hawaii trip for family of 8

• Last Updated On
• November 19, 2023

11 Best Family Vacations in Hawaii — That All Ages Love!

With its beautiful beaches, clear water, laid-back lifestyle, and delicious food, Hawaii is an ideal destination for a vacation.

Experience symphony for the senses as you explore The Aloha State’s majestic mountains, pristine beaches, and gnarly waves.

But planning a family vacation trip to this sun-soaked state is challenging, especially if it’s your first time.

I can relate to that.

I’ve been traveling for as long as I can remember.

And as a parent and a seasoned travel writer, I’ve visited numerous places in Hawaii.

So, I’ve got your back when it comes to deciding where to spend those precious vacation days.

To make things easier for you, I’ve listed the places where you can enjoy the best family vacations in Hawaii.

Plus, I ranked these places based on certain factors and criteria.

I’ll also share valuable information based on my family and other travelers’ experiences.

So, check out my in-depth reviews and tips below and start planning your fun Hawaii getaway.

Best Family Vacations In Hawaii Compared

From fun-filled activities to top-of-the-line accommodations and amenities, you have many family vacation options in Hawaii.

Here’s a quick reference guide for my top picks.

Editor’s Choice

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is an open-air beachfront resort with luxurious accommodations and amenities.

• Kid-friendly Activities: 5/5
• Family Accommodations: 5/5
• Dining Options: 5/5
• Safety and Security: 5/5
• Value for Money: 4/5
• Location and Accessibility: 5/5

#2nd Best Choice

Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, is an upscale resort that offers refined-modern rooms, poolside, and upscale regional restaurants.

• Kid-friendly Activities: 4.5/5
• Family Accommodations: 4/5
• Value for Money: 4.5/5
• Location and Accessibility: 4.5/5

#3rd Best Choice

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Sheraton Maui, with its children’s programs and salty adventures, is truly one of the kid-friendly weekend getaways in Hawaii.

• Family Accommodations:  4.5/5
• Dining Options: 4.5/5
• Safety and Security: 4.5/5

Here are the top 11 vacations in Hawaii for families.

1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Editor’s Choice)

3900 Wailea Alanui Dr Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 874-8000 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Ratings Criteria

• Spacious rooms with ocean views
• Whale watching tour
•  Expensive

Who Should Vacation Here

Four Seasons Resorts Maui at Wailea is one of the best places to spend your family vacation.

They have clean and spacious rooms enough to accommodate your family.

The rooms also have grounds or ocean views you can enjoy.

Also, you can have fun with your family by whale watching, hiking, and canoeing.

Moreover, there are restaurants on site serving various cuisines and delectable dishes.

Don’t forget to get a spa or a massage while you’re here.

The resort also offers babysitting services, so you can relax while your kids are having fun.

Also, check out the restaurants serving various cuisines and kid-friendly menus for a delectable treat with your family.

Related: The Best All Inclusive Hawaii Resorts

2. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

4100 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea-Makena, HI 96753 (808) 875-4100 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

• Exceptional service
• Island-inspired cuisine

Nestled on the soft white sands of Wailea’s Polo Beach, Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, is ideal for your family vacation.

This oceanfront paradise offers three swimming pools, a private beach, and delicious food at the restaurants.

Aside from that, there are children’s activities and water sports activities to enjoy.

Moreover, as soon as you set foot in the resort, you’ll see how their staff provides their well and beyond service to every guest.

For a cheap family vacation, you can visit in April to June or September to mid-December.

While staying at this resort, you can enjoy the six dining venues, three swimming pools, and a private beach.

Also, you can snorkel with turtles and fish or paddle board on the beach.

Related: Best Things to Do in Hawaii

Also See: Restaurants in Kauai Hotels in Kauai Kid Friendly Resorts in Kauai

3. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

2605 Kaanapali Pkwy Lahaina, HI 96761 (808) 661-0031 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Sheraton Maui , with its children’s programs and salty adventures, is truly one of the kid-friendly weekend getaways in Hawaii .

• Complimentary program for kids
• Lots of fun activities 

Sheraton Maui Resort’s prime spot offers endless ocean activities for families.

For instance, you can go stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling and even join the night cliff diving sunset ceremony.

The resort also has an array of complimentary programs for kids, including fire knife demos, fake Polyenisian tattoos and Hawaiian games.

Stay at the ‘Ohana Suites.

It has a couple of double beds, a spacious bathroom and a pull-down wall bed.

Moreover, it’s literally steps from numerous large swimming areas that are interconnected by a water slide, a lazy river and lava-rock waterways.

Related: Restaurants in Oahu, Hawaii

Related: Best Beaches in Hawaii

4. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr Waimea, HI 96743 (808) 882-7222 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

With a full-packed adventure for kids, luxurious accommodations, and top-of-the-line amenities, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is an excellent alternative to Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui.

It is absolutely one of the best family resorts in Hawaii .

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a superb Hawaiian getaway for families who are aching for a luxurious, action-packed vacation.

The Mauna Kea Keiki Club Adventures program has full-day adventures for your kids, including hiking, shell hunting, and exploring lava tubes and caves.

What’s more, this beachfront resort has plenty of other amenities, including water sports, canoeing, a tennis court, a golf course, skiing and snorkeling.

Need some help with your toddlers or infants?

Want to relax on your vacation at this resort?

I suggest that you availl the resort’s babysitting service, and take a break from your non-stop parental duties.

From pools to spa treatments, there are plenty of ways to unwind here as the resort staff keeps an eye on your little ones.

5. Honolulu

Honolulu, HI Visit Website Open in Google Maps

Honolulu is a beautiful mash-up of cultural sites, awe-inspiring scenery and cosmopolitan luxury.

Honolulu is an urban destination with a host of kid-approved attractions and education cultural sites.

In fact, you’ll find the Diamond Head State Monument, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Waikiki Beach all in the state’s capital.

What’s more, the city offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor pursuits, like hiking, snorkeling and surfing.

And, with an international airport, Honolulu can be a great base for exploring the family vacations near Hawaii.

For a cheap family vacation in Honolulu, visit it in spring (April to June) or fall (September to mid-December).

Not only are the room rates cheaper, but these months also have thinner crowds.

For surfers, winter is, hands down, the best time to visit Honolulu.

Recommended Hotel: The Modern Honolulu By Diamond Resorts

Related: Honolulu Restaurants

Also See: Hotels in Honolulu Kid Friendly Hotels in Honolulu

6. Kaanapali Beach

Kaanapali, HI Visit Website Open in Google Maps

No list of the best family trips in Hawaii is complete without Kaanapali Beach.

With scores of water sports and a gorgeous beach, it can give you tons of beautiful travel memories with your crew.

Kaanapali Beach is a more laid-back alternative to the vibrant and robust Waikiki.

Furthermore, the beach is a prime destination for water sports, like paddleboarding, kayaking and surfing.

Head to the north side of Kaanapali, for a chance to spot turtles munching on seagrass or algae.

Do some exploration around the area.

While the area may seem small, it actually is home to several restaurants and hotels.

Plus, it has 2 championship golf courses and an open-air shopping center.

You can even spend your whole vacation here.

Recommended Hotel: Paradise Bay Resort

7. Kailua-Kona, Big Island

Kailua-Kona, HI Visit Website Open in Google Maps

Want to experience a wet and wild family-friendly adventure in Hawaii?

Then, make sure to include Kailua-Kona to your list of places to visit in Hawaii with kids.

Kailua-Kona is a gorgeous, historic and age-friendly coastal town suited for families who are longing for a wet and wild adventure.

Nestled in the heart of Kailua-Kona, King Kam Beach is perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing and swimming.

For a more thrilling adventure, join a manta ray night dive and snorkel tour.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Kona Coffee Living History Farm.

Here, you may purchase some world renowned Kona coffee, stroll among the cocoa trees and watch the farmers dry and mill the beans.

Recommended Hotel: Aston Kona By The Sea

Related: Restaurants in Kona

8. North Shore of Oahu

Waialua, HI Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Although it has a more relaxed pace than Honolulu, Oahu’s North Shore is still packed with incredibly fun things to do in Hawaii with kids .

The North Shore, with its huge waves and fabulous shorelines , is a haven of fun for surfing aficionados and beach bums.

And, guess what?

It’s a captivating destination for kiddies too since it’s home to Kualoa Ranch, known for its gorgeous tropical landscapes and kid-approved activities.

Families may also explore the Waimea Valley, which has a stunning waterfall and a wide range of fauna and flora.

Don’t forget to drop by the Polynesian Cultural Center.

With its extraordinary demonstrations and exhibits, this living museum will give your family a deep insight into the South Pacific’s indigenous cultures.

Recommended Hotel: Turtle Bay Resort

9. Kailua, Oahu

Kailua, HI (808) 261-2727 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

From stunning beaches to a photogenic lighthouse, there are tons of family-friendly places to go in Kailua.

Kailua has two satisfying beach locations perfect for water-loving families.

With their crystal clear waters and powdery soft sands, Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach are terrific for water sports and swimming

To enhance your splashy experience here, rent a paddle board, snorkeling gear or a kayak at Twogood Kayaks Hawaii.

For groceries and food supplies, drop by the beachside Kalapawai Market.

Also, spend some time at Makapuu Point’s lighthouse as well as Sea Life Park Hawaii, wherein you can swim with sea lions, sharks and dolphins.

Recommended Hotel: The Kahala Hotel and Resort

Related: Best Family Beaches in Hawaii

Maui, HI (800) 525-6284 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

There’s something for everyone in your gang in Maui.

Maui is the best all-around destination for families yearning a leisure-focused getaway.

The island offers picturesque volcano and jungle hikes, incredible beaches , cultural activities and golfing opportunities.

Families can also go snorkeling, swimming and whale watching.

The best way to get around the island is by car, especially if you’re planning to explore large swaths of Maui .

Since the island has a rather comprehensive collection of roadways, finding your way in Maui shouldn’t be difficult.

While there are tons of public transportation options (hotel shuttles and a bus system), they don’t exactly make a great option for wide Maui exploration.

Recommended Hotel: Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach

Related: Best Maui Restaurants

Also See: Kid Friendly Hotels in Maui Hotels in Maui

11. Molokai

Molokai, HI Visit Website Open in Google Maps

Molokai is a charming and easygoing destination with a bevy of natural wonders and cultural sites.

Molokai is a great Hawaiian destination for families who prefer a rustic and back-to-basics experience.

Life is slow on this island, and though it lacks in organized activities, it home’s one of Hawaii’s most enthralling sites: the Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

Make a pit stop to the Big Wind Kite Factory, known for specializing handmade kites.

Likewise, it sells books, music and other one-of-a-kind Hawaiian items.

Spend a couple of hours touring the factory and learn the art of kite flying.

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Molokai

Related: Do You Need a Passport to Go to Hawaii?

Vacationer’s Guide 

Comparing destinations: which one is right for you.

Choosing the best place where you can spend a family vacation is challenging.

But I can make it easier for you by giving tips and suggestions.

However, it’s best to consider the factors and the personal preferences you seek.

As a parent who loves traveling, I research and compare places when planning a trip.

When we visited Hawaii for the first time, we had a blast and enjoyed our trip.

We had a luxurious vacation at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

We spent a day doing various activities at the resort, such as hiking and canoeing.

My kids love the whale-watching tour, and it’s the highlight of our vacation.

We also stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui.

Aside from its excellent accommodation, the thing that I loved here was the delicious food and the exceptional service.

At Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, my little ones loved the kids club with the program for children.

There were also a lot of fun activities for the entire family that we enjoyed.

However, these resorts are on the expensive side, so you have to take note of your budget.

During our vacation, we created lasting memories to cherish.

Thanks to the resorts’ outstanding accommodations and family-friendly activities, we had a fun and memorable family trip.

So, before you decide, consider the factors and your preference to have an unforgettable Hawaiian trip.

How I Picked The Destinations 

I travel with my family once or twice a year for vacation.

As a parent and travel writer, I reviewed each place we visited.

I do this to give parents ideas for an enjoyable vacation.

So based on our Hawaii family trip, I’ve picked what I think is the best way to splurge money and have fun. 

Also, to write an honest review, I researched extensively and talked to other travelers for more valuable insights.

Our Rating Method 

I rate these properties based on the following criteria:

• Kid-friendly Activities: I use this to evaluate the availability and variety of family-friendly amenities at every property. Does it feature playgrounds and kids’ clubs? Does it organize events designed specifically for kids? I ask myself these questions whenever I rate this property’s kid-friendly activities. 
• Family Accommodations: This is used to assess the family accommodations of the property. Are the rooms spacious? Does it offer family suites with connecting rooms? Can it accommodate families of different sizes? Is there a crib or baby-proofing in every room? These questions are essential whenever I rate the property’s family accommodations. 
• Dining Options: This evaluates the dining options at the property. Are there kid-friendly options at the property? Is there an on-site restaurant that caters to everyone’s dietary preferences and needs? I use these questions to assess the dining options of every property. 
• Safety and Security: I use this criterion to assess the safety and security of every property. Are the premises secured? Is the staff trained to handle any emergency? I consider these factors when rating the property’s safety and security. 
• Value for Money: This is used to evaluate the value for money of every property. Are the room rates reasonable? Are the services, activities, and amenities suitable for the price? I ask myself these questions to rate the value for money provided by the property. 
• Location and Accessibility: This measures how accessible the property is for families. How far is it from the popular family attractions? Is it easily accessible via public transportation? I use these questions to evaluate the property’s location and accessibility. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is hawaii a good destination for a family trip.

Yes, Hawaii is an excellent destination for a family trip, with its beautiful beaches, diverse activities, and family-friendly attractions that cater to all ages.

Which Part Of Hawaii Is Best For Families?

The island of Maui is the best part of Hawaii for families, offering a variety of family-friendly activities, stunning beaches, playgrounds, and numerous vacation rentals.

These places are the best family vacations in Hawaii.

Whether you want to spend your family time dipping in pools or oceans or participate in exhilarating activities, there is something for everyone here. 

Hawaii is for you to enjoy, and it depends on your preferences.

As for our family getaway in Hawaii, we had a blast and went home overjoyed.

My kids and I enjoyed the private beach and pools with slides at Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui.

We also had a great time snorkeling and diving.

We never starved at the island-inspired cuisine they served, and its exceptional service made our stay more memorable.

With their complementary program for kids and fun activities for the family, we also enjoyed our vacation at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. 

There were no dull moments throughout our stay.

But if your family is into adventures, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is an excellent alternative. 

You can have the best family vacation with lots of activities for kids and adults. 

Still, we must know their drawbacks.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, are expensive.

Meanwhile, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has limited dining options.

Despite their drawbacks, these family destinations always have something to offer that every traveler loves.

As for the top choice, the best Hawaii family vacation is at Four Seasons Resort  Maui at Wailea.

The hotel has almost everything you’re looking for in a perfect vacation.

It has everything from luxurious accommodations and oceanfront views to fun-filled activities.

It’s an expensive property, but this is perfect if you’re willing to splurge some more for a grand vacation.

THE 10 BEST Family Resorts in Hawaii

Hawaii Family Resorts

Property types, distance from, traveler rating, hotel class.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveler Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
• Distance to city center See properties located closest to the center first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners

1. Prince Waikiki

2. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

3. Halekulani Hotel

4. OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort

5. Queen Kapiolani Hotel

6. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

7. Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani

8. Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

9. Royal Kona Resort

10. Kauai Shores Hotel

11. hilton garden inn waikiki beach, 12. hilton hawaiian village waikiki beach resort, 13. aston kaanapali shores, 14. sheraton kauai coconut beach resort, 15. wailea beach resort - marriott, maui, 16. hyatt regency waikiki beach resort and spa, 17. hyatt regency maui resort and spa, 18. turtle bay resort, 19. the twin fin waikiki, 20. scp hilo hotel, 21. ka la'i waikiki beach, lxr hotels & resorts, 22. hilton waikoloa village, 23. hyatt place waikiki beach, 24. hilton grand vacations club kings' land waikoloa, 25. maui kaanapali villas, 26. grand wailea, a waldorf astoria resort, 27. ala moana honolulu by mantra, 28. hilton vacation club the modern honolulu, 29. aqua aloha surf waikiki, 30. courtyard by marriott king kamehameha's kona beach hotel, family resorts nearby destinations.

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8-Day Hawaii Itinerary: The perfect combo of relaxation and epic adventure

Do you want to go to Hawaii for relaxation? Adventure? Why not both!? Here is your perfect combination of sandy beach day relaxation and adventuring in this 8-day Hawaii itinerary.

The Hawaiian Islands are a hot destination for many travelers around the world, but especially in the States. There is so much to see and do in Hawaii, which islands do you pick to visit??

We traveled to Hawaii for our babymoon in January 2019 and decided to pick the islands of Maui and Kauai to divide our time on. It was hard to choose and I have heard so many wonderful reviews of the big island and O’ahu; but ultimately we settled on Kauai and Maui for the activities to do.

Travel to Hawaii

To get to Hawaii from the United States, you will have a connecting flight somewhere on the west coast, likely leaving from San Francisco, Seattle, or Los Angeles. All major airlines fly into Hawaii and Southwest recently added routes to all of the major Hawaiian Islands! 

Because Hawaii is 6-7 hours behind most of the US, you will likely be flying during the afternoon/night to land in the afternoon in Hawaii time.

The major airport on Maui is Kahului Airport and on Kauai is Lihue Airport.

Travel within Hawaii

In order to travel around Hawaii on your own I would recommend renting a car. Renting Jeeps in Hawaii is VERY popular, and if you want to go this route, make sure to rent your Jeep well ahead of your trip to ensure you have an available rental. 

To get from island to island within Hawaii you will fly Hawaiian Airlines. The flight from Maui to Kauai is short and the flights between islands are relatively cheap

Where to stay on the islands

Kaanapali on the West side of the island is going to be a very popular area to stay. The beaches are beautiful and there are plenty of resorts to choose from to take advantage of the beaches. With a rental car it takes about an hour to get from the West side of the island to the East side where the Road to Hana is. 

Wailea on the central, south side of the island is also a popular beach destination.

We stayed at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel ( https://www.kbhmaui.com/ ) dubbed “Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Hotel.” If you are visiting Hawaii with your kids this is a great hotel as kids stay free! 

There are plenty of resorts and AirBnBs just north of the Lihue airport along the Kuhio Highway. Another popular area is on the north side of the island in Princeville and near the famous Hanalei beach. South of the island is the town of Poipu which has a group of high-end hotels and two major shopping centers.

While in Kauai we stayed at the Kauai Shores Hotel ( https://www.kauaishoreshotel.com/ ) a retro-looking themed hotel on the royal Coconut Coast. They have the Lava Lava Beach Club which is a bar and restaurant right next door. This was one of the reasons we chose the hotel- the ease of having drinks and right on the beach!

For those considering the islands of Maui and Kauai to visit for their holiday, below is an 8-day itinerary of what I think are the top things to see and do on the islands of Kauai and Maui.

Day 1: Travel to Maui

Depending on when you arrive in Maui, you may be very tired and not up for doing much. Check into your hotel or AirBnB and head to dinner or a late lunch.

We stayed at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel ( https://www.kbhmaui.com/ ) which recently completed a renovation on their rooms, making your stay even more comfortable. Their grounds are gorgeous and they have direct access to the Kaanapali Beach. You can also swim (or walk) to the famous Black Rock Beach for some cliff jumping off the lava rock.

The resort is sandwiched between the Sheraton and the Westin so this is a very heavily trafficked area with tons of shops and restaurants within walking distance to explore for the remainder of your day.

Head to Lahaina area for some delicious restaurant options on the beach. Frida’s Beach House ( http://fridasmaui.com/ ) and Star Noodle ( http://www.starnoodle.com/ ) are great, intimate options.

Day 2: Beach Day!!

Morning-early afternoon.

Enjoy your time on the beautiful Kaanapali Beach. There are plenty of activities to do at the beach! You can rent chairs/umbrellas, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and snorkel gear to explore the water around you.

For a change of scenery and lunch head to the Old Lahaina Center in Lahaia. This is a fun area to walk around and see the shops and walk along Front Street. 

After lunch (I suggest the Waikiki Brewing Co- http://www.waikikibrewing.com/ ), cool yourself off with some Hawaiian shaved ice at Ululani’s ( http://ululanisshaveice.com/ ). 

Looking for a nice dinner to attend? Check out Mama’s Fish House in Paia ( http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/ ). Make a reservation as this is a very famous restaurant on Maui and is $$$$. 

For a closer to home option, eat at a restaurant in Kaanapali or head to a Foodland in Lahaina to grab some of the best poke on Maui. Yes, the local supermarket has some of THE best poke you can get and cheap! Grab a bowl and have an intimate dinner on the beach.

Day 3: Food Tours

You can do any of the below to fit your schedule for the day:

If you are visiting Maui during the week, make a reservation for one of the tours from the incredible O’o Farms ( http://oofarm.mybigcommerce.com/reservations/ )- make your reservation in advance of your trip. The lunch tour runs Monday-Friday and starts at 10:30 AM and ends at 2:00 PM.

The coffee tour runs Monday and Tuesday, starting at 8:30 am and ending at 11:30 am. Participants connect with both the agricultural history of coffee and the “seed to cup” process by strolling through our orchard and experiencing sight, sounds and smells of a real roasting operation. 

You will then sit down afterwards for a lovely breakfast focused on health and nutrition, along with a coffee tasting!

Since the coffee tour ends at 11:30am you can then head to the Maui Gold Pineapple Fields and Facility Tour ( https://mauipineappletour.com/pineapple-farm-tour/ ). The last reservation time is at 1:45pm and lasts for 1.5 hours. 

Learn about the growing cycle and cultivation techniques, tasting the stages as you learn them. Best of all, you get a FREE PINEAPPLE with every tour! 

Day 4: Haleakala and Road to Hana

Morning- before the crack of dawn.

Make a reservation to see the sunrise at Mount Haleakala ( https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise-and-sunset.htm ). This is a very spiritual (but cold!) experience. You can drive all the way up to the top, no hiking necessary! 

