Explore the lava flow at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The Big Island of Hawaii is divided into several regions: Volcano, Kona, Hilo, Kohala, and Ka Lae, the southern tip. On each region, you will find family oriented excursions that involve exploring some of Hawaii's historical sites and traditions or trying some water sports in the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii Beaches
The Big Island features a variety of beaches on each region for guests to relax for the day. Onekahakaha Beach Park, along the Hilo Coast, offers a sandy-bottomed swimming area, separated by lava rocks and break water. This white sand beach features plenty of picnic areas and grassy areas to just six and relax with young children.
Known as Snorkel Beach, Kona's Kahalu'u Beach Park features a calm freshwater beach, filled with bright corals, tropical fish, and green sea turtles. Teenagers and adults will enjoy snorkeling against the current and viewing sea turtles, butterfly fish and coral up close. Younger children can experience the sea turtles too as the turtles crawl from shallow water to the salt and pepper sand where children play in the sand.
Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
As the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States, this 12-acre zoo features more than 80 animals and more than 100 types of palms and an extensive collection of orchids. The zoo houses animals from Hawaiian birds like the Hawaiian hawk and the endangered Alae ula to a white bengal tiger named Namaste. Guests can watch him being fed each afternoon at 3:30 p.m. During your visit, picnic with your family in the botanical gardens while you explore a beautiful selection of orchids such as the Bamboo Orchid or the Nun's Orchid. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to the public.
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
This national park houses two of the world's most active volcanoes and offers tourists beautiful landscape views of the volcanoes and Hawaiian Islands. While you and your family can experience the view by hiking or biking on your own, the park offers a Junior Ranger Program for children 7 to 12 years old to learn about the park with family members. Children participate in a Ranger-guided program, and then complete two explorations on their own, such as exploring the aftermath of the Kilauea Volcano and examining loose rocks, or walking through Thurston Lava Tube and learning how people lived in them.
Paradise Cove Luau
Along 12 acres of white sand beach, Paradise Cove's luau offers tourists not only traditional Hawaiian cuisine and hula dancers, but fun for the entire family. Its Hawaiian luau buffet includes round-trip transportation from Waikiki, game challenges like spear throwing and the Hukilau ceremony of pulling in fish nets to traditional chants. Your ticket also includes the traditional Imu ceremony of roasting the pig, a full buffet, and Polynesian dinner and dancing event show. As of February 2011, the luau cost $82 for adults and $62 for children 12 years old and younger.
Tags: Beach Park, children years, each region, Hawai`i Volcanoes, Hawai`i Volcanoes National