Are you dreaming of that ideal Hawaiian vacation with kids? Well! Choosing the best Island to visit in Hawaii for family that meets the needs of young children, teenagers, and adults might seem like a challenging task.
Therefore, I have come up with the list of best Hawaiian Island for a family vacation.
Also, these Islands are family-friendly and lots of fun for your kids.
Hawaii is a collection of 137 official Islands located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean known for its white-sand beaches and hula dancing.
Hawaii offers a wide range of attractions and cultural highlights.
Visit the well known Islands of Hawaii like Oahu and Big Island for unlimited family fun.
Additionally, Hawaii offers adrenaline activities, pool, snorkeling, sunbathing, as well as offer families tons of ways to enjoy their time together.
Which Hawaiian Island is Best for Families?
Hawaii is a favorite place for a family vacation; the iconic Hawaiian Islands is a destination rich with local culture and history.
It is such a great option when you want to take your kids out on a perfect island tour.
Firstly, Hawaii is a unique collection of Islands, all offering a different vacation experience for families.
Whether your family wants to have fun on Maui chill out on Kauai, go big on The Big Island or chase city lights on the shores of Waikiki on Oahu.
Secondly, there is always something new to explore in the Hawaiian Islands.
Oahu is an island playground for families big and small, whereas Maui is the island for beach and sun lovers.
That’s not all!
Kauai offers the breathtaking natural beauty, stunning waterfalls, and hiking treks.
Moreover, The Big Island is big on adventure and a perfect fit for active families where you can explore the active volcano.
But the biggest challenge will be deciding which Hawaiian island is best for families.
Well! Some islands offer more amenities and safer surroundings for families than others. Here are the six best Hawaiian Islands for kids.
Best Island To Visit In Hawaii For Family
1- Maui
Maui is the most beautiful Island in Hawaii, and when you tour around, you soon see why.
There are plenty of places for families to feel right at home and also it has more than 80 beautiful beaches where you can enjoy water sports all around sunny islands.
And one thing that everybody does when coming to Maui is snorkeling, Maui beaches are family-friendly and offer many snorkeling spots.
Besides that, Maui offers spectacular natural beauty.
Explores IAO Valley, a lush green valley is an ideal place for hiking, picnic swimming in its natural streams.
Furthermore, you can rent a car to the famous road trip to Hana, which is absolutely gorgeous, and breathtaking the winding road will take you to Maui’s most striking natural wonders.
Where you can explore different waterfalls and beaches, moreover there is no shortage of things to do in Maui, and it’s a great place to spend your family vacations.
Where to stay in Maui with Kids?
Being a famous tourist destination, Maui offers the best family-friendly accommodation and hotels.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa features magnificent views of the ocean.
This hotel has beach access, swimming pools, kids playing area, water slides, and kids can see animals such as swan, penguins, parrots, and ducks in the resort.
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Another option is Old Lahaina House; it is a budget resort that offers all the great amenities including, outdoor pool, sun deck, beach accessories, and comfortable beds.
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2- Kauai
Kauai is yet another beautiful and peaceful Island in Hawaii for families, and it is best known for its never-ending green trees and the famous Napali Coast.
The North shore of Hawaii hosts some of the best beaches on the island, such as Tunnels Beach and Hanalei Bay Beach, where you can find fantastic snorkeling spots and stunning sunsets daily.
Also, Kauai offers lots of family-friendly water activities, like kayaking, beach paddle boarding, and kids will love watching the surfers.
Another fantastic destination to visit is the Napali Coast, also known as cliffs coast.
The Napali Coast is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and is only accessible by boat, helicopter or hiking.
Getting a glimpse of this coast is a must-do. Kauai is the best Hawaiian island for families.
Moreover, The Queen’s bath in Kauai is a unique type pool, which is a sinkhole surrounded by large rocks.
Children love playing in the pool, and it’s even more fun with swimming accessories.
Also, the Kauai waterfalls are world-famous, Wailua Waterfall is a stunning waterfall that thousands come to visit to see this wonder of nature.
For more breathtaking views, visit Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the pacific it’s almost 3,000 feet deep, and you can drive straight up to the breathtaking views.