There are tours you can join that will take you up to Haleakala and provide you with a jacket. But if you rented a car, you can simply purchase your reservation through NPS.gov and head there yourself! 

Do you really need to bring a coat and other winter items for 1 day in Hawaii?? Yes!! If you are going to be at the top of Haleakala for sunrise you NEED a coat, hat, gloves, scarf- any winter item you will personally need to stay warm. Temperatures are often windy, wet, and below freezing. 

Looking to continue your spiritual high after watching sunrise at Haleakala? Check out Bike Maui ( https://www.bikemaui.com/ ) to bike down Haleakala mountain.

Since you likely rented a car to get around Maui- take the time to drive the Road to Hana: https://roadtohana.com

There is an app you can download to figure out which stops you would like to hit along the road. There is plenty of opportunity to pull off to the side of the road at any time and hike to a waterfall, a scenic view, hidden beaches or even a lava tube! 

The road takes about an hour and half to drive one-way, with no stops. So plan to spend a full afternoon driving and exploring the Eastern side of the island.

Some must see stops:

• Hana Lava Tube (205 Ulaino Rd, Hana, HI 96713, United States) – ticketed entry
• Black Sand Beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park
• Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach (Hana, HI 96713, United States)

Head to Pacific’O for dinner (505 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States http://pacificomaui.com/ ). The get their ingredients from O’o Farms! So if you visited the farm earlier in your trip, you are coming full circle by attending dinner at Pacific’O. Make sure to make a reservation!

Day 5: Travel to Kauai

Head to Kahului Airport to return your car and head to Lihue Airport on Kauai. This is a quick flight but with the best views as you fly over the Hawaiian islands! Catch an early flight out so you can maximize your time on Kauai this day. 

Are you hungry after your early morning flight? Head to Hamura Saimin (2956 Kress St, Lihue, HI 96766, United States) for some DELICIOUS fast food ramen. This is a mom and pop shop with one long counter you sit at and order your food. Definitely a must try at some point during your time on Kauai!

If you have a good portion of your day left after traveling and checking into your hotel/AirBnB in Kauai, make the drive up to Princeville (about a 40 minute drive) to see the beautiful Hanalei Beach.

Right next to Hanalei Beach is the Queen’s Bath, an oceanside tide pool naturally carved into the rock & containing small fish & other sea life. The Queen’s Bath trailhead is in a residential neighborhood. 

There are signs that say “due to dangerous conditions,” don’t go. However, there were tons of people on the trail so we bypassed the sign and went anyway. You can still get a good view of the waves crashing on the rocks without having to go all the way down to some of the more “dangerous” areas.

Day 6: Na’pali Coast

You have a couple options depending on how you prefer to see this famous coast and your budget:

View the Na’pali Coast by boat. Boat- Captain Andy’s Boat tours https://www.napali.com/ has a bunch of different options for you. Depending on the time of year you go will depend on how enjoyable the boat tour is (whether you will rough seas or not).

Take the ultimate adventure tour to the  Na’pali Coast by helicopter- https://www.islandhelicopters.com/ . Feeling adventurous and nostalgic? Checkout their Jurassic Park tour. You land at Manawaiopuna Falls and feel the awesome power of the waterfall made famous in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie, Jurassic Park . 

This elite tour is 75-80 minutes and includes a landing deep within the interior of Kauai, inaccessible to the public. 

Put on your hiking boots and walk to the Na’pali Coast via Waimea Canyon State Park. You do not need any reservations or permits to hike. To get a view of Na’pali Coast head to the Awaawapuhi Trail which is 3.2 miles each way- so total of about 6.5 miles.

You are hiking down the canyon and then hiking back up to get out. The trail is not too strenuous, but can get very muddy with all the rain Hawaii has. So be prepared with waterproof shoes and rain gear! I would also recommend having a change of clothes back at the car for after.

There are tons of other trails off of 550 highway that take you through the canyon. Depending upon when you get going in the morning for the hike will determine what other hikes you can do in the area.

If you want to see the sunset at the end of the day after visiting Waimea Canyon, head to Polihale State Park ( https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/polihale-state-park/ ), a remote wild beach on the western side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is the most western publicly accessible area in Hawaii. 

This beach has beautiful soft sand and high surf on the Napali Coast. You are on a dirt/sand road for a while to get to the park so think about that when renting a car or trying to get there- Jeeps are your friend!

Day 7: Kayak Tour and Beach

Full day tour.

Wailua river is the only navigable river by boats (bigger than kayaks) in the islands. There are tons of places offering kayak tours to the Secret Falls. We used https://kayakwailua.com/activities/kayak-tours/ . 

The tour is 4.5-5 hours long and they provide pretty much everything you need, even river shoes if you don’t have any! You cross several streams and a river so your shoes will get wet, and the trail is VERY muddy. 

The falls are awesome and you get to do a little swimming! You bring your own snack/lunch to have once you make it to the falls. You also can see one of the filming locations from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Before we went on the tour we went to the Kauai Community Farmers market, which is every Saturday from 9:30am-1pm ( http://www.kauaicommunitymarket.org/ ). Sample the local fare and grab some fruit for your kayak tour. If you head here during a Saturday morning be sure to try the sugarloaf pineapple soft serve!

The Local Kauai ( http://www.thelocalkauai.com/ ) 4-1380 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746- depending on the day they have live music playing and the food was excellent with a great atmosphere.

There are also a ton of cute souvenir shops walking distance from this area. For dessert head above The Local Kauai to The Spot Kauai which serves frozen yogurt.

Day 8: Beach Day and then fly home

Get up and grab breakfast at the food truck, Nom Kauai ( https://www.nomkauai.com/ ) and then head to Makauwahi Cave Reserve. This is a massive cave with fossils & archeological ruins in a wilderness setting with native flora & fauna( http://www.cavereserve.org/ ) 1571-4 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, United States. 

From there, it’s a short drive and walk to Kawailoa Bay Beach/Mahaulepu Beach. Right above the beach you can see an old looking warehouse, this was the movie set for Hobbes and Shaw (the Rock’s spinoff from the Fast & Furious movies). Kauai is a popular filming location for many movies!

Depending on when your flight home is, you can check out of your hotel and head to Hukilau Lanai for an early dinner.

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11 best family resorts in Hawaii for a relaxing vacation 

Hawaii is a clear choice for families looking to take a tropical beach vacation in the U.S. Each Hawaiian island is unique, as are the family-friendly beachfront resorts on those islands. Whether you're looking for an upscale luxury oasis or a laid-back beach retreat, you'll find it among the islands' varied options.

Related: The best family beach vacation destinations to kick off summer

No matter which Hawaiian island or resort you choose, you are guaranteed to experience Hawaii's "Spirit of Aloha," with island-inspired food made with local ingredients and opportunities to learn about Hawaii's rich heritage and culture, with some educational activities that are designed specifically for kids.

If you are planning your first family trip to Hawaii or just looking for the next spot to try, we've taken the guesswork out of choosing a resort with these 11 family-friendly resorts across Hawaii, from the Big Island to Kauai.

Top family hotels in Oahu

For some travelers, Oahu is synonymous with the high-rise hotels lining beautiful Waikiki Beach, but there are family-friendly resorts all over the island. The good news is that no matter where you stay, a vacation in Oahu tends to be less expensive than on other Hawaiian islands.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa is directly on Waikiki Beach and within walking distance of the city's open-air shopping and dining center, the Waikiki Beach Walk. While we encourage you to explore beyond just Waikiki, this can be the perfect location if you are looking for a beach retreat on Oahu that's not too far from the excitement of the city.

The hotel opened in 1901, and its history shines through in the Victorian-era architecture and select guest rooms inspired by the hotel's opening-day design and decor. The hotel has 793 rooms total, including 46 suites, divided among the historic Banyan Wing, the beach-adjacent Diamond Wing and the larger, modern rooms in the Tower Wing.

The hotel's pool is simple compared to some of the large pool complexes in Hawaii, but it has fantastic beach views. You can easily pop back and forth between the pool and the beach all day long, especially if you rent a poolside cabana or an umbrella and chairs on the sandy beach. You can also take to the ocean on a surfboard, stand-up paddleboard or bodyboard. Outrigger canoe charters and surf lessons are also available. Guests can book all of these at the Aloha Beach Services kiosk at the hotel.

The Moana Surfrider also has a spa, beachfront yoga classes, historical tours, hula classes and more. Also, your family will never go hungry with the hotel's five restaurants and a handful of lounges and cafes.

Rates at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa start at around $300 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

If your family loves Hawaii and visiting Disney, you'll likely enjoy a stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu. Even if you aren't a "Disney family," you can still love this resort.

For example, you can spend your time meeting Disney characters, eating Mickey waffles and participating in activities like animation classes and watching outdoor Disney movie screenings. Or, you can just lounge by the beach, snorkel in the hotel's private lagoon and participate in fun and educational activities like lei making and hula lessons led by local artisans and cultural experts.

Kids ages 4 to 12 can visit the 5,200-square-foot kids club called Aunty's Beach House. Games, arts and crafts, movies and surprise character experiences are included in the cost of your stay, with some premium activities available for an additional fee.

The resort also has six pools with waterslides and hidden grottos, a full-service spa, two restaurants, three lounges and quick-service options when you are out and about by the beach or the pool. Guest rooms range from standard one-king or two-queen rooms to villas that sleep up to 12 guests with as many as three bedrooms.

Pro tip: You can even book some of the room types by renting Disney Vacation Club points for even less than the cost of booking directly with Disney with cash.

Rates at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa start at around $569 per night when booked with cash or from about $336 if booked with rented points from a site like David's Vacation Club .

Guests of the only luxury resort on Oahu's North Shore have come to expect luxe accommodations, authentic Hawaiian experiences and dining options and unforgettable tropical adventures. Luckily, Turtle Bay Resort delivers on those promises … and then some.

Families visiting the resort can experience the true essence of Hawaii with beachfront horse and pony rides, surf lessons, a "surfing with dogs" experience (yes, you read that right), mermaid lessons, canoe tours, scavenger hunts and more. Some experiences require an additional fee.

The hotel's pool deck has large family-size cabanas available to rent, giving parents a comfortable place to lounge and kids a shady spot to relax before hopping back in the main pool or the kids' pool with waterslides.

Guest rooms are bright and airy, with ocean views and large murals depicting beachy scenes. Suites and oceanfront bungalows are also available.

Rates at Turtle Bay Resort start at around $707 per night.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is a sprawling resort in the heart of Waikiki, with direct access to Duke Kahanamoku Beach and views of the iconic Diamond Head volcanic cone.

The hotel has eight towers (though three of those are dedicated to Hilton Grand Vacations) and more than 2,800 guest rooms, so you will want to build in travel time for traversing the resort — or choose a room in the Rainbow Tower, which is closest to the beach and pool area if that is where you plan to spend most of your time.

The resort has five outdoor pools, waterslides and a saltwater lagoon for swimming, paddleboarding and other water activities. If you can pull your kids away from the water, the hotel also holds hula and lei-making lessons, fitness classes, fish feeding and luau feasts with traditional Samoan, Tahitian and Hawaiian dancing every Sunday through Thursday.

In addition to the lagoonside luau feast, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has nearly 20 restaurants, cafes and lounges, so you are never too far from your next meal or drink.

Rates at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort start at around $250 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Top family hotels in Maui

Maui is quieter and more secluded than Oahu, offering families off-the-beaten-path beaches and outdoor adventures. The resorts here are on the pricier side, but they have the amenities, accommodations and spectacular views to merit the higher price tag.

This luxury hotel boasts 446 guest rooms and suites across 54 acres of vibrant green gardens, crystal-clear pools and turquoise ocean waters. The resort's newest rooms, the Fire Lanai Collection, have lanais with private fire pits. Club-level rooms come with a dedicated concierge, a lounge with gourmet food and drinks, activities like cooking demonstrations and cocktail classes, and rooms with beautiful ocean views. Because the resort is so large, there are plenty of dining options and activities to choose from around the grounds.

You can choose to spend your day swimming in the massive three-tiered, heated pool with a kids' splash area, hiking the area's coastal trails, surfing or paddleboarding at one of six nearby bays and beaches, or participating in cultural programming, including a nightly sunset ceremony, hula lessons, origami classes and more. There's also environmental children's programming for kids ages 5 to 14 available for an additional cost.

Guest rooms have lavish marble bathrooms, dark wood floors, neutral furnishings and pops of colorful, island-inspired decor. Rooms have large soaking tubs (always a favorite with kids) and private lanais, some with fire pits.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua start at around $760 or 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Note: Due to the Maui wildfires , the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is only accepting reservations for stays starting on Nov. 17, 2023, and later.

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is directly on the world-renowned Ka'anapali Beach. The only thing standing between you and Maui's best beach is a large lagoon-style pool with waterfalls and a water playground for kids, so you can easily bounce back and forth between the pool and the sea all day long.

The resort has 779 guest rooms and 31 suites, all of which have private lanais and sliding glass doors so that you can enjoy the views whether you are inside or outside of your room. Regency Club access rooms come with exclusive lounge access and evening hors d'oeuvre service.

In addition to four on-site restaurants and a coffee shop, guests can attend the resort's Drums of the Pacific Luau on select nights each week. The luau features authentic dances, a delicious meal and an exciting Samoan fireknife finale.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa start at around $760 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

The Wailea Beach Resort offers a laid-back, casual retreat with access to not one but two beaches. The resort has a long list of family-friendly features, including multiple pools (one of which has kid-friendly splash play areas and Maui's longest waterslide), a kids club for children ages 5 to 12, a movie screening room with giant beanbag chairs, a game room and complimentary cultural activities.

Guest rooms are simple yet stylish, with ocean-inspired artwork and neutral-colored furnishings. Each of the resort's 547 rooms has a lanai, and select ground-floor rooms have large furnished lanais with direct access to the hotel's outdoor areas.

Families can dine on Hawaiian-inspired fare at the poolside open-air Kapa Bar & Grill or the Mo' Bettah Food Truck. Parents can get their caffeine fix at the resort's Starbucks location or have a romantic evening away from the kids at Humble Market Kitchin, which offers panoramic views of the beach. The resort also hosts a luau five nights a week.

Rates at Wailea Beach Resort currently start at $720 or 73,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

If your family is in the market for an upscale island retreat that fully embraces Hawaii's natural beauty and distinct culture, you'll find exactly the vacation you crave at the Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort .

Guest rooms look out over the ocean or the resort's gardened grounds, and all rooms have private lanais. Standard rooms are closest to the resort activities and restaurants, or you can upgrade to a Napua room or suite with contemporary Hawaiian design and access to a private lounge with three daily dining times and live entertainment.

Families can spend time together at the huge Wailea Canyon Activity Pool — a six-level pool connected by waterslides, a lazy river, waterfalls, caves, a rope swing and the world's only water elevator. Kids can also pick up a "Grand Passport" that lists all of the kid-friendly cultural activities around the resort, including garden tours, kukui nut bracelet-making and more.

The resort's dining options have something for all palates, from sushi in the Botero Lounge to tacos and wood-fired pizzas at Aloha Trick Pony and a luau on select nights . Breakfast is served buffet-style at Ikena, a unique indoor-outdoor restaurant space.

Rates at Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort start at around $830 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Your kids may not have seen the first season of " The White Lotus ," but there's a pretty good chance you've heard of it. Now, you can stay at the very hotel where the show was filmed and enjoy the same luxury accommodations, upscale amenities and delicious local dining … without any of the drama.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a luxury beachfront resort offering an idyllic escape that is still family-friendly. Like many Four Seasons properties, this resort participates in Kids for All Seasons, a complimentary, supervised program for kids ages 5 to 12. The hotel also has a seasonal counselor-led program for tweens and teens where they can participate in outdoor activities like outrigger canoe paddling.

While the kids play, parents can participate in yoga classes, indulge in a spa treatment (or two), relax on the beach or swim in the adults-only pool. From fine dining at Wolfgang Puck's Spago to casual fare at the pool bar, all of the resort's restaurants are open-air, so you never have to leave behind the ocean views.

The 383 guest rooms and suites are stylish and sophisticated, with views of either the ocean or the radiant gardens. From the hotel's elevated location, you may even be lucky enough to see whales splashing in the ocean from your lanai during wintertime.

Rates at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea currently start at around $1,400 per night.

Top family hotels in Kauai

Kauai, known as the Garden Island, offers families the best of the beach and the island's emerald green peaks and valleys. It takes only about an hour to drive from the south end of the island to the north end, giving families the opportunity to see favorite landmarks like Hanalei Bay, Waimea Canyon State Park and Kalalau Lookout, depending on where you stay.

On Kauai's beautiful, tranquil north shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas is just as serene as its island location. The resort grounds more than live up to the island's "Garden Isle" nickname, with towering palm trees dotting the landscape and colorful tropical foliage around every turn.

The resort has a long list of family-friendly amenities, including lei making, fish feeding, a children's pool with splash features and a mini waterslide, a larger cliffside plunge pool, multiple dining options and a grab-and-go market with snacks, Starbucks coffee and essentials you may have forgotten at home, like diapers or sunscreen.

Because of the resort's cliffside location, there is no direct beach access, but beautiful Hanalei Bay is only a 10-minute drive away.

Unlike most resorts, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas does not charge resort fees and offers complimentary internet access. Guest room sizes range from studio villas to two-bedroom villas, and all suites have separate sleeping and living areas and private outdoor lanais.

Rates at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas start at around $400 or 76,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is regarded by many as one of Hawaii's most beautiful and accommodating resorts for families. From the lush, tropical landscaping to the spacious guest rooms, multilevel pools and private saltwater lagoon, there's so much for families to see and do at this beautiful resort.

The hotel has 605 rooms and suites, all with a private patio or lanai from which to enjoy your ocean or garden view. Outside of your room, the hotel has a massive pool complex with multilevel pools, a lazy river, "secret" caves, a saltwater lagoon and a 150-foot waterslide. There are also areas for water volleyball or basketball and a quiet adults-only pool.

The hotel also has a fabulous spa with private open-air treatment villas and six on-site restaurants, ranging from poolside grab-and-go options to modern Hawaiian cuisine at Tidepools, where you can dine in bungalows floating above a koi-filled lagoon. There's also a club lounge, which is one of the best in the country. The hotel also hosts a twice-weekly luau on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pro tip: You can use points to book access to the club lounge if you don't have Hyatt Globalist status.

Rates at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa start at around $870 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Best credit cards for booking hotels in Hawaii

There are over a dozen excellent travel rewards credit cards out there for hotel stays. The right one(s) for you will depend on if you're loyal to a particular program or chain, whether you want premium perks, and if you value benefits like annual free nights , automatic elite status and lucrative earning rates.

Here are three great credit cards to use for booking stays across a variety of hotel chains and independent properties while still enjoying money-saving features and high-end benefits, though.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earning rates: This card earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year). Plus, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel . All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent. Remember, Amex points transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio and to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 rate, and there are sometimes transfer bonuses.

Benefits: This card is absolutely packed with perks, but among the travel-related ones you'll want to maximize, including some hotel-specific benefits, are:

• Up to a $200 annual hotel credit , in the form of a statement credit, on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum (Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum).*
• Access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection .
• Complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy .*
• Up to $200 in statement credits annually for incidental fees charged by one airline you select.*
• Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash , valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (split into monthly $15 credits plus a $20 bonus in December).*
• Up to $189 in statement credits to cover your Clear Plus annual membership .*
• A $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or an up to $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years (depending on which application fee is charged to your card first).
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection , including Centurion Lounges , Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025).*

*Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees ).

Read our review of the Amex Platinum card .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Earning rates: Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel , 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases

Benefits: Cardholders get up to $300 in credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, plus 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel). Through the Capital One Premier Collection , cardmembers can enjoy free breakfast, on-property credits and room upgrades (if available) on stays at participating properties booked through Capital One Travel. They also receive up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry .

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees ).

Read our review of the Capital One Venture X .

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earning rates: This card accrues 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Chase travel portal , on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through March 2025, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points). It also racks up 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar spent on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal; and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.

Benefits: Cardholders receive a $50 statement credit on hotel stays purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal upon opening the card and each following member's anniversary. They also receive a 10% bonus based on their total spending during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $10 spent. This card also has some of the best travel protections in the industry, including trip cancellation insurance , trip delay insurance and primary rental car coverage , among other policies.

Annual fee: $95.

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred .

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here .

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Planning a Hawaiian Vacation with Children

Family-friendly hawaii travel tips.

Hawaii is a wonderful family vacation destination! The sandy beaches, warm ocean water, and fascinating culture are sure to captivate the wonder and imagination of your children.

If you’ve never packed up the kiddos and headed to the Aloha State, planning for the trip can seem like a complicated task. However, with preparation and bit of serendipity, heading off to the Islands will surely be your best family vacation yet. 

Wondering how to go about making your Hawaiian vacation a smooth experience for everyone? Read on for some helpful tips. 

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Visiting Hawaii soon? Be sure to grab a copy of one of our updated Hawaii Visitor Guides .

~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~

The Flight to Hawaii

From anywhere on the U.S. Mainland, a flight to Hawaii is pretty long. The shortest flight you can get to the Islands from the continental United States is a five- or six-hour flight from Los Angeles. If you’re anywhere farther east, you’ll have an even longer flight.

Unless your kids are used to cross-country or international trips, this might be a tough flight length to survive. However, you can make it fun and smooth. Before your trip, pack airplane goodie bags for your kids. It can be extra-exciting to let your kids know they'll be getting some travel gifts and surprises, but let the contents of the bags be a surprise.

Pack snacks, games, toys, and activity books for the kids, depending on their ages and interests. Audiobooks and the like might also be fun for older kids. If your kids are interested in the scientific or historic side of Hawaii, give them learning resources so they can educate themselves on Hawaii a bit before they land.

