Waikiki gained international renown for its luxuriously long beach, lapped by warm waves and sparkling surf, and simply lounging on the sand is one way to experience its unique beauty and lively energy. But if you’d like to explore a bit more, read on for our insider picks.

Gorgeous views of the beach, Diamond Head crater (called Lē‘ahi, or “brow of the tuna,” in Hawaiian), and the area’s intriguing skyline await on one of the many sunset and snorkel cruises that leave right from the sand or Ala Wai Boat Harbor. Cruise in retro elegance aboard The Vida Mia, a sleek wooden yacht seen in The White Lotus, which also offers a morning cruise with excellent island-sourced pastries, fruit and coffee — perfect for those awake early due to jet lag.

Speaking of Diamond Head, visitors need to make online reservations to park at the state monument or hike the steep 0.8-mile trail to the top of the saucer-shaped crater, but the sweeping vistas from Koko Head crater to the east and the Wai‘anae Range to the northwest are worth it. The typically busy trail includes an initial concrete walkway, numerous switchbacks across its natural surface of tuff (hardened volcanic ash), stairs, and a lighted tunnel near the summit.

Waikiki’s consistent waves and tradition of “beach boys” — ocean sports experts who share aloha (more than a greeting, it’s a term that implies love, peace, and more) as well as their skills with guests make it the perfect place for a surfing lesson or outrigger canoe ride. Pacific Island Beach Boys and Star Waikiki Beachboys are two veterans of the scene, stationed at several locations along the beach. For the best swimming on the beach, look for the protected areas near the Diamond Head end of Kaimana Beach. Just be sure to observe the laws about staying away from any rare Hawaiian monk seals you might spot snoozing on the sand, and give green sea turtles a wide berth, too.

The bronze statue of Waikiki’s most famous beach boy and ambassador of aloha, Duke Kahanamoku, is a place of pilgrimage for many surfers. You can also share in his legacy by stand-up paddling in the family-friendly Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon or dining and drinking at Duke’s, inside the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, where celebrated pop-rock musician Henry Kapono’s long-running Duke’s on Sunday concerts bring a dance party vibe to the beach.

While snorkeling over Waikiki’s offshore reefs provides a special perspective of tropical fish, you can also walk through the Waikiki Aquarium to enjoy dazzling sea life from all over the Pacific Ocean. Brilliantly hued corals, delicate sea horses, and wavy-lipped giant clams are some of the jewels in this compact treasure chest, which is close by Kapi‘olani Park and the Honolulu Zoo.

Rosy-pink coral also features, along with luminous pearls and soothing green jade, which you can admire, buy, or make into jewelry yourself at the quirky Lucoral Museum, tucked into a nondescript building on Kuhio Avenue. Founded by jeweler Flora Lu in 1989, the petite museum includes educational displays of rocks, minerals, and fossils, and frequently hosts workshops to craft wind chimes from sea glass, among other activities.

You can almost set your watch by the weekly fireworks presented by Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort since 1988. Every Friday at 7:45 p.m., spectacular pyrotechnics start illuminating the sky above the ocean next to the hotel’s signature Rainbow Tower. You can watch for free from many places on shore or book one of the cruises in the area timed to take in the show.

It’s common to warm up quickly while walking around Waikiki’s bustling streets and shoreline. To cool down, opt for the Hawaiian-style treat of shaved ice — a mound of powdery ice flakes generously drizzled with fruit syrups, with an optional “snow cap” of sweetened condensed milk and other embellishments. Fans of Island Vintage Shave Ice in the Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikiki Beach Marriott swear by its syrups made from local fruits. Banan, which has two locations just off the beach, offers another delicious and chilled choice: non-dairy ice cream made from local bananas, no sugar added. If sugar isn’t a problem, pair a scoop with a coco puff or poi (taro paste) mochi doughnut from Liliha Bakery in the International Market Place.

And while you’re taking a walk and enjoying the sights, drop in to DFS, Waikiki, just steps from the beach and offering an exclusive edit of luxe brands across fashion, beauty, souvenirs, and more.

Finally, there’s no better way to end a day in Waikiki than by learning about its rich history and culture through the songs, stories, and hula of The Royal Hawaiian Resort’s lūʻau. The event is called Aha‘aina, the traditional Hawaiian name for a feast with song and dance, where dishes made with lū‘au (taro leaves) would be served. The vibrant outdoor dinner show traces the evolution of the ancient royal playground of Helumoa into a premier destination for travelers from around the globe.