Waikīkī is Beautiful, But Not My Favorite Beach Destination 🏖️💭

The world-famous Waikīkī Beach is undeniably beautiful and iconic – but it didn’t quite capture my heart ❤️🌊. I tend to prefer beaches with a more lush, untouched, and natural feel 🌿🏝️. That said, if you love a vibrant, busy, and cosmopolitan beach experience, Waikīkī will definitely meet many of your needs! 🌆👙🎉 Here are my key takeaways: Beautiful and picturesque 📸 Doesn’t look particularly lush or natural, as it’s surrounded by hotels and a busy boulevard 🏨🛣️ Swimmers are in the water as early as 7:00 AM, and the beach gets crowded quickly 👥⏰ Very active beach scene – people are playing volleyball, surfing, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, and parasailing 🏐🏄‍♀️🪂 One area is enclosed by waves – the water is calm and there are few rocks, but it can feel a bit like bathing in a tub 🛁 More open areas near the shore have more rocks, including some hard clusters that could hurt your feet 🪨👣 The boulevard is very touristy – which can be both good and bad 🛍️😅 Lots of shops and restaurants for those seeking variety 🍜🥤 Most dining options are not authentic Hawaiian 🍍❌ Food isn’t cheap – we had a quick meal at McDonald’s: 3 sausage & egg muffins + drinks cost nearly $33! 💸🍔 #WaikikiBeach #HonestReview #BeautifulButBusy #TouristSpot #BeachLife #HawaiiTravel