The flight to Hawaii can be fun with a little planning

Destinations

The Hawaiian Islands offer many wonderful family destinations. You won’t have any trouble finding plenty of things to do, but you might have a hard time narrowing down your options! Here are the top kid-friendly locations for the most popular islands:

Hawaii- The Big Island

Hawaii’s Big Island has so much to offer. There are so many distinct cultures, various climates, and fascinating attractions here. One minute you’re in a resort town, and the next you’ll be in a mango grove. You can hike the mountains, surf the seas, or wander the towns. No matter what you choose to do, you’re sure to fall in love with the Big Island.

There’s a lot to see on Hawaii’s Big Island , but the coolest activity just might be a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park– the site of an active volcano known as Kilauea. Take a hike through the tropical rainforest and walk among the smoking vents. Or, just stop by the Visitor Center and gaze over the volcano from the viewing deck. If you’re lucky, you might get to see lava glowing orange in the night!

Hawaii Island also has many spectacular beaches . You can check out some of the most popular ones, like Hapuna Beach, for great surf, sand, and sun. If you want to see a unique beach with your family, Punaluu is a cool stop. This black sand beach is home to plenty of marine life, including sea turtles.

One of the most memorable family experiences on the Big Island is attending a luau. Check out Island Breeze Luau for an unforgettable cultural show. Your kids will learn to dance the hula and everyone can savor traditionally-cooked Hawaiian food. 

Hawaii is a great place for the kids to snorkel and explore

Oahu- The Gathering Place

Oahu is one of the most popular Hawaiian destinations for families, and it’s easy to see why. From kid-friendly beaches to child-oriented activities, Oahu is an awesome destination people of all ages will love.

Start your Oahu adventures with a Disney Luau, as this event is created just for families. It includes lei-making and temporary tattoos as well as traditional dancing. Of course, you’ll also get to meet Moana in the process! 

Waikiki Beach is the most popular hang-out spot in Oahu. This beach is located on the edge of downtown Honolulu, so you can grab a bite to eat or pick up souvenirs when you’ve had enough sun.  

Oahu is also the perfect place to learn to surf... and even kids can try to catch a wave. There are many surf schools available, but one of the coolest is Hans Hedemann Surf School, where your kids can join a surfing rescue dog, which makes the experience extra fun.

Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a real submarine ride . Atlantis Submarine, for example, tours take families 100 feet underwater to see marine life and learn reef science. You’ll love the opportunity to explore Hawaii’s reefs while staying safe, dry, and comfortable. 

Waikiki Beach is a favorite of adults and kids alike

Maui- The Valley Isle

Many visitors consider Maui to be the most beautiful Hawaiian island. Take your kids here for an experience of the Islands’ natural world!

A great way to kick off your ocean adventures is with a Maui snorkeling tour. Older kids will love swimming among the colorful fish, spotting fascinating marine life, and marveling at the intricacies of the coral. Maui is home to some of the world’s best snorkeling, so don’t miss it.

Are your kids mermaids and mermen at heart? Then book mermaid lessons at Hawaii Mermaid Adventures! Your kids will learn how to splash, glide, and spin in the ocean with a mermaid tail.

If your kids aren’t quite ready to swim in the ocean with marine life, you can still take them to see animals up close. Maui Ocean Center is Hawaii's top-rated aquarium, and it has an astounding amount of marine life on display. 

The Maui Ocean Center is full of surprises

Kauai- The Garden Isle

Kauai is an island for the adventurous. If your family loves to try new experiences and get the adrenaline pumping, you’ll be right at home on the Garden Isle.

Some of Hawaii’s best horseback riding is offered on Kauai. Ride through a tropical rainforest to a waterfall deep in the heart of the emerald mountains. Or, take a horseback tour through the island to discover more about this enchanting place.

If you want to see the island at top-speed, try a Kauai  zipline tour . Fly through the trees and get the best birds-eye views of Kauai! Many people think ziplining is the most exciting way to explore this lush green paradise. 

When it’s time for the grownups to relax while the little ones burn off a little excess energy, head to Kamalani Playground; a huge play space that’s sure to delight the littlest Hawaiian adventurers.

Horseback riding on Kauai is always kid-approved!

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Where to Stay in Hawaii

Hawaii is a popular destination for travelers of all kinds... retirees, relaxers, adventurers, and more. Of course, not all Hawaiian accommodations are suitable for kids. Some places are popular with the party crowd, while other places are so remote that keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge. However, there are also many options that offer the perfect blend of quiet, safety, and fun for families.

Book a Resort

Resorts are easy and luxurious options for family vacations. There are countless family-friendly resorts in Hawaii, but some of them really stand out. The most fabulous resort is the famous Waikiki Beach Resort. Stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village here for great views and beach access right outside the door.

If you’re staying in Maui, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is a great family option. Or, stay at the Moana Surfrider Resort and Spa on Oahu. Of course, you can’t beat Aulani Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu! With the beach, pools, and a waterpark for entertainment, you won’t ever have to leave the resort (but we're sure you'll want to in order to explore more). 

Family-friendly resorts offer luxury and comfort

Stay in a Hotel

If you’d prefer to spend your vacation dollars on activities rather than accommodations, there are plenty of affordable hotels in Hawaii that cater to families.

If you’re staying in Oahu, Coconut Waikiki Hotel is a great option. This hotel has large rooms with kitchenettes, plus onsite dining and kids' packages.

For an authentic Hawaiian experience, you can even stay on a working farm. One great option is North Country Farms in Kauai. Your kids will surely love interacting with the animals and learning how tropical fruits are farmed.

For a unique stay on the Big Island, book a room at Lotus Garden Cottages. They are conveniently located near HVNP and all cottages feature a kitchenette, which can be very handy with picky eaters. Plus, the cottages are all beautifully appointed and are located in a breathtaking setting that you and the kids will enjoy. 

Rent a Beach House

Renting a beach house is undoubtedly one of the best ways to stay as a family in Hawaii. They offer ample space and freedom, and you won’t have to worry about having loud neighbors—or being loud neighbors. If you pick the right place, it can also be a lot more affordable to stay in a beach house rather than a resort or even a hotel. Look on the Hilo side of the Big Island for wonderful options. 

Renting a beach house can be very affordable for families with kids

So there you have it. Traveling to Hawaii with the kids truly is an experience you won't want to miss. Make incredible family memories as you swim with sea turtles, make sand castles on the shore, and discover the natural world of Hawaii. There are so many kid-friendly activities, adventures, and accommodations. Start planning now to make your (and your kids') vacation dreams come true soon.

Happy traveling! 

About the Author 

Jessica watson.

Jessica Watson has been writing for websites and blogs for several years now. Currently, she is working with Bhaya Cruises who offers halong bay junk cruise . They are providing their services in Vietnam.

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The Family Vacation Guide

Choosing the Best Hawaiian Island for a Family Vacation

posted by James Brockbank on August 12, 2021 // last updated on August 12, 2021

Do you want to vacation in Hawaii but don’t know where exactly to go? Are you seeking some direction and inspiration as you begin your trip planning? You’ve come to the right place. 

Whether you are visiting the islands on a budget or planning a luxurious trip (see our guide on the best family resorts in Hawaii for a bucket load of inspiration), there is something for you and your family in Hawaii.

For many people, the Hawaiian Islands are a fantasy vacation location. They are a mash of scenic features and a lot of cultures. 

Hawaii is a group of over 130 islands and islets that make up an archipelago. The eight largest are inhabited, while the remainder of the islands remain desolate. The best Hawaiian island for a family vacation is one with attractions and beautiful beaches . 

Hawaii Island (The Big Island)

How to choose the best hawaiian island for your family, which is the best hawaiian island for a family vacation.

What does your family want to do in Hawaii? This question may appear to be foolish, but don’t reject it just yet; there is a reason we are starting here. 

Planning a family vacation can be challenging. Many families place restrictions on themselves, assuming that certain areas are off-bounds with children. Some places are difficult to navigate with children, but we advise investigating every island before dismissing it.

Taking your family to Hawaii is a unique experience. Making a choice is dependent on an individual. You’ll enjoy the aloha spirit, shave ice, and a luau on any island you choose (touristy but fun).

Each island has its unique appeal for families. When the time comes for you to choose which island to vacation in, consider these:

• Oahu is the ideal island for a low-cost Hawaiian vacation with family-friendly resorts.
• Maui is the finest island for a beach-loving family who enjoys ocean activities.
• The Hawaii Island is the finest island to visit if you’re interested in volcanoes.
• For nature enthusiasts, Kauai is the ideal island.
• Molokai is perfect for families that want to immerse themselves in authentic Hawaiian culture.

All of these islands are great places to visit. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about the best Hawaiian island for a family vacation.

The Hawaii Island (AKA the Big Island) is the southernmost of the five biggest Hawaiian Islands. It is, as its name says, the largest of the islands. The island is still expanding as there are volcanoes on it.

Great Places and Activities

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – home to Kilauea Crater, a very active volcano. During the day, go through a lava tube to see ancient petroglyphs carved into the lava rock. 
• Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park refers to a place where individuals who breached a kapu (law) went to avoid punishment. Various archaeological sites and a restored temple make this place stunning and rich in historical culture. 

The sacred land utilized to farm and fish is the focus of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.

• The Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is where the remnants of a massive temple where King Kamehameha 1 rose to power are stored. 

You can follow in the footsteps of Hawaii’s great king and learn everything there is to know about the Hawaiian monarchy.

• Families who love visiting the beach will enjoy this location. There are a variety of beautiful beaches in this area. Choose from black, white , or green sand beaches and begin your adventure on the first day. 

Children aged five to twelve can earn a Junior Ranger badge while learning about these intriguing locations’ history, culture, and natural history. If you are world schooling and seeking educational opportunities, this is the most fabulous Hawaiian island to visit with kids.

The most convenient areas to stay with family are Hilo, the capital, and Kona, one of the two largest cities. There are some excellent natural spots close to Hilo that you may visit while visiting there. 

Additionally, Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, and Wailuku River State Park are also worth visiting.

Given that this island is almost twice as big as all the others combined, it will have its own unique set of challenges. Your family will need to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to travel around various sites.

Accommodation

If you are on a budget and want to visit The Big Island, staying in a family-friendly Airbnb is among your best options. In every section, there are lots to select from, and the rates are affordable. The best family-friendly resorts on big island are;

• Fairmont Orchid
• Four Seasons Hualalai
• Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Oahu means “the Gathering Place.”Most people associate Hawaii with Waikiki Beach, the North Shore, and Honolulu. On the island of Oahu, there are all three. 

Oahu is the most inhabited of the Hawaiian Islands, although it isn’t the largest. Honolulu has the most regular direct flights from continental America, making it the most accessible island (and often, the cheapest).

With 6.1 million tourists in 2019, it is the most visited Hawaiian island. 

Honolulu is congested, so everyone rubs elbows on the bus and the city walkways. Despite this, the bustling city’s museums and historical landmarks are only a short drive away from kilometers of beaches and woodland paths.

• Honolulu: Sandy Hawaiian beaches and blue oceans surround the city. Honolulu is the state capital and the biggest city in Hawaii. It’s a dynamic tropical city with everything from historical buildings to great eating and designer shopping.
• Waikiki is the location of the majority of Oahu’s resorts. It is also a bustling tourist hotspot. The Strip is to Las Vegas what Waikiki is to Hawaii. It’s raucous, crowded, and tourist-y. Waikiki offers it all: big luxury resorts, a plethora of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
• The North Shore, often known as “The Seven Mile Miracle,” is famed in the world of surfing and holds some of the most spectacular surf competitions. 

With its 7-mile stretch of world-class surf breakers and laid-back Hawaiian country vibes, the laid-back North Shore attracts surfers from all over the globe.

• The four lagoons on Ko Olina are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. Many residents claim that Ko Olina has the most excellent beaches for families. It’s no surprise that Ko Olina has several world-famous coastal resorts.
• Beautiful green scenery, quiet beaches, and Kailua, Hawaii’s most famous beach town, may all be found on the Windward Coast on the island’s east side. 

The gorgeous 30-mile Windward Coast, with its various beaches and bays, offers some of Hawaii’s most magnificent natural splendor.

• The diversity of things to do on Oahu is the best part of visiting with family. The Polynesian Cultural Center, numerous outstanding museums, and Pearl Harbor are many beautiful places to visit and explore. 

It is the ideal island in Hawaii for families that want a combination of urban and outdoor trips, since you could stay for months without running out of things to do.

The biggest challenges of visiting Oahu are traffic and the potential that you might not feel like you are in a far-flung place in the middle of the ocean. The terrain in Oahu makes it extremely difficult to build new roads. 

Fortunately, a train system is currently under construction to connect Kapolei with Ala Moana – and, depending on funding, even down to Waikiki Unfortunately, the first phase (which won’t be of great significance to tourists) won’t open until 2020, and the second phase won’t open until 2025. 

Honolulu and Waikiki traffic is notorious, but it’s possible to escape it if you stay in walkable places, such as Hilton Hawaiian Village, and then arrange for van transportation with your activities. 

The North Shore can also have heavy traffic from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach, but if you’re bent on seeing that section of the island, you can avoid it by staying at Turtle Bay in Kahuku.

Staying in a remote place, preferably on the north shore or windward coast, will make you feel like you are on holiday in a remote location. In Oahu, there is an attraction for everyone, notwithstanding their age.

The best family-friendly resorts on Oahu island are;

• Outrigger Waikiki
• Turtle Bay Resort
• Hilton Hawaiian village
• Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa

The West Maui Mountain Range, post-pineapple/sugar cane flat areas, and mountaintops rising to the east in the shape of a dormant shield volcano, Haleakala, have earned Maui the nickname “ The Valley Isle.”  

Maui holds the title for the second-largest Hawaiian island, although Maui County encompasses Moloka’i, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe. Whether it’s your first or seventh trip to Hawaii, Maui is a fantastic choice for families. It’s a grand island to visit, especially if you like to drive. 

Flights to Maui land in Kahului. In an hour, guests can be in the numerous Wailea resorts or along the seaside Honoapiilani Highway near the numerous Kaanapali resorts.

Maui is among the most fabulous islands to bring your family because it’s the perfect Hawaiian islands’ mix. It features fantastic beaches, tasty food, cultural activities, scenic views, shopping spaces, and great roads.

• On Maui, the climb to Hana is a must-see. Wake everyone up before the sun rises so you can get a head start on the day. 

It’s only a fifty-two-mile journey. However, with 620 curves and fifty-nine narrow bridges, it may take several hours to complete. You’ll see waterfalls and the picturesque town of Hana along the journey.

• Haleakala, a dormant volcano, is also worth the trip. Positioned 10,000 feet above sea level , the peak is a great site to watch the dawn or sunset. 

However, the views are equally breathtaking during the day. Bring sweaters for everyone because it can become chilly at the summit.

• Two unusual farms worth visiting sit here on Haleakala’s lower slopes in Kula. You may wander through lavender fields at Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. The lavender farm is a tranquil setting that provides tours and lavender products.
• One of the best reasons to visit Maui is to explore the ocean. The best snorkeling in Hawaii is here, making it excellent for beachgoers. 

Maui is the place to go if you wish to snorkel, relax on white-sand beaches that aren’t too crowded, and view some of the best sea life, such as whales and dolphins.

• The sea life around Maui’s reefs is fantastic, and you’ll see turtles, magnificent fish, and more not far from shore.
• Maui is also known as the mother of modern surfing. There are so many opportunities for your family to try waves out. If you lack experience, you can try alternatives like kite and windsurfing.
• Visit Maui Ocean Centre with your kids if you want them to learn while having fun. It’s a place with an Open Ocean, underwater passages, a turtle lagoon, and many natural creatures to witness.
• Mermaid swimming lessons by the Hawaii Mermaid Adventures is another fun activity for kids. 

Your older children can go on a controlled snorkeling tour while your younger children are charmed by these fascinating experiences. You can also enroll in a two-hour class on the ecosystem of the surrounding Ocean.

• A submarine adventure is rare, so doing it in Hawaii where aquatic life is so diverse would be amazing. Atlantis Adventures offers this experience, and this sub-aquatic tour takes place one hundred feet under the sea level and is a thrilling experience for children. 

The best spot to stay in Maui depends on your family’s requirements. If you’re planning on a resort kind of experience, a resort in Ka’anapali would be ideal. However, if you plan to visit Maui every day, Ka’anapali may feel a little secluded.

If you want a bit more room and don’t want to commit to eating at pricey restaurants every day, there are lots of budget vacation rentals and family-friendly vacations on Maui. The best family-friendly resorts on Maui island are:

• Grand Wailea
• Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa
• Maui Coast Hotel. 

Kauai, also known as the garden isle, is one of the most ideal Hawaiian islands to visit with children aged five and up. It’s one of the more tranquil and isolated islands. 

For families seeking the lushest scenery, then Kauai is your destination. Kauai offers beauty that is unique to it.

Kauai is the oldest of all the major islands and was created about five million years ago by an active volcano. 

The island has a certain allure that draws visitors from all over the world. Even if you’ve never visited the island in person, chances are you’ve seen it through the eyes of a filmmaker; the island is famous for its appeal to filmmakers. 

As with all of the Hawaiian islands, the scenery of Kauai constantly changes as you travel along the island’s coastline roadways. From sugarcane fields to rainforests, gorgeous beaches to ranch areas, your surroundings are never dull. 

Despite the island’s modest size compared to the mainland, the Na Pali is home to arid plateaus, tropical rain forests, verdant valleys, beautiful agriculture, and sea cliffs that will leave you speechless.

• Kauai offers eight state parks to choose from, as well as a slew of trails that traverse the island. Roads barely cover around 10% of Kauai, and the great bulk of the island can only be seen by foot or by air.
• The island offers an incredible range of outdoor activities, from wilderness hiking through Waimea Canyon to kayaking up the Wailua River. 

Kauai is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking adventure. Kauai is stunning from the ground, water, air, or, better yet, all three.

• The island’s distinctive Fern Grotto, a lava rock grotto with hanging ferns and tropical greenery near a waterfall, is worth visiting. 

The cave was once solely accessible to Hawaiian nobility since it was a sacred site. Visitors can now reach the cave by taking a boat ride up the Wailua River. (There are a lot of tour groups.)

• Allerton (Lawai-kai), McBryde, and Limahuli, all on the south shore, and Allerton (Lawai-kai), both on the north shore, are home to three of the world’s National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Each garden is exceptional in its own right.

While you may imagine Hawaii as the ideal location for a swim, most of the beaches in Kauai are not swimmable. Unlike other large islands, such as Maui, Kauai’s beaches are rife with hazards such as pounding surf, currents, and rip tides. 

Summer months bring calmer conditions, but don’t expect to swim at most of the beaches. Ke’e beach on the north shore and Poipu beach on the south coast are the best places to float.

Kauai is as relaxed as the other islands in Hawaii, but it appears to go out of its way to accommodate families. At the area attractions, there are several playgrounds and children’s activities. 

Everyone will be enthusiastic on this vacation, from lei creation at the Kauai Cultural Center to scavenger hunts at many hotels. The best family-friendly resorts on Kauai island are:

• Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort and Spa
• Marriott’s Kaua’i Beach Club Resort
• Marriott’s Kaua’i Lagoons
• Koloa Landing Resort

Molokai, formed by volcanic eruptions 1.5 million years ago , is still a time capsule at the turn of the century. There are no premium resorts, no stoplights, and structures taller than a coconut tree on the island. 

Molokai is the least infrastructurally advanced of the islands in Hawaii, which appeals to adventurers and peace seekers alike.

Molokai is a small green wedge in the blue Pacific, measuring only 38 miles long and 10 miles wide. Like two sides of a coin, this long, thin island has two sides. There’s a flat, parched desert; on the other, there’s a lush, green, tropical Eden. 

Three volcanic eruptions created Molokai. The latest generated the island’s “thumb,” a peninsula protruding out of the north shore’s cliffs like a punctuation mark on Molokai’s geological record.

Molokai is yet to be overrun by tourism. Because natives primarily populate the island, you’ll receive an authentic Hawaiian experience with plenty of culture on “The Friendly Isle.” 

Molokai has no traffic lights, simply single- and dual-lane roads, with 10 to 45 mph speed limits. Prepare to experience a slower pace of life when you arrive in Molokai! There will be animals on the road that will excite your family.

• Helicopter tours are among the most remarkable ways to tour the island. This excursion will provide you with breathtaking sights of rock outcrops, lush valleys, rivers, and enormous coral reefs. 

Throughout the tour, expect the presence of a narrator. The knowledgeable guide will tell you everything you need to know about the island’s history and natural wonders.

• Get a lesson on selecting flowers and build your lei at the Molokai plumeria. The proprietor will give you a tour that will be scholastic and fun for your family. 

Have a detour at the postal service office on your way back to mail a coconut home. This modest ritual is an excellent task for your children to participate in.

• Papohaku sunsets : Papohaku Beach is a three-mile-long white sand beach facing west, so you are sure to get a great view as the sun sets. These sunsets are a must-see on every vacation to Molokai. 

Watch the stars come out and engulf the sky, and it’s not uncommon to glimpse the glimmer of Honolulu’s lights in the distance, making for an awe-inspiring evening.

• Many of the beaches are deserted or nearly empty, making them ideal for snorkeling or swimming . Some are only suitable for shelling or walking.
• North Shore cliffs : The most pleasing way to observe Molokai’s vertical sea cliffs, which climb 3,800 feet above the sea, is from the deck of a boat. 

Enjoy the excitement of traveling beneath the world’s tallest sea cliffs, and there’s even a chance you’ll see Humpback whales if you go in the winter.

• Enjoy scuba diving near the reef’s edge.
• Ocean kayaking: On a guided kayak, explore inside the south shore reef, where easterly trade winds blow at your back and propel you down a coast fringed with fishponds and mangroves.
• Mule rides to Kalaupapa – For over a century, this remote peninsula was a leper community, and excursions that depict life in the gloomy but beautiful location are available. 

Hop on the back of a mule or hike to reach Kalaupapa for the commencement of the tour and enjoy panoramic views from the trail, which lowers 1,700 vertical feet over 26 switchbacks.

Molokai is a location where aloha is a way of life, not just a show for visitors. Whether it’s in Kaunakakai, the island’s largest town, or in the other villages around the island, you see it every day with smiling faces. 

