Kona’s longest-running sailing catamaran, a custom 36-foot boat that is 22 feet across, with a wide forward trampoline kids end up sprawled on for most of the trip. The sail runs up the Kona coast to Pawai Bay for snorkeling and a light lunch, then back under sail. Capacity is 24 but they usually carry fewer, so it does not feel like a party boat. The minimum age is 7 on the snorkel, manta and whale trips; the sunset cruise is adults only.
Hilo gets more rain than almost anywhere in the United States, which makes this the most useful building on the east side of the Big Island. The center pairs Mauna Kea astronomy with Hawaiian voyaging traditions, so exhibits move between telescope science and how Polynesians navigated by stars and swells. A full-dome planetarium runs several shows a day including some presented in Hawaiian. Hands-on stations cover volcanoes, star formation and wayfinding. Three hours easily, and the planetarium alone justifies the trip.
A quiet state recreation area in native ohia forest at 2,000 feet above the Hamakua Coast, with group cabins and a tent campground. It is cool, misty and green in a way that surprises families expecting Big Island beaches, and the short native forest nature trail is one of the best introductions to Hawaiian forest ecology anywhere on the island. The cabins are rented as a group unit with a shared dining hall rather than individually, so it suits multi-family trips. Waipio Valley Lookout is a half hour west.
A free NOAA visitor center on Hilo Bay about Papahanaumokuakea, the enormous marine monument stretching northwest of the main Hawaiian islands. A 2,500-gallon reef aquarium and life-size models of monk seals and albatross hanging overhead do the heavy lifting for younger kids. Interactive displays and short films cover the atolls and the wildlife that lives there. It is small, maybe forty-five minutes, and it costs nothing, which makes it an easy add-on when a Hilo downpour derails everything. Right on the Bayfront near the farmers market.
The main drive-up campground in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, set in a grove of tall eucalyptus and ohia at around 4,000 feet. Staying inside the park is the whole point: you can drive out to the Kilauea overlooks after dark to see any active glow without a two-hour round trip from Hilo or Kona, and be back at the tent in fifteen minutes. A small number of simple cabins have historically been available alongside the tent sites. It is genuinely cold at night by Hawaii standards, and rain is common.
A small museum in a former bank building on the Hilo Bayfront about the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis that destroyed this exact neighbourhood. Survivor accounts, photographs and a wave tank explain how tsunamis form and why Hilo was hit so hard twice. Kids can see the high water marks and understand that the empty park across the street used to be a downtown. It is genuinely sobering, so it suits school-age kids and teens more than little ones. Under an hour and a short walk from the Mokupapapa center.
A short paved loop trail through a lush tropical forest to a viewpoint overlooking a stunning 442-foot waterfall, one of the tallest in Hawaii. The 0.4-mile loop is accessible for strollers and passes through groves of bamboo, orchids, ferns, and tropical flowers. The falls plunge into a deep gorge surrounded by green vegetation and the scale is impressive. A smaller waterfall, Kahuna Falls, is visible from another viewpoint on the same loop. The whole visit takes about 30 minutes making it one of the easiest big-payoff experiences on the Big Island.
A challenging but rewarding 3.5-mile round trip hike down (and back up) a steep trail to the Captain Cook Monument at the edge of Kealakekua Bay. The payoff is some of the best shore-access snorkeling in Hawaii in a marine sanctuary with spinner dolphins, tropical fish, and pristine coral. The hike down through dry scrubland drops about 1,400 feet. The climb back up in the heat is the hard part so bring extra water. For families with fit older kids who can handle the physical demands, the snorkeling at the bottom is genuinely world-class.
Consistently rated the best beach on the Big Island and one of the top beaches in Hawaii with a wide stretch of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. The beach is on the dry Kohala Coast so sunny skies are almost guaranteed. Bodyboarding is excellent here and the sand is powdery soft. Lifeguards are on duty and the park has restrooms, showers, and a snack concession. Summer conditions are calm and perfect for swimming while winter brings bigger waves for experienced bodyboarders.
A stunning tropical garden on a dramatic ocean bluff north of Hilo with trails winding through over 2000 species of tropical plants and flowers. The garden descends into Onomea Bay with viewpoints of waterfalls, the ocean, and towering palms. Kids enjoy the boardwalk trail that passes a waterfall and crosses bridges over streams. The variety of exotic flowers, palms, and tropical plants is incredible. This was a filming location for Jurassic Park and you can see why. The beauty is overwhelming and photographs here look like they were taken in a fantasy world.
