While in Honolulu
Discover the wide variety of complimentary guest activities on offer at the Hilton Hawaiian Village:
- Morning yoga / exercise classes on the Village Green
- Hula lessons
- Lei making classes
- Fish feeding in the resort's gardens and ponds
- A kid-friendly outdoor movie night (Wednesdays at sundown on the Village Green)
- Nightly live music at Tropics Bar & Grill and Tapa Bar
- Friday Night Fireworks
- Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon & Statue
All complimentary activities require guests to bring their Resort Activities Card and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, please see the resort calendar
here.
Non-complimentary activities offered on-site include:
Explore all that Honolulu has to offer:
- Majestic Circle Island Tour: A full-day bus tour of Oahu's beaches, lookouts, and North Shore, that has been operating since 1974.
- Kualoa Ranch — Offers outdoor activities such as horseback riding, ATV rides, and ziplining, and movie and TV filming location tours (Jurassic Park, Jumanji). Located about 35–45 minutes from Waikiki.
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours — Aerial tours of Oahu's craters, rainforest, and more.
- Iolani Palace: The only official royal palace located in the United States and the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchy.
- Honolulu Museum of Art: A premier art museum featuring works by Hokusai, van Gogh, Monet, Warhol, and more.
Pearl Harbor
While in Honolulu, take the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.
How to Purchase USS Arizona Memorial Tickets:
- General admission to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center, museums, and grounds is free and requires no reservation.
- The USS Arizona Memorial boat program itself is free, but must be reserved through Recreation.gov, which adds a non-refundable $1 booking fee per ticket.
- Advance tickets are released 56 days (8 weeks) in advance at 3:00 p.m. HST and can sell out within minutes.
- A small batch of next-day tickets is released at 3:00pm HST the day before your visit — this is the low cost “advance reservation” option, as opposed to booking through a paid third-party tour.
- Third-party sellers (Groupon, tour operators, etc.) are not valid for the NPS-run Memorial program. Only Recreation.gov reservations and authorized commercial tours are honored.
- Arrive at least 1 hour before your program time. Every visitor (including toddlers) needs their own ticket. Bags larger than a small clear bag are prohibited. Paid storage is available.
*The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is a 45-minute drive from Waikiki in traffic; for an 8am boat reservation, plan to depart Waikiki no later than 6:45–7:00am if self-driving or busing.
Diamond Head
See stunning views of Honolulu and the Hawaiian coastline at
Diamond Head State Monument. The 475-acre park includes the interior and outer slopes of the Diamond Head summit. Entry and parking reservations are required for nonresidents (effective May 12, 2022). Please plan accordingly.
How to make a reservation for Diamond Head State Monument:
- A reservation is required for all non-Hawaii resident visitors (entry and, if driving, parking) through the State's Go Wild reservation system. No walk-up entry is permitted.
- Reservations open 30 days in advance and are booked in one-hour timed entry windows. Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation.
- Nonresident entry fee: $5/person (children 3 and under free). Nonresident parking: $10/vehicle. A small online service fee also applies.
- Hours: 6:00am–6:00pm daily; last hike entry is the 4:00pm slot (park exits by 6:00pm).
- The hike is 0.8 miles one way with approximately 560 feet of elevation gain, including stairs and a short tunnel. Allow 1.5–2 hours round trip.
- Getting there without a car: Bus Route 23 from Waikiki (~15 min), or rideshare (approximately $8–$15 one-way). The trailhead is approximately a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
The resort features 18 restaurants and bars, offering everything from quick-service poke and acai bowls to fine dining. Bali Oceanfront (Rainbow Tower) stands out for its oceanfront fine dining and Friday fireworks viewing area, while Tropics Bar & Grill and Tapa Bar both feature nightly live music.
More on-site restaurants include:
Short Walk (5–15 minutes)
Rentals
Waikiki Beach Activities (WBA) is the official beach concierge for the Hilton Hawaiian Village, operating rental stands at Duke Kahanamoku Beach (near the Hau Tree Bar) and at the Lagoon. Rentals are available to the public, not just hotel guests, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment cannot be reserved in advance. Offerings include paddleboards, kayaks, chaise lounges, umbrellas, and more. Beach towels are complimentary for Hilton guests with a towel card.
For current rates and online booking, visit the Waikiki Beach Activities website.
Surf Lessons
Waikiki Beach Activities offers surf lessons directly on the beach in front of the Hilton. To view the schedule and book online, visit the Waikiki Beach Activities website.
Snorkeling
Nearby Snorkeling Locations
- Kuhio Beach: A seawall creates a calm, shallow lagoon that's good for beginners and kids. A 15-minute bus ride or scenic walk from the Hilton.
- Queen Kapiolani Beach: Widely considered the best free snorkeling in Waikiki. Located inside the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District at the southern end of Waikiki, near Kapiolani Park.
- Sans Souci Beach: Calm, clear water next to the Waikiki Aquarium; a favorite for first-time snorkelers.
- Turtle Canyon: An offshore reef with regular green sea turtle sightings, reachable only by boat.
- Hanauma Bay: Oahu's premier snorkeling spot (400+ fish species) inside a volcanic crater about 20 minutes from Waikiki. Requires an advance reservation and $25 entry + $3 parking. Closed Mon/Tue.
Tour Operators
Urgent Care Clinic of Waikiki - 2155 Kalakaua Ave #308, Honolulu, HI 96815
The Queen's Medical Center - 1301 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Longs Drugs Pharmacy - 2155 Kalakaua Ave Ste 102, Honolulu, HI 96815
If you have an immediate emergency, please call
911.