Take a moment to soak in the island’s natural sounds and atmosphere. You will be stunned by the authentic Hawaiian culture if you come to Molokai to become a part of what is here.

Molokai is not as popular with tourists as other Hawaiian islands, and you can only stay in one of five condominium buildings or the island’s only hotel. Molokai is a spectacular stretch of land with the world’s tallest cliffs and the world’s longest continuous fringing reef.

This island is ideal for families who don’t need a robust tourism infrastructure.

Each island offers a unique experience, so ruling one out would be an injustice. 

Traveling with your family requires consideration of factors such as safety, weather, attractions, and cost. The Hawaiian state government also demands you meet specific requirements before traveling there.

Hawaii is generally safe. Burglaries occasionally occur,  if you leave your room or car unlocked, especially in Oahu. Avoid displaying expensive gadgets in public; you may attract the attention of petty thieves. 

There is a dedicated tourist office that will guide you if you have any questions about safety.

Safety in the islands is on the same level except for Oahu. The popularity of Waikiki is perhaps what brings about the added insecurity.

Hawaiian islands enjoy a year-round balmy tropical climate that is almost perfect. 

The average high temperature in Hawaii is in the low to high 80 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 27 to 31 degrees Celsius), with a humidity level of around 64 percent. 

January and February are typically the coolest months, averaging 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). 

July, August, and September are the hottest months, with temperatures averaging 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius). The temperature drops by roughly 10°F at night.

These conditions apply to all islands, but here are some tips on what to expect on each island.

• Big Island – it is generally sunny. This island has eight distinct climatic zones, ranging from humid tropical to alpine. You can see the snow and the coral reef on the same day, yet get back to the hotel before dinner. 

The Kohala coast receives about ten inches of rain all year, making it the perfect place to reside on the island if you would like to avoid the rain.

• Oahu – The weather here varies a bit, but most tourist areas have incredible microclimates. The Koolau mountain range ensures that the weather in the east and west is different. 

If it rains on the east coast, you can travel to the west coast and enjoy fantastic weather.

• Maui – Maui experiences the best climate among all the islands. Kapalua gets a little rain during the winter.
• Kauai – It is the wettest of all the islands. Rain mainly falls during winter in short bursts. Checking weather forecasts will be part of your schedule if you visit in the winter months. 
• Molokai – the weather here is contrasting like in Oahu. The north shore is a lot wetter than the south. Most visitor accommodations are in the south.

All islands offer activities at all ends of the cost spectrum. Oahu is the most cost-effective island for visitors. Those looking for a budget trip to Hawaii will find that Oahu is just what they’ve been looking for, thanks to its low pricing and abundance of things to do.

On the other end, Maui is often regarded as the most opulent Hawaiian island due to its vast number of four- and five-star beachfront resorts that offer a more leisurely stay-at-the-resort holiday than Oahu.

The high season in Hawaii (when costs are at their most significant and resorts are frequently fully booked) lasts from mid-December to mid-March or mid-April. During the holiday season. the last two weeks of December are very crowded (and pricey) in Hawaii. 

Mid-June to late August is a busy period too because kids are in their summer holidays.

Make your plans early, expect more crowds, and be prepared to pay top dollar for airfare, car rentals, and lodging if you’re planning a trip during the holidays.

Attractions

Attractions are dependent on your tastes and preferences. Each island has its personality, from the magnificent volcanoes of the Big Island to the lush interior of Kauai. Go through the highlights to decide which island suits you most. 

If you cannot choose, you can get the chance to visit all islands by vacationing here multiple times.

Hawaii is a fantastic vacation place all year. All Hawaiian Islands have unique charms. Maui, Oahu, The Big Island, and Kauai have the most to offer for kids. It’s difficult to tell which is the best Hawaiian island for a family vacation because each one provides a different experience. 

You will never want to leave Hawaii because there’s so much to see and do. While the best sights to visit are spectacular, these islands have a plethora of hidden gems.

Make sure you’re ready to explore because Hawaii has a little of everything you’d imagine a perfect vacation would have. You can switch between islands to experience a little bit of everything. 

Whatever Hawaiian island or combination of islands you choose for your family, you will be sure to engage your family in the island’s culture and spirit. And your ohana (family) will undoubtedly find Hawaii to be a unique destination.

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

Best Maui Resorts for Families: Where to Stay on Maui with Kids

Alert for Visitors: Maui has experienced significant wildfires in August 2023, causing major disruption for both locals and tourists. For your safety and up-to-date information, please visit the Maui County website before planning any activities or travels. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated. Stay safe!

Planning your first trip to Maui and wondering where to find the best places to stay on Maui with kids? Check out the 10 best Maui resorts for families that will keep your whole family entertained and happy. Keep scrolling for all the info!

This best maui resorts for families post was written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

To help you pick the best place to stay in Maui with kids during your vacation on the island, I’ve have put together a list of some of the best Maui resorts for families.

We all know Maui as one of the topmost wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world. However, the beautiful second largest island of Hawaii, Maui is also a tremendously family-friendly place to vacation!

The plethora of water sports, the gorgeous sandy beaches, and the big, beautiful pools make it the perfect entertainment spot. It’s great for adults, but I also think Maui is probably the most kid-friendly island in Hawaii.

But it can be hard to figure out where to stay in Maui with kids, especially if it’s your first trip. So, I’ve put together a lis of what I think are the best Hawaii family resorts.

I’ll share the best Hawaii luxury resorts for families, as well as afforable options. Hopefully you find the right resorts in Maui that fit your Hawaii vacation budget !

Keep scrolling to see my list of the best Maui family resorts.

Check out my top 101 Things to do in Maui with Kids !

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Maui with kids.

Best Kid-Friendly Maui Tours/Activities

• Be a Mermaid (this is a unique experience where kids learn to swim with mermaid tails)
• Surf Lessons for Kids (this is the BEST way for your kids to learn how to surf in Hawaii)
• Adventure Park in Lahaina (this is great for older kids who love climbing through obstacle courses)
• Old Lahaina Luau (the is the most popular luau for families)
• Camp Maui Ziplining (this is the top kid-friendly zipline on Maui for families)
• Molokini Crater Snorkel Trip (we love this one because they have kickboards for kids and a water slide on the boat)

Best Kid-Friendly Maui Resorts

• Hyatt Regency Maui (this has the BEST pool area and on-site shave ice stand)
• Honua Kai Resort & Spa (this is one of our personal favorites because there are tons of pools and there are condo options)
• Fairmont Kea Lani (this is a swanky resort with incredible kids’ programming and an awesome pool area)

Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii? One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Maui Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

10 Incredible Maui Resorts for Families

There are tons of great places to stay on Maui for families. Here are some of my favorite picks!

1. Grand Wailea Resort, Maui

The Grand Wailea Resort on the South Shore boasts a pool complex that’s larger than your imagination! And this is in addition to having it’s own water park.

Among the best Maui resorts for kids, this is the best choice when it comes to family resorts with water parks.

It has 4 waterslides , a lazy river that’s perfect for the newest swimmer to float down, whitewater rapids and rope swings. Plus, there’s a kiddy pool with a man-made volcano with a water elevator!

The water attractions at of the Grand Wailea make this Maui resort for families stand out. But the best part is the family-friendly and kid-safe water areas.

But the attraction does not end there! The Grand Wailea Resort and Spa offers guests access to a 20,000-square-foot big kids’ club.

It’s complete with a game room, a video arcade, and even a movie theater. Plus, it’s just steps away from Wailea Beach.

Once you stay here, you won’t want to go back to normal life. It’s seriously one of the best Hawaii resorts for kids . Plus, this is where celebrities stay in Hawaii !

Check out the latest prices and more details.

2. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

The Hyatt Regency in Lahaina is another one of the best Maui hotels for families. It’s great for all of its super kid-friendly amenities.

The Hyatt Regency pool area has with waterfalls, a rope bridge, huge swimming pools, and adrenaline-pumping waterslides that are over 150-feet-tall! And for the kiddos there’s a separate children’s swim area.

The resort offers a variety of suites, but even the standard hotel rooms here can comfortably accommodate your family of 4. And the oceanfront rooms are incredible with views of the Kaanapali Beachwalk.

Although there isn’t a designated club at this resort, they offer a number of kids’ activities that are run by trained staff throughout the day. Just be prepared to pay a fee for this service.

If you prefer, there are plenty of free public things for families to do at the Hyatt Regency. Take the kids for a tour through the wildlife area. They’ll absolutely adore the parrots, penguins, and flamingos you can find on the ground here.

And this is the best family resort in Maui for people who love shave ice. Head to the famous Ululani’s Shave Ice, located near the beach!

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is a kid-friendly paradise (and also cheaper than the Grand Wailea). It’s one of the best hotels in Maui for families. Check out the latest prices and more details .

Click here for step-by-step Maui travel planning help

3. Montage Kapalua Bay

The Montage Kapalua Bay is a luxury property that covers a lush 24-acres in Maui’s luxury town of Kapalua. It’s home to a world-class spa and spacious rooms, suites, and private villas.

The oceanfront resort couldn’t offer guests a more dramatic setting! Enjoy beautiful beaches in crescent shape, with picturesque ocean cliffs in between. If you want to get out of the resort, there are also great walking trails along the coastline.

The spa offers all kinds of wellness and therapy services. Book skin treatments, a variety of massages, or special rejuvenation treatments like sun therapy and mineral soaks! They have fitness trainers and yoga instructors.

Why not bond with your kids with a kid-friendly spa treatment? Enjoy a Mommy & Me pedicure or a Parent/Teen Massage or Facial!

If you want to go kid-free for the day, there’s the Paintbox Children’s program with full- and partial-day services, as well as a date night option!

The program for ages 5 through 12 offers arts and crafts, field trips, and tons of cultural educational experiences.

At the Montage Kapalua Bay, you have access to 2 bars and 3 restaurants. You’re on top of the Plantation Course, on the best golf courses in the world. And at the resort you can enjoy a 6-pool complex with multi-levels.

It’s one of the best family resorts in Maui for people looking for a luxury experience away from the crowds. Check out the latest prices and more details .

4. Four Seasons Resort Maui

If you’re on the search for the most luxurious properties in Maui for your family vacation check out the Four Seasons in Wailea. It’s definitely at the top of the list for luxury resorts in Maui.

There’s no surprise that the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is one considered one of the best Maui hotels for families. Guests will love the complimentary Kids for All Seasons Program!

This luxury resort doesn’t hold back for it’s honored guests. On top of the kids club, families can work with the concierge who custom plan family itineraries, beachfront dinners, and area child’s activities!

Enjoy an adults-only serenity pool or 3 different saltwater pools. There are a few different pools with waterslides and waterfalls.

Take advantage of complimentary cabanas or reserve a luxury cabana so you can stay by the pool all day. And the resort is also just steps away from Wailea Beach.

Enjoy the good life by the water with poolside spa treatments or services like full-service lunches or complimentary ice cream and popsicles.

Besides poolside dining, choose from 3 different restaurants, a beachwalk cafe, and a lounge in the lobby. Also, kids under 6 eat free at 2 of the restaurants!

And a fun fact about the Four Seasons at Wailea: it’s also where they filmed the HBO Max mini-series White Lotus ! Check out the latest prices and more details .

5. Honua Kai Resort and Spa, Maui

When it comes to Hawaii family hotels, the amenities couldn’t get any better with Honua Kai Resort ‘ s premium condominium complex.

This is where we usually stay on Maui with kids and you can read my Honua Kai Resort review HERE . The Honua Kai houses not only suites and villas, but also individual long-term units that are basically vacation rental homes.

Each spacious luxury villa features private lanais, a modern gourmet kitchen, and all kinds of specialized amenities and features for families.

The resort is huge with endless beachfront grounds. Your kids can have a ball of a time in the hot tubs and multiple connecting pools here. And you can relax poolside or take a soak in the adults’ only pool while still keeping an eye on the kids!

If being eco-friendly is important to you when you vacation, then the Honua Kai Resort is an ideal option for you. Their cafes and the main restaurant only source local produce.

Even the spas here particularly focus on a product line that is purely Hawaiian organic in nature. It’s even sourced purely from the islands!

While making travel plans, it’s good to know that the prices at this particular resort change a lot depending on the season. Consider coming on a shoulder season.

Don’t let lowering prices fool you into thinking it’s low rate. It’s among the highly recommended Maui family resorts and one of the best places to stay in Maui for families!

Check out the latest prices and more details .

6. Ka’anapali Beach Hotel

Next on my list of the best Maui resorts for families is the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel . It’s located on the super popular Kaanapali Beach that features 3-miles of golden sand. I think it’s one of the best kid-friendly hotels in Hawaii.

It is made up of 432 stunning rooms and larger family suites. The rooms here are spacious and luxurious, and lot of the rooms and suites have covered lanais. Enjoy mini fridges, rooms with connecting doors, and cribs upon request.

The best feature of this hotel is that it is especially kid-friendly. If you visit here, your kids will receive a free Aloha Passport Program. As a family on vacation, this program is a great way to experience the best of the Hawaiian culture. Parents and kids alike can attend ukulele, hula, and even lei-making classes!

Also, you get to enjoy the best of Hawaiian entertainment nightly at this hotel. The Kaanapali Beach Hotel houses 2 restaurants. Plus, all children under the age of 5 dine for free.

Make sure to check out the whale-shaped pool. It’s a hit with kids! But make a note that the pools at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel can be crowded if you visit during peak hours.

Before you book yourself into this hotel, make sure you find out the Aloha value rates. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Book a Family Photo Shoot

Whenever we travel to Hawaii, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND it guarantees that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.

7. Napili Kai Beach Resort

The Napili Kai Beach Resort is located on Napili Bay on Maui’s West Side. If you’re looking for one of the best affordable family resorts in Hawaii, this is it.

It has an amazing location on a cove beach along ten acres of beachfront property. And the resort features 11 buildings with plantation-style rooms and suites!

There are a total of 163 suites and guest rooms, some with full kitchens in some of the rooms. The atmosphere is not as luxurious as the other upscale resorts here, but it is low-key and relaxing.

If you are a snorkeling lover, then you will love staying at this resort. Plus there’s the access to large expanse of beaches and the Napili Kai’s 4 big pools.

At this budget resort, there aren’t any scheduled kid’s activities or programs. But you’re within walking distance of higher end resorts with public entertainment. And there are lots of excellent beaches and hiking trails nearby!

The Napili Kai Beach Resort is great for a family looking for a quiet, relaxing place to stay with a great location. It’s perfectly suited to families with older kids that want a lazy, restful holiday.

8. Fairmont Kea Lani

Fairmont Kea Lani is an upscale resort that is established on the stunning Wailea Beach, made up of 22 acres of lushness. Plus, it’s one of the most Instagrammable Hawaii hotels!

Fairmont offers you 2- and 3-bedroom villa options as well as 1-bedroom suites. As a family, you get plenty of space to spread out, relax, and explore spaces across 840- to 1000-square-feet.

There are a number of water slides, pools, and a separate kids’ friendly pool for your little ones. Your family can get to explore the best of Hawaiian cuisine owing to the variety of dining options here.

This resort is completely kid friendly. And it’s a fine option with the availability of a lovely kids’ club and a long roster of kid-friendly activities.

It’s one of the best family hotels in Maui and one of the top Maui luxury resorts. Check out the latest prices and more details .

9. Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa

There is nothing that can beat the prime location of Sheraton Maui Resort , placed on the Ka’anapali Beach with the stunning Black Rock landmark views.

This resort takes complete advantage of its prime location. Plus, it’s nothing short of mega and upscale with tons of amenities and services.

You get to avail the best of the ocean views in front of most of the 508 guest rooms present here. The rooms, too, are contemporary and sleek, making them a comfortable and luxurious space for your stay.

The expansive Sheraton Maui Resort is spread across 23-acres. It features the most modern fitness room, a wonderful spa, a stunning river, and a huge lagoon pool. It also has 5 restaurants that cater to all taste buds.

This is definitely one of the best resorts in Maui for families.

Also, if you want to experience the best snorkeling in Maui , you can do that right here from the beach end of the resort.

The Sheraton Maui is especially crowded during the peak seasons, so you may want to plan your trip accordingly. Check out the latest prices and more details .

10. Marriott Maui Ocean Club

If you are looking for one of the best places to stay in Maui Hawaii, add the Marriott Maui Ocean Club to your list. This family-friendly resort is located right on Kaanapali Beach and offers amazing ocean views.

Check out our full Marriott Maui Ocean Club Review .

The rooms at this Ka’anapali Beach hotel come with either kitchenettes or full-sized kitchens.

Enjoy free on-site laundry (sometimes even in your room) and on-site grills for guests to use. Plus, they have family-friendly activities to keep the little ones busy!

There’s also an awesome “super pool” complex. This is where you’ll find 2 swimming pools, a whirlpool spa, and the kid-friendly Discovery Cove. Plus, there are two pool bars in the area.

You don’t have to be a Marriott Vacation Club member to enjoy, either. Check the latest rates and more information .

Maui Resorts for Families FAQ

Absolutely! For a long time, the island has had a reputation as being just for honeymooners. But now it’s full of kid-friendly activities and attractions. And you’ll find some of the best family hotels in Hawaii right here in Maui.

There are three awesome areas for families : Kihei , Ka’anapali , and Wailea . You’ll find an array of beach resorts with kids clubs in Maui in these three locations.

Yes, but just one. It’s the Hana-Maui Resort (formerly Travaasa Hana) and you’ll need to drive the famous Road to Hana to reach it.

Honestly, I think they are both great options. Oahu has a lot more attractions and shopping options, and Maui has a ton of activities and relaxing family resorts. But both have some of the best family friendly hotels in Hawaii.

Maui Kid Friendly Resorts Wrap Up

Hopefully, by now you know the best resorts in Maui for families. Make sure to do your research to find the best Maui family vacation packages.

Maui is huge and provides you with many opportunities to have the best time of your life.

You should plan well ahead of time and check out these Maui resorts for families if you want to make the best of this trip.

Looking for more posts about Maui with kids? Check out my top kid-friendly Maui luaus , luxury rentals on Maui , my packing list for Maui , Marriott Maui Ocean Club review , where to stay in Maui with a large family , whether it’s worth renting a pool cabana , my tips for the Road to Hana , and my Maui with Kids Travel Guide !

P.S. Join our   Hawaii Travel with Ki ds Fac ebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!

Hawaii Vacation Packages

We are proud to offer exclusive vacation packages, most with rates under $1,000. These packages include airfare, car rental, and hotel stay for six to eight days. Visiting different islands, or "island-hopping" as we call it, is highly recommended because each island has its own distinct "personality."

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Tips on Finding Hawaii Vacation Deals

Save time and money by booking your rental car, hotel room, and airfare together and make planning your vacation easier.

How to Find the Cheapest Vacation Packages

Understanding Hawaii’s travel seasons will make it easy for you to book an affordable trip to the Rainbow State. With summer and winter being peak travel times for the islands, you can find vacation deals by booking during the “shoulder” seasons—spring and fall. Fortunately, Hawaii is just as beautiful and magnificent during fall and spring as it is in summer and winter, so aside from the cost of travel, nothing will change about your trip to Hawaii.

Should You Book an All-Inclusive Package?

Planning a trip is, what we call in Hawaii slang “humbug.” It’s a bother, a nuisance—even stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. By booking an all-inclusive vacation package, the hard work is done for you. Cars are rented, hotel rooms are booked and it can be cheaper to book a package versus booking everything ala carte.

Best Areas to Stay on Each Island

While there are no bad choices for places to stay in the islands—you are in Hawaii after all—there are some areas that are very well suited for travelers. Waikiki on Oahu has a variety of accommodations, malls and restaurants all dotting the golden shores of Waikiki Beach. On Kauai, Hanalei and Poipu are perfect for visitors who want to be close to the beach during their island stay—and in a similar vein, Kaanapali on Maui is a perfect blend of resort luxury and island living that will truly make visitors feel like they’re in paradise. On Hawaii Island, also referred to as the Big Island, both Kona and Hilo will provide travelers with convenient accommodations, activities and dining options.

The Top 3 Hotels and Resorts on Each Island

• Hilton Hawaiian Village
• Turtle Bay Resort
• Grand Wailea
• Kaanapali Beach Hotel
• Fairmont Kea Lani
• 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
• Fairmont Orchid
• Hilton Waikoloa Village

On Oahu, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Turtle Bay Resort and the Halekulani reign supreme. Maui’s Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Fairmont Kea Lani are popular choices amongst travelers. For Kauai, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, The ISO and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa are stunning accommodations that will make it hard to even leave your room—while on the Big Island you can’t go wrong staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, Fairmont Orchid and Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Which Hawaii Island is Best for You?

Kauai’s picturesque Na Pali Coast.

For nature lovers and those who seek adventure, Kauai is a primordial playground full of epic hikes, stunning beaches and botanical gardens—it is the Garden Isle after all.

Sunrise over Na Mokulua islands from Lanikai Beach on Oahu.

Oahu has a great mix of everything a visitor could want and is perfect for families with young children as there are more keiki (kid) friendly activities on the island.

Waianapanapa State Park, Maui.

Maui & the Big Island

Both Maui and the Big Island are great places for travelers looking to escape from their worldly distractions. Instead of waking up to traffic and city noise, on these islands, the soft sounds of birdsong and crashing waves will serve as your natural alarm clock.

Hawaii Travel Tips

You’ll want to hit the ground running—presumably to the beach!—once you’ve landed. Also be sure to pack a few jackets or hoodies along with your beachwear, as the islands typically has “passing showers” from time to time due to its tropical climate. Another major travel tip to remember is that, unless you’re staying on Oahu, you will absolutely need to rent a car to fully enjoy the best of each island, as public transportation options are limited on the out islands.

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Discover the differences between these majestic islands and choose your paradise.

Hawaii Island is the largest of the islands and sits at the southernmost part of the chain. A temperamental youngest sibling of the family, this island is full of drama, adventure, and natural beauty. Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, tour a local coffee plantation, stroll seaside villages, travel back in time at Puukoholo Heiau National Historic Site, and stand at the southernmost point of the United States where nothing but ocean separates you from Antarctica.

