Looking to take an exciting trip with your family and dive into some adventures? The Big Island of Hawaii has a plethora of fun activities to participate in! From beautiful beaches to exciting experiences or cultural exploration, Kona offers activities that all age ranges will love. Continue reading as we unveil five Big Island activities for families to enjoy, ensuring your vacation will be full of unforgettable memories!
Top 5 Big Island Activities for Families near Kona
- Magic Sands Beach
- Manta Ray Snorkeling
- ATV or Carving Tours at Aloha Adventure Farms
- Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
- Kailua Village Walking Tour
Magic Sands Beach
Magic Sands BeachOne of the best things about being in Kona with your family are the beaches. The beaches are very accessible from the area, usually about 10-15 minutes away! Kona also has a few bay areas that don’t have as many waves crashing in (think Kua Bay), which is perfect when you’re trying to keep an eye on younger kids.
One beach that we love in particular is Magic Sands Beach (La’aloa Bay Beach Park). This beach is known for its golden sand and its crystal clear waters. Because of this, it is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding! Make sure to bring your goggles, plenty of snacks, water, and sunscreen before checking out the beautiful area. For younger children, bring a few beach toys like sand buckets/shovels! If you have teens, games like spikeball would be fun to play with the whole family there! Be sure to check this out as one of the Big Island family activities!
Location: Ali’i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Manta Ray Snorkeling
Manta Ray SnorkelingIf you’re a family who loves snorkeling and seeing ocean life, a must-do activity is the manta ray night snorkel. Sea Quest is our favorite company to do this with! Firstly, you’ll board a boat with the tour guides, where they will take you out into Keauhou Bay, right across from the Outrigger Hotel. From there, the tour guides will set up a blue light with flotation and provide plankton to specifically attract the Manta Rays into the area. Snorkeling gear and wetsuits are provided (along with snacks), and you will be able to watch as multiple manta rays swim right underneath you! It is a one-of-a-kind experience, and here on the Big Island, as a Kona family, it is the best location to do it!
Location: 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
ATV or Carving Tours at Aloha Adventure Farms
ATV or Carving Tours at Aloha Adventure FarmsAnother fun adventure to embark on is an ATV/UTV experience! This is a must in terms of big island activities for families. At Aloha Adventure Farms, everyone from the ages of 3+ can participate in this Big Island ATV tour. For those 16 and up, you can ride as a single rider on our ATVs! For those who are younger, riding in the UTV as a passenger is still tons of fun (parents with young children are also welcome to ride in the UTVs if that is more comfortable for everyone)!
At Aloha Adventure Farms, the whole family will be entertained as you ride into the jungles of Holualoa (just 10 minutes from Kona!), through the coffee plantation, and to our four different guided stops. Each of these different stops highlights a different Polynesian Island, where the tour guides will teach you about the various cultures and everyone will be able to enjoy some games, snacks, and facts about Polynesia!
You can also do the Polynesian woodcarving tour as a family (for those 8+), where you will spend time with our 4th generation tiki carver from Tonga. You will have the opportunity to carve your own tikis (with the help of the Master Carver) and have a great souvenir to go home with!
Location: 77-6261 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, HI 96725
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
At this coastal park by the airport, you can see petroglyphs, sacred Hawaiian temples, and explore early engineering of Native Hawaiians. There is also an abundance of wildlife to observe, including Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), native birds, and perhaps a Hawaiian monk seal. You can check out the Visitor Center to learn about guided tours and other programs you can participate in, which is open daily from 8:30am to 4pm. Kids and adults alike will find learning about the culture/seeing the animal life exciting!
Location: Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Kailua Village Walking Tour
Kailua Village Walking TourThere is a free walking tour taking place in Kailua Village! It happens on Wednesdays (Cruise ship days) where tourists and locals alike are able to meet up at 9:30am to enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic village. This tour is led by Palena Keeling, who grew up in Kailua Village. She will teach the group about Hawaiian culture and provide the background of the village.
The tour starts at the banyan tree adjacent to Kailua Pier, and ends at Hulihe’e Palace, which is one of the three royal palaces in America built by Governor John Adams. You will also see Kamakahonu, the reconstructed residence of King Kamehameha’s home, Ahu’ena Heiau, a restored temple that was the center of political power in the Hawaiian kingdom, and Mokuaikaua Church, which is the first Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands. This is a unique experience you can enjoy on the big island as a family!
Location: Kaahumanu Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
There is an abundance of fun waiting for your family on the Big Island of Hawaii! As you plan your trip, rest assured that there are plenty of activities to create lasting memories with your loved ones. To cap off your unforgettable adventure, don’t miss the unique experiences at Aloha Adventure Farms. Whether you’re racing through the lush jungles of Holualoa on a Big Island ATV tour or participating in a hands-on Polynesian woodcarving tour, your family will enjoy exploring the island’s natural beauty and rich culture. Under the guidance of a 4th generation tiki carver, you’ll even create a one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember your time in Hawaii. These activities are sure to make your trip truly special, providing memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.
