Waikiki Beach is a neighborhood on Oahu known for combining laid-back beach life with the buzz of a modern city.
Filled with highrise hotels and apartments, this is a favorite vacation spot for many tourists coming to the Hawaiian Islands.
There is no denying that Waikiki is an expensive destination. With hotel rooms averaging from $250-$350/night and expensive food costs, this is not a cheap destination.
As a Waikiki transplant who lived in the neighborhood’s more residential side, I’ve sought out more affordable things to do. Here are ten things you can do for under $10 in Waikiki.
Pro Tip: Pack everything you need before you arrive in Hawaii to avoid the island prices. Check out my Hawaii Packing Guide here to come prepared.
Learn More About Hawaii Travel Here: The Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide
Save on Your Airfare to Waikiki
First, why pay the full price for your airfare to Waikiki when you can get a deal?
I book my flights to Honolulu strategically. I await an email from one of my trusted travel alert sites informing me of discounted fares. Sales happen frequently, especially in the off-season.
These are the email newsletters worth paying for the premium service to get alerts about travel deals
- Going (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights): Sends deal alerts and error fares via email
- Thrifty Premium: Sends deals alerts, emails, and an occasional text message for a unicorn error fare.
More Budget Friendly Waikiki Hotels
As mentioned above, hotels in Waikiki average $250 or more a night. While prices may vary, here are some hotels in Waikiki that typically offer lower-than-average prices and a good bang for your buck as far as location and service.
Beach access in Waikiki is public. Meaning, you do not need to stay at a beachfront resort to have beach access.
In fact, most hotels on the beach offer public chair service, and even their guests have to pay to use the beach chairs and umbrellas; it’s not included in the hotel stay.
So, if you want to save some money, consider staying off the beach.
- Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Waikiki Beach – a block from the beach and in the center of Waikiki. If you can find this hotel for $200 or less, it’s a great bang for your buck.
- Hilton Garden Inn – A 5-minute walk to the beach and significantly cheaper than its sister property, Hilton Hawaiian Village
- Queen Kapiolani Hotel – Trendy hotel 2-minute walk from the beach with a rooftop bar hot spot
- Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites – The basics in a hotel centrally located in Waikiki a close walk to everything.
- ALOH Hono Waikiki Hostel – Centrally located hostel with shared and private rooms. Directly next to several bars, which can get noisy.
10 Things To Do Under $10 In Waikiki Beach
Here are ways to save an enjoy one of the most beautiful places in America.
1. Go To Waikiki Beach
Cost: Free!
Waikiki has legendary beaches and beautiful water.
You don’t have to pay for a beachfront hotel to access this stunning shoreline. All of the beaches in Waikiki are open to the public!
You can bring your towel, chair, snorkel, etc. and hang out for the day in the sun and sand.
2. Walk/Run The Ala Wai Canal
Cost: Free
If you want to get your steps in or go for a run, during your time in Waikiki, head over to the Ala Wai Canal.
There is a 1.5-mile walking/jogging path that runs along the canal and is home to many locals and tourists exercising daily.
It’s a great place to work out without having to pay for a gym on vacation.
3. Grab A Pau Hana and Live Music
Cost: $5-$10
“Pau Hana” in the Hawaiian language directly translates to “done work,” but casually means “happy hour” or “after-work drink.”
While the food and drinks in Waikiki can be on the expensive end, many restaurants offer happy hour or pau hana specials that significantly reduce the price of drinks and food.
During happy hour, you can easily find a beer or glass of wine for $5-10. Also, many happy hours host live music, so you can sit with a drink, enjoy some tunes, and relax after a day on the beach.
Here are some favorite Happy Hours from Hawaii Magazine. One of my favorites is Arnold’s Beach Bar which is a fun, relaxed Tiki bar that has daily live music.
4. Watch The Sunset
Cost: Free
Sunset is a magical time in Hawaii.
The sun setting over the beautiful waters and illuminating the sky with colors is absolutely breathtaking. Keep your eye on the time to make sure that you snag a spot to watch it set.
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5. Hike Diamond Head
Cost: $5/person
Diamond Head is the picturesque mountain that sits on the eastern side of Waikiki. From the top of Diamond Head, you have views of the Waikiki city-scape and blue ocean.
The hike to the top of Diamond Head is about a 1.5 mile round trip trail that is rated as easy to complete.
The cost to enter the hike is $5/person and $10 to park a car. You will need a reservation which you can book here: Diamond Head Reservations. From downtown Waikiki, you can easily take the #2 or #23 bus going east, get off at the Kapiolani Community College (KCC) stop, and walk to the entrance of the park.
Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water, sturdy shoes, and sun protection on your hike! Diamond Head is very exposed to the sun and is a hike, not a walk! Be ready to sweat in the sun for an hour to get up and down.
6. Sing and Dance With Henry Kapono At Duke’s On Sunday
Cost: Free
Henry Kapono’s music is filled with aloha and beach vibes. This famous Hawaiian musician performs every Sunday from 4-6 pm on the lanai at Duke’s Waikiki.
His band jams out as the sun sets and the crowd swarms the dance floor. The performance is free to the public, although you can buy refreshments and food from Duke’s.
7. Eat A Spam Musubi
Cost: From $1.95
Musubi is a staple of the local cuisine in Hawaii.
What mainlanders sometimes refer to as a “spam sushi,” a musubi is generally made by placing a piece of fried Spam over a bed of rice and wrapping it in seaweed.
Hawaii’s best musubi can be found right around the corner at 7-11 Hawaii. If you want to try the local flavor of Hawaiian cuisine, go to 7-11 and eat a musubi!
8. Walk Kalakaua Ave
Cost: Free
Kalakaua Ave is the main thoroughfare of Waikiki Beach.
The street is abuzz with local shops as well as high-end shops from around the world.
During the nighttime, there are often local street performers who do a variety of performances from dances, to singing, to art. On the weekends and holidays, Kalakaua is also home to a variety of vibrant festivals and parades that occur on selected nights and weekends.
9. Visit The Duke’s Statue
Cost: Free
Duke Kahanamoku is referred to as the father of modern surfing. He took surfing from the beaches of Waikiki to the world.
A statue of Duke stands on Kuhio beach right off of Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki. A trip to see the statue is a must-do in Waikiki!
10. Watch The Fireworks
Cost: Free
Around 7:45 on Fridays, the crackle of fireworks and bright colors explodes over the water in Waikiki. This show happens every week at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
For an unobstructed view of the fireworks, I recommend going to the beach, or to a high building that has a clear view of the ocean with nothing blocking the ocean line.