Overview of Waikiki Hotel, Beaches, Diamon Head Lightouse, Mongoose, Chicken...

Mouse over a photo to pause the Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii slide show.

We escape to the warm temperatures and sweet surf of Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
Land, hop on a Roberts Hawaii bus into town, scope out the condo, head out for lunch,check the beach, tour on a trolley,
climb Diamond Head, surf, snorkel and watch the street performances at night.

Waikiki City
It's definitely a tourist city with very high end shops and touristy restaurants. Beaches are wonderful. People are very friendly. Seemed very noisy, noisier than most cities. Was great for us for a week: surfing those long waves, trolley riding, snorkeling, walking the beach, looking at the shops. Arriving at the airport, hop on a Roberts Hawaii bus to head into your hotel $14 one way and a bit cheaper if you buy a return at the same time.

Waikiki Surf
The surf was amazingly consistent, with long rides and lots of beginners. I'd say it's the perfect place to learn to surf. The waves are forgiving and just keep coming from morning til night.

DCX Surf School
I took a private lesson with Erik of DCX Surf School and he wlaked me thorugh the theory and practice of catching a green wave. I had already taken lessons in Tofino, Mexico and Costa Rica but Erik's was definitely the best. He focused in on what I needed to know, was able to relate the info in way I understood and got me out for an amazing surf sesson! Three hours later I was happy, and exhausted, and drinking a smoothie thinking about all I had learned and excited about my next time in the waves. I would recommend Erik for a total beginner to a surfer who would like to perfect their skills - he takes the time to make sure you walk away from your lesson with new skills and a great experience. Check out his reviews on the net and then book a lesson or two. It's better to phone Erik rather than email, or drop by his shop early evening when he's back from lessons. DCx Surf School, 2450 KOA Avenue, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI. 808.926.1414

Waikiki Restaurants
Waikiki restaurants were not that hospitable to vegetarians, much less vegans. My husband is not vegan so it's easier for him. The first day we found Ruffage Natural Foods and I had the best sandwich I've ever had in my life. They also have a small store there (picked up some Kava) and at night it turns into a Suishi bar.

We also ate at Ciao Mein at the Hyatt (medicore to good food), the Mexican restaurant upstairs from the surf board rental (fun but food was bland), Woofgang Pucks Express (delicious and cheap food, really good), Cheeseburger in Paradise (typical burger joint, think I got a salad because they have cheese in their veggie burgers), Hilton Tropics Bar & Grill (good food and server, terrible bartender and bad management, its a long story, don't order a mojito).

Rooftop Bar at the Imperial
This is lovely. It's not open a lot because it's really a place for private parties but walk by and check by the elevator in the lobby of the hotel - they put up a sign when the bar is open to the public. We lucked out and dropped by the one night of the month it was open: Beautiful views, nice upscale bar surroundings, good bartender and some fun snacks. We stayed for hours, watching the sunset, the last of the surfers and kibitzing with other tourists.

Food Shopping
Across the street and down a few blocks is Food Pantry where we bought our main food supplies (fruits, champagne, veggies...) Food Pantry is a full grocery store (there's a food court area in front on the store, keep going to the back to get to the grocery store). There was also a farmers' market in the park where we picked up some local veggies and fruits, the people at the market were really nice.

Mongoose and Chicken
You'll find chickens roaming around the area outside Waikiki. We spotted the chicken in the photos and more on our snorkeling trip to Hanauma Bay. The mongoose was there as well. The locals call the mongoose a Hawaiian squirrel. Appears to be prety good living for both animals - healthy and plentiful numbers of each.

Parking Lot Lights
We loved the fact of the parking lot lights at Hanauma Bay were powered by solar and wind.

Deep Cove BC Travels April 2011

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