Anonymous
01/21/2024 23:14
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
We recently did a trip there as well - a few tips based on previous questions and comments-
1. The BEST thing about Hawaii is all beaches are public. So no hotel has a private beach. The Mauna Kea hotel mentioned above is gorgeous and their beach is near perfect. I believe this may be what the link above is referencing but you can visit the beach by just driving past the front entrance and parking in the little lot there. My husband and I went one early morning and it was amazing. Hapuna Beach and Beach 69 are also supposed to be beautiful, but we did not go to those.
2. Also highly recommend saddle road - right between the two biggest volcanoes.
3. At VNP drive down to see the sea arch - it is beautiful and may not be around forever, it had just lost a chunk when we were there. Also the drive down is totally beautiful and surreal - so cool to follow the maps and see when each dried up lava flow originated.
4. Our kids loved the coffee plantation tour! It was less than an hour and interesting enough. We went to Greenwell Farms and it was well done.
1. The BEST thing about Hawaii is all beaches are public. So no hotel has a private beach. The Mauna Kea hotel mentioned above is gorgeous and their beach is near perfect. I believe this may be what the link above is referencing but you can visit the beach by just driving past the front entrance and parking in the little lot there. My husband and I went one early morning and it was amazing. Hapuna Beach and Beach 69 are also supposed to be beautiful, but we did not go to those.
2. Also highly recommend saddle road - right between the two biggest volcanoes.
3. At VNP drive down to see the sea arch - it is beautiful and may not be around forever, it had just lost a chunk when we were there. Also the drive down is totally beautiful and surreal - so cool to follow the maps and see when each dried up lava flow originated.
4. Our kids loved the coffee plantation tour! It was less than an hour and interesting enough. We went to Greenwell Farms and it was well done.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 17:51
Subject: Re:Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
Anonymous wrote:First poster here-
We are staying at condos in Waikoloa that have access to the main Hilton resort. I was planning on spending a half day or so down at their pools and lagoon, and some time on A Bay beach.
For Volcano NP, we are staying in the cabins. I booked us a dinner at the restaurant in Volcano.
And, I did reserve the manta snorkel with the company recommended, Anelakai Adventures.
Did you visit any coffee farms? I would like to but I’m not sure it will hold the kids attention.
I am trying not to book much else and just go with the flow, but research different options of things to do and we can decide day of what we are in the mood for.
OP here. We did not visit a coffee farm. I would have been up for it but didn’t think the kids would be. If I go back again I would try to do it!
One cool thing was that we could see whales in the ocean from the pool at the Hilton!
The dinner at the restaurant at VNP isn’t amazing but there are basically no other options and if it’s clear it’s a great view.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 16:43
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
DP we were also on the Big Island over winter break. Snorkeling with the manta rays was magical. We went with Snorkel Big Island and I highly recommend. It was a smaller group and they were very attentive.
We also went whale watching. The season was just getting started, so there the number of whales should be increasing through March/April.
We also went whale watching. The season was just getting started, so there the number of whales should be increasing through March/April.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 16:24
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
PP from above- just adding the Seahorse farm in Kona is a good rainy day option.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 16:23
Subject: Re:Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
Anonymous wrote:First poster here-
We are staying at condos in Waikoloa that have access to the main Hilton resort. I was planning on spending a half day or so down at their pools and lagoon, and some time on A Bay beach.
For Volcano NP, we are staying in the cabins. I booked us a dinner at the restaurant in Volcano.
And, I did reserve the manta snorkel with the company recommended, Anelakai Adventures.
Did you visit any coffee farms? I would like to but I’m not sure it will hold the kids attention.
I am trying not to book much else and just go with the flow, but research different options of things to do and we can decide day of what we are in the mood for.
We've been multiple times to Big Island with kids. One of our favorite day trips from Kohala area is the loop drive around the coast to Hawi (birthplace of Kamehameha I- there is a replica statue of him there) onward to Palolu overlook and hike to black sand beach, and then finish with an afternoon horseback ride at either Paniolo adventures or Na'alapa stables.
Kawaihae has good shave ice and a couple of worthwhile restaurants. Same with Hawi.
Spencer Park has Pu'ukohala heiau with a little museum.
Puako Petroglyphs near the Fairmont. Also near there is Holoholokai Beach which is rocky but good tide pools and a coastal trail.
