Honolulu Leisure

Honolulu is without doubt a water sports enthusiast’s dream; the swimming, surfing, snorkelling and sailing is sublime, and there are miles of dazzling beaches for bathers and strollers. With its diverse landscapes and open spaces, the outskirts of Honolulu also offers some great golf and hiking, while the abundance of shopping malls will keep even the hungriest of shopaholics happy.

Cycling

There are numerous parks and cycling paths around the Honolulu region, where cyclists can go for a spin and get some fresh air. Cycle up and around the Punchbowl Crater in downtown Honolulu for some great views or skirt around Diamond Head to the south of Waikiki Beach. You could even take part in the Hawaii Bicycling League’s jaunts around Oahu, with cyclists setting off from Honolulu most weekends and sometimes covering the entire island. Bikes can be hired from a number of kiosks in the Waikiki area and from city hotels.

Golf

Honolulu has many municipal golf courses, several of which are 18-hole, where green fees are very reasonable for visitors. Most will rent out buggies and clubs. Advance reservations are recommended to save disappointment.

Hiking

You can trek along Honolulu’s miles of gorgeous beaches or through the many lush parks and gardens, yet many keen hikers will want more. The Punchbowl Crater and Diamond Head offer reasonable hiking opportunities, but head out of town a bit farther and you will come across lofty mountains and deep valleys, which are criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails.

Surfing

Surfing is the number one pastime in Hawaii and there are several idyllic beaches in Honolulu itself where you can enjoy the sport or even take lessons. Daily, one-hour lessons are given on Waikiki Beach, which include dry land and water instruction. You won’t need to make a reservation; just sign up at the beach stand near Waikiki Police Station, Diamondhead.

Water sports

Waikiki Beach is the main stretch of beach in Honolulu at which to enjoy water sports; a beautiful length of sand running from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to Kapiolani Park in the south. The swimming and surfing here are great, while boogie boarding, sailing and many other types of activities can be enjoyed virtually year-round. The best time to surf on Waikiki is between May and September, when the winds and swells are up, while snorkellers would do well to head for Diamond Head at Sans Souci Beach.

Shopping

Honolulu easily has the best shopping in Hawaii, with loads of markets and shopping malls. You will find everything from tacky souvenirs to some of the finest crafts anywhere and fashionable boutiques. The Ala Moana and Aloha Tower Marketplace shopping malls offer the best choice for shoppers in an air-conditioned environment and include some tasteful restaurants.