Water Adventures with Kids in Hawaii

We pulled these 63 water adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Hawaii. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.

63 adventures found

Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail

Captain Cook, HI

Snorkeling
Ages 8–18+ Free

Steep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages …

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

Captain Cook, HI

Kayaking
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Kayak across a marine sanctuary to world-class snorkeling with dolphins and turtles. Paid entry. …

Twin Falls Maui

Haiku, HI

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Free

Easy waterfall hike with swimming at the first stop on the Road to Hana. Free. Best from about age …

Halawa Valley Cultural Hike

Halawa, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Paid

Guided cultural hike through an ancient valley to a 250-foot double waterfall. Paid entry. Better …

Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)

Haleiwa, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Reliable spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on a North Shore beach. Free. Works from …

North Shore Shark Cove

Haleiwa, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Excellent tide pools and snorkeling in a rocky cove on the North Shore. Free. Best from about age 5. …

North Shore Surf Lessons

Haleiwa, HI

Surfing
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Learn to surf on gentle summer waves with certified North Shore instructors. Paid entry. Best from …

Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)

Hana, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Cascading waterfall pools flowing from jungle to ocean in Haleakala National Park. Paid entry. Best …

Kalalau Trail (First 2 Miles to Hanakapi ai Beach)

Hanalei, HI

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Paid

Dramatic cliff-hugging trail to a wild Na Pali Coast beach. Paid entry. Better for ages 8 and up. A …

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

Hanalei, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Premier snorkeling through reef tunnels with Bali Hai mountain backdrop. Free. Best from about age …

Pololu Valley Trail

Hawi, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Steep trail to a remote black sand beach in a dramatic cliff-lined valley. Free. Better for ages 6 …

Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)

Hilo, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Easy drive-up 80-foot waterfall with morning rainbows in the mist. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Richardson Ocean Park

Hilo, HI

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Free

Protected tide pools and black sand beach where sea turtles feed in calm water. Free. Best from …

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

Honaunau, HI

Nature
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Ancient Hawaiian place of refuge with carved figures, temples, and sea turtles. Paid entry. Best …

Waipi'o Valley Lookout

Honokaa, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Dramatic 1,000-foot cliff lookout over the sacred Valley of the Kings. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Waikiki Beach

Honolulu, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Iconic Hawaiian beach with calm water, surf lessons, and endless activities. Free. Works from …

Maunawili Falls Trail

Kailua, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Jungle hike to a swimmable waterfall pool through lush windward forest. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Kahalu'u Beach Park

Kailua-Kona, HI

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Free

Best beginner snorkeling on the Kona Coast with shallow reef and sea turtles. Free. Best from about …

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

Kaneohe, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Free 400-acre botanical garden with dramatic mountain backdrop and camping. Free. Works from toddler …

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden Camping

Kaneohe, HI

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Permit-only weekend tent camping on garden lawns beneath the Koolau cliffs, one of the few quiet …

Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Coastal Path)

Kapaa, HI

Biking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Scenic oceanfront bike path along Kauai east coast with beach stops and whale watching. Free. Best …

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Kapalua, HI

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Scenic coastal boardwalk connecting beautiful bays with turtle and whale spotting. Free. Best from …

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Kapolei, HI

Swimming
Ages 7–18+ Free

Unique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for …

Ko Olina Lagoons

Kapolei, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Calm man-made lagoons with protected swimming perfect for young children. Free. Works from toddler …

Anini Beach Park

Kilauea, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Calm protected lagoon beach with the longest reef on Kauai, perfect for young kids. Free. Works from …

Secret Beach (Kauapea)

Kilauea, HI

Nature
Ages 6–18+ Free

Stunning hidden beach accessed by a jungle trail on Kauai north shore. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Spouting Horn

Koloa, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water through a lava tube with an eerie moan. Free. Works from …

Baby Beach Lahaina

Lahaina, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Ultra-shallow protected beach perfect for toddlers and babies. Free. Works from toddler age. About …

Camp Olowalu

Lahaina, HI

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Oceanfront camping and glamping with excellent snorkeling right off the beach. Paid entry. Best from …

Ka'anapali Beach

Lahaina, HI

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

World-class 3-mile beach with snorkeling at Black Rock and nightly cliff diving. Free. Works from …

Maui Whale Watching

Lahaina, HI

Nature
Ages 3–18+ Paid

World-class humpback whale watching in the channel between Maui and Lanai. Paid entry. Best from …

Olowalu Reef Snorkeling (Mile Marker 14)

Lahaina, HI

Snorkeling
Ages 5–18+ Free

Excellent shore snorkeling with guaranteed sea turtles over a massive shallow reef. Free. Best from …

Hulopo'e Beach Park

Lanai City, HI

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

Pristine marine preserve beach with dolphins, snorkeling, and amazing tide pools. Free. Works from …

Kauai Tubing Adventure

Lihue, HI

Tubing
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Float through century-old plantation tunnels on inner tubes with headlamps. Paid entry. Best from …

Wailua Falls

Lihue, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Drive-up 173-foot double waterfall famous from Fantasy Island opening credits. Free. Works from …

Papohaku Beach

Maunaloa, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Nearly 3-mile-long white sand beach that you will likely have all to yourself. Free. Best from about …

South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Naalehu, HI

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Hike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better …

Queen's Bath

Princeville, HI

Hiking
Ages 10–18+ Free

Dramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for …

Keawa'ula (Yokohama Bay)

Waianae, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Remote end-of-the-road beach with mountain backdrop and access to Ka ena Point trail. Free. Best …

Leeward Coast Dolphin Watching

Waianae, HI

Nature
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Boat tours to see wild spinner dolphins and sea turtles along the leeward coast. Paid entry. Best …

Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve

Wailea, HI

Swimming
Ages 6–18+ Free

Snorkel over lava reef in a protected marine reserve with abundant sea life. Free. Better for ages 6 …

Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Wailea, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Massive golden sand beach with turquoise water and dramatic cinder cone backdrop. Free. Best from …

La Perouse Bay

Wailea, HI

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

Coastal hike across Maui last lava flow with dolphins, petroglyphs, and tide pools. Free. Best from …

Ulua Beach

Wailea, HI

Swimming
Ages 4–18+ Free

Sheltered beach with excellent easy snorkeling and frequent sea turtle sightings. Free. Best from …

Wailea Beach Path

Wailea, HI

Hiking
Ages 1–18+ Free

Free, stroller-friendly paved beach walk in Wailea, Maui connecting five beaches - whale watching in …

Nakalele Blowhole

Wailuku, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages …

Tide Pools at Makapu'u

Waimanalo, HI

Nature
Ages 5–18+ Free

Natural lava rock tide pools and swimming holes on the coast near the lighthouse. Free. Best from …

Waimanalo Beach

Waimanalo, HI

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

Long uncrowded stretch of soft white sand with turquoise water and mountain views. Free. Works from …

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area

Waimea (Big Island), HI

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Big Island's best white sand beach with crystal-clear water on the sunny Kohala Coast. Paid entry. …