Kauai is the oldest of the islands and keeps watch over the others from the northernmost point of the chain. With age comes beauty and the dramatic landscape of Kauai reflects this sentiment. Hike Waimea Canyon and gaze at the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, trek the Koloa Heritage Trail for a glimpse of the past, visit local botanical gardens for their tropical treasures, tour cascading waterfalls, and helicopter out to the Na Pali coastline for the ultimate vantage point.

Maui is the second-largest island and just to the north of Hawaii Island. Known for famous beaches and championship golf courses, Maui delivers an experience filled with magic and beauty to visitors. Witness an awe-inspiring sunrise at Haleakala, snorkel with sea turtles at Molokini, stroll the eclectic shops in Lahaina and witness a ceremonial cliff dive at Black Rock.

Sandwiched between Kauai and Maui is the bustling island of Oahu. The most populated in the chain, Oahu offers a unique blend of modern and ancient influences. Transforming the southern coastline is the city of Honolulu while monster waves rule the northern coast. Reflect on U.S. history at Pearl Harbor, stroll through the pineapple maze at the Dole Plantation, hike the Diamond Head crater for unobstructed views of Waikiki Beach, visit the new International Market Place, and watch big wave surfers tackle the Banzai Pipeline.

There is indeed an island for every personality. Find your Hawaii, find your paradise.

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Visiting Hawaii on a budget (2023): all the tricks and tips you need to know

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Most people think that “Hawaii” and “budget” don’t belong in the same sentence. After all, it’s supposed to be a splurge to visit a gorgeous tropical paradise… right?

We’re here to tell you that traveling to Hawaii on a budget is possible and can be even more rewarding than what the brochures from expensive resorts show you. There are so many opportunities for how to do Hawaii on a budget in every category – from airfares to discount accommodations in Hawaii to saving money on activities. Keep reading for our best tips to save money on a trip to Hawaii.

And listen – please only share this post with people you really like, because I’m sharing all of our very best secrets for visiting Hawaii on a budget. It’s very long because I don’t want to leave anything out, so you may want to save or bookmark the post to come back to later!

Finding the cheapest way to go to Hawaii

Where to stay in hawaii on a budget, car rental for your hawaii vacation on a budget, vacation packages for cheap travel to hawaii, saving money on food in hawaii, discount activities in hawaii, what about island-hopping does that fit with hawaii budget travel, hawaii on a budget family tips, hawaii on a budget faqs, more resources to plan your trip to hawaii on a budget.

Trying to plan a Hawaii vacation on a budget? Make sure you don’t blow it before your feet even touch the sand! If you’re traveling from mainland US to Hawaii, there’s a very good chance that you can score an awesome deal on your airfare to Hawaii and there are lots of ways to do it. Read on for insider tips on how to go to Hawaii on a budget.

First, be flexible about your dates and which island you visit – within reason. Since airfare and lodging are the two biggest components of your Hawaii trip cost, you’ll want to balance those two to minimize your costs. Second, weigh the many options you have for using cash or points to book those plane tickets. Here are just a few ways to save money on airfare to Hawaii:

Find the cheapest airfare for cash payment

Sometimes the simplest thing to do is pay cash for a plane ticket, and with the great deals you can often find from America’s west coast it just might make sense. The first place to start your search is on Skyscanner .

We love using Skyscanner to find flights because it allows us to reflect our total flexibility – we can allow nearby airports on both ends and search for whole months at a time to land the best rate. Even if you don’t end up paying cash, it’s always important to know the going rate for flights when evaluating whether or not an award redemption is worthwhile.

Look for special deals

In early 2019 Southwest launched their much-anticipated service to Hawaii. Introductory fares were as low as $49 each way from select airports and eligible for Companion Pass! Now fares have settled in higher, but still cheaper than plenty of mainline carriers. Southwest’s Companion Pass only requires that you pay taxes, so it can be a really great deal. The fastest way to earn your companion pass is by opening a Southwest credit card – even faster if you open a personal card and a business card.

The catch is that they don’t have an extensive route map if you live outside of the West Coast: currently they only offer non-stop service from California, Phoenix and Las Vegas to Hawaii, with the most extensive service to Oahu in Maui . Some US cities also get flights to Kauai and Big Island . There are also inter-island flights, but it’s definitely worth comparing prices versus local carrier Mokulele Airlines to find the cheapest option.

Still and all, the Companion Pass is such an amazing value that I recently opened two Southwest credit cards in anticipation of a return visit to Hawaii. I only have to pay $5.60 to bring another family member with me! See the latest Southwest credit card promotions to get your Companion Pass.

❗ Learn more: How to get the Southwest companion pass

Many frequent flyers have heard of Southwest’s Companion Pass that you can earn through credit card sign up bonuses , but did you know that Alaska Airlines offers a similar one too? Alaska’s is a little different (only one per year and generally $99 per companion ticket plus taxes, but the base fare is often waived in the first year with promotions) but Alaska Airlines has tons of flights to Hawaii ! You can earn one with an Alaska Airlines credit card .

And it’s not one of those gimmicks where you have to pay an exorbitant price for the first ticket in order to use a companion fare on the second one (as with some old Amex promotions), you can just buy any regular ticket on the website. Especially for west coasters who already have access to bargain plane tickets to the Aloha State, this might be one the cheapest way to travel to Hawaii.

Book with frequent flyer miles

Obviously the cheapest way to go to Hawaii is not to pay for it! When your friends ask you how to go do Hawaii on a budget, this is usually the first trick you’ll want to tell them about. “Free” is the cheapest way to get to Hawaii and one we’ve taken advantage of many times.

We recommend targeting at least 2 cents per mile, but sometimes it makes sense to redeem for as little as 1.5 cents per mile if you really don’t want to spend the money out of pocket (after all, if you’re buying four plane tickets to pretty much anywhere you’re looking at a minimum of a thousand dollars). While many airlines now offer dynamic (= more expensive) point redemptions, here are the major airline baseline award redemptions for from the continental US to Hawaii as of October 2022 (economy class for us, folks):

American Airlines – 45,000 peak; 40,000 off-peak

United Airlines – 45,000

Delta Airlines – 45,000

Alaska Airlines – 40,000

British Airways – 26,000 from west coast , 51,500 from east coast (operated by AA)

From the chart above, it’s clear where the value in frequent flyer tickets to Hawaii lies. Alaska Airlines and sometimes British Airways can offer far better value than the mainline US carriers. British Airways offers a distance-based award chart, so passengers coming from the west coast only need 26,000 miles for a round trip, while east coasters would need a whopping 51,500 miles!

Ok, so how can you earn enough British Airways Avios points as an American? Simple: open up a Chase Sapphire Preferred , Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Ink Business Preferred card and once your sign-up bonus hits, do an instant transfer to your Executive Club account! Then redeem here through your account BA account. As of August 2023, the Sapphire Preferred sign up bonus is 60,000 points as is the Chase Sapphire Reserve sign up bonus , while small business owners get a 100,000 point sign up bonus with the Ink Business Preferred. That’s almost enough to get a family to Hawaii and back from the West Coast. You can also follow our lead and get both personal and business cards for each adult in the family cards to really juice up your award travel options.

Southwest’s frequent flyer redemption is fare-based so it varies a ton, but you can combine it with your Companion Pass discussed above to get two tickets to Hawaii for just the miles you’d need for one ticket. If you can find an affordable time of year using their low fare calendar, it’s a dynamite option to fly to Hawaii for cheap. Apply for a Southwest credit card here to start earning your Companion Pass. If you also have the Chase cards I mentioned above, know that you can transfer those Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest as well if you’re a little short.

If you’re in a city with lots of United flights, the most straightforward option might be to grab a United Mileage Plus Explorer credit card . The usual fee is $95 per year (though sometimes the first year fee is waived) and it comes with 50,000 bonus miles – enough to cover your ticket. We love that it includes free checked baggage when you use the card, even if you’re just covering taxes on an award ticket redemption, and you’ll get two passes to the United Club lounge. We carry this card and use it whenever we’re booking United flights.

Redeem Chase Ultimate Reward Points

Wondering how to go to Hawaii on the cheap? The final way to save money on plane tickets to Hawaii is actually how we picked up three of our four tickets on one trip to Hawaii. Since we’ve accumulated a ton of Chase Ultimate Rewards points through our Sapphire Preferred , Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cards, we’ve sometimes taken advantage of their flexibility to buy our tickets.

One of our favorite features of Ultimate Rewards points is that you can redeem them for almost any travel expense through the portal; your redemption rate is 1-1.25 cents per point with most Chase cards and 1.5 cents per point if you have the Sapphire Reserve card (even if the points were earned on a different Chase card and transferred or pooled).

In our case tickets on Alaska were $445 each if purchased with cash, so we redeemed almost exactly 30,000 points for each. Ultimate Rewards points do not transfer to Alaska Airlines, but by purchasing through the portal we had no out of pocket expense – not even taxes. Pretty sweet!

Want to plan the ultimate Hawaii vacation? Click here for step-by-step Hawaii travel planning help!

Save money by going carry-on only!  Check out our full (but minimalist) women’s packing list for Hawaii .

Hopefully we’ve gotten you to Hawaii without putting too big of a dent in your wallet. The other huge chunk of the cost of a Hawaii vacation is accommodation. If you really want to plan a budget trip to Hawaii, consider a home exchange.

Check out this map to find (slightly) more budget-friendly options:

Vacation Rentals in Hawaii

Vacation rentals can be a great option in Hawaii, but it’s important to know what you’re getting in to. In June 2019, the mayor of Honolulu enacted strict limits on unhosted short-term vacation rentals on Oahu – essentially stifling the market for Airbnb on Oahu outside of designated tourist zones like Waikiki, Ko Olina and Turtle Bay. Newer restrictions are even tougher.

Other areas will still have some vacation rentals available, but limited in number and they have to be licensed. Likewise, other parts of Hawaii have limits on short-term rentals. Vacation rentals can be one of the best options for how to do Hawaii on the cheap, but check listings carefully!

If you find an awesome legal rental in Hawaii, that can be a great way to stay! You’ll be able to save money on groceries, parking and more while also enjoying a different kind of feel.

Here are some great options to consider for each island (though “cheap” is a relative term and varies somewhat by island):

• Cheap vacation rentals on Oahu
• Cheap vacation rentals on Maui
• Cheap vacation rentals on the Big Island
• Cheap vacation rentals on Kauai

Hotels in Hawaii

Would you rather just stay in a hotel in Hawaii? There are so many to choose from, even if you’re planning a trip to Hawaii on a budget!

The cheapest way to stay at a hotel in Hawaii is for free, obviously. We recently grabbed a World of Hyatt credit card so that we can use the sign-up bonus for an upcoming trip to Kauai and Maui! While there are tons of hotel loyalty programs out there, Hyatt has the most generous award chart and often requires only half as many points per night as competitors like Marriott and Hilton. In addition, award stays pay no resort fee and still count toward achieving elite status. We really love the Hyatt program!

If that all sounds great, I have even better news for you. The Chase Sapphire Preferred , Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Ink Business Preferred cards credit cards that our family uses can transfer their points to Hyatt as well! Obviously you need to use your credit cards responsibly and pay the balances every month, but if you’re strategic about your sign up bonuses you can land a mostly free trip to paradise by combining one of the airline programs I mentioned above with the Hyatt hotel program.

Another budget-friendly hotel option for Hawaii is to try to look for ones that offer a kitchen and laundry to avoid pricey meals out and laundry services. You’ll still get the resort amenities like beautiful pools, on-site restaurants and quality staffing. Check out these great options on each island:

Oahu : – Beach Villas at Ko Olina – Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club (also check here for deals ) >>> Check out this area-by-area guide to where to stay on Oahu

Maui : – Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas (this is where we stayed during our first trip to Hawaii with a baby and it was wonderful!) – Honua Kai resort

Kauai : – Plantation Hale Suites (***bargain alert!) – Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club – Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons – Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas – Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu We haven’t visited Kauai yet, but check out this detailed guide to the best of kid-friendly Kauai !

Big Island : – Inn At Kulaniapia – Orchid Tree B&B – Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast – Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant – Hilton Waikoloa Village – Waikoloa Village vacation rentals (we stayed in one of these on our last visit and it was wonderful) – Mauna Lani Point Villas – The Islands At Mauna Lani – Mauna Lani Resort (I felt so pampered when I stayed here many years ago!) – Westin Hapuna Beach Resort – Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (we love the beach here, arguably one of the Big Island’s best)

Read more: Check out these simple tips for saving more on your reservations!

If you or a loved one is a member of the US military, make sure to check out the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach. As a “thank you” to service members, this fairly basic hotel offers a world-class location and comfortable amenities as prices that can be half or even a third of the price of surrounding resorts. Find more details here about this wonderful option for service members wondering how to visit Hawaii on a budget.

Home Exchange in Hawaii

There are so many reasons why we love home exchange, and a few that are extremely relevant to planning a Hawaii family vacation on a budget.

First, your cash expense to do a home exchange in Hawaii will be less than one night in a hotel .

Second, having a real home with a kitchen means you can avoid pricey restaurant meals – and they sure are pricey in Hawaii!

Third, being away from the main tourist areas means almost everything will be less expensive (not to mention less crowded) – groceries are cheaper, our long-term Home Exchange house on Oahu had its own parking and the house even came stocked with boogie boards and snorkel gear so that we didn’t have to rent.

Beyond the economics, doing a home exchange in Hawaii had other amazing benefits. Everyone had plenty of space to stretch out. We had our own laundry facilities. We hung out at “locals only” spots rather than the crowded tourist beaches. There was a second fridge for all our Costco supplies. Oh, and we even had enough space that both grandmas came to join us for a few weeks during our slow travel on Oahu! Want more tips for planning a multigenerational vacation ?

Camping in Hawaii and RV in Hawaii

Another option for the truly budget-minded is camping on Hawaii. Every island has some wonderful, gorgeous places to pitch your tent though the amenities vary tremendously by site. Check out this helpful roundup of where to camp on Kauai .

If you want to combine your accommodations and your transportation, consider renting an RV in Hawaii . There are tons of beautiful campgrounds on every island and you’ll save money overall compared with renting a car and a hotel room.

Renting a car in Hawaii seems, like many things, to be more expensive than on the mainland. In some places like Honolulu and Waikiki you can stay amidst the tourist throngs and get by without a car – walk to popular beaches, walk to mini marts, walk to tourist restaurants, and rely on hotel concierges to book activities on other parts of the island that include transportation. You can take buses to some places on Oahu, but they can be very time consuming.

Read more: 10 things you NEED to know before renting a car in Hawaii

If you are a solo traveler in Hawaii, it might make sense to go stay in one of the cities the car-free route since all of those small (or large) premia are only impacting one traveler. For couples or families, though, you’ll more than make up the cost of a rental car by saving money on pretty much everything else . You’ll also gain the freedom to explore beautiful, peaceful spots that most tourists don’t get to see. Moreover, in many parts of Hawaii you absolutely need a car to get around.

Bringing the kids? Save money on your rental by bringing your own travel car seats . Click to read all the best tips.

We have a few favorites for finding deals on car rentals in Hawaii (and everywhere else). The most straightforward is good old RentalCars.com . You can quickly search for the type of car you want across tons of providers of all sizes and reserve without any upfront payment . Nearly every reservation can be cancelled, so we often check back weekly leading up to our travels and rebook if we see a better rate.

A great local option is Discount Hawaii Car Rental . They work with all of the major Hawaii car rental companies and have Hawaii-based customer service in case an issue comes up. That can be especially helpful if you’re arriving when it’s late in the day on the mainland.

Another option to consider is joining AARP . The membership costs about as much as a Starbucks run but can save you up to 30% on rental car rates (in addition to discounts on some hotels)! Surprisingly, you don’t have to be a senior or retired to join AARP.

Our rental car ended up being by far the most expensive component of our 5 week trip to Hawaii. We needed a minivan for part of our trip, but it would have been the same price as renting one compact car for five weeks and a second compact car for a week and a half in the middle when we were joined by a few grandmas.

Though the minivan was pricey at $1600 for five weeks, it was handy to have for hauling around a big stack of boogie boards, beach towels and cases of food from Costco (more on that below). If you plan to shop at Costco and haul around lots of beach gear, you may want to consider sizing up from the smaller options. For reference, the quote we received for an intermediate car for 10 days was just shy of $500. Thanks to rental car shortages after the pandemic, rates may be significantly higher if you’re booking a shorter rental period.

What’s the best place to get gas in Hawaii? It’s often Costco. Seriously, folks. On average gas was 70 cents cheaper per gallon at Costco than at other local gas stations during our last visit. That’s more than $10 saved every time you fill up! That said, other local gas sellers have upped their game by lowering their prices so it’s worth peeking at Safeway and Sam’s Club prices when you drive by, as the Costco gas lines can be long. My favorite tip for comparing gas prices in Hawaii is that on the store detail page for each Costco warehouse you can expand the “Gas Station” section to see hours and the current price! (Note that Hawaii Kai does not have gas, but all other Costco warehouses in Hawaii do.)

Not sure which island to pick? Find the best Hawaiian island for your family vacation.

If you prefer simplicity in your travel arrangements, one option to consider for Hawaii vacations on a budget is a package deal. That’s how we went on our first Hawaii vacation!

Before booking a package deal, you need to carefully consider the value of everything that’s included to make sure it’s actually the cheapest way to vacation in Hawaii for the dates you want. We booked ours as a Black Friday special, so it was deeply discounted.

Here are some great places to look for discount Hawaii vacation packages:

• Expedia (that’s where we booked ours)
• TravelZoo (we’ve gotten great deals for other destinations)
• Costco Travel

If you’re planning a budget Hawaii vacation, you’ll need to think carefully about how and where you’ll eat. Many items have to be transported to Hawaii by ship, so food prices in Hawaii can be anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars more than on the mainland. Having a plan for food is one of the keys to how to travel to Hawaii on a budget.

Of course the best way to save money on food in Hawaii is to book a vacation rental with a kitchen and prepare food yourself. But even if you plan to make all your meals at your home away from home, you’ll have to be judicious in you grocery purchases. But we’ve done some scouting for you and have a few suggestions to help you through since grocery prices in Hawaii can be quite daunting.

First, let’s discuss Costco. If you already have a membership and you’ll be visiting Hawaii with a few other people, Costco in Hawaii can be a great value ! Prices are nearly the same as at Costco on the mainland, and prices are much cheaper than local grocery stores for items like dairy, eggs and meat. There are seven Costco locations in Hawaii, including four on Oahu.

In addition to food and pantry staples, you’ll find some beach gear, Hawaiian shirts and other handy items. While you’re there, grab a meal at Costco – it doesn’t require membership and the whole family can eat for less than $10! It’s not a nutritious choice to make every day, but if you’re going to Costco in Hawaii once every week or two it’s a great way to save a little money without cooking at home.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a Costco membership but know someone who does, have them buy you some Costco Cash cards (gift cards). You can use these without a membership!

All that said, before you dive in on a Costco membership for your cheap trip to Hawaii consider whether or not you’ll actually make it through a 20 pound bag of rice during your vacation. And where will you store all that food? What should you do if you’ll only be in Hawaii for a short time or you aren’t bringing an entire football team? Head to Target!

That’s right, the big red bullseye of value has made it to paradise! You’ll find locations on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island and the stores are full of all your favorites from the mainland – plus some local specialties in the “Aloha Shop”. Since Target carries groceries – both house brand and national brands, it might just be the best place to do your grocery shopping in Hawaii. Similarly, if you prefer to shop at Walmart you’ll find tons of stores on Oahu and one or two on the other islands.

You may notice that prices in those stores are a little higher than what you’d find on the mainland, but fear not: both stores offer price match guarantees . Just pull up the item you want on your phone from the store’s website – or another major website – and they’ll give you the lower price right there at the register! I saved 20% on our sunscreen that way. Target will definitely be your friend when you travel to Hawaii on the cheap.

Another local option is Foodland. We found many items there that were only a little more expensive than at our local grocery stores on the mainland, though some things (like dairy and eggs) were much more expensive than we found at Costco. Sign up for their Maika’i card for extra discounts and make sure to check out the poke counter in the back of the store – we got an inside tip that many locals hit Foodland for their own poke fixes.

One of the great things about a vacation in Hawaii is that there are so many amazing things to do for free that take full advantage of what makes the Aloha State special. You can relax on the beach, hike to a waterfall , go on a scenic drive and even attend a hula performance – all for free! It’s one of the best places to travel to without a passport if you’re American.

We’ve had plenty of days in Hawaii when we didn’t spend a dime (except on shave ice, but that’s a different story). But what about big ticket paid activities? Can you still do them even if you’re visiting Hawaii on a budget? Here are a few ideas for how to have those special experiences without busting your budget.

Read more: 10 things to do on Oahu under $10

Go Oahu Card

The Go Oahu Card by Smart Destinations bundles multiple activities together to save you money. There are two different options to choose from: All-Inclusive or Build Your Own.

With their All-Inclusive pass you pay a fixed rate based on the number of days you’d like to use the card (which can be spread over a two week period) and then you can do as many of those activities as you can squeeze in! There are options ranging from luaus to catamaran snorkeling trips to hikes to movie tours, and many activities offer free transportation from Waikiki in case you don’t have a car.

You can choose cards for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days – cards for 3 days or more include your choice of one “premium” activity like a luau, a sunset dinner sail, snorkeling with wild sea turtles or even a semi-private surfing lesson.

If you’re visiting Oahu for a week, we think the 3 day card is the sweet spot for value at $219 per adult and $189 per child. Why? In addition to great activities like the Polynesian Cultural Center, you’ll get to choose one premium activity like a snorkel boat tour. There are plenty of other high-value activities included for the other two days so that you’d easily get plenty of value from the 3-day card .

Read all about the Go Oahu card and how to make the most of it when you’re traveling to Hawaii on a budget.

Check out just a few activities you can do with your Go Oahu card :

Entertainment Book

Remember the Entertainment Book that our families all used to buy during fundraisers in the 1980s? They’re still around. And they actually offer some pretty good deals in Hawaii on several islands!

