Hi Lizzy, Waikiki beach is not the best for snorkeling, there is a decent reef to the east of the beach but the surf at Waikiki colors the water slightly so visibility is not the best. However just a short walk to the south end of Waikiki you will find Sans Souci State Park and the beaches in front of these are excellent snorkeling locations! 

Maybe the Lotus Honolulu might be better suited to you as this is right by great snorkeling beaches! 

You can read our full guide on Oahu’s best Snorkelling locations here

And as for The Marine Life, we have a full guide on what you can see right here, but in short, the reefs are teeming with beautiful colorful life! 

Hi Ann, Halekulani is a really wonderful hotel, so hope you can make it out there, we just can’t wait to go back! This Pandemic has robbed us of so much! 

We too can see the light at the end of the tunnel but we are not there just et unfortunately 

Fingers crossed soon! 

Steve

Hi, 

Yeah, let’s be clear, if a hotel is in Hawaii, it’s not going to be a genuinely BAD location… it’s in Hawaii, which gives its head start on most hotels in the world as it is!

Waikiki is so small that nothing is really badly located, even the worst such as the Surfjack in only a minute or two from incredible sandy beaches. So nothing is really badly located.

When we first went we were on honeymoon and splashed out on an OceanFront view and it was incredible, but as you say we spent 95% of our waking hours out of the room enjoying the beaches first hand. Not peering at them from our hotel room. That said our Morning coffee watching Rainbows over Diamond head or evening Bubbles Watching the sun dip into the Pacific were well worth the expense. But there are ways to experience all this without forking out for a luxury Oceanfront room.

We are normally Bargain hunters too, but on honeymoon, we were able to splash out. For our subsequent trips Value has played a much stronger role in the decision making. The La Croix, SurfJack and Lotus are all really strong budget options, and if you time is right bargains can be found!

Have a Great trip next year!

Steve

Hi Sondra,

Absolutely, we see Honolulu and Waikiki as the Gateway to Hawaii. The first stop where you can hop off the plane and start to get accustomed to the tropical environment and lifestyle. We do love Waikiki it’s just not always exactly what people expect from Hawaii, but it’s a wonderful place and well worth starting and even ending your vacation here. 

There are so many wonderful parts of Hawaii only seeing and staying in one is a crime anyway.

Hope you have a great trip ext year

Steve

Hi Henry,

Yeah, Waikiki is a bit of a strange location and not at all what some people expect of Hawaii. It is still an incredible location and like you, we love it for what it is, but if you were expecting idyllic beaches and a lost paradise it’s going to be a disappointment. 

It still is definitely worth visiting and staying in Waikiki but an effort should be made to stay in a more natural setting too. 

Steve

At the same time, it seems like there is a nice selection of good hotels to stay at.   Your website has been very useful as I plan next year’s vacations/excursions.  

In terms of hotels, as long as it is clean and safe, I will always choose the lower priced option.  The Surfjack hotel actually looks fairly appealing and even though it is the “worst” location, it is not at all.

The Hotel Lacroix is definitely in my price range as well.  Of course, beach front would be lovely but when I think about it, if I am going to see the beach, I want to be AT the beach, IN the water – not just looking at it.