For the love of Waikiki

Many people dream of Waikiki with it’s clear blue water, rolling surf and umbrella laden cocktails. You can easily spend a week people watching, playing in the water, shopping and eating all the food – so many desserts and so little time. Parking is pricey and car rentals have skyrocketed in the past years so most opt to go car-less. If you’re stuck in the city and feeling little stir-crazy or if you simply want to experience more I put together a list of the best of Waikiki for families.

Take a Hike

If you’re in the mood for a change of scenery, there are several nearby hiking trails. Even if you don’t have a car you can take the bus or an Uber/Lyft to get you there.

• Manoa falls Trail – Experience the rainforest with a canopy covered stroll along the stream culminating in a waterfall. It’s a 1.7 mile hike to get to the waterfall and back, but the path is wide and well-marked. Expect to pay a parking fee and go early or late to avoid crowds.
• Diamond Head – Make your way to the top of this icon crater for stunning Waikiki views. They created a reservation system to limit crowds so plan this one in advance by snagging your spot from the park here. P.S. it can get super hot so try to go early or late.
• Waahila Ridge – Escape the beaten path with this steep ridge hike or take your pick from an extensive trail system at the back of Makiki Valley just beyond Waikiki.

Alternatives to Waikiki Beach

The bright, clear waters and perfect waves of Waikiki are not to be missed but if you’re looking for alternatives you might consider these nearby options.

Magic island – A bustling park and perfect little crescent beach sit at the top of Ala Moana Beach Park. A great spot for a swim and picnic with sunset views of Diamond Head and the Waianae Mountains. If you happen to visit on a Friday evening, you might luck out with a bonus fireworks show at the Hilton.

Diamond Head Beach Park – If you’re a surfer looking to escape the crowds at Waikiki or have a curious kid who loves tidepools, this narrow rocky beach is a fun change of pace.

Wailalae Beach Park – You can escape the crowds for a stroll along this palm tree lined beach in the upscale neighborhood of Kahala. The water is usually calm and clear but the beach is narrow so it’s best at low tide. It’s spot I love for sunset family photos.

Take to the Seas

There are lots of different flavors here depending on your interests. You can dive (meh, not great), snorkel at turtle town (can get very crowded but an easy way to see turtles), take a sunset sail, a whale watch tour (better from the north or leeward shores from Dec-May), charter a fishing boat, see Waikiki from above by para-sail or you can take a pirate ship.

Pirate ship adventure If you’re not a snorkeling kind of family, this is a great way to get out on the water and keep the family entertained.

For Animal Lovers

If you’re an animal lover you might want to check out the Honolulu Zoo or the Waikiki Aquarium. Both are small and … perfectly fine. No, really, I like them both quite a bit and have spent countless hours at both. However, if you’re visiting and short on time you may want to skip them. Especially if you have access to a nice zoo or aquarium.

Best of Waikiki for Families?

What would you add to the list? If you’re lucky enough to have a car you can find more ideas for the best day ever here.

Who is this list for?

Oahu activities for adventurous families is list of personal favorites. This list is for families who love nature, the beach and like to get off the beaten path to try something a little different. There are ideas for a few beaches, a few hikes and a bonus.

Adventurous Beaches

Is an adventurous beach a thing? Yes, it most definitely is. These are spots where should know how to swim and keep an eye on ocean.

• Halona Beach Cove – This tiny beach is tucked away along Oahu’s southeast rugged shores. The steep ascent and high surf make it tricky, but rewarding.

• Snorkel at Electric Beach – Oahu’s Leeward coast has a thirsty, rugged beauty. You’ll find raw beaches studded by sharp kiawe trees and pounded by the surf. Experience the power of the ocean from the stretch of coastline beyond Koolina to Kaena Point.

• Waimea Bay – In the summer months this bay is a placid lake dotted with sailboats, but in the winter the shore break is a beast eager to slam you into the sand. The popular jumping rock tests your bravery and the memories stick with you for a lifetime.

• Ke iki Beach – This wide expanse of beach has my heart – from the mountain view to the glorious sunsets silhouetting whales, dolphins, and manta rays. True, the massive rocks draw you in but then threaten to shred you feet, but it’s worth it. At low tide, there is a fun little tidal shelf to explore. Not nearly as big as adjacent shark’s cove, or Three Tables but a lovely alternative. If you can brave the shore break (easier in summer), you can snorkel out and around toward Shark’s Cove.

Adventurous Family Hikes

Hawaii has no shortage of adventurous hikes with its knife ridges and slippery waterfalls. This list is safe enough for families who don’t want to cheat death necessarily, just adventure a little further. A little harder.

• Kuliouou Trail – This is a ridge trail so you get great views and a summit trail so you get views of both Honolulu and windward Oahu. The final bit takes you through some native vegetation which you can examine with great care as you pant for breath.

• Poamoho Trail – This may be my favorite hike on the island. True, it’s not accessible without a 4WD and (an easy to obtain in advance permit), but it’s level, beautiful throughout and its a summit hike.

• Crouching Lion Trail – Crazy steep and a bit sketchy but super short. You can keep going up the mountain if can’t get enough but we prefer to make our way down for lunch at the Poi Factory instead.

Bonus Family Activity

We regularly have this conversation at our home on weekends – Do you want to go to the beach? No. Do you want to go for a hike? No. Well, then there’s nothing else to do. Honestly, we don’t have this conversation anymore because –

1. There no free weekends. They all belong to soccer and we spend most of our time moving back and forth from Kailua to Waipio Soccer Complex.

2. We know the answers will invariably be no to both questions because as teens/tweens my kids never want to go to the beach or for a hike. It’s frustrating.

Anyway, if you’re at the point in your trip where you don’t feel like the beach or a hike but still want to do something active (that doesn’t involve soccer, the mall, or PokemonGo), you can ride horses at Gunstock Ranch.

And there you have it, Oahu activities for adventurous families. If you’re looking for ideas, you can see four versions of the “Best Day Ever” on Oahu here.