As with most deals in the Entertainment Book , you’ll generally find 2-for-1 type coupons. You’ll find coupons for plenty of restaurants, but also coupons for wonderful attractions like the helicopter tours, snorkel rentals, Twogood Kayaks, the Bishop Museum, the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor and more. If you use it for even one or two activities in Hawaii, it’ll pay for itself. You can even choose a digital book to have all the deals at your fingertips!

>>> See all the deals available in the Hawaii Entertainment Book.

Check out more awesome things to do on Oahu with kids

Admission to National Parks in Hawaii

If you plan to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island or Haleakalā on Maui, you can get in  FREE with your America the Beautiful annual pass . For just $80 per year, you can get into nearly all federal government-run recreational lands. It will generally pay for itself in just three or four uses (or even two if you’re visiting some of the popular/expensive parks). Pick up your pass today.

Shopping for someone else? Consider these great National Park themed gifts !

Groupon and Living Social

Other great resources for saving money in Hawaii are daily deal sites like Groupon and Living Social. You can find discounts on sailing trips, helicopter rides, parasailing and more. If you’re looking for things to do in Hawaii on a budget, make Groupon your first stop! Check out the deals here.

Use your memberships

You might have the key to cheap and free activities right in your wallet! If you’re a AAA member, always ask when booking hotels or activities if they offer a special rate.

And if you are a member of a science center back home that participates in the ASTC Passport program, bring your card to the wonderful Bishop Museum in Honolulu to receive free admission. We went twice (for free!) and even considered a third visit. It’s the perfect free activity if you’re trying to visit Hawaii with kids on a budget!

Military discounts

There are almost 50,000 US military personnel and their dependents living in Hawaii (population around 1.5 million). Military families vacationing in Hawaii will find discounts almost everywhere on admission to attractions. You’ll also benefit from lower hotel rates and access to four commissaries on Oahu, plus an exchange where you can buy discounted gifts. Thank you for your service!

There are two schools of thought about “island hopping” in Hawaii as it relates to the cheapest way to visit Hawaii.

First, the “pro island hopping camp”: Flights from mainland US to Hawaii are generally long and expensive. It’s cheaper to fly to Hawaii once and visit several islands while you’re there than it is to pay for separate roundtrip airfares. This is especially true if you’re coming from the east coast or if Hawaii is a once-in-a-lifetime splurge for you! The cheapest way to travel between Hawaiian islands is to look for a deal on Southwest and use companion pass if you have it, especially if you’ll need to check a bag.

Second, the “anti island hopping camp”: If you’re trying to plan a trip to Hawaii on a budget, you’ll economize more by staying in one place. Many vacation rentals offer a weekly rate. Rental cars are much cheaper by the week – often 5 days cost more than 7 days ( see the difference here ).

If you visit two islands (or more!) you’ll have to either eat out all the time or buy small, expensive quantities of food – and then buy them again on your next stop.

Plus you have to pay to get from one island to another, often around $75 each way. You can limit that to one segment if you book an “open jaw” into one island and out of another, but check that pricing versus a regular roundtrip plus an inter-island roundtrip.

Where do we fall? We suggest that you sit back and enjoy the aloha on one island at a time! Hawaii will always be waiting for you to return. The exception is if you’ve already been to some of the islands and want to visit a new on, but flight availability isn’t great. Now that we live in the Midwest it might work out better for us to stop on Oahu or Maui en route to Kauai since it has fewer inbound flights from the mainland.

If you’re planning a family vacation to Hawaii on a budget, some of the tips we’ve already mentioned will be extremely helpful! Here’s a quick roundup:

• Look for companion pass deals for airfare
• Grab an Airbnb with a kitchen – make sure it has a decent sized fridge if you plan to shop at Costco in Hawaii
• Encourage your kids to eat fresh, local food rather than food that’s packaged and sent from the mainland (you can bring a box of cereal in your luggage if that’s a must-have)
• Bring your own car seat to avoid paying for one with your rental car
• Use your science museum membership from home for free admission to the Bishop Museum
• If possible, avoid major school break times

Obviously prices vary a ton depending on where you’re coming from and style of travel. As a baseline, domestic plane tickets to Hawaii cost $400-1200 per person in 2022. Hotel or Airbnb accommodations cost $150-600 per night. The cost of food varies tremendously, but budget at least $40 per person per day if you’ll be eating all your meals at restaurants. Even “cheap trips to Hawaii” aren’t really cheap by true budget travel standards unfortunately.

Oahu can be very inexpensive thanks to abundant choices for lodging and food, and staying in Waikiki can remove the need for a rental car. The Hilo side of the Big Island also offers good value for the money, as it’s one of the less popular tourist areas. All things considered, the Big Island is probably the cheapest island in Hawaii.

We’ve found great deals almost anytime outside of school breaks! Fall is the quietest (and thus, cheapest) time for tourism in Hawaii. January and February can also be inexpensive times for flights as long as you avoid the end of winter break and the long weekends during the season.

If you’re flying at an off-peak time of year, you can often snag deals just a week or two in advance from the west coast. For flights over holiday periods or from the east coast, you’ll want to buy your tickets several months in advance for the best deals.

Prefer a visual version? Check out our Hawaii on a budget web story !

See all of our Hawaii travel planning resources in one place Travel planning resources: Compare rental car prices for Hawaii Buy a top-rated travel insurance policy 5 simple money-saving tips for booking.com General Hawaii resources: How to visit Hawaii on a budget Renting a car in Hawaii: 10 things you NEED to know What to pack for Hawaii Is a cheap GoPro knock-off worth it? Hawaii with kids: What’s the best Hawaiian island for families? Is it worth visiting Hawaii with a baby? Ultimate packing list for Hawaii with kids Top 10 things to do with kids on Oahu The best snorkel gear for kids of all ages Oahu resources: Best Oahu travel guide book Perfect 7 day Oahu itinerary Where to stay on Oahu Family-friendly Oahu vacation rentals Cheap Places To Stay On Oahu 10 Fun Things to do on Oahu for $10 or less Getting the most bang for your buck on your Go Oahu discount card Insider tips for visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center The best beaches on Oahu (and why to visit them) Where to find the best shave ice on Oahu The best easy hikes on Oahu North Shore Oahu complete visitors guide Kayaking to the Mokes with Twogood Kayaks Family-friendly kayaking with Holokai Adventures Visiting Pearl Harbor Maui resources: Best Maui travel guide book Perfect 3 day Maui itinerary Cheap Places To Stay On Maui Big Island resources: Best Big Island travel guide book Perfect 5 day Big Island itinerary Cheap Places To Stay On the Big Island Kauai resources: Best Kauai travel guide book Perfect 3 day Kauai itinerary Cheap Places To Stay On Kauai

What are your secrets for how to do Hawaii on a budget?

Many thanks to our awesome partners in paradise, including Home Exchange, Smart Destinations, Polynesian Cultural Center and Twogood Kayaks; all opinions are my own.

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13 thoughts on “visiting hawaii on a budget (2023): all the tricks and tips you need to know”.

Yayyyyyyy!!! We went for our honeymoon, so I’m loving this! Now I know we can actually go back with the kids one day and not break the bank… so cool that you were able to be there for so long!

Out of all the states I have visited the only state I still have to go to is Hawaii. I always thought it is super mega expensive. Your post proves the opposite and I think it’s the time to start planning a trip. Can’t wait to go!

This is such a great post. We live in Aus and spent a month in Hawaii on our honeymoon back in 2016. Your photos took me right back. We did find accomodation so expensive, even through Airbnb- I wish we’d known about the house exchange back then! Thats such a good way to save some money while seeing the world.

I hope to visit it one day! great post #fearlessfamtrav

I’d love to visit Hawaii, but have always been turned off by the potential price! This post was awesome for me. Saving it for the future. ##fearlessfamtrav

Great tips! We loved Hawaii but not the cheapest #fearlessfamtrav

I love posts like this! Showing how seemingly expensive places are accessible for budget travellers. Good call on the Costco card, although great tips all round. Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav

Amazing tips, we are going to Hawaii on a home exchange so will already save a bit of money but these tips will be really helpful.

That’s so exciting! Which island are you visiting?

Thank you for these budget tips you shared to us. Hawaii is the best place for vacation lots of delicious foods and shopping center their. I hope i can go their next year.

I was under the impression that Hawaii is very expensive but your article proved me wrong.I would love to visit Hawaii soon

This is a great page. It’s very engaging and well written. I’ll come back from time to time for more posts like this one.

This is a really cool page. One of the best posts I’ve come across in quite a while. I hope to see more.

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Your First-Time in Hawaii Itinerary (The Best 10 Days)

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I fell in love with Hawaii during my first visit when I was 24. I was invited out to free-load off my then-girlfriend, now wife, Erica who was working on Oahu. During that first trip to Hawaii, I knew I would live in Hawaii someday. 

3-years later my company posted a job on Oahu, and I jumped at the opportunity. I never regretted the move. 

Your first time in Hawaii may not be so serendipitous. You want to plan the right Hawaii vacation for you, your partner, or your family. Hawaii is an expensive place to visit and a long way to travel, you want to do the trip right. This first time Hawaii itinerary is how you do your trip right.

Don’t miss our comprehensive itineraries designed to give you the best vacation. With one download you’ll get the best sights, restaurants, beaches, and more carefully mapped out for the optimal experience. They’re really that good. 

Here is your first time Hawaii itinerary (10-days), Maui and Kauai:

Day 1: Welcome to Maui 

Day 2: Historic Lahaina Town and North Shore

Day 3: Whale Watching, Snorkeling, and a Luau

Day 4: Road to Hana

Day 5: Day Trip to Lanai

Day 6: Haleakala and Upcountry

Day 7: Hiking and Beach Day

Day 8: Fly to Kauai, Hanalei Bay, & Waterfall Hike

Day 9: Poipu Beach, Waimea Canyon, and Na Pali Sunset Cruise

Day 10: Tube Down a Mountain and Fly Home

The best Hawaiian island for your first-time trip to Hawaii is Maui. Maui has the best weather, things to do, resorts, restaurants, food trucks , and still has that laid-back, surfer island-style one expects in Hawaii. The second best island to visit is Kauai or Oahu , depending on what kind of vacation you want. 

We provide itineraries for all the options plus the mistakes to avoid for your first time to Hawaii.

Before you get too far into trip planning, be sure to read our complete guide to planning your first trip to Hawaii . That’ll give you all the need to know information so you can decide exactly where to go, what to do, how to island hop easily and more. It’s a short cut to your best trip planning.

What You Need to Know for Your First Time Visit to Hawaii

First-time visitors fall in love with Hawaii and come back for more. That isn’t tourism marketing, I got the data to prove it.

30% of visitors to Hawaii were first-time visitors in 2023. That means 70% of visitors decided to return to Hawaii after their first trip. The average number of trips was 6. 

The first thing to know for your Hawaii itinerary is Hawaii is a safe place to visit. The locals, like Erica and me, are friendly and hospitable. The aloha spirit is strong in Hawaii and you will feel it. 

This is your place to start planning your first trip to Hawaii. Here is where I cover the foundation for your trip. After this, your mind and soul will be ready for creative, freestyle vacation planning or just get on the plane. Planning is half the fun.

🍍 What Hawaiian island is best for first-timers?

🍍 What is a good first-time Hawaii itinerary? 

🍍 What are the mistakes first-time visitors to Hawaii make? 

🍍 Tips for first-timers: What to book before you leave and do you need a rental car?

Free Download!

Hawaiian island cheat sheets.

Sign up & we’ll send you our island cheat sheets so you can get to know the islands like the back of your hand!

We’ll share 4 can’t-miss activities on each island, a map with the main sights in town, & famous local grindz (eats)!

where should we send your free Island Cheat Sheets?

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What is the Best Hawaiian Island for First-Time Visitors

Maui. Maui is the best Hawaiian island for first-time visitors . When you decided it was time to visit the 50th state in the union, Maui was the image that popped in your head. You just didn’t know it.

I’ve been to all six major Hawaiian islands and some of the small islands. There are 8 large islands and a total of 137 islands in the Hawaiian chain . Maui is our favorite but for all the reasons that make it the best Hawaiian island for first-timers. 

Some things are true for any Hawaiian island. They all have the following Hawaiian charms and specialties: luaus , Hawaiian history, beaches , the weather is amazing, the ocean is 75 to 80 degrees year-round, surfing, outrigger canoeing, and other ocean sports. 

Let me break down the pros and cons of visiting Maui as your first island.

Maui is the best Hawaiian island for first-time visitors for the following reasons:

✅ Resort areas of Ka’anapali and Wailea

✅ Best snorkeling of any Hawaiian island

✅ Road to Hana’s waterfalls, food stalls, black sand beaches, red sand beach, etc.

✅ Best island for singles who want a beach vacation and activities

✅ Haleakala National Park – hiking, Pools of ‘Ohe’o , sunrise or sunset experience

✅ Whale watching is the best on Maui from mid-December to mid-April

✅ Family-friendly resorts and beaches

✅ Island of Lanai is a ferry ride away

✅ 65+ activities for kids to do on Maui

✅ Sea turtles abound for snorkeling and on the beach ( Ho’okipa Beach Park )

✅ Maui food truck scene

✅ Glamping, camping, and car park sleeping options ( Camp Olowalu )

✅ Cheap flights on Southwest, Alaskan, and Hawaiian to Kahului Airport

✅ The only adults-only resort in Hawaii – Hotel Wailea

✅ Snorkeling Molokini crater

✅ The Lahaina Banyan Tree – 16 trunks and covers 2-acres

Reasons why Maui may not be the best first Hawaiian island for you:

❌ Maui is the most expensive island to visit ( Oahu is the cheapest )

❌ Not a tropical jungle island like The Garden Isle of Kauai

❌ Not volcanically active like the Big Island (note: Kilauea volcano on Hawai’i is not currently erupting but always check if it is)

❌ Lack of nightlife, entertainment, or a club scene like Oahu

❌ No Disney Aulani Resort or other Disney property

❌ No night snorkeling with manta rays

❌ Oahu has the best surfing and places to learn how to surf

❌ Hiking is better on Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island

First-Time Visit to Hawaii: 10-Day Itinerary

Here is your first time Hawaii itinerary. This itinerary will leave you relaxed and confident you saw and experienced the best things to do on Maui and one other island. 

From two locals, this is our ideal Hawaii itinerary for first-time visitors. 

We lived on Maui and never got island-fever. There is so much to do but don’t worry, I’m not prescribing an action-packed vacation. This is the cream of the crop to get your feet wet in the sand and to realize why all the celebrities vacation on Maui.

A 10-day Hawaii itinerary is a perfect length of time. As a first-time visitor, we recommend you check out two Hawaiian islands. The first being Maui and then we give you two options – Kauai or Oahu. 

Kauai is for those looking for the outdoors, jungle hikes, and solitude (no crowds). 

Oahu is for those who want a few days of a Hawaiian social scene. Honolulu is the Manhattan of the Pacific. The place doesn’t shut down at 9:00 pm like the other islands. But Oahu also has more family resorts , beaches , and the best hiking of any other island .

Use your civil liberties to play around with the itineraries to make them fit your dream Hawaii vacation.

If you are looking for more details on a trip to Maui, or another island, then learn more about our Hawaiian Island Wayfinder Itineraries .

Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary

Maui Wayfinder Itinerary

Kauai Wayfinder Itinerary

Cruising Hawaii Guide

Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary

Hawaii 10-day itinerary: maui and kauai.

Explore the Valley Isle and then hop on a 35-minute flight to the Garden Isle.  

Where to Stay on Maui

The two resort areas on Maui are Ka’anapali and Wailea. Ka’anapali is on the west side of Maui and Wailea is in the south. 

Picking one over the other is no easy task. Opinions abound on where to stay and for good reason, the weather and beaches are perfect in both locations. The main differences are the type of hotels and experience.

Wailea offers four-star resorts. Ka’anapali is for those who seek a more walkable area, proximity to the historical town of Lahaina, a more lively experience, and more vacation rental options. 

There is so much more to these two resort areas so I recommend you read the full breakdown in this article . The second thing is to decide if a vacation rental is a better option for your Hawaii vacation.

Glamping and Camping on Maui: Camp Olowalu in West Maui offers glamping, tent camping, and car camping in their newly renovated, beach-side campgrounds. This is an affordable and safe way to stay in Maui.

Erica, Henry, Hattie, and I had a wonderful time staying in their glamping tentalows.

Day 1 (Maui): Welcome to Maui

You’ll land at Kahului Airport (OGG) in the central valley of Maui. It is an open-air airport with two Starbucks and all the major car rental companies. The car rental desks are a short 10-minute walk or a quick electric tram ride away from the baggage claim.  Save on your rental by using Discount Hawaii Car Rental .

Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island but still only takes about 45-minutes to get where you want to go. Grab your rental car or an Uber or Lyft or taxi to your hotel. 

Local Tip: If you booked a vacation rental, head to Costco first to stock the kitchen. Groceries are twice as much or more than groceries on the mainland. You can save some serious money by shopping at Costco. Plus, Costco has beach supplies like beach chairs, reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel equipment, umbrellas, boards, etc. 

Local Tip: Consider renting snorkel equipment for the week on Day 1. For the best-priced snorkel equipment, don’t rent at the resorts but go to Boss Frog’s, The Snorkel Shop, or Snorkel Bob’s. They have shops all over the island.

Today is a day to get a lay of the land. Check in to your resort or condo to relax. It was a long flight across the Pacific. 

Pool and Sunset: Soak up the sun at the pool, walk the beach, or walk the shops around your resort. The restaurants and bars in Wailea and Ka’anapali have great happy hour deals. Get your first mai tai and smell the Hawaii air. It smells like flowers. 

Both resort areas face the sunset so sit back and enjoy.

Day 2 (Maui): Historic Lahaina Town and North Shore

Jet lag will have you out of bed early. Embrace the opportunity with a run or walk along the beach paths in Ka’anapali or Wailea. Then get some Hawaiian breakfast.

You’re heading to West Maui today for sightseeing and snorkeling. Maui has the best snorkeling in Hawaii . 

Breakfast : Hit up Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop in Olowalu if coming from South Maui. It is never too early for a chocolate mac nut pie. They also have a phenomenal lunch menu but you can beat the crowds by going for breakfast. Staying in Ka’anapali means you can visit CJ’s Deli and Diner for breakfast or drive into Lahaina for a lot of breakfast spots on the ocean.

Snorkeling in North West Maui: Continue to drive up the Honoapiilani Highway past Lahaina and Ka’anapali. The road gets windy but it is paved. Go snorkeling in the Honolua Bay , a marine preserve at the end of a 5-minute jungle walk. If the waves are big or snorkeling visibility is poor, go to Nakalele Blowhole that is a few minutes past Honolua Bay.

If you have kids or don’t enjoy the rocky beach at Honolua Bay, head to Napili Bay or Kapalua Bay for a sandy beach with facilities and showers. There are public parking lots but arrive by 10:00 am for a spot or park along the road.

These three bays are well-protected and rich in Hawaii-only-fish and sea turtles. Snorkel on the sides of the bay to find the sea turtles. Check out more of our favorite things to do in Napili and Kapalua .

Historic Lahaina Town: Head to Lahaina for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping. Lahaina was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The whaling town has kept most of its charm but does come off as touristy and kitschy to many. Personally, I like this place. 

🍍 Visit Banyan Court to walk amongst the 16-trunk, 1.8-acre sprawling banyan tree. 

🍍 Visit the historical courthouse with its free museum and art gallery at the banyan tree.

🍍 Walk the harbor and the historical trail.

🍍 Shop along Front Street

🍍 Grab a shave ice or gelato to escape the heat. Lahaina is Hawaiian for “cruel sun.”

Lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise, Lahaina Coolers, Cool Cat Cafe, Kimo’s, Lahaina Fish Co., Down the Hatch, or Aloha Mixed Plate to name a few of our favorite places.

My favorite is Aloha Mixed Plate for Asian-Hawaiian fusion. It is located on Front St. but 1-mile north of the main downtown area, behind the Cannery Mall. They have free parking.

After lunch and checking out Lahaina, you can go back to your resort for some pool time and relaxation. Whalers Village in Ka’anapali or The Shops at Wailea have good happy hours and dining if you seek an escape from your resort for dinner.

I also love the Maui food truck scene. There are food truck parks around the resort areas and towns. Check out Wailea’s best happy hours if you’re heading back to lodging in South Maui for the night.

Day 3 (Maui): Whale Watching, Snorkeling, and a Luau

Day 3 of our Hawaii Itinerary is my favorite day. Erica and I love whale watching. Maui is home to the largest humpback whale migration in the world. You will see calves playfully breaching, groups of males pursuing females in courtship, and whales singing their hearts out. Check out our video for what to expect when whale watching in Maui.

Whale watching is a 2-hour tour so if you go in the morning, you will have a lot of the day left for snorkeling and beach-bumming. 

Don’t feel like you are missing out if you’re on Maui during the whale off-season. This leaves more time for snorkeling or going on a snorkeling cruise.

Snorkeling Day: Maui is the best Hawaiian island for snorkeling because you can find great snorkeling from the shore. Our favorite shoreline snorkeling spots are the following.

Shoreline Snorkeling

🍍 Kamaole Beach Park III (South Maui): Get here in the morning to beat the trade winds so the water is calm and clear for your snorkeling. This beach is great for the whole family and is located in central Kihei, a popular place to stay. 

🍍Turtle Town at Maluaka Beach (South Maui): Called Turtle Town for a good reason. Maluaka Beach is the best place to snorkel but Turtle Town refers to the area from Nahuna Point to Black Sand Beach. To find the turtles, head south down the beach till you reach the rocks at the end of the sand.

🍍 Black Rock (West Maui): A famous rock jumping location located in front of the Ka’anapali Sheraton , the rock is also a good snorkeling spot. We have a full guide on Black Rock Beach .

