This Waikīkī map extends from the Ala Wai Drainage Canal on the north and west, to Honolulu Zoo on the southeast. Waikīkī Beach is noted for its views of the iconic Diamond Head volcanic tuff cone, its sunny beaches, and long blue-green coral surf break.
The Waikīkī skyline is now peppered with an abundance of both large resort hotels and office high-rises. The popular beach is actually fairly short in length, with half of it marked off for surfing use. For a long distance into the ocean the beach water is quite shallow due to the coral platform, although there are numerous coral rocky outcrops on the bottom. As with most open ocean beaches the incoming Waikīkī waves can have some force as they break over the shallow coral, particularly on strong trade wind days. The incoming surf at Waikīkī is known for its long rolling breaks and surf rides, making it ideal for stable long boards, tandem surfing and beginners just learning to surf.
Waikīkī's main thoroughfare is the one way Kalakaua Avenue, named after the island’s King Kalakaua. This avenue faces most of the large hotels (Hyatt, the pink Royal Hawaiian, the Sheraton, the Outrigger and Moana Surfrider). And most of the trendy stores (Burberry, Cartier, Prada, Apple, Chanel, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, Billabong, Quiksilver) are there. Waikīkī's other main thoroughfare, Kuhio Avenue, named after Hawaiian Prince Kuhio, is better known for its smaller hotels, apartments, market places, cafes, nice restaurants grocers, as well as clubs and nightlife.
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