Looking for all-in adventures the whole family will love? Look no further than the Hawaiian Islands for family fun in spades and bucketloads of exciting activities – in and out of the water – for kids of all ages and stages.
ʻOhana (family) is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, which makes the islands a welcoming destination for all. From surfing, snorkelling and swimming on sun-soaked beaches to exploring volcanoes and sacred cultural sites, the Hawaiian Islands are a natural playground you never outgrow.
1. Embrace mālama
Mālama allows visitors to demonstrate their love and appreciation for Hawaiʻi and strengthen the connection between people and place every time you mālama (“give back”).
Voluntourism is a great way for holidaymakers to make a positive impact through local community activities that involve the whole family. On Oʻahu, sign up for an eco-tour and native tree-planting ceremony with Planter’s Experience at Gunstock Ranch, while Kualoa Ranch Native Reserve’s Mālama Ka ‘Āina tour offers a hands-on experience with kalo (taro).
2. Surf’s up on Oʻahu
It’s not a Hawaiʻi holiday without water and, thanks to Oʻahu’s dreamy beaches and balmy weather, you can play in the ocean all year round.
Waikīkī Beach, with its gently rolling waves, is the ideal spot to learn how to hang ten on a longboard. Book a surf lesson with Faith Surf School or Waikīkī Beach Services and you’ll have the grommets standing on a board in the birthplace of surfing in no time.
3. Just add water
The whole crew will enjoy swimming or getting kitted up for snorkelling to discover the underwater world at one of Oʻahu’s many beautiful beaches.
You can also go on a group outrigger canoe ride straight off Waikīkī Beach, or take a sunset cruise or sailing excursion – you might even see a humpback breach during the whale-watching season from December to May.
4. Spot manta rays at night
Take your marine life sightings up a notch with a night-time manta ray-viewing experience – an activity that’s unique to the Island of Hawaiʻi. Kona Ocean Adventures and Anelakai Adventures depart nightly from Kailua-Kona, taking visitors out to meet these giant creatures.
With lights positioned to attract manta rays to plankton (manta food), families can snorkel above or dive below to watch the feeding frenzy. Either way, it’s a real highlight to see mantas so close.
5. All in lava at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
No trip to the Island of Hawaiʻi is complete without visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kailani Tours will show you the ins and outs of this dramatic natural landscape that created the Hawaiian Islands.
Learn about the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele, and feel the heart of Hawaiʻi – its volcanoes – to understand and respect the power and unpredictability of nature in person.
6. Go mountain tubing
If floating on an inner tube down waterways and through hand-dug tunnels (with headlamps safely secured, of course!) sounds like your jam, it’s time to book a family vacay to Kauaʻi.
This only-on-Kauaʻi activity by Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures is so popular, it’s often booked out months in advance. Located on a former sugar plantation, this one-of-a-kind adventure also offers exclusive access to a stunning piece of private land.
7. Soar over the treeline by zipline
Ziplining is another must-do on Kauaʻi for unbeatable thrills as you soar from tower to tower strapped into a cable harness above the lush rainforest canopy.
There’s six zipline courses on Kauaʻi, visitors can go zooming at Just Live! Zipline Tours, Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures, Kōloa Zipline, the 1.2km-long Outfitters Kauaʻi (the state’s longest), Princeville Ranch Adventures and Skyline Eco Adventures.
8. Ride the Kilohana Plantation Train
Step back in time at a historic landmark and attraction for a glimpse of Kauaʻi’s past and enjoy assorted island-style activities, dining and shopping in one spot.
The Kilohana Plantation Train line passes stands of Hawaiian crops, such as taro and sugarcane, and kids can disembark to feed the farm animals such as pigs, goats, sheep and the friendly resident donkey, Stiney.
9. Experience a Maui lūʻau
A lūʻau – a grand celebration of food, music and culture – is an important part of Hawaiʻi life to celebrate special occasions with family and friends.
Feel like part of the extended ʻohana at several venues around the island, including the long-running Myths of Maui Lūʻau at the Royal Lāhainā Resort and Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency. The Old Lāhainā Lūʻau is a popular oceanfront sunset feast while Feast of Lele offers gourmet takes on traditional dishes, complete with wine pairings.
10. Explore Upcountry Maui
Home of the Hawaiian cowboy aka paniolo, cattle wranglers have been rounding up herds in Upcountry Maui since the late 1800s. Channel your inner paniolo on a family horseback-riding tour at Pi‘iholo Ranch in Makawao or Haleakalā National Park.
Kids got the hungers? Treat the fam to an immersive tour and farm-to-table experience at O’o Farm in Kula. Savour award-winning cheeses at Surfing Goat Dairy and stop at farmers markets and roadside stands full of just-picked produce, freshly squeezed juices and sweet treats such as banana bread and lilikoʻi (passionfruit) butter. Yum!
Find more family inspo for Hawaiʻi holidays here.
Want to stay up-to-date on all Hawaiian Island happenings? Head to gohawaii.com/au
Agents, check for destination updates and important intel here.
