Ala Moana Center vs Waikiki Beach: which should you do first?

If you only have time for one, do Waikiki Beach first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 79 against 65 for Ala Moana Center, and it has 63 ranked ways to see it versus 4. Ala Moana Center is the cheaper entry at $63, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Honolulu, pair them: plan Ala Moana Center in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, United States

Ala Moana Center

Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, United States

Waikiki Beach

Side by side

Ala Moana Center compared with Waikiki Beach in Honolulu
Ala Moana CenterWaikiki Beach
Ranked experiences463
Top Outty Ranking6791
Average ranking (top 10)6579
Cheapest experience$63$72
Average time needed5.6h6.5h
Free cancellation100% of options100% of options
Free to visitNoNo

Best ways to see Ala Moana Center

  1. 1. Beaches, Food & Aloha: Private Oahu Tour

    Outty Ranking 67 · from $699 · 6h

  2. 2. Early Access Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Small-Group Tour

    Outty Ranking 67 · from $89 · 5h

  3. 3. Diamond Head and Manoa Falls Hike and Adventure Tour

    Outty Ranking 65 · from $149 · 6.5h

  4. 4. Early Access Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona & Historic Honolulu Tour

    Outty Ranking 62 · from $63 · 5h

All 4 Ala Moana Center experiences

Best ways to see Waikiki Beach

  1. 1. Pearl Harbor City Tour

    Outty Ranking 91 · from $72 · 5h

  2. 2. Full Day Oahu Circle Island -Turtle Beach Snorkel at North Shore

    Outty Ranking 85 · from $149 · 8h

  3. 3. Diamond Head Hiking and Oahu Circle Island Tour feat. North Shore

    Outty Ranking 80 · from $113 · 11h

  4. 4. Waikiki Turtle Snorkeling Adventure(8am)

    Outty Ranking 80 · from $100 · 3h

  5. 5. Pearl Harbor & Mini Circle Island Tour from Waikiki

    Outty Ranking 79 · from $158 · 9h

All 63 Waikiki Beach experiences

Frequently asked questions

Ala Moana Center or Waikiki Beach: which is better?

If you only have time for one, do Waikiki Beach first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 79 against 65 for Ala Moana Center, and it has 63 ranked ways to see it versus 4. Ala Moana Center is the cheaper entry at $63, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Honolulu, pair them: plan Ala Moana Center in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Which is cheaper, Ala Moana Center or Waikiki Beach?

Ranked experiences at Ala Moana Center start from $63 and at Waikiki Beach from $72 per person.

How long do you need at Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach?

Experiences at Ala Moana Center run 5.6 hours on average and at Waikiki Beach 6.5 hours, so both fit in one day in Honolulu with a break in between.

Can you do Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach on the same day?

Yes. Book the longer visit for the morning when crowds are lighter, and keep the afternoon for the other. 100% of Ala Moana Center options and 100% of Waikiki Beach options offer free cancellation, which makes it easy to adjust.

What is the best tour of each?

For Ala Moana Center: Beaches, Food & Aloha: Private Oahu Tour (Outty Ranking 67, from $699). For Waikiki Beach: Pearl Harbor City Tour (Outty Ranking 91, from $72).

More Honolulu matchups

Best things to do in HonoluluHonolulu city guideHonolulu tours comparedHow the Outty Ranking works