Honolulu, HI

My wife and I live in Waikiki, and one of our favorite beaches is Sans Souci, which translates to “without a care” in French. This beach is next to Diamond Head fronting the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. The beach is protected by a coral reef out front, which makes for gentle waters suitable for family swimming, although there is a lifeguard tower here. There are showers as well as a nice restaurant (The Hau Tree Lanai) right on the beach in the hotel. The beach is also a bit wider here than on the main Waikiki beaches.
 
We like to snorkel out to the reef, where there are extensive coral formations and interesting sea life. We have seen sea turtles on more than one occasion here. We always see the usual tropical fish suspects: humu humu’s, yellow tangs, convict tangs, butterfly fish, and many others. The water in front of this beach is part of a Marine Life Conservation District, which affords a level a protection to the sea life within its boundaries. I do notice a difference in the amount of marine creatures I see here compared with the non-protected areas fronting central Waikiki.
 
Other activities suitable for this beach include kayaking. We have launched our kayak from this beach, and have seen others do so as well. The Outrigger Canoe Club is just next door to Sans Souci, toward Diamond Head, and there is a small boat anchorage there where many canoes are launched from, as well as a few smaller catamarans and motorboats. Looking straight out from the beach, you can see a windsock planted out on the reef that will give you an idea of how strong the breeze is, and its direction. The ewa (west end of Sans Souci Beach is bordered by the Natatorium (war memorial) wall.
 
So the next time you and your family or friends are looking for a beach on the edge of Waikiki that’s a little less crowded than the central Waikiki Beaches, consider making a trip to Sans Souci Beach.