Lava Lava at Waikoloa is good and right on the beach.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 12:46
Subject: Re:Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
First poster here-
We are staying at condos in Waikoloa that have access to the main Hilton resort. I was planning on spending a half day or so down at their pools and lagoon, and some time on A Bay beach.
For Volcano NP, we are staying in the cabins. I booked us a dinner at the restaurant in Volcano.
And, I did reserve the manta snorkel with the company recommended, Anelakai Adventures.
Did you visit any coffee farms? I would like to but I’m not sure it will hold the kids attention.
I am trying not to book much else and just go with the flow, but research different options of things to do and we can decide day of what we are in the mood for.
We are staying at condos in Waikoloa that have access to the main Hilton resort. I was planning on spending a half day or so down at their pools and lagoon, and some time on A Bay beach.
For Volcano NP, we are staying in the cabins. I booked us a dinner at the restaurant in Volcano.
And, I did reserve the manta snorkel with the company recommended, Anelakai Adventures.
Did you visit any coffee farms? I would like to but I’m not sure it will hold the kids attention.
I am trying not to book much else and just go with the flow, but research different options of things to do and we can decide day of what we are in the mood for.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 10:24
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We are planning a similar trip for Spring Break, splitting our nights between Waikoloa (6 nights) and Volcano (2 nights). What roads did you drive between the two sides? Any favorite stops?
Did you think 3 nights in Volcano was the correct amount of time? Favorite hike? Curious about the food options there.
Any favorite beaches on the Kona side of the island for early elementary kids?
Depends on where you are staying. If down south, Kahalu’u is a great beginner spot and is well protected regardless of where the swell is coming from. The south side of the bay is protected by a jetty and is for snorkeling and the north side is for surfing.
Up north consider parking at the Mauna Lani shore access lot and walking to Makaiwa bay. Also great for younger kids. Get there early as the lot is not large.
If you plan to be there over Easter it is considerate to leave the shore access parking for locals on that day, and do something else instead.
This is the OP again. Speaking of Easter, VNP was bumping on Christmas Day. We were surprised how many people were there that day - many more than the day before or the day after.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 10:18
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the trip report! We’re going for spring break with grandparents and a 4yo and have never been! Staying in Mauna Lani/ Waikaloa area the whole time.
-Was there anything to at you did that is absolutely not to be missed out of that area given that we can’t stay at the NP? We are considering skipping the NP altogether but my son does love volcanoes so considering a day trip to … something.
-Were the Hilton pools warm?
-Anything else special you wish you’d known in advance or had for the beaches?
This is the OP - my friend stayed at the Mauna Lani and really liked it. It was not in our budget for this trip - but I think the "pros" of that resort is that you have a nice beach there (as far as I can tell). There is not a good beach at the Hilton Waikaloa (although we liked the resort a lot anyway). We went over winter break - and no, I would not say the pools at the Hilton were warm. They were ok but I don't think heated. You may have warmer weather at spring break and who knows, maybe the pools at Mauna Lani are heated.
You could consider bringing or renting snorkel gear if that's something you'd be interested in.
We liked VNP and a lot of people do it as a day trip - there was no lava flowing which would have been really cool, but there was steam and it was still interesting for us to see.
In the bold, what area do you mean - Kona area or VNP area?
We did not plan too much in advance and then planned things while we were there, and that mostly worked ok. In advance we booked all lodging, rented 2 cars (8 people), reserved a luau, reserved the snorkeling with manta rays, and booked a lunch at Merriman's and dinner on 12/25 at the Rim at Volcano house.
Anonymous
01/18/2024 23:31
Subject: Re:Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
This is really useful. Thank you so much!
Anonymous
01/18/2024 23:17
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
Thanks for the trip report! We’re going for spring break with grandparents and a 4yo and have never been! Staying in Mauna Lani/ Waikaloa area the whole time.
-Was there anything to at you did that is absolutely not to be missed out of that area given that we can’t stay at the NP? We are considering skipping the NP altogether but my son does love volcanoes so considering a day trip to … something.
-Were the Hilton pools warm?
-Anything else special you wish you’d known in advance or had for the beaches?
-Was there anything to at you did that is absolutely not to be missed out of that area given that we can’t stay at the NP? We are considering skipping the NP altogether but my son does love volcanoes so considering a day trip to … something.
-Were the Hilton pools warm?
-Anything else special you wish you’d known in advance or had for the beaches?
