Family Vacation to Hawaii? Here’s What You Need to Know

Of all the places in the world, there’s no place like Hawaii  — And there’s nothing like a family vacation to Hawaii. This is a place for connection, to find beauty and energy. Soak in the sun, splash in the ocean, and enjoy time together. 

Families of all shapes and sizes can have a great time in Hawaii, as there are so many different adventures and experiences waiting for you here. 

But you have questions. Is a Hawaii family vacation the best choice for your big trip? And how do you even start to plan it? 

Let’s dive in and get you ready for your favorite vacation yet. 

Cost of Family Vacation to Hawaii

It’s the question that most people start with: What does a family vacation to Hawaii cost? 

After all, Hawaii seems like an exotic location, a dream destination that comes with an exorbitant price tag. 

The good news is that it is possible to have a great Hawaii vacation on a budget. The bad news? Hawaii isn’t a budget destination, so it’s a trip that most families save up for. 

Consider these basic costs for a trip to Oahu:

• Economy flights for $600-$900 per person
• $1300 – $2500 for five nights in a budget-level condo
• $500 – $700 for a rental car

And most of those prices will be higher if you vacation on Hawaii Island, Maui, or Kauai. 

Then you’ll need to budget for food, activities, souvenirs, and odds-and-ends. 

So on the low end, a budget family vacation to Hawaii could cost as little as $6,000 – if you’re thrifty and skip out on paid activities. 

A more realistic option is a $10,000 vacation, which offers more room in your budget for nicer accommodations, a range of activities, and/or more meals out. 

Best Islands & Times to Visit

This is also one of the biggest FAQs we get about a Hawaii family vacation. And we’ve dedicated lots of travel blog posts to this topic. After all, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we do have some things to consider as you choose which island to visit, and when to visit it. 

Best Island for a Hawaii Family Vacation

Instead of telling you the one best island that’s right for you, let’s highlight each island’s best features, so you can see which one will fit your family. 

Oahu 

Never visited Hawaii before? Oahu is a great island for first-time visitors. There are lower-cost accommodations (along with splurge-worthy resorts), and tons of sightseeing. Most Oahu vacationers don’t stay within a resort bubble – instead, they visit many beaches, try lots of unique foods, and explore different attractions. 

Oahu family-friendly spots & activities include Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Waima Valley, various luau, surf lessons, Kualoa Ranch, and Iolani Palace. 

Maui

Maui’s another popular spot for first-time visitors, though it’s pricier than Oahu. Hotels here cost more, but you won’t be cramped into an urban high-rise (like many spots on Oahu). Beach days are the biggest activity you’ll do on Maui (there are so many great beaches for families!).

But Maui also has amazing upscale dining, lots of hiking trails, ziplining tours, and the infamous Road to Hana. 

Hawaii Island

Most people who visit Hawaii Island (AKA the Big Island) are there for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This is the ultimate spot for seeing and learning about volcanoes. But how does the rest of the island fare for family vacations?

Hawaii Island feels spacious and quiet. Most visitors stay in Kona (a more bustling and touristy area) or Hilo (quieter and more local). Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy lots of beach time and get into the jungle with many hikes and botanical gardens. Deep-sea fishing is best in Kona, and it’s where you can enjoy an iconic night swim with manta rays. 

Kauai

Kauai typically lands on the bottom of our list when we’re recommending islands for families, but it’s really not fair. This is an excellent island for families, whether you are bringing along young tots or adventurous teens. 

Stay in a relaxed vacation rental or a sprawling resort. Poipu is the most touristy spot on the island, but there are options on the North Shore. 

While you’re on Kauai, you’ll spend time on the beach and hike through dense forests. Kauai has Hawaii’s only navigable rivers, and you can tube through old irrigation ditches (a big hit for kids!). Kauai also has charming small towns and unique landscapes for sightseeing. 

Want to know more? Here’s our full guide to which island to visit in Hawaii!

Best Time of Year for your Hawaii Vacation

Ok, we do have a more straightforward answer for this question. The best time to visit Hawaii is the time that works for you! 

We do have a few notes about the different times of year, but really, you should plan your vacation for a timeframe that works with your life. Whether that means waiting until kids are out of school, bringing the family along for a work conference, or jetting out on an off-season getaway. The ultimate goal is for your vacation to be timed well with everything else going on in your life. 

With that being said, if you want to do whale watching during your family vacation to Hawaii, you MUST visit from December through March. That same time frame is when there is big wave surfing in Hawaii. 