Where to stay in Kauai with Kids?
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is a beautiful resort that features a lot of entertainment and kid activities.
Set between river ponds and tropical gardens, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa include a golf course, onsite seven restaurants, and a spa with easy reservation.
Each room comes with a private balcony.
The resort offers many activities for kids such as wildlife, waterslides, and waterfalls, seashell collecting, birds talking, and kayaking.
Moreover, the resort has everything you wish for; also, the stunning Wailua Falls is one of the closest attractions to this resort.
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Koloa Landing Resort at Po’ipu Beach is the kid’s favorite place with all the great amenities and a lot of space for kids to play.
The resort offers multiple pools with waterfalls, infinity pool, and big, various Jacuzzis.
Besides that, there are some greatest nearby activities such as Koloa Landing dive spot Ocean/Sea, Port Allen Ocean/Sea, Nawiliwili Harbor Ocean/Sea, Wailua Falls River.
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Also Read: Best Affordable Honeymoon Destinations in the World
3- Oahu
Oahu is an incredible Island, but it is also the most populated island of the bunch with the main city Honolulu and the most famous beach on planet earth Waikiki Beach.
Yes, your trip to Oahu is not complete until you visit the famous Waikiki Beach.
It is a spectacular beach with long stretches of white sand, clear waters with the peak of Diamond head rising grandly in the background.
The exciting thing on Waikiki beach is that every Friday around 08:30 to 09:00, there is free firework for everybody, and the kids will surely love this.
Also, the beach offers a lot of family activities full of fun and sand.
It has been a popular family holiday destination, and there are plenty of family-friendly resorts located all along the beach.
Moreover, Oahu is one of the best Islands in Hawaii for Family.
Because it offers many activities such as the Polynesian Culture Center (show & Dinner), around the island bus tour, which stops by the Oahu main attractions.
The Ala Moana Beach Park is a free beach park on Oahu Island that offers privacy for you and your family because it is not much crowded.
The water over here is calm, clear, and wave-free due to a reef that stretches across the entire protected lagoon.
Undoubtedly, it is a great place to swim or have a picnic!
Another great attraction for kids is the Disney’s famous Aulani Resort situated just an hour away from Honolulu, and it’s a must-visit a destination with kids.
Where to Stay in Oahu with Kids?
Located on the bank of Waikiki Beach, Hilton Hawaii Village Waikiki Beach Resort is the largest in Ohio with more than 20 restaurants and lounges, different shops and boutiques, and a large family pool.
On Friday evenings, families can enjoy fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort.
There are more than 60 species of wild animals in a natural park in resort with beautiful gardens, which will engage kids for hours; the resort is a vacation in itself.
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Turtle Bay Resort is another family resort to stay in Oahu with kids.
It is an excellent fantastic property with both beach and pool access, and the skilled surfers are there to entertain you.
Also, the beachfront resort offers excellent services such as two swimming pools, Beachfront, Parking, bar, 24 hrs free Wi-Fi, and luxurious rooms.
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4- The Big Island
If your kids want to avoid thick tourist crowds, The Big Island is the best family vacation spot in Hawaii.
Measuring about 75 miles, The Big Island is the biggest if the Hawaiian Islands, and it’s also the newest with new land being added every day.
Like the rest of the state, this island was formed by the undersea volcanoes. And now makes up the world’s tallest mountain Mauna Kea when measured from the seafloor.
And it also has one of the world’s most active volcanoes such as Kilauea.
Visit the Hamakua Coast to see the amazing waterfalls, including 442 foot Akaka Falls twice the size of Niagara Falls and the world’s most active volcanoes.
The views are breathtaking!
Moreover, there are a massive amount of things to do in Big Island, from zipline tours to volcano excursions, stunning black sand beaches, the largest mountain and trees.
And you will see turtles everywhere on the island; its beauty is hard to describe with words.
Most of the big resorts are located on the drier west coast north of Kona, providing a large number of hotel and accommodation options.
Where to stay in The Big Island with Kids?
Paniolo Greens Resort: As the name says, this resort is intimately green and lush located in the heart of Big Island offers the best family vacations and romantic gateways.