🍍 Airport Beach (West Maui): Airport Beach is in front of the Westin Ocean Resort Villas. There is a big parking lot with bathroom facilities. The beach is ideal for lounging all day and then jumping in for snorkeling in the reef located less than a hundred feet from shore.

🍍 Napili Bay (North West Maui): Crescent-shaped bay with the delicious Gazebo breakfast and lunch restaurant overlooking the bay. Excellent snorkeling and calm waters.

🍍 Kapalua Bay (North West Maui): Another crescent-shaped bay with a large beach next to Napili Bay.

Snorkeling Cruises

A snorkeling cruise may be more of an adventure for you. Plus, a boat or sailboat can take you to pristine reefs and Maui landmarks that are more jaw-dropping than the snorkeling, like the Molokini crater.

Our favorite snorkeling cruises are Molokini crater , Lanai snorkeling and dolphin watch, and Olowalu Kayak Snorkeling .

Luau: Finally, the time has come for a Hawaiian feast. The luaus feature Hawaiian and Polynesian dancing while you dine on Kalua pig, poi (taro plant), and haupia (coconut milk-based dessert). 

Feel free to get dressed up with your best Aloha Shirt or tropical attire. Dressing up isn’t required but it is a fun way to get involved.

Luaus include interactive events before the festivities like coconut husking, spear throwing, hula lessons, and basket weaving. 

Luaus can be found in the resorts or standalone locations. The best luaus on Maui are below.

🍍 Old Lahaina Luau

🍍 Feast of Lele

🍍 The Grand Luau at Honua’ula

🍍 Drums of the Pacific

🍍 Royal Lahaina Luau

🍍 Te Au Moana

For a breakdown of what each of these luaus offer, check out our Maui luau article !

Get The Maui Itinerary

The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.

Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Maui.

Day 4 (Maui): Road to Hana

This drive is worth the hype. It isn’t about the road (which is very safe now), it is about the stops. Swim in waterfalls, eat fresh banana bread, drink from coconuts, walk black sand beaches and through bamboo forests, and so much more.

Head out at 7:30 am or earlier. If you are coming from Wailea or Ka’anapali, it will take you 30-minutes and 45-minutes, respectively, to get to the start of the drive-in Paia. 

The drive is only 45-miles but plan to be on the road for 8 to 12-hours to do the stops you want to do. You can drive it on your own, but we highly recommend going on a tour so you can really take in the sights and not have to worry about the Road to Hana etiquette .

Tips for driving on your own:

🍍 Gas up at Costco or Safeway Express (click for directions) for the cheapest gas on the island

🍍 If you stop at Kipahulu, Pools of O’heo then you can reuse your Haleakala National Park for your Day 5 visit to the summit. NPS passes are good for 3-days.

🍍 Pack lunch and refreshments.

🍍 Let locals pass. They are trying to get home, let them pass you.

🍍 You can return via the backside for fresh scenery and adventure. The road is remote and unpaved in spots so do this at your own risk. Many car companies won’t send emergency services per their contract if you have problems. Cell coverage is spotty too.

Check out our full Road to Hana Guide for stops, routes, and everything you need to know before you go!

Day 5 (Maui): Day Trip to Lanai

The best part of visiting Maui is you have the islands of Lanai and Molokai a few miles away. We recommend taking a day trip to Lanai , the Pineapple Isle.

The island of Lanai was once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world, by Dole. Today, it is home to 3,367 permanent residents and two five-star Four Seasons Hotels. There isn’t even a traffic light on the island.

Take the Maui-Lanai Ferry from Ma’alaea Harbor across the Au’au Channel. Spend the day on one of the best beaches in the world, Hulopoe Beach, with snorkeling and soaking up the sun. Hulopoe Beach is located where the ferry drops you off. 

Take a taxi or bus to Lanai City from the beach. Grab a coffee at Coffee Works and walk the small town.

For some local flavor, head for lunch at Cafe 565, Blue Ginger Market, or Richard’s Market. All three restaurants are around the city’s central park – Dole Park.

Day 6 (Maui): Haleakala and Upcountry

This is another big day on the road on Maui but worth the driving. If you reserved a Haleakala sunrise permit, plan on staying in Haleakala for the morning going on hikes and checking out the silversword plants and Nene birds. 

If you don’t have a Healakala sunrise permit, that is totally cool. Go to Haleakala National Park in the morning and then check out Upcountry Maui. The other option is to tour Upcountry Maui in the morning and then go to Haleakala in the afternoon and to watch the sunset from the summit.

Local Tip: Remember to bring your National Park Service pass from the Road to Hana. If you visited the Pools of O’heo then you already have your vehicle entrance pass for Haleakala. 

Upcountry Maui: Escape the heat of the Maui coastline. Head up the volcano for the Swiss Alps-like area of Upcountry. Where the cowboys roam and the coffee grows. 

You can do the Upcountry activities in the order below as you cruise through Upcountry on route 37. Pick your favorites, you don’t have to do them all. They are quick stops so you can do 3 or 4 plus lunch.

• Makawao Town: Walk the historic small town of Makawao. Grab a donut-on-a-stick from Komoda Store and Bakery , coffees from Sip Me , and then walk the art galleries, Makawao History Museum, and shops along Baldwin Avenue. 
• Ziplining at NorthShore Zipline Company or Piiholo Ranch Zipline – play in the tree canopy at one of these two zipline companies.  ( Our favorite zipline course is in Kapalua, so you can add this to a West Maui day and go for some other Upcountry options)
• Surfing Goat Dairy – tour a goat farm, milk some goats, taste goat cheese, and have fun for the whole family. 
• Kula Country Farm – pick strawberries and enjoy their farmer’s market. If you are visiting in October, you must check out their pumpkin patch and corn maze.
• Ali’i Kula Lavender – sweeping views of Maui set amongst fields of lavender and a botanical garden. Their coffee and bakery is worth a stop alone.  Note: O’o Farm lunch location is next to the lavender farm. O’o Farm is a lunch and agro-tour.
• Kula Botanical Gardens – a family’s lovingly cared for garden with a covered bridge, 8-acre garden, koi pond, and waterfalls.
• Mr. Shim’s Coffee Plantation Tour – tour a working coffee plantation by Mr. Shim himself. 
• MauiWine – take a free wine tour and try their tasting room with $12 to $16 tastings. They specialize in pineapple wine but offer mainstream varietal wines. Across the street is Ulupalakua Ranch Store for lunch or a snack.

Where to Eat in Upcountry Maui

Our favorite lunch places in Upcountry can’t be missed. Pick your favorite based on when you get hungry during your activities. 

🍍 Kama Hele Cafe – a food truck near Makawao featuring homemade and local dishes. A good breakfast stop.

🍍 La Provence Restaurant (before Kula Country Farms) – a French bistro and bakery that is too cute to miss.

🍍 O’o Farms – a farm tour ending with a farm-to-table gourmet lunch

🍍 Ulupalakua Ranch Store – farm to table food from the local cattle company.

Day 7 (Maui): Hiking and Beach Day

Erica and I love exploring Hawaii by trail. One can hike in a jungle or a desert. We prefer the jungle as there aren’t very many bugs in Hawaii.

Start the morning with refreshing hikes after driving through Upcountry the day before. 

‘Iao Valley State Park: The first stop is ‘Iao Valley State Park . This is more of a scenic outlook than a hike. Drive through Maui’s capital of Wailuku into one of the wettest places on Earth. The ‘Iao Valley gets over an inch of rain a day on its peaks. This place is rich in Hawaiian history and home to the ‘Iao Needle. Pay $5 for parking and walk the 0.4-mile paved path to the observation deck. 

Waihe’e Ridge Trail: This is a real hiking trail for those outdoor enthusiasts. Exit Wailuku and drive to the northwest shore for Waihe’e Ridge Trail . The 3.9-mile out-and-back trail features waterfall views and hikes along a ridgeline in the West Maui Mountains. This is a fun hike to take in Maui.

Beach Day: After a morning of hiking, time to head to the beach. Relax at one of the local beaches in your area. Check out our shoreline snorkeling spots above for the best beaches. 

Wailea and Ka’anapali have excellent beaches in front of the resorts. You don’t have to go far to find a good beach on Maui.  But, if you want to go after the best, we have you covered with the best beaches on Maui .

Day 8 (Kauai): Fly to Kauai, Hanalei Bay, & Waterfall Hike

Time to pack your bags and head to another island. You can find great island-hopping flight deals from Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. We recommend you depart Maui’s Kahului Airport for Kuaui before 9:00 am for Lihue, Kauai. Flights are frequent.  

Where to Stay on Kauai: Our favorite place to stay is in Princeville on the North Shore of Kauai. Princeville is home to the nicest resorts , the beaches have stunning mountain backdrops, and you are close to the cutest town on the island – Hanalei. The cons of staying in Princeville is it is wetter during the winter and the winter surf makes the beaches not safe for swimming. 

The next option to stay in the South Shore. Perhaps a better option during the winter months as the south shore of Kauai is dryer and doesn’t get the big waves during the winter. South shore also has nice beaches like Poipu Beach.

The most affordable area to stay is the populated east shore of Kauai. More budget accommodations are available and it is a convenient location between north and south shore activities. 

The itinerary is structured for someone staying in Princeville but it will work regardless of where you stay as Kauai is small. One can almost circumnavigate the island in an hour and 30 minutes. The impassable Na Pali Coast stops a full circumnavigation of Kauai.

Grab your rental car on Kauai. Remember to check out Discount Hawaii Car Rentals for the best deals on the big car rental companies.

Drop-off your bags at your resort and then head to Hanalei Bay for lunch. Hanalei is a charming town on the idyllic Hanalei Bay with waterfalls dotting the 4,000-foot cliffs towering over the bay. 

For lunch in Hanalei check-out The Hanalei Gourmet, Hideaway’s Pizza Pub, or Cafe Turmeric. Those are our three favorites in Hanalei.

 After lunch, you have two options to fill your afternoon. 

Get The Kauai Itinerary

Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Kauai.

Option 1 . Go for a swim in Hanalei Bay.  Or if you’re not visiting during the summer months, check out the best beaches on Kauai in the winter .

Option 2. Hike a 2-mile section of the famous Kalalau Trail. No permit is required to hike from the trailhead to Hanakapiai Beach . The beach is beautiful but dangerous during the winter with big waves and strong riptide. From the beach, you can take another 2-mile trail to Hanakapiai Falls . Both hikes have steep inclines and are unpaved.

Alternatively you can opt for the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu, starting at Shipwreck Beach outside of the Grand Hyatt . The full trail is 4 miles out-and-back, but you can walk as much or as little as you’d like. Take in the sights of the coastline and head back at your discretion.

After the swim or the hike, soak up the amenities at the resort or hotel you picked. 

Day 9 (Kauai): Poipu Beach, Waimea Canyon, and Na Pali Sunset Cruise

Today you explore the Garden Isle. Hop in your car for a road trip through paradise.

Poipu Beach: On the southern tip of Kauai is Poipu Beach . This beach has amazing snorkeling, swimming, bodyboarding, and home to many resting monk seals. The beach has been voted the best beach in America a few times. 

Enjoy the golden-sand beach and soak up the late morning sun. 

Hanapepe Town : As you drive east around the island, stop in Hanapepe. Pick up some taro chips from Taro Ko Farm . The rustic shack is open, just knock for fresh-made chips. Park the car and walk around the historic town. Check out the Swinging Bridge, art galleries, and shops.

If you need another beach stop, drive over to the Salt Pond Beach Park . It is a family-friendly and not crowded beach. 

Lunch: Head to Chicken in a Barrel BBQ at Waimea Plantation Cottages. The BBQ is outstanding and the location is ideal. Have lunch and walk the beautiful grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages.

From here, it is a quick drive up to Waimea Canyon.  

Waimea Canyon: Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon is a 10-mile long, 3,600-feet deep canyon. The red-dirt walls are breathtaking. Choose to enjoy the canyon from two lookouts or hike the many trails around the state park.

Leave time to get to the boat launch.

Na Pali Coast Sunset Dinner Cruise: No trip to Kauai is complete without seeing the Na Pali Coast. Since hiking it is off the table for most people, hop on a sailboat for a luxury experience at a decent price ($210 per person). 

Leaving from Hanapepe/Eleele, dinner cruises will take you on a scenic 4-hour tour of the Na Pali Coast. You can have a dinner cruise or drinks only, depending on your operator. We love this dinner cruise with Holo Holo Charters , and check out the list of all our favorite Na Pali Coast boat tours .  

Day 10 (Kauai): Tube Down a Mountain and Fly Home

In the mountains above Lihue is an adventure like no other. Don a headlamp, sit in a tube, and flow gently down an engineering marvel. Dug by hand in 1870, you can tube down flumes, canals, and through tunnels of the former Lihue Sugar Cane Plantation. 

The 3-hour tour comes with lunch. Check out Mountain Tubing Adventure for tickets. Age 5 and up are $156 per person.

Grab your bags, it is time to head home. 

Hawaii 10-Day Itinerary: Maui and Oahu

For those desiring more nightlife, entertainment, and a vast selection of Pacific and Hawaiian regional cuisine then head to Oahu over Kauai for your final 3-days.

Erica and I lived on Oahu for two years. We love Oahu and so do most as it is the most visited Hawaiian island. But one should consider that Oahu is the most populated island, has nasty traffic, and the beaches get crowded. 

But one can still find quiet places, sea turtles, great snorkeling and surfing, and far more entertainment and cuisine compared to the other Hawaiian islands. Oahu is the Gathering Place for good reason.

Another good reason to end your trip to Hawaii in Honolulu is the airport. Flying home from Oahu may be easier and cheaper compared to going back from Kauai or Maui. 

Oahu 3-Day Itinerary After Maui

For our Oahu itinerary, check out our Best 5-Day Oahu Itinerary.  

For your last 3-days in Hawaii, I recommend you do the following days of our 5-day Oahu itinerary:

🍍 Day 8 (Oahu): Welcome to Waikiki

🍍 Day 9 (Oahu): Exploring North Shore

🍍 Day 10 (Oahu): Windward Side and Fly Home

See our 5-Day Oahu Itinerary or our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary below for more details.

Get The Oahu Itinerary

Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Oahu.

Hawaii Itinerary for 10 Days: Don’t Make These Mistakes

Hawaii is a safe place. Don’t take this list as a do or die list. These are friendly recommendations to help you get a flavor of the culture and be a curious visitor. I wish I had this list for my first few visits to Hawaii. 

We always say to travel with Aloha at the Hawaii Vacation Guide, this list will help you make the most of your Hawaii itinerary. 

🍍 Buy your pineapples at Costco. Costco has the cheapest pineapples on the islands.

🍍 Food in Hawaii is expensive. Buy your groceries at Costco if you have a condo. The second cheapest is Target and Walmart. Safeway is the cheapest local grocery store. Read our guide to cheap groceries for more.

🍍 Never turn your back on the ocean. The ocean is dangerous, don’t let your guard down .

🍍 Please don’t touch the sea turtles, sleeping monk seals, coral, and other wildlife in Hawaii. Hawaii’s creatures are endangered or at risk, watch but don’t harass.

🍍 Wear reef-safe sunscreen. It’s the law as of January 2021. Read Hawaii Reef-Safe Sunscreen for details on what and where to buy reef-safe sunscreen on the mainland and Hawaii.

🍍 They are called Aloha Shirts , not Hawaiian shirts

🍍 Leave lava rocks and sand in Hawaii or you will fall victim to Pele’s Curse . 

🍍 Don’t honk your horn. People drive slow on the islands, so prepare yourself mentally to drive with aloha.

🍍 Don’t leave valuables in your car or unattended on the beach

🍍 Leave your shoes at the door. You will see the pile of slippers (aka, sandals). Leave yours on the pile.

🍍 Try the local food. Eat poke, musubi (rice and spam wrapped in seaweed), malasadas, dine at a food truck with local grindz, and sip a peaberry Kona coffee.

🍍 Don’t walk on the coral reefs. Use a noodle to stay buoyant

🍍 Restaurants, bars, and shops close early, especially local shops. Check closing hours and plan on shopping in the afternoon and having early dinners.

🍍 Locals are residents, Hawaiians are indigenous people of Hawaii.

🍍 Leave yourself downtime in your itinerary. There is so much to do that some visitors get burnt out. Leave yourself time to relax at the beach, a coffee shop, or sit on your board in the ocean.

Tips for Your First Time to Hawaii Itinerary

How many days do people spend in hawaii.

9 days in Hawaii was the average number of days people visited in 2023. 1.2 was the average number of islands visited. 

We aren’t ones to follow the flock, but the average is close to our recommendation of 10-days in Hawaii. You don’t have to be average, set your own itinerary for Hawaii. Add extra days to this itinerary or an extra island or remove the extra island. Have some fun with this itinerary as you do more Hawaii vacation planning.

If you want to ignore all our advice like some of our newsletter readers, see how Dave and Mary visited 4 Hawaiian Islands in just 2 weeks .

The average length of stay of visitors to each Hawaiian island was the following in 2023:

🍍 Maui: 8.8 days

🍍 Kauai: 7.7 days

🍍 Hawai’i: 8.4 days

🍍 Oahu: 7.6 days

🍍 Lanai: 5.1 days

🍍 Molokai: 6.3 days

(source: Hawaii Tourism Authority )

People spend the most time on Maui and for good reason. 

Hawaii Activities to Book in Advance

Consider booking a luau, whale watching, Haleakala sunrise, and a snorkel or boat trip before you leave for your Hawaii vacation. These activities fill up during the peak seasons of the winter and summer months. Plus, by booking early you can get the best price and pick of a tour operator.

Luau: If you want to go to a traditional Hawaiian party with dancing and music for your first time to Hawaii. We recommend going on Day 3 of our 10-day Hawaii Itinerary.

The most popular Luaus in Hawaii fill up fast. If you are visiting during the winter or summer peak seasons, we recommend you book one or two months in advance to play it safe. Early booking also gets you a good seat for seated luaus. 

Maui luaus are the best in Hawaii. The town of Lahaina has the two most popular luaus – The Feast at Lele and Old Lahaina Luau. Decide what one to choose here: Feast at Lele vs Old Lahaina Luau .

Check out more of our favorite luaus on Maui here .

You can always find tickets for luaus at the last minute but luck plays a factor. 

Book Whale Watching: If you are visiting between mid-December and late March, sign up for a whale-watching cruise . Sign up to get the boat you want at the right price. You can book online so you can do this before you arrive. 

By whale watching early in your vacation (Day 3 of our 10-Day Hawaii Itinerary), you can rebook for free if you don’t see whales on your cruise. Book the sunrise tour or the 7:30 am tour for they will be less crowded and a lower price.

We recommend the Pacific Whale Foundation , Hawaii Ocean Project , and for a little more adventure on a raft,  Ultimate Whale Watching . Check out our Maui Whale Watching Guide for tips to save money when booking.

Snorkel and Adventure Cruises: Maui offers amazing shoreline snorkeling but for more of an outing, you can go on a snorkeling cruise. These cruises are a way to make a day out of snorkeling by being on the water, being pampered with a meal and snacks, and going to pristine snorkel spots.

Our favorite snorkeling destinations by guided tour are the following. You can find discount tickets on our recommendations page . 

🍍 Molokini Crater and Turtle Town

🍍 Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Cruises

🍍 Olowalu Kayak Snorkeling

🍍 Hawaiian Paddle Sports – Outrigger Canoe, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and Kayak

The popular cruises are catamaran boat cruises and luxury-ish sailboat cruises. Boat trips are around $85 per person and sailboat excursions are around $180 per person. They are 5-hours in duration.

Related articles:

• 6 Maui Adventure Cruises That You Will Never Forget
• Lanai or Molokini: What Has Better Snorkeling?

Haleakala National Park Sunrise Permit : One of the most memorable things you can do on Maui is to see the sunrise or sunset from 10,023 feet above sea-level. Haleakala means ‘house of the sun’ in Hawaiian because it is from the summit that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun to slow it down.

A reservation is required with the National Park Service for a sunrise viewing from the summit. Reservations can be made 2-months in advance. So set your alarm to book your tickets. Another batch of tickets becomes available 2-days before arrival but they are more competitive. 

Book your Haleakala sunrise tickets here with the National Park Service . 

You can also book with tour companies that will pick you up at your hotel, provide breakfast, and your permit.

The sunset is also outstanding at Haleakala and the sunset does not require a permit. Get a rundown of whether you should go to Haleakala for sunrise or sunset .

Do You Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?

We get asked this a lot, “do you need a rental car when you visit Hawaii?”

We recommend you get a rental car for any Hawaiian island, not just Maui. From our analysis, a rental car will pay for itself if you do three or more activities during your stay in Hawaii. 

But getting a rental car is expensive in Hawaii. Rental cars cost more than the national average.

We break out the decision to rent a car or not in this article: Should You Rent a Car on Maui? . We also give alternatives to renting a car that applies to all the islands. 

If you choose to rent a car, we always rent through Discount Hawaii Car Rental . They are a booking comparison website that uses all the national car carriers but with discounts you can’t get directly with them. We saved $300 during our trip to the Big Island in January. 

• Rental Car Recommendations
• How to Drive Safely on Maui (plus 13 tips to drive with Aloha)
• How to Choose the Best Car to Rent on Maui 

Have a wonderful first visit to Hawaii.

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Thanks for reading The Hawaii Vacation Guide! I'm the co-founder, with my wife Erica, of the best Hawaii travel guide on the internet in our biased opinions. We enjoy traveling throughout Hawaii after living on Maui and Oahu. We share our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii. Editing our videos, teaching the kids how to snorkel, and learning about the 'aina (land) and Hawaii culture are my favorite things to do. Have a wonderful trip to the Aloha State.

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Hawaii offers a variety of activities for visitors to delight in. One must-visit spot is the stunning beaches, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing in the sun. For those seeking adventure, the Big Island's volcanoes and Maui's famous Road to Hana are must-see experiences. Hiking through lush rainforests to hidden waterfalls, or taking a helicopter tour over the islands' breathtaking landscapes, are also popular options.