Anonymous
01/18/2024 22:58
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
Anonymous wrote:We are planning a similar trip for Spring Break, splitting our nights between Waikoloa (6 nights) and Volcano (2 nights). What roads did you drive between the two sides? Any favorite stops?
Did you think 3 nights in Volcano was the correct amount of time? Favorite hike? Curious about the food options there.
Any favorite beaches on the Kona side of the island for early elementary kids?
Depends on where you are staying. If down south, Kahalu’u is a great beginner spot and is well protected regardless of where the swell is coming from. The south side of the bay is protected by a jetty and is for snorkeling and the north side is for surfing.
Up north consider parking at the Mauna Lani shore access lot and walking to Makaiwa bay. Also great for younger kids. Get there early as the lot is not large.
If you plan to be there over Easter it is considerate to leave the shore access parking for locals on that day, and do something else instead.
Anonymous
01/17/2024 19:49
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
I mean she tried to book online and it seemed full but I suggested she call
Anonymous
01/17/2024 19:46
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
We are planning a similar trip for Spring Break, splitting our nights between Waikoloa (6 nights) and Volcano (2 nights). What roads did you drive between the two sides? Any favorite stops?
-I recommend downloading the Shaka guide, and then you can follow his routes to and from VNP (and in VNP). There are basically two ways to get there - one route to the south, and we stopped at the black sand beach on the way. There are turtles resting and swimming on the beach - and it's basically a must do to stop there. My friend went to a green sand beach also near there, but we felt we didn't have time (and I think you can skip if you don't have time - you have to pay a local to take you there - it's too far to walk and you can't take your own car). On the way home we drove the saddle road route mid island. My parents and sister stopped at Hilo and really liked it that stop (they saw a rainbow falls and nene birds and farmers market). My car just went straight through but it was interesting to drive past Mauna Loa.
Did you think 3 nights in Volcano was the correct amount of time? Favorite hike? Curious about the food options there.
-I think it was maybe one night too many but we didn't feel rushed and we feel like we saw the whole park. I liked doing the chain of craters drive with the stops recommended by Shaka guide. The thurston lava tube was interesting but gets crowded. We did it early. If you park not at the tube, but at the overflow parking - there's a nice walk with a view of kilauea iki. My dad, my husband, and my 9th and 6th grade sons all did the whole kilauea iki hike and liked. My mom, my sister, my 3rd grade daughter and I did something else - but I have to look up what it was. We liked it - and the boys went back and did it the following day.
Are you staying in the lodge there? We ate the breakfast every day in the lodge and had one dinner there. We also ate at the Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck one day which had a long wait (like 40 mins) and then who tried to come after us got turned away as they were out of food.
Any favorite beaches on the Kona side of the island for early elementary kids?
-I recommend downloading the Shaka guide, and then you can follow his routes to and from VNP (and in VNP). There are basically two ways to get there - one route to the south, and we stopped at the black sand beach on the way. There are turtles resting and swimming on the beach - and it's basically a must do to stop there. My friend went to a green sand beach also near there, but we felt we didn't have time (and I think you can skip if you don't have time - you have to pay a local to take you there - it's too far to walk and you can't take your own car). On the way home we drove the saddle road route mid island. My parents and sister stopped at Hilo and really liked it that stop (they saw a rainbow falls and nene birds and farmers market). My car just went straight through but it was interesting to drive past Mauna Loa.
Did you think 3 nights in Volcano was the correct amount of time? Favorite hike? Curious about the food options there.
-I think it was maybe one night too many but we didn't feel rushed and we feel like we saw the whole park. I liked doing the chain of craters drive with the stops recommended by Shaka guide. The thurston lava tube was interesting but gets crowded. We did it early. If you park not at the tube, but at the overflow parking - there's a nice walk with a view of kilauea iki. My dad, my husband, and my 9th and 6th grade sons all did the whole kilauea iki hike and liked. My mom, my sister, my 3rd grade daughter and I did something else - but I have to look up what it was. We liked it - and the boys went back and did it the following day.
Are you staying in the lodge there? We ate the breakfast every day in the lodge and had one dinner there. We also ate at the Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck one day which had a long wait (like 40 mins) and then who tried to come after us got turned away as they were out of food.
Any favorite beaches on the Kona side of the island for early elementary kids?