Crowds will go up when school’s out, but it’s nothing that will ruin a trip. And prices go up during school breaks too – that’s the trade-off for not missing days in class. 

Best Things to Do During your Hawaii Family Vacation

You’ve got your trip budgeted, and you’ve planned your island and timeframe. Now let’s get to the fun stuff! What will you do while you’re here? Is it just a bunch of beach days, or are there activities to book for the kids? 

Below are our top activities for any family vacation on any island. Take a look and start seeing how your Hawaii trip will play out. 

Beach Days

It’s the top thing to do in Hawaii (though it’s far from the only thing to do). Beach days in Hawaii are unbeatable. And it’s the perfect activity for families. 

At the right beach, you can sunbathe, swim, snorkel, play in the sand, bodyboard, and picnic. Just make sure you find a place with calm waters and lots of space. We like going in the morning for the best beach conditions. 

Hiking

Hiking is also a top activity in Hawaii, and it’s available at nearly every ability and level. There are paved, single-level trails along with treacherous multi-day treks. For our family, we look for hikes that are a mile or two long and include some shade and amazing views. Bonus if there’s a waterfall at the end. 

Concerned about safety while hiking? Choose a busy, popular trail and stay on the marked paths. Be sure to bring valuables on the trail with you, along with water, sunscreen, and layered clothes. 

Sightseeing

Hawaii has so many unique sights, it would be a shame to only see what’s outside your hotel room. If you have a rental car, you should get out and about and discover the overlooks, architecture, and gardens throughout Hawaii. 

If you’re without a car (or want to safely sightsee from the passenger seat), Hawaii Aloha Travel can help set you up with a guided tour.

Here’s our favorite sightseeing in Hawaii!

Pool Days

Families always love spending time at the pool, and many hotels and condos in Hawaii have amazing pools that will keep your family entertained all day. 

We find that small kids especially love spending time at the hotel pool. My little ones will say it’s their favorite part about Hawaii vacations. 

So even if you want to do lots of sightseeing and snorkeling and all that unique-to-Hawaii fun stuff, remember to set aside time to relax at the pool with your family. 

Museums and Tours

Hawaii is such a historically and culturally rich place – you should definitely enjoy its many museums and attractions while you’re here. Whether that’s a historical building like Iolani Palace, a Kona coffee farm tour, or a State or National park, you’ll discover so much about the islands around you. 

Dining

Families will love all the different food you can try in Hawaii. And that doesn’t mean sitting through fancy meals every night. Actually, some of the most unique foods are at our local fast food and plate lunch spots. You can get fresh poke at most grocery stores, and Asian flavors abound at many local eateries. 

Luau

Should you go to a luau during your family vacation to Hawaii? Luau are certainly fun, but they’re not for everyone. They can be expensive, and a lot for younger kids to sit through. 

But if you have older kids and a flexible budget, a luau could be the most memorable part of your trip. Enjoy a buffet dinner, tropical drinks, and unique entertainment, all in a beautiful setting. 

Excursions

Paid activities and excursions also fall in the bucket of “great-if-you-have-the-budget-but-ok-to-skip.”

When I take my family vacations to Hawaii, I’m careful to select the excursions we will enjoy most and make room for them in my budget. That may be a snorkel tour, or a zipline experience, or a horseback riding trip, or a surf lesson. Whatever it is, it’s sure to be amazing. 

But… if these excursions are making your vacation seem too expensive, you could easily have a great time enjoying free and cheap activities in Hawaii. 

Family Reunions

We’ve mostly talked about smaller family vacations today, so let’s take a minute and discuss family reunions in Hawaii. 

First of all, Hawaii is an excellent place for a family reunion, as long as everyone can afford the trip. There are plenty of activities, but also room to simply enjoy downtime as a family. 

Hawaii Aloha Travel has a program especially for family reunions and group travel. So, if you’re interested in planning a reunion trip to Hawaii, be sure to fill out our Hawaii group travel form, and we’ll help make everything as streamlined as possible. Plus, we’ve got some money-saving opportunities for groups. 

Your Family Vacation to Hawaii

Have we convinced you to take a family vacation to Hawaii? We can already hear your kids shrieking with joy as they run on the beach. And we want to make it as easy as possible for you to get here. 

We’re a locally-based travel team with loads of experience and knowledge about the islands. We can help with itineraries, activities, and bookings. So let’s connect and see how we can make this your most treasured family vacation. 

More of a DIY vacation planner? Be sure to check out our Hawaii Travel Blog for all kinds of info, advice, and updates.