Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon
Steps away
A protected saltwater lagoon right next door — calm water, no ocean surf, ideal for babies and young children.
Our Local Guide
Explore Waikiki & Oʻahu
Beaches, restaurants, activities and our favorite places around the island — all from the Ilikai in the heart of Waikiki, Hawaii.
Kahanamoku Beach
Steps away
The widest, calmest stretch of Waikiki Beach. Soft sand, gentle waves, catamaran launches and beginner surf breaks just offshore.
Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island
10–15 min walk
A local favorite sheltered by an offshore reef, creating calm, wave-free swimming. Magic Island's lagoon and sunsets are a short stroll further.
Breakfast
Basalt · Heavenly Island · Cream Pot · Goofy Cafe and Dine · Island Vintage Coffee · The Grove · Koko Head Cafe · Cinnamon's at the Ilikai
Seafood & Ocean Views
53 by the Sea · Hau Tree · Michel's · Chart House · Nico's · 100 Sails · Azure · House without a Key · Orchids (Halekulani)
Fine Dining
Senia · La Mer (Halekulani) · Sarento's Top of the I · Mugen · Arden · MW Restaurant · Chef Chai
Family-Friendly
Goma Tei · Lucky Belly · Wagaya · Doraku · Heavenly Island · Pig and the Lady · Eating House 1849 · Foodland Ala Moana
Best Poke
Foodland Ala Moana · Off the Hook · Redfish Poke Bar · Poke Bar Waikiki · Maguro Spot
New & Trendy
Podmore · Fête · Miro Kaimuki · Nami Kaze · XO Restaurant
Book popular restaurants in advance whenever possible.
The marina is just steps away, putting you close to lessons, rentals and boat excursions:
Surf Lessons
Beginner-friendly breaks steps from the condo
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Rentals at the lagoon and beach
Sunset & Sailing Cruises
Catamaran & Boat Tours
Snorkeling & Diving Excursions
Fishing Charters
Water-Sports Rentals
Diamond Head Crater
15–20 min drive — iconic views, reservation required
Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail
Paved, stroller-friendly, whale watching in winter
Mānoa Falls
Easy 1.6-mile rainforest hike
Lanikai Pillbox
Short hike, amazing views — best for older kids
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
Free, stunning mountain backdrop, easy strolls
Foster Botanical Garden
Oldest garden in Hawaii, downtown Honolulu
Lyon Arboretum
Lush rainforest garden in Mānoa Valley
Diamond Head
15–20 min drive — book reservations ahead
Kailua & Lanikai Beach
35–45 min drive — turquoise water, powder sand
North Shore
45–75 min — Haleʻiwa town, Banzai Pipeline, food trucks
Pearl Harbor
20–30 min drive — book USS Arizona tickets in advance
Ko Olina Lagoons
35–45 min — calm protected lagoons
Polynesian Cultural Center
About 1 hr — shows, villages and luau
Hanauma Bay
25–35 min — snorkeling, reservation required
Honolulu Zoo
30–35 min walk or ~10 min drive
Waikiki Aquarium
Small, easy, stroller-friendly
Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon
Calm, shallow water — steps away
Sea Life Park
Dolphin & sea lion encounters
Kualoa Ranch
Jurassic Valley tours, ATV, horseback
Atlantis Submarines
Real submarine ride off Waikiki
Friday Night Fireworks
Hilton Hawaiian Village — visible from our lanais
Ala Moana Center
World's largest open-air mall — 10–15 min walk
Royal Hawaiian Center
Brands & local boutiques on Kalākaua — ~20 min walk
International Market Place
Shops & dining in central Waikiki — 20–25 min walk
Luxury Row (Kalākaua Ave)
Designer flagship stores — ~20 min walk
Waikele Premium Outlets
Outlet shopping — ~30 min drive
SALT at Our Kakaʻako
Local boutiques, cafés & murals — ~10 min drive
Foodland Farms Ala Moana
Full grocery store & famous poke bar — 10–15 min walk
ABC Store
Groceries, snacks & beach basics — 2 min walk
Whole Foods Market
Kakaʻako — organic groceries, ~10 min drive
Don Quijote
Japanese supermarket with everything — ~10 min drive
Safeway Kapahulu
~10 min drive toward Diamond Head
Kakaʻako Farmers Market
Saturday mornings, typically 8 AM–12 PM — local produce & food, ~10 min drive
Waikiki Farmers Market
Check the current schedule before visiting; market days and hours can change
Walking
Beaches, lagoon, Ala Moana and central Waikiki are all walkable
TheBus
Stops on Ala Moana Blvd — $3 one-way / $7.50 day pass
Rideshare & Taxis
Uber/Lyft pickup at the Ilikai front entrance
Rental Car
Free garage parking with most units makes a car great value for day trips
Biki Bike Share
Docking station right outside the Ilikai
Honolulu Airport (HNL)
20–30 min drive