My kids are in 9th, 6th, and 3rd. We went to Magic Sands beach one day - it had really big waves. I'm not really scared of big waves - but it's not for people who are. Both of my boys lost their snorkel gear in wave incidents but no one got injured! Where are you staying? I would probably try to go closest to where you are. We went to this beach - which was nice.
https://www.southkohala.com/things-to-do/big-island-beaches/secret-mauumae-beach
We liked the captain cook hike and snorkeling - but it's two miles each way for the hike. The hike was fine for my 3rd grader - but most challenging for my mom. My 70 year old dad runs a lot and was fine with it. You should check out the company I recommended for manta ray snorkeling. My friend already said she tried to contact them for spring break and they were full - but I suggested she try to call them and see if they're really full. I don't know if she did.
Anonymous
01/17/2024 17:06
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
We are planning a similar trip for Spring Break, splitting our nights between Waikoloa (6 nights) and Volcano (2 nights). What roads did you drive between the two sides? Any favorite stops?
Did you think 3 nights in Volcano was the correct amount of time? Favorite hike? Curious about the food options there.
Any favorite beaches on the Kona side of the island for early elementary kids?
Did you think 3 nights in Volcano was the correct amount of time? Favorite hike? Curious about the food options there.
Any favorite beaches on the Kona side of the island for early elementary kids?
Anonymous
12/29/2023 21:17
Subject: Big Island with kids - winter break trip report
I'll try to keep this trip report fairly brief but I am happy to respond to any questions.
10 days, multi-generational family trip - including myself, my husband and our 3 kids who are 14, 11, and 8. This was the kids' first trip to Hawaii.
No direct flights, so we flew DC to PHX, PHX to Kona (and reverse).
We stayed 5 nights in a Kailua-Kona area VRBO with a pool, 3 nights at Volcano House - the in park lodging at Volcano National Park, and then 1 night (but basically two full days) at the Hilton Waikaloa. It was a good mix of lodging. The national park lodging is (always) low amenities but great location and my parents are really into national parks.
We had a great trip. Some highlights include manta ray night snorkel (I particularly recommend the company Anelakai Adventures if you have some in the group who don't want to get in the water - they can still see from the canoe) and a hike to Captain cook for great snorkeling (2 mile hike there and 2 mile hike back - but the only way to reach it is by hike or boat - no cars). We visited some good beaches and we enjoyed the pool and lagoon at the Hilton Waikaloa. Merriman's had good food! Manuela Malasada Co was a great food truck stop for malasadas near Hapuna Beach. There was no lava flowing, but we still had a nice time at Volcanos NP doing hikes, etc. We liked the chain of craters drive too.
We did a luau because I just felt like everyone should do it at least once when in Hawaii and the only ones in the group who had ever done one before was my husband and me on our honeymoon.
I definitely recommend downloading Shaka Guide for your drives if you go to the Big Island. It was especially good on the Volcanos NP Chain of Craters drive - we did all the stops he suggested.
10 days, multi-generational family trip - including myself, my husband and our 3 kids who are 14, 11, and 8. This was the kids' first trip to Hawaii.
No direct flights, so we flew DC to PHX, PHX to Kona (and reverse).
We stayed 5 nights in a Kailua-Kona area VRBO with a pool, 3 nights at Volcano House - the in park lodging at Volcano National Park, and then 1 night (but basically two full days) at the Hilton Waikaloa. It was a good mix of lodging. The national park lodging is (always) low amenities but great location and my parents are really into national parks.
We had a great trip. Some highlights include manta ray night snorkel (I particularly recommend the company Anelakai Adventures if you have some in the group who don't want to get in the water - they can still see from the canoe) and a hike to Captain cook for great snorkeling (2 mile hike there and 2 mile hike back - but the only way to reach it is by hike or boat - no cars). We visited some good beaches and we enjoyed the pool and lagoon at the Hilton Waikaloa. Merriman's had good food! Manuela Malasada Co was a great food truck stop for malasadas near Hapuna Beach. There was no lava flowing, but we still had a nice time at Volcanos NP doing hikes, etc. We liked the chain of craters drive too.
We did a luau because I just felt like everyone should do it at least once when in Hawaii and the only ones in the group who had ever done one before was my husband and me on our honeymoon.
I definitely recommend downloading Shaka Guide for your drives if you go to the Big Island. It was especially good on the Volcanos NP Chain of Craters drive - we did all the stops he suggested.