Adventures for Big Kids in Hawaii

Captain Cook, HI

Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail

Steep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

• Snorkeling
• Ages 8+
• ~5h
• Free

Halawa, HI

Halawa Valley Cultural Hike

Guided cultural hike through an ancient valley to a 250-foot double waterfall. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 6+
• ~4h
• Paid

Hanalei, HI

Kalalau Trail (First 2 Miles to Hanakapi ai Beach)

Dramatic cliff-hugging trail to a wild Na Pali Coast beach. Paid entry. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.

• Hiking
• Ages 8+
• ~4h
• Paid

Hawaii National Park, HI

Kilauea Iki Trail

Walk across the floor of a volcanic crater through hardened lava in Volcanoes National Park. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up.

• Hiking
• Ages 6+
• ~3h
• Paid

Hawi, HI

Pololu Valley Trail

Steep trail to a remote black sand beach in a dramatic cliff-lined valley. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 6+
• ~2h
• Free

Hilo, HI

Pacific Tsunami Museum

Hilo Bayfront museum on the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis with survivor accounts, photographs and a wave tank showing how they form.

• Museum
• Ages 7+
• ~1h
• Paid

Honolulu, HI

Koko Crater Railway Trail

1,048-step staircase up a volcanic crater with panoramic coastal views. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 8+
• ~2h
• Free

Kailua, HI

Maunawili Falls Trail

Jungle hike to a swimmable waterfall pool through lush windward forest. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 6+
• ~3h
• Free

Kailua-Kona, HI

Kamanu Charters

Kona's original sailing catamaran, wide enough for kids to sprawl on the trampoline, out to Pawai Bay to snorkel. Ages 7 and up.

• Sailing
• Ages 7+
• ~4h
• Paid

Kailua-Kona, HI

Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Snorkel with giant manta rays gliding below you in an unforgettable night encounter. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up.

• Snorkeling
• Ages 6+
• ~2h
• Paid

Kapolei, HI

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Unique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. About two hours.

• Swimming
• Ages 7+
• ~2h
• Free

Kilauea, HI

Secret Beach (Kauapea)

Stunning hidden beach accessed by a jungle trail on Kauai north shore. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

• Nature
• Ages 6+
• ~2h
• Free

Kula, HI

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

Cool mountain forest of redwoods and pines on Haleakala that feels like the Pacific Northwest. Free. Better for ages 6 and up.

• Hiking
• Ages 6+
• ~3h
• Free

Kula, HI

Sliding Sands Trail (Haleakala)

Hike into a volcanic crater through a Mars-like landscape of cinder cones. Paid entry. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 8+
• ~4h
• Paid

Lihue, HI

Kauai Sailing Association

A nonprofit community sailing center on Nawiliwili Harbor where kids learn to rig and sail small boats. Paid. Ages 7 to 16.

• Sailing
• Ages 7+
• ~6h
• Paid

Naalehu, HI

South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Hike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 8+
• ~4h
• Free

Princeville, HI

Queen's Bath

Dramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for ages 10 and up. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 10+
• ~2h
• Free

Wailea, HI

Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve

Snorkel over lava reef in a protected marine reserve with abundant sea life. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.

• Swimming
• Ages 6+
• ~2h
• Free

Wailuku, HI

Nakalele Blowhole

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About an hour.

• Hiking
• Ages 6+
• ~1h
• Free