Our family trip to the Big Island

Our Family Trip to the Big Island with Four Kids (Three Under Three!)

Let me start by saying that one week was nowhere near enough time. This was my first time on the Big Island, and it certainly did not disappoint. The island is full of incredible beaches and breathtaking landscapes. While we didn’t make it to every single beach w had hoped fir, the ones we did visit did not disappoint. Soft sand, calm waves, kid-friendly spots, and a perfect mix of sun and breeze.

Day 1: Arrival and Hilton Pool Day We rented a condo in Waikoloa. This is a great area filled with resorts and tourist-friendly amenities. Our rental came with pool passes to the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Hilton was a massive resort with multiple pools, waterslides, and kid-friendly activities. It took some navigating to validate our passes, but once inside, we discovered a small, calm beach area perfect for little ones. The inlet allowed ocean water in while keeping the area free from waves, making it an ideal spot for our first day of fun in the sun.

Day 2: Hilo, Farmers Market, and Volcano National Park We took Saddle Road across the island to Hilo. A wide-open space with lots of mountain views. Since we visited on a Wednesday, we stopped at the famous Hilo Farmers Market. We tried Kula Shave Ice (so refreshing!) and Poke N Sides—the California poke, crab salad, and purple potato salad were delicious. The market was pricey, and we spent $60 on tie-dye shirts for the kids. We enjoyed fresh fruit and coconut water for our toddler, who is obsessed with it.

After the market, we drove to Volcano National Park. Unfortunately, we had just missed an eruption that ended four hours before our arrival—major disappointment! Still, we explored the visitor center, where the rangers were helpful, and hiked to the ancient lava tubes, an easy loop that even our two-year-olds managed on their own.

On our way back to Waikoloa, we made a stop at Mauna Kea to catch the sunset. What we didn’t expect was the sudden temperature drop to 45°F and strong winds. The kids didn’t last long outside. We watched the sunset from the car and skipped stargazing, which I’ve read is spectacular. Next time, we’ll plan better!

Day 3: Malasadas, Beach 69, and Lava Lava Beach Club We started the day hunting for the famous roadside malasada truck. It opened much later than expected. It was worth the wait, but at $70 for a dozen, we might pass next time. From there, we headed to Beach 69, a gorgeous sandy beach with shaded spots under the trees. The kids played for hours. we managed to get the three youngest to nap for over two hours on the beach—an absolute win for mom and dad! We ended the day at Lava Lava Beach Club, where the kids played in the sand while we waited for our (pricey but delicious) meal.

Day 4: Manta Ray Night Snorkel Adventure We discovered Manta Restaurant inside the Mauna Kea Beach Resort while looking for breakfast. The $50 per person buffet was expensive but incredible. the beachfront setting was breathtaking. We took advantage of the $20 valet and spent the rest of the day enjoying the resort’s pristine beach.

That night, we went on the Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Seaquest Kona. I was nervous about my six-year-old participating, as life jackets weren’t allowed in the water. However, the tour provided snorkel gear and pool noodles for flotation. The manta rays were absolutely mesmerizing. They swam close enough to brush against you. My son said it was his favorite part of the entire trip!

Day 5: Captain Cook Snorkel Trip We booked a boat and snorkel trip with Captain Cook Tours. It took us to the famous Captain Cook Monument. The hour-long boat ride was scenic. The cove was full of colorful fish and even some dolphins! While my dad, son, and I snorkeled, my husband (who, despite my best efforts, got sunburned) and grandma stayed on board with the little ones. We wrapped up the day with a delicious seafood boil at Rock ‘n Crab.

Day 6: Kona and Departure We spent our last day in Kona, exploring the waterfront shops before realizing the traffic and crowds weren’t ideal for our little crew. Instead, we dropped off my parents and took the kids to a playground. After a relaxing afternoon, we headed to the airport for our late-night flight. I have to say—I love Hawaii’s outdoor airports!

Essential Travel Tips:

1. Pack Light but Smart— Traveling with four kids meant being strategic about packing. We fit everything into one large suitcase by using compression packing cubes, which helped keep clothes organized and saved space. Our condo had a washer and dryer, allowing us to do laundry daily and wear the same outfits, making it easy to pack light.
2. Hilton Pool Passes—Our rental included Hilton Waikoloa Village pool passes, which gave us access to a variety of pools, slides, and a calm beach area. If you’re staying in the area, it’s worth looking for a rental that includes these passes to save on expensive resort fees.
3. Bring Your Own Life Jackets—Many locations did not provide life jackets, so we brought our own Coast Guard-approved kids’ life vests. These were crucial for keeping our toddlers safe at the beach, pool, and on our boat tours.
4. Sunscreen is a Must—Hawaii’s sun is intense, and sunscreen is a necessity. Especially for the little ones. We applied sunscreen multiple times a day, and while the kids avoided burns, my husband learned the hard way why this is non-negotiable.
5. Airport Survival Kit—Flights with young kids can be challenging, so we packed an airport survival kit that included snack organizers, coloring books, and reusable water bottles (we love Owala water bottles). The real game-changer? Inflatable footrests that created a cozy, bed-like setup for our toddlers, these along with travel blankets inside their own travel bags to prevent touching contaminated surfaces helped make long flights significantly easier.
6. Diaper Bag Bassinet—For our youngest, we used a diaper bag that converts into a portable bassinet, allowing her to nap anywhere—whether at the airport, the beach, or during meals at restaurants. This eliminated the need for bulky travel cribs.
7. Compact Stroller and Baby Carrier—Navigating through the airport and attractions was much easier with a lightweight travel stroller and an Ergo baby carrier. The carrier was especially useful when one of our toddlers wanted to be held while the other rode in the stroller.
8. Wagon Stroller for Airport & Beach—Our foldable wagon stroller was a lifesaver, allowing us to cart our bags, snacks, and tired kids effortlessly through the airport and to the beach. It provided extra seating when needed and carried everything we didn’t want to lug around ourselves.

Things we would do different next time:

1. We will stay longer. The day we went to Hilo, Volcano National Park, and Mauna Kea felt like we spent more time driving than enjoying any of the places. There was so much more we could have done in each area that we missed out on. I think a minimum of two weeks, preferably three weeks to really enjoy more. There were more things that we wanted to check out an experience that we did not have time for.

2. Cook more. Not that the food wasn’t delicious and a nice change from what we usually eat at home. It got expensive fast to eat out multiple times a day, especially when the little ones would decide they were hungry after they said they insisted on an $11 grilled cheese for lunch. We did make a trip to Walmart and made a few meals at our condo but ended up eating out a lot more than we needed to. Next time a trip to Costco an enough food to cook most of our meals will be sufficient.

3. Mauna Kea. Next time we visit we will have a better idea on what to expect. We will dress warmer; we will plan the sunset and stargazing with a day less filled with other activities and plan or more time to get both the sunset and stargazing in one night.

Overall, our Big Island trip was an unforgettable adventure. By the end of it, we were seriously discussing moving there—our six-year-old was all in! While it’s not in the cards just yet, escaping the long, dark Alaskan winter for Hawaiian paradise was exactly what we needed. Until next time, Big Island!

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