Most visitors to Oahu head straight for what is perhaps the most famous beach in the world - Waikiki. This master-planned resort area of hotels, condominiums, shops and nightclubs stretches along more than 2 miles of Oahu's southern coast. For those who love the surf, water activities along Waikiki's shores include kayaking, body boarding, body surfing and sand sliding. A Hawaiian outrigger canoe or a large catamaran is a great way to obtain a picturesque view of Waikiki. Covering 175 acres on the eastern fringe of Waikiki Beach is Kapiolani Park.
Families come to enjoy a picnic, fly their kites or just relax.
The Honolulu Zoo spreads over 42 acres on the west side of Kapiolani Park. Among the attractions are almost 1,000 animals that delight visitors of all ages. Near the zoo is the Waikiki Shell, an entertainment venue where crowds gather for concerts, Hawaiian dances and entertainment. On the seaward edge of Kapiolani Park is Waikiki Aquarium, a scientific marine research center. Here, exotic fish from the waters of Hawaii and the South Pacific display their brilliant colors and fantastic shapes.