Captain-Cook

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 1400 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.

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.

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.