A small family-run tropical fruit farm offering guided tours through orchards growing over 60 varieties of exotic fruits. Kids get to taste fruits they have never heard of straight from the tree, including starfruit, sapodilla, rollinia, and jaboticaba. The guides are passionate and knowledgeable and make the tour interactive for kids. The farm setting on the slopes above Kealakekua Bay has lovely ocean views. A smoothie from the farm stand afterward is the perfect finish. This is an authentic, non-touristy experience that kids genuinely enjoy.
One of the most extraordinary national parks in the country centered around Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The Crater Rim Drive circles the massive Kilauea caldera with overlooks, steam vents kids can feel, and the Thurston Lava Tube, a tunnel through solidified lava that is a highlight for every child. The Devastation Trail is a paved boardwalk through a surreal volcanic landscape. Chain of Craters Road descends through multiple eruption sites to the coast. Seeing an active volcano up close gives kids a sense of wonder that is hard to match anywhere else.
The biggest and best farmers market in Hawaii with over 200 vendors on Wednesdays and Saturdays selling tropical fruits, flowers, crafts, and prepared foods. Kids are fascinated by the exotic fruits they have never seen before like rambutan, dragon fruit, starfruit, and fresh coconuts cut open for drinking. The flower section is stunning with orchids and tropical blooms. Fresh smoothies, macadamia nut treats, and plate lunch vendors provide delicious family-friendly food. It is a sensory experience that gives kids a taste of real local Hawaii.
The best beginner snorkeling spot on the Kona Coast with a shallow reef protected by a natural breakwater. The water is calm and teeming with colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional octopus. Kids can stand up in most areas which makes nervous snorkelers feel safe. Lifeguards are on duty and the Kahalu u Bay Education Center provides free reef education and lends reef-safe sunscreen. The sandy beach area is good for younger kids who just want to play in the water. Restrooms, showers, and shade pavilions are available.
A marine sanctuary with crystal-clear water, incredible coral reefs, and abundant marine life that offers some of the best kayaking and snorkeling on the Big Island. Guided kayak tours cross the bay to the Captain Cook Monument where spinner dolphins are regularly seen and the snorkeling is world-class. The reef is teeming with tropical fish, eels, and sea turtles. The water clarity is exceptional. Kids who are comfortable swimming and kayaking will have one of the most memorable ocean experiences of their lives.
A 4-mile loop that descends through lush rainforest into a volcanic crater and crosses the hardened lava lake floor. Walking across the crater floor is an otherworldly experience with steam rising from cracks in the rock and the crater walls towering above. Kids can see where the lava lake was hundreds of feet deep during the 1959 eruption. The contrast between the lush forest rim and the barren crater floor is striking. This is widely considered one of the best hikes in Hawaii and gives families a visceral connection to volcanic forces.
A short loop trail through a forest of eerie lava molds left behind when a lava flow swept through a forest of ohia trees in 1790. The trees burned away but the hardened lava preserved their shapes, creating hollow pillars and ghostly tree-shaped columns. Kids think the formations look like petrified forest creatures. The 0.7-mile paved loop is easy and shaded. It is a quick stop that vividly demonstrates the power of volcanic activity in a way kids can see and touch. The surrounding forest has regrown around the formations creating a beautiful contrast.
Snorkel with giant manta rays at night in one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters in Hawaii. Operators set up surfboards with lights that attract plankton, which in turn attract manta rays with wingspans up to 12 feet that glide inches below you as they feed. Kids hold onto the lit surfboard and float face-down watching the graceful mantas do barrel rolls in the light. It sounds scary but the rays have no teeth or stingers and the experience is peaceful and awe-inspiring. This is a bucket-list Hawaii activity.
The visitor station at 9,200 feet on Mauna Kea offers free stargazing programs with telescopes every evening and sits above the cloud line for some of the best stargazing in the world. The evening program is family-friendly and guides point out planets, galaxies, and constellations through multiple telescopes. The Milky Way from here is so vivid it does not look real. The drive up passes through multiple climate zones from tropical to subarctic which fascinates kids. Children under 13 should not go to the summit (13,796 feet) due to altitude.
A free self-guided tour of the macadamia nut processing factory set in a beautiful orchard. Kids can watch the nuts being processed through glass windows, walk through the macadamia nut orchard, and try free samples of flavored nuts and chocolates. The grounds include a short nature trail and garden. The gift shop has unique souvenirs. It is a quick and easy stop that breaks up a day of driving and the free samples are always a hit with kids. The surrounding orchards with their rows of trees are peaceful to walk through.