Located in the Kohala Coast, the resort offers furnished villas with outdoor pool and playing area for kids.
With fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi in the entire property, good food, and a bar, fitness centre, and BBQ areas makes it a perfect place for families.
Holua Resort is a beautiful condo that offers the real Hawaiian vacation, with conformable rooms, fully equipped kitchen, and all the great amenities.
It is an excellent place to stay on Big Island with kids.
The property is close to the famous landmarks, such as Kona Coffee Living History Farm, Hikiau Heiau State Monument, Kealakekua Bay Park, Ahu’ena Heiau, Kealakekua Bay, and Hawaii Gateway Energy Center.
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Also Read: Best Places to Travel Alone in US
5- Molokai – Best Island To Visit in Hawaii for Family
For families craving, the breathtaking beauty and natures consider visiting Molokai.
Being not so touristy it makes it an ideal place for many people, and the authentic Hawaiian culture and genuine Aloha spirit still exist on this island.
Often called ”friendly Island,” Molokai is the fifth-largest island in the chain.
Visitors come here for the pristine, undeveloped beauty, and the most famous attraction on the island is the Kalaupapa National History Park and isolated former leper colony below the towering cliffs.
Most people who come to Molokai do the same thing.
They fly from Maui or any other Island to Molokai just for one day and explore Molokai in a Nutshell.
If they have a little more time, they’ll head down and discover local Island treasures.
Miles of white sand beaches, watch the Whales, take a cultural hike or Soak up the Natural Beauty.
These are all great things to do in Molokai. Like, they’re famous spots for a reason. Undoubtedly, Molokai is the best island to visit in Hawaii for Family.
Where to stay in Molokai with Kids?
Hotel Molokai is in the heart of Molokai, features all the amenities needed.
A restaurant, swimming pool Tea/coffee maker in all rooms, bar beachfront, and very welcoming staff.
Also, the family-friendly hotel offers free snorkelling equipment, beach chairs, and towels.
If the budget is not your problem, then you can undoubtedly go for this option Hotel Molokai.
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Another great option is Castle Molokai Shores, which offers a truly tropical holiday experience for families; a luxurious oceanfront is an ideal place for BBQ and picnic.
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6- Lanai
Lanai is another hidden gem of Hawaii, on this pristine Island two – Four Seasons Resorts provides one of a kind experiences.
That welcomes those who are ready to discover tranquility, nature, and the liberating sense of disconnection.
From West Maui, you can take a fairy to take a day trip to Lanai; however, from other Islands, there is a small airport in Lanai so that you can book a flight for Lanai.
Lanai offers families tons of ways to enjoy their time together. Without a doubt, it is the best Hawaiian island for families.
Book a 4wheel drive vehicle and explore the breathtaking places like Hulopoe Beach, Hulopoe Bay tide pools, Koloiki Trail, Lanai City or Hike out to Shipwreck Beach.
To experience some of the most inspiring views, Lanai has to offer, go off the road on your own ATV to explore 400 miles of trails and unpaved roads that lead to some fantastic wild beauty.
There are also group tours available to take families along bumpy roads to see places like Shipwreck Beach and the Garden of the Gods rock formations.
Where to stay in Lanai with Kids?
Just next to the ocean is the Four Seasons Resort, the most comfortable and relaxing resort.
That is lush green, beautiful gardens, outdoor pools, fitness facilities, and breathtaking ocean views.
For kids, there is an indoor playing area, which includes Board games & puzzles; also, they offer Babysitting/child services.
The main activities here are Diving, Cycling, Hiking, Library, Bicycle, and fishing your kids will love this place.
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Final Thoughts:
The best family vacations keep everyone’s choices in mind: mom and dad want to relax, kids wish to water activities, everyone wants to have a great time together, and no one wants to be bored.
Therefore, Hawaiian for family is one of the most popular year-round destinations; it offers tropical weather, natural beauty, and outstanding accommodations.
To conclude, these are my top suggestions for the best island to visit in Hawaii for Family and things to do in Hawaii.
That will give you a little more insight into this beautiful destination.
So plan a trip to one of the Hawaiian Islands and enjoy the beautiful heavenly places that are hard to explain in words.
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