Hawaii is also a great place to immerse oneself in the local culture. Exploring historical sites such as Pearl Harbor and the Iolani Palace in Honolulu can provide important context to the islands' rich history. Don't miss out on traditional Hawaiian luaus, where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine and experience traditional Polynesian entertainment.

For those interested in marine life, there are ample opportunities for whale watching, swimming with dolphins, and even cage diving with sharks. Furthermore, a visit to the serene and spiritual grounds of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or an excursion to the vibrant city of Honolulu, rounds out the diverse range of activities available.

The best time to visit Hawaii is April to June and September to October. During these times, the weather is generally pleasant with fewer crowds compared to the peak tourist season of July and August.

April to June offers warm temperatures and fewer tourists, making it a great time to explore the islands without dealing with large crowds. September to October also provides great weather with fewer visitors, allowing for a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.

If you're looking to avoid the rainy season, which typically occurs from November to March, it's best to plan your trip during the drier months of April to June and September to October.

Keep in mind that prices for accommodations and flights may be lower during the shoulder seasons, making it a more budget-friendly time to visit.   

Oahu, also known as "The Gathering Place," is the third-largest Hawaiian island and is known for its vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty. It is home to the state capital, Honolulu, and the iconic Waikiki Beach.

Oahu offers a range of attractions for visitors, from historical sites like Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial to the beautiful Diamond Head State Monument. The North Shore is famous for its big waves and is a mecca for surfers. The island also boasts a diverse culinary scene, with a mix of local Hawaiian cuisine and international flavors.

Oahu is rich in cultural experiences as well, with traditional hula performances, luaus, and historical sites such as Iolani Palace and the Bishop Museum. The island's lush landscape offers breathtaking hikes, waterfalls, and botanical gardens, including the serene Byodo-In Temple.

Oahu’s blend of urban energy and natural beauty makes it a top destination for travelers seeking a mix of relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration. Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun on its beautiful beaches or delve into the island’s rich history, Oahu truly has something for everyone.

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How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost?

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Hawaii is often on the short list of dream destinations for a relaxing beach holiday. But a potential trip to paradise doesn’t happen without first asking the critical question: How much is a trip to Hawaii?

The answer varies depending on where you stay and when you travel. We’ve crunched the numbers to give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend so you’re better prepared to budget for a vacation in Hawaii.

Estimated Hawaii trip cost

Beachfront view of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. (Photo courtesy of Hilton)

We looked at the estimated costs of a 10-night trip for a family of four (two adults and two children) during the peak summer travel season, as well as a seven-night trip for that same family during the shoulder season.

Here are the hypotheticals:

Travel to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the most popular island for visitors to Hawaii.

Round-trip flights for four from Los Angeles.

A peak-season trip assumes a June 25, 2024, departure, while a shoulder-season trip assumes a May 8, 2024, departure.

We used three property types to assess price estimates:

A beachfront four-star resort: Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

A three-star hotel: Holiday Inn Express Waikiki. 

A condo: Various Waikiki units on Vrbo.com.

Totals include resort fees :

$50 per night at the four-star resort.

$29.49 per night at the three-star hotel.

All management and cleaning fees at the condo units.

Totals include parking costs of:

$68.06 per day at the four-star resort.

$45 per day at the three-star hotel.

Parking isn't included in condo totals (varies by building/unit).

Meals include nightly dinners of about $225, including drinks, taxes and tips. 

At a four-star resort, meal estimates include breakfasts and lunches totaling about $100 per day. 

Costs at a three-star hotel, which includes free breakfast, include only lunches totaling about $50 per day. 

Tightly budgeted meals assume cutting food costs by 60% with cheap eats and/or preparing meals. 

Activities for the 10-night trip include a snorkeling excursion, surfing lessons, a Pearl Harbor visit and a day at a water park. For the seven-night trip: snorkeling, the Pearl Harbor visit and a day at a water park (no surfing lessons).

Economy rental car reserved through DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com or Turo .

$5-a-day tip for housekeepers .

Based on the information outlined above, here are our estimated budgets.

» Learn more: The best times to visit Hawaii by travel style

10-night trip, peak summer travel season

$15,090: Four-star beachfront resort, with a 10-day rental car.

$10,447: Three-star hotel, with a 10-minute walk to the beach and a five-day rental car.

$7,781 Low-cost condo within walking distance to the beach, tightly budgeted meals and a five-day rental car. 

Seven-night trip, shoulder season

$9,574: Four-star beachfront resort, with a seven-day rental car.

$6,488: Three-star hotel, with a 10-minute walk to the beach and a rental car for two days.

$4,936: Low-cost condo within walking distance to the beach, tightly budgeted meals and a two-day rental car. 

Can you beat these numbers? Definitely. Here are tips on how to save on your vacation to Hawaii.

» Learn more: The best island in Hawaii for first timers

How to cut your Hawaii vacation costs

Stay on the beach or rent a car every day, but don’t do both.

Does your idea of a great vacation involve hitting the open road to explore every corner of the island? Then, don’t pay premium prices for a hotel on the beach.

On the other hand, if your dream trip involves tons of time lounging on the sand and splashing in the pool, don’t pay $55 a day for a rental car plus $68 a day to park it when it’s just going to sit there.

Many Waikiki hotels are within walking distance of a car rental agency, so it’s easy to get a car for just part of your trip. Select “Waikiki” instead of “Honolulu airport” as your pick-up and drop-off location for your rental car. If you pick the car up in the morning, then drop it off at the end of the day, you can save a night’s worth of parking costs, cutting down your trip cost.

The downside to this strategy is you may have to wait in a long line to get your car. So send one adult to pick up the vehicle in the morning while the rest of the crew gets ready for the day. And don’t forget to include airport transfers in your budget. Budget about $37 each way, including tip, for a taxi or rideshare between Waikiki and Honolulu airport.

» Learn more: The cheapest rental car companies

Eat cheaper

If your family of four has a nice dinner at the world-famous Duke’s Waikiki, including cocktails for the adults, an appetizer and a Hula Pie dessert to share, you’ll spend about $225, including taxes and tip. Of course, the beachfront views, tiki torches and aloha spirit might be worth it. But you don’t have to spend that much every night.

Step away from the beach and meals get much cheaper. For example, the outstanding burgers at Cheeseburger in Paradise are about $20, as opposed to the $36 baked fish at Duke’s.

In addition, pizza joints, super-affordable ramen houses, authentic Hawaiian diners such as Rainbow Drive-In, chains such as Denny’s and IHOP and fast-food restaurants including McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway can bring your meal costs down.

Or swing into one of the many ABC Stores to pick up packaged salads, sandwiches, yogurt, snacks, drinks or some spam musubi (a slice of grilled Spam sandwiched between or on top of a block of rice, wrapped in nori) to fill up on the cheap.

More affordable yet, you can buy cereal, coffee, milk, sandwich meats and bread to prepare breakfasts and lunches at your hotel or condo.

» Learn more: Is island hopping in Hawaii worth it?

Consider a condo

You can often find a vacation rental just a few minutes from the beach for much cheaper than you’d pay for a hotel.

For example, we found the condo shown below on Vrbo for 10 nights for $1,942 plus tax, for a total of $2,260. And that’s during peak summer travel.

For a seven-day rental during the shoulder season, you can cut your total accommodations expenditure by around $500 by choosing a condo over a hotel.

Many condos have kitchens, too, so you could save money by making eggs or pancakes for breakfast, spaghetti for dinner and packing sandwiches for lunches while you’re out and about.

» Learn more: Travelers: Save on meals with these tidbits

Pay with points and miles

The question “How much is a vacation to Hawaii?” has a much more appealing answer if you pay using airline miles, hotel points or credit card points — which can erase hundreds or even thousands of dollars from your trip cost.

For more information on how to maximize your points, be sure to check out these articles:

The Cheapest Ways to Fly to Hawaii Using Travel Rewards .

How to Travel to Honolulu on Points and Miles .

Where to Stay in Waikiki With Hotel Points .

How to Visit Hawaii On a Budget .

The Best Oahu Hotels Without Resort Fees .

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

If you want to go to Hawaii

So how much does it cost to go to Hawaii? It can be expensive. Hidden costs like resort fees and exorbitant parking prices can easily break a budget. But there are ways to save on the cost of a vacation to Hawaii.

Traveling before or after the peak summer season can save a considerable amount. In addition, don’t pay a premium to stay on the beach if you won’t take full advantage of that location, and don’t pay up to $68 a night to park a car as you’re splashing around the pool for several days.

To save big, consider a condo where you can cook many of your meals to save on dining. With these simple strategies, your answer to the question “How much is a vacation to Hawaii?” is one that fits your budget.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

10 tropical destinations you can visit without a US passport

A trip to the tropics is one of the best family vacation ideas any time of the year, but many tropical destinations can’t be accessed without a passport. And while in an ideal world everyone in the family would have valid passports ready at any moment, that's not always possible − especially with busy work and school schedules, historically long wait times for passports, and kids needing new passports every five years.

I've heard countless stories of people postponing or canceling family vacations because they discovered their passports were expired or damaged. Even those with valid passports may find they can’t travel because their passports expire within three to six months, which could prevent entry in many countries. 

For my family, fears of delays in issuing new passports are already getting in the way of planning a tropical vacation abroad for spring break , so we're turning instead to tropical vacation spots that do not require a U.S. passport. Fortunately, there are a lot more than you might expect. Some are easier to reach than others, but it’s always good to know all of your choices. Here are the best options. 

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NO PASSPORT NEEDED: 21 best all-inclusive family resorts in the U.S.

The islands of Hawaii are probably the first passport-free tropical destination that comes to mind for many families. Legendary for their beauty, rich culture and hospitality, they're also far-flung enough from the mainland to feel like a genuine tropical vacation despite being one of the 50 United States. That means U.S. citizens not only don’t need a passport to enter, but the islands are also easy to get to, with loads of direct and nonstop flights from all across the country. Hawaii has near-perfect summer-like weather all year long, making it the perfect tropical destination any time of year.

ALOHA STATE: 6 Hawaii family resorts that are nearly all-inclusive

Although there's no shortage of incredible family resorts in Hawaii , the idea of being able to have cultural experiences on-site is very appealing to me, because I always try to expose my family to the local culture wherever we go. In that sense, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on Oahu is a good choice for its immersive cultural experiences and gorgeous beachfront location. A stay at the resort includes access to a team of "Aunties" and cultural experts ready to "talk story" about Hawaiian history and culture. The resort also hosts performances by local Hawaiian musicians, holds Hula lesions, and offers traditional bamboo printmaking experiences. 

On Maui, the Wailea Beach Resort − Marriott, Maui is the place to stay if you want to be as close as possible to the island’s golden-sand beaches. Your family will love the resort's four distinct pools, including Hawaii’s longest resort waterslide. The resort also features a game room and arcade, family-friendly dining, watersports and plenty of cultural events. 

On the Big Island, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is a great choice. The resort features cultural activities and has a strong focus on giving back to the residents of Hawaii. Kids will love the infinity pool, waterslide and water sports. There's also a heated children’s pool for the little ones. 

The easiest passport-free tropical destination for most Americans to reach is sunny Florida. Much of the state has tropical weather all year long. The Sunshine State also boasts resorts that rival those found on the Caribbean islands . Key West, Marco Island, and Orlando are just a couple of Florida destinations well worth a visit. 

My family is partial to Orlando because it has a good mix of resorts with fantastic on-site pools and activities. Hanging out poolside is a great way to enjoy Florida’s tropical weather, and we enjoy the town’s amusement parks . The beaches of Key West are also a personal favorite and, like much of the state, make for great family beach vacations .

FLORIDA FUN: 7 best Florida all-inclusive resorts for families

In Orlando, my family loves the JW Marriott Grande Lakes . The hotel’s lazy river and epic waterslides are the perfect complement to Florida’s tropical weather. The JW Marriott Bonnett Creek is another great choice. A highlight of a stay here for my family was that my kids got to enjoy the hotel's kids club, complete with a rooftop climbing wall, mini-golf course and playground, while I enjoyed an adult dinner and drinks.  

In Key West, just 90 miles from Cuba, the Havana Cabana is a fun family hotel with daily pool parties, poolside popsicles and complimentary snacks in the lobby. This hotel has the largest pool in Key West, so there's plenty of room for everyone to splash the day away. 

3. Closed-loop cruises

Many closed-loop cruises don't require U.S. passports. Closed-loop cruises begin and end at the same port within the United States and stay solely within the Western Hemisphere. For example, if your cruise starts and ends in Miami with a stop in the Bahamas, it is probably a closed-loop cruise. 

Even on a closed-loop trip, some form of government identification will be required to board the cruise ship and to go on land excursions, but it doesn’t have to be a passport. For example, birth certificates for children might be acceptable. It’s important to check with your cruise line before booking to make sure that you have documentation that will be accepted for your cruise. 

FAMILY CRUISES: Kids sail free on these 7 family-friendly cruise lines

While a closed-loop cruise may seem like an attractive option, it’s important to know the risks. If anyone in your family becomes sick and needs to seek medical care off the ship or if you need to leave a cruise early, you may find yourself in big trouble and unable to respond appropriately without valid passports. This is not a risk I would take with my family, but it is an option for those with a higher risk tolerance than me. 

Most major family cruise lines have some closed-loop routes, including Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line . It’s extremely important to verify both that your cruise is closed-loop and what type of documentation you need before booking if you won’t have a valid passport at the time of sailing. 

4. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)

Americans can access three U.S. Virgin Islands without a passport. Traveling around the USVI is easy because most residents speak English and the islands use the U.S. dollar as their official currency. And especially for East Coast families like mine, any of the U.S. Virgin Islands are easier to get to than Hawaii.

CLOSE TO HOME: 19 best family resorts and hotels in the USA

St. Croix is the most far-flung USVI, and it feels like a different world. The island isn't full of large resorts, which makes it a good choice if your family prefers to get out instead of lounging at the pool every day. St. Croix is home to fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling, though, plus four national parks, mangrove estuaries accessible only by kayak, sugar plantations and a historic downtown. You might be particularly interested in visiting St. Croix for a nighttime bioluminescence tour in Salt River Bay, one of only seven full-time bioluminescent bays worldwide.

Stay at the Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort , the first hotel built and operated by a St. Croix family. A building has stood on the land since 1653 and The Buccaneer has operated as a hotel since 1922. The hotel has family cottage suites and lots of activities for kids, including complimentary water sports, a private beach stocked with games, and beach toys. It also hosts local musicians, traditional fire dancers and Caribbean stilt walkers.

5. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)

St. John is also part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and more than 60% of the island is a protected part of the national park system. I visited St. John when my son was an infant and I was taken aback by the island's beauty. I'm anxious to return now that my children are older and can engage in more activities. 

WORTH THE TRIP: These 10 hotels have incredible suites that will wow the whole family  

Exploring the St. John national park is a highlight of any visit. Trunk Bay is a gorgeous beach, and Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail is an easy and kid-friendly introduction to snorkeling and spotting marine life. On St. John, you can also hike through a tropical forest to the ruins of a sugar mill, with a short side trail bringing you to see petroglyphs that are more than 1,000 years old. 

I have two recommendations for where to stay on St. John. If ocean views, a pool and easy access to the beach are your priority, consider Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort . If you'd prefer to be immersed in St. John's tropical national park, book a stay at Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground . The campground is in the heart of the park and even has simple cabins for tent-averse people like me. 

6. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)

Just a short ferry ride from St. John is St. Thomas, which makes it simple to hit two of the three U.S. Virgin Islands on the same trip. When I took the ferry on a previous visit, the ride lasted about 20 minutes each way and was a fun part of the experience. Charlotte Amalie, the pastel-colored capital of the USVI, is on St. Thomas.

TROPICAL TRIPS: 8 all-inclusive family resorts for a tropical winter escape  

It's great for shopping, but your family may be more interested in visiting the Pirate Treasure Museum . There's also loads of pristine beaches and plenty of opportunities for hiking, snorkeling and kayaking here, but I'd recommend staying on St. John and making a day trip of St. Thomas. That way you get to visit two tropical islands in one go without ever having to switch hotels. 

7. Puerto Rico

My favorite family vacations involve a mix of adventure and relaxation, and that's exactly what you get in Puerto Rico. You don't need a passport to visit, but if you've never been there, then that's more of a perk than the whole reason to go. When we talk about Puerto Rico, many people assume it's just one island, but actually it's an archipelago comprising more than 140 islands, of which Puerto Rico (the island itself) is the largest. 

NO HIDDEN FEES: 8 best Puerto Rico all-inclusive resorts for families

Puerto Rico has it all: big cities, tranquil beaches and plenty of history. Historic Old San Juan is full of colorful Spanish buildings, two centuries-old forts, and an arts district. By night, Vieques' Mosquito Bay glows an incredible shade of blue thanks to the bioluminescent organisms that live in the bay. Vieques is one of the offshore islands, easily accessible by ferry as a day trip. Another highlight of Puerto Rico is El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Park system. 

Stay at Caribe Hilton in San Juan, where the kids will delight at the property's peacocks, underwater helmet diving, on-site playground, secluded beach, oceanfront swimming pools and on-site water activities. Interested families can become a Manatee Caretaker for a Day at the resort’s manatee conservation center. The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is another family-friendly hotel option and has been named by FamilyVacationist as one of the best resorts in the world for multigenerational family vacations . It has El Yunque as a backdrop and boasts three pools, including a children’s pool and a huge lagoon-style pool.  

8. American Samoa

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States that sits in the South Pacific. The chain of five islands sits about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. Its remote location makes American Samoa difficult for most mainland Americans to access, but because Hawaii is the closest point in the United States to American Samoa, it's feasible to add a trip to American Samoa onto a trip to Hawaii if you have an extended period of time to travel. 

SUN AND SAND: 11 best all-inclusive beach resorts in the world  

Those who do make it deep into the South Pacific are rewarded with a passport-free tropical vacation rich in Polynesian culture. Believed to be home to the oldest Polynesian culture in the region, American Samoa is a fantastic place to learn about the traditional Polynesian way of life. The National Park of American Samoa is a draw, too. It features fruit bats, a coral reef and a World War II heritage trail.

There aren’t many hotels in American Samoa, but the Tradewinds Hotel is one of the nicest. It’s a good base for exploring the beaches and jungles of American Samoa. The hotel has a pool and easy beach access. 

Guam is a small U.S. territory in Micronesia in the Western Pacific. It has a tropical climate, but before planning a trip be aware of the island’s long rainy season from July to December (dry season is roughly January to June ). Guam's size means nowhere on the island is too far away. By some measures, it's home to the largest mountain in the world, Mount Lamlam. Families who visit can hang out at the beach, dive and enjoy the island's warm culture. 

GO BIG: 10 luxury Caribbean resorts for a splurge family vacation  

Guam also has several family-friendly resorts and hotels. The Hilton Guam Resort and Spa has a private beach and multiple pools. The Hyatt Regency Guam has three pools, waterslides and plenty of aquatic games. 

10. Northern Mariana Islands

Just north of Guam in the Western Pacific lie the 22 Northern Mariana Islands. They're a Commonwealth of the United States, so American citizens can visit any of the islands without a passport. Of all the islands, Saipan draws the most tourists and is where most of the permanent residents of the Northern Mariana Islands live. 

AROUND THE WORLD: 15 best all-inclusive family resorts in the world

You can visit Saipan’s beaches, dive or snorkel in Saipan’s legendary crystal-clear blue waters at the Grotto, take a day trip to Bird Island or Forbidden Island, or spend your days playing water sports on one of the islands' many beaches. The Hyatt Regency Saipan is an excellent choice for family accommodations. The resort has expansive tropical gardens, an enormous pool, and easy access to Saipan’s white-sand beaches and blue waters of the West Pacific. Kids will love the pool’s cascading waterfall and volleyball net. 

10 passport-free tropical vacations for families originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.  

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 10 best beach resorts in Florida for families  
• 10 best Costa Rica all-inclusive resorts and beach hotels  
• 13 best all-inclusive Mexico resorts for families  

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we review and select family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 10 tropical destinations you can visit without a US passport

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2024 NFL Draft: Titans explain why they chose T'Vondre Sweat No. 38 overall despite recent DWI arrest

Tennessee's brass even took a trip to visit sweat and his family.

The Tennessee Titans added one of the biggest offensive linemen in the draft with JC Latham at No. 7 overall, and followed it up by selecting one of the biggest defensive linemen in the draft with T'Vondre Sweat out of Texas.

The 2023 Outland Trophy winner was also a unanimous All-American this past season, and was named the Defensive Big 12 Player of the Year. Sweat is a talent, but he was expected to fall down teams' draft boards due to off-field issues.

Earlier this month, Sweat was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. That same week after being released from jail, he was off to Nashville to visit with the Titans.

After making the selection, Titans general manager Ran Carthon explained to reporters why Tennessee decided to spend a top 40 pick on Sweat. He said they spent a lot of time talking about Sweat's mistake, and the Titans brass, including head coach Brian Callahan, even flew to Sweat's hometown to visit with him. Carthon said the Titans had tough conversations with Sweat and his family about the poor decision he made. Ultimately, all of their research led to the Titans feeling comfortable enough to select Sweat. 

Check out all that Carthon said, here:

. @TexasFootball DT T’Vondre Sweat’s first visit after his DWI was with the @Titans . The team asked him tough questions, and also sent a big contingent to meet with Sweat in his hometown to spend time with him and his family to vet the situation to their satisfaction. pic.twitter.com/tOINGZP4fv — Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) April 27, 2024

In 14 games played last year, Sweat recorded 45 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and four passes defended. He and All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons could form quite the dynamic duo on the inside. Sweat is about 360 pounds, but said on Friday he wants to get down into the 350s. If he does, Sweat believes " most likely I am going to be a Hall of Famer ."

CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Chris Trapasso graded the Sweat pick a "C-."

"Monstrous NT who finally demonstrated a glimmer of pass-rush capability with hand work as a senior. Not as good against the run or double teams as his size indicates. Probably two-down player in the NFL . Tennessee did need more size inside along the DL, but this is too early for a limited player."

( For CBS Sports' NFL Draft tracker, click here )

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