The main attraction of Waikiki, by far, is the sand strip along the oceanfront. Waikiki has a series of beaches, almost all of which are ideal for swimming and water sports. The beaches begin in the west with Kahanamoku Beach, named after the famous Olympic swimmer, immediately in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and extend to Sans Souci Beach at Diamond Head in the east. They overlap one another so smoothly that tourists find them indistinguishable. Kahanamoku Beach is separated from Gray's Beach by a narrow channel. This is followed by the Royal Hawaiian Beach, without a doubt the most famous and crowded part of Waikiki. Next comes Kuhio Beach Park, with the stone built Kapahulu Wall in front of a portion of it. This is the only part of the beach unsuitable for swimming. Beyond this is Kapiolani Beach Park and Sans Souci Beach.

Additional beaches, located outside of Waikiki proper, include the small Kaluahole Beach; Diamond Head Beach Park; Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park, made somewhat dangerous because of high waves; Kaalawai; Kahala Beach, where The Kahala Hotel & Resort is located; and Wailupe Beach Park, on the western side of the artificial peninsula of the same name.