase toward the coast. O’ahu also has a bike share program called Biki, and rentals are just over $10 per day. The island’s bus system, TheBus, has been recognized as America’s Best Transit System by the American Public Transportation Association, and it has routes all around Honolulu. If residents prefer to drive, they might struggle to find a spot. “Parking in Waikiki is a whole thing,” says Magbual. “People will sell their parking spaces or rent them out. You could live in one building and rent a space two buildings down because that’s the only place you can find parking.” Ala Moana Boulevard follows the coast north into downtown, Chinatown and other popular parts of the city. The H1 Interstate is just north of Waikiki, and it runs along the southern side of O’ahu. This interstate also connects to the H2, H3 and others, so all sides of the island are accessible. To fly to another island or the mainland, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is about 9 miles up the coast.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Waikiki, Honolulu sell after 114 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Waikiki, Honolulu over the last 12 months is $449,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Elevated island living awaits from this high-floor residence at 1717 Ala Wai! Beautifully maintained and move-in ready, this spacious 2-bed/2-bath home features upgraded jalousie windows throughout and new bedroom carpeting. The kitchen shines with expansive granite counters, hardwood cabinetry offering exceptional storage, and a brand-new stainless refrigerator and dishwasher. Step inside and
Welcome to your freshly renovated sanctuary at Liliuokalani Gardens, 1815 (King Tower)! 100% Hurricane coverage in place with no special assessment! Experience tranquil island living in this tastefully reimagined, never-lived-in oasis. Thoughtfully completed in Sept 2025, #1815 blends modern comfort with timeless serenity. Facing east, this home welcomes the sunrise in soft pastels, the rustle
High Floor Corner end unit! This unique 1 bedroom and one bathroom property in the highly desirable Villa on EatonSquare building comes with one covered garage parking stall. This property is being sold furnished as shown in thepictures. The unit has been tastefully remodeled and upgraded with smooth ceilings a fresh look and feelthroughout. The Kitchen has upgraded appliances with
Penthouse I at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach is a rare corner unit offering the ultimate in luxury and privacy, featuring 2 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and panoramic views of the ocean, Diamond Head, and city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. This exquisite residence boasts a spacious open layout, a gourmet kitchen with top-tier appliances, and two elegant bedroom suites. The
Introducing a beautifully renovated 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo at Discovery Bay. This unit, updated in 2019, showcases modern finishes and sleek appeal, and includes the rare convenience of an assigned parking stall—an exceptional feature in Waikiki. Notably, this is a fee simple property! This near-complete ownership structure enhances the appeal, long-term equity, and financing flexibility.
Step into paradise with this fully furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom luxury condo featuring two dedicated parking spaces in a secure, covered garage. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the unit in natural light and offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Start your mornings on one of two spacious lanais, perfect for sunrise breakfasts or winding down with sunset dinners. Located in a
THIS IS NOW AVAILABLE!!! BE MESMERIZED! Have the advantage of the sight in its grandeur. Appreciate thecharm of this unit in all views - OCEAN, GARDEN AND ALA WAI CANAL VIEWS. Windows are perfectly placed inalmost all directions (South, East and West) to have the best viewing of scenery while enjoying the blow of coolbreeze in your Lanai. Wood floors all throughout the unit to have
Experience refined island living in this stunning 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom Waikiki retreat with 2 parking stalls—perfect for couples or roommates seeking comfort and flexibility, whether long-term or month-to-month. Nestled in the quiet part of Waikiki with minimal traffic, this upscale unit boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a breezy lanai framing panoramic views of the ocean, city skyline, lush
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
