The Big Island is an exceptional destination for a family vacation because it offers an incredible variety of activities that cater to all ages and interests, ensuring every family member has a memorable experience. From exploring the awe-inspiring Volcanoes National Park to having encounters with dolphins and seahorses, we have put together a great list of family activities to try while vacationing on the Island of Hawaii.
Explore Volcanoes National Park
Visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers a remarkable opportunity to experience some of the world’s most active volcanoes and unique volcanic landscapes. The park is open 24 hours daily, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace, or entering the park at night to stargaze or catch the glow of lava fissures and fountains. Highlights include standing close to steam vents warmed by deep volcanic activity, hiking the popular Kīlauea Iki Trail which descends through lush rainforest to a dramatic crater floor, and exploring the Thurston Lava Tube, an accessible lava cave.
Plan a Beach Day
The Island of Hawaii has the largest coastline of all the Hawaiian Islands, hence the nickname “the Big Island.” Explore the island to find your favorite beach. Choose from white sand, black sand, and even green sand beaches, coves known for their pristine snorkeling, and even bays offering protected swimming areas with tide pools for exploring. We all know that most kids will entertain themselves for hours if a warm beach is assessable. Add in a ball, boogie board, and sandcastle bucket and they will be smiling for the rest of the day!
Go Ziplining
For family members that have the itch for adrenaline and speed, ziplining on the Big Island of Hawaii offers exhilarating adventures through some of the island’s most stunning landscapes, from lush rainforests to cascading waterfalls. Different tour companies offer varied unique experiences such as crossings suspension bridges, rappelling, traveling over waterfalls, and even zipping tandem on lines that are side by side.
Take a Submarine Ride
Kids will love the opportunity to be in a real-life submarine! The Atlantis Submarine in Kona offers an unforgettable underwater adventure, taking guests up to 100 feet below the surface to explore a vibrant 25-acre natural coral reef teeming with tropical fish and marine life. Aboard a state-of-the-art, battery-powered, 48-passenger submarine with air-conditioned comfort and large viewports, visitors enjoy a submerged tour along the Kona coastline, witnessing stunning coral formations and diverse sea creatures in their pristine habitat.
Get Your Hands Wet at a Seahorse Farm
The Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm, located just south of Kona Airport, is a unique and educational marine facility dedicated to breeding and conserving seahorses and other rare marine species such as leafy and weedy sea dragons. Visitors can take guided tours led by professional biologists, where they learn about seahorse biology, conservation efforts, and the farm’s organic aquaculture practices. The tours include opportunities to see baby seahorses, pregnant males, and more than half of the world’s 36 seahorse species.
Swim with Dolphins
Dolphin Quest has numerous dolphin encounter options that can be reserved. Whether you want to act as a marine mammal trainer for the day or simply spend time in the shallows with your family and a lovable dolphin, it can be arranged. Prefer to see dolphins in the wild? Numerous tour operators offer sailings that locate pods of dolphins in the wild. Enjoy watching the dolphins jump and play in the water from the comforts of the boat.
Engage with Wildlife at Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo
The Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo, is the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States, set on 12 lush acres that blend animal exhibits with a diverse botanical garden. Home to over 80 animal species including endangered Hawaiian Nene geese, Bengal tigers, spider monkeys, and giant anteaters, the zoo offers an immersive experience in a natural rainforest environment. Families especially enjoy interactive animal encounters, a petting zoo on Saturdays, and a large playground, making it a great destination for kids.
Learn Something New at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center
Open Tuesday through Sunday, ʻImiloa provides a captivating experience that educates and inspires visitors about the stars, Hawaiian heritage, and the wonders of the cosmos. The unique educational facility beautifully blends Hawaiian culture with cutting-edge astronomy. Located near the Mauna Kea Observatories, the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center offers visitors immersive exhibits and bilingual displays that explore the connections between ancient Polynesian navigation and modern astronomical discoveries. The center features a state-of-the-art 120-seat planetarium with a full-dome video projection system that plays spectacular shows the kids will love.