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Which Hawaii island is best for kids?

Which Hawaii island is best for families? Which Hawaii island is best for kids? As a Hawaii Travel Agent, I get these questions a lot! The truth is that Hawaii is very family-friendly overall.

However, I’ve read a few reviews by families who weren’t happy with their treatment or lack of amenities for children. Problems like this can be avoided with a little bit of pre-planning or working with a Hawaii Travel Agent (like me!) to customize your vacation!

As an expert in Hawaii travel, I always give my clients personalized recommendations before we book. You can check out my services here or contact me for more information. Let’s get on to the post!

I already have a fun post about which Hawaii to visit in December. Still, I wanted to write another one specifically for families and not dependent on any time of year. Now that we know that Hawaii is very family-friendly let’s discuss the pros and cons of a family vacation to the four major islands.

Do I need a rental car in Hawaii?

Before we get started, let’s talk rental cars. You’ll definitely need a car in Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. On Oahu, it’s optional, but I highly recommend it. Public transportation is excellent in Oahu, but you’ll want to venture beyond Waikiki and Honolulu, at least for part of the trip. You’ll find the best prices anywhere at Discount Hawaii Car Rental.

Now, let’s get to which Hawaii island is best for kids, starting with Oahu. Oahu may be the first island that comes to mind when considering Hawaii, but is it best for families?

Oahu

Oahu has the largest population and the most to do regarding human-made activities. I always remind clients that there is so much more to Oahu than just Waikiki, so if you choose to visit Oahu, make sure to venture outside of Waikiki and Honolulu.

things to do in Hawaii

If you want to see if Oahu is the best option for your family, check out the top 10 things to do on Oahu. You can also check out 10 things to do in Waikiki.

Pros:

Oahu has many “human-made” things to do, including shopping, including high-end shopping, a zoo, a waterpark, and more.
You don’t necessarily need a car on Oahu (but you should read why you need a rental car in Hawaii anyway.)
International flights are often cheaper to Oahu, although domestic flights tend to be less expensive to Kauai and the Big Island.
Oahu has plenty of historical significance, cultural activities, and historical sites.
Disney’s Aulani Resort is located on Oahu. Aulani is a fantastic choice for Disney-loving families who want to experience Disney in Hawaii. Even though it’s a Disney resort, Aulani has done an incredible job infusing Hawaiian culture with Disney magic.

Maui vs. Oahu

Cons

Some things in Oahu are competitively priced because of a lot of competition. However, some things, like parking, are at a premium.
Hotel rooms are often smaller, at least in the Waikiki area. Of course, you can get a larger space, but that will come at a cost. One of my favorite resorts (full review of Hyatt Regency Waikiki here) has the largest standard rooms in Waikiki.
Oahu is the most popular and populated island for vacations, so it’s packed with people and cars. You’ll have to plan activities carefully and give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go.

Hawaii bucket list

The best places for families to stay on Oahu:

Maui

Maui is the second most popular island for tourism and is often considered for honeymoons. However, Maui is very family-friendly if you know where to stay! Maui has one adults-only resort and several resorts that (although not adults-only) cater to adults rather than families.

Molokini Crater is a must-see on Maui! Check out the best Hawaii island to visit.

Check out the 7 best things to do on Maui to see if Maui is a good option for you.

Pros:

Maui may not have some of the “big city” activities that Oahu does, but there are still plenty of things to do!
Maui can be the best of both worlds because it offers something for everyone.
Some of the most beautiful beaches are located on Maui. You’ll find beautiful beaches of all colors.
The famous “Road to Hana” and Haleakala are located on Maui and are a favorite activity for most families.
If your family loves snorkeling and boat activities, Molokini Crater is one of the top tours of all of the Hawaiian islands. You can check out the other top tours in Hawaii here.

Cons:

Maui can be honeymoon-oriented (individual resorts in particular.)
There is no “big city” in Maui. (This might be a pro!)
Maui is generally more expensive when it comes to flights, resorts, and some other things.

My favorite resort for families in Maui is the Hyatt Regency Maui. Check out my full review!

Kauai

Welcome to Jurassic Park! The oldest of the Hawaii islands, when you see a movie that was “filmed in Hawaii,” it was most likely filmed on Kauai. Kauai is relatively untouched compared to some of the other islands, and no building is taller than a palm tree. Even though Kauai is more “remote,” the island still offers upscale accommodations.

best beaches in Kauai for swimming

Check out the ten best things to do on Kauai or 25 more things to do on Kauai.

Pros:

Kauai is great for families who love outdoor activities
The Garden Isle is less expensive and generally quieter than the other islands.
Kauai is arguably the most beautiful island, and the Na Pali coast is particularly spectacular.
From most mainland destinations, Kauai offers the cheapest flights.

Cons:

Kauai has fewer activities and restaurants than the other islands, particularly Oahu or Maui.
Kauai is the only island that gets a lot of rain in one of the more populated/tourist areas. It rains a lot in the popular Hanalei/Princeville area, where many of the high-end resorts are located.
There is only one main road around Kauai (most of the way), and it gets congested.

I have two resorts that I love for families, Koloa Landing Resort and Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Big Island:

The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands and also the biggest. Thanks to the active volcano, it continues to grow every day. The Big Island has many different climate zones; you never have to drive far to be somewhere completely different.

best hawaii island for kids | best hawaii island for families

Check out the 7 best things to do on the Big Island or 25 things to do in Kona.

Pros:

The active volcano is on the Big Island; most families want to see Kilauea.
Accommodation on the Big Island can be less expensive than on the other islands.
Hawaii Island offers a lot of diversity, from beautiful waterfalls to the active volcano to Mauna Kea.
Although I love Molokini Crater on Maui, the Big Island has some fantastic snorkeling, too!

Cons:

You’ll spend more time in the car on the Big Island. This could be a pro as Hawaii Island is beautiful, but kids might be restless after the long flight and not eager to spend time in the car.
Many visitors aren’t as impressed by the volcano as they think they will be. If you’re expecting a cartoon-style eruption, you’ll be disappointed. You also can’t always find active lava flow; many people do not know that.
While the Big Island offers many natural activities, fewer human-made activities are available.

My top recommendation for where to stay with kids? Westin Hapuna Beach. It’s on the best beach on the Big Island!

Which Hawaii island is best for families?

So, which Hawaii island is best for kids and families? The answer depends on your family! Here are some very general recommendations.

If a big city atmosphere, nightlife, or high-end shopping are essential to your family, Oahu is the choice for you!
Kauai is an excellent choice if your family loves hiking, kayaking, biking, water activities, or anything outdoors.
If seeing Kilauea is a must or you’d like to experience many different things on one island, visit Hawaii Island!
Maybe your family needs something that’s a bit in between the hustle and bustle of Oahu, but still offers some shopping, lots of restaurant options, and more? Maui might be an excellent choice for your family.

Can we visit all of the Hawaiian islands in one trip?

It’s easy to want to visit all of the islands, but I don’t recommend doing that unless you have at least three weeks for your vacation. Every Hawaii island is terrific, and you’ll want to take time to explore them fully.

More Hawaii Travel Tips: