The Big Island, Hawaii In The Winter: A Guide For Family Travel
Trying to find a sunny place to head for the holidays? The Big Island, Hawai’i was calling our name, and I think it should be calling yours too! Eighteen members of my family: aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters and all were lucky enough to have time off to meet up in Hawai’i for the holidays. We flew in from Korea, my sister and her family from Australia and still more came in from Colorado, Texas and Ohio in the States.
To be with family during the holidays is just so precious as so many of my years abroad have seen the holiday season come and go without them. While my friends abroad have made every holiday so special together, being with family is truly special when the holidays with them are so few and spending it in Hawai’i was gorgeous and warm to boot.
Let’s dive in to some family friendly stops on the Big Island suitable for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. Well, a couple stops I took advantage of family babysitters, but I’ll make that clear as we go.
Learn more about a family friendly vacation on the Big Island in Hawaii:
- How To Get To The Big Island
- How To Get Around The Big Island
- Where To Stay
- What To Know
- Big Island Beaches
- Volcanos and Views
- Tours and Experiences
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How To Get To The Big Island
First Fly In: To get to the Big Island, there are two airports depending on whether you want to go to the leeward side or the windward side (Keep reading for more information about the difference.). The main airport is the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). If looking to go to the other side though, you’ll want to search for the Hilo International Airport (ITO). Check Skyscanner.com for the best rates on flights.
How To Get Around The Big Island
Rent A Car
If you’ll want to see the whole island, a car is necessary. The roads are well paved and you can get around the entire island in one day easily. Getting from one side of the island to the other takes just two hours. Avis is generally our company of choice, but Advantage, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National are all available.
- Get the Big Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: If you’ll get a car and head around the island on your own, get this audio tour to learn more about what you’re seeing.
Join A Tour
If renting a car is not ideal for you, there are day trips that will take you around to the must-see sights. Some great options include:
- Big Island Circle Tour: See the best of the island including the Black Sand Beach, Volcanoes National Park, and the Rainbow Waterfall with some great views in between. This is a great tour that includes everything we enjoyed on our ride around too.
Where To Stay
Like the other islands of Hawaii, the Big Island has two sides, the leeward side which is drier and the windward side which is wetter. These hotels are on the leeward side which is also in close proximity to the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), where you’re likely to fly in. This side tends to be warmer and have a lot more clear skies year round.
Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa
Well-positioned in Kona at Keauhou Bay, it is the ideal point of departure for your excursions in Hawaii’s Big Island. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. The hotel is gorgeous and makes it easy to get that gorgeous view and take a dip whenever you want.
Book a stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Grand Naniloa Hotel, a Doubletree by Hilton
For travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Hawaii The Big Island, Grand Naniloa Hotel – a Doubletree by Hilton is the perfect choice. The property’s new restaurant Hula Hulas is farm-to-fork cuisine with local-style plates. Hula Hulas is suited for any occasion from family gatherings to casual conversation and special occasions. Enjoy an expansive bar with handcrafted cocktails, comfortable lounge with nightly live music, indoor and outdoor patio seating to take in views of Hilo Bay. Step into one of 193 inviting rooms and escape the stresses of the day with a wide range of amenities.
Book a stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
What To Know
The Big Island makes up 63% of Hawaii’s land mass so you can see why it got the name. The island is actually still growing as well thanks to new volcanic eruptions. There are FIVE main volcanoes on the Big Island. The island is home to volcanoes, waterfalls, deserts, and rainforests too. You’ll be surprised by everything that you can do here. On average, visitors spend a week on the Big Island… and still want to see more.
The weather
Summer in Hawaii runs from May to October and winter runs from November to April BUT, if you’re coming from a place with four seasons like we were, don’t expect winter like you know it. The weather is warm year-round. Temperatures are in the upper 70s to 80s in the winter the 80s during the summer, so there’s really no bad time to go.
Big Island Beaches
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
The Punalu’u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island is the largest black sand beach on the island and had it all. Black sand to dig our toes into and even sea turtles basking in the sun were said to be there. There were tide pools for little ones to play and bathrooms and showers to wash up, too. You can’t beat a beach with sea turtles in my opinion.
From our stay in Kona, we took a drive south deciding that we’d take the day to see this black sand beach and the turtles and we’d also hit the nearby Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park as it was in the vicinity and it would take more than an hour for the drive anyway. The black sand is made of basalt and was created when the lava from Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes flowed into the ocean.
Rocks go from the beach out into the water, so if you’re swimming be careful and watch where you step. One good thing about the rocks is that they provide some nice tide pools for the babies and they weren’t nearly as sharp and uncomfortable as the lava rocks we’d found in Jeju, Korea so we didn’t need to wear shoes on them. While the tide pools are baby friendly, the water is not. The waves were choppy and swimming in the sea just off the coast here wouldn’t have been all that fun.
As our babe played, we also started to notice how much wildlife there was. Because of the black sand and the rocks it was difficult at first, but we soon realized there were little black crabs, black fish and other black sea life in the tide pools that of course our little one immediately got a kick out of.
The sea turtles that bask in the sun have their own protected area surrounded by rocks to come up to and visitors are kept at bay, only allowed to photograph the giant beauties. Rare and endangered animals like the hawksbill turtle, honu or green turtle and Hawaiian monk seal come to the area to rest and if you’re lucky you’ll spot some on your visit like we did. We even saw one as he came up to shore and took 30 minutes to make his way up to the beach as the waves pushed him in and then pull him out again before he could finally get ashore.
We were sort of astonished at how they all managed to make it ashore at this one location in the protected area as the rest of the beach is open to people. I assume there’s something about the way the water pushes them in and where the rocks are that makes this location easier for them to beach.
White Sands Beach
The Big Island is pretty big standing up to its name and Kilauea volcano is adding more land by the year. A drive to the other side of the island and back definitely takes the better part of a day. We were lucky in that there was a beach just down the road that we found extremely suitable for our needs.
From a volleyball court to a lifeguard on duty, showers, bathrooms and a picnic area, it had it all. It certainly wasn’t the biggest or longest or held the whitest of sounds though it’s name was White Sands, but it was great for a place to head in the late afternoon when we weren’t quite done beaching it, but were back from an adventure out. It was also good for families with little ones. The waves could be a bit rough, but one end had some rocks and tide pools so little tots could splash around.
Next to White Sands is also a grassy area with picnic tables and a barrier wall which was awesome for a little family dinner near the ocean. With the wall, the toddlers could waddle around and be protected and with the picnic tables, we could all grab some grub and enjoy the amazing sunsets.
PRO TIP: If you want another white sand beach, check out Hapuna Beach. Considered one of the best beaches on the island, it has the white sand, great swimming opportunities, and parking if you’re driving.
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Learn of old laws and certain death before you step onto the white sand and take a dip. White sand leads from the parking lot to the coast that is lined with black lava rocks and what immediately stands out is the hut known as pu’uhonua or the “place of refuge” that is surrounded by the “Great Wall”. The wall is 17 feet thick and 10 feet tall and stretches 965 feet around the sacred land which is the only preserved refuge site visitors are still able to see today. Wooden totems surround the refuge that once protected and redeemed the Hawaiians.
This is a sacred place that protected defeated warriors, anyone who didn’t want to fight during times of war and those that violated the sacred laws, or kapu. In old Hawaii, those that broke a law faced death unless they could break free from their captors and make it to this place of refuge. Once here, the offender would be absolved by a priest and would be free to leave and the noncombatant would be protected until the battle ended.
The area doesn’t have a ton to see in the way of buildings, but the lava rocks, carved wooden totems known as ki’i and the tall palm trees were a perfect “aloha” to Hawaii. After walking around the remnants we soaked in the tide pools and enjoyed the waves for a bit before heading to our stay.
Volcanos and Views
Along The Way: There are plenty of places along the road around the island for everyone to get out, stretch and enjoy some gorgeous overlooks providing views of the sea and the surrounding as well. On the way the black sand beach with the sea turtles, we took our time and were sure to enjoy the scenery as we passed the blue sea above.
This trip out of Kona was worth every minute and introduced us to how much of the Big Island is empty and devoid of people which gives it a very adventure like feel when you’re out on the roads with very few cars passing by.
Volcanoes National Park
Home to Kilauea volcano and Maunaloa volcano. This volcano park is one of the most popular attractions because you can actually see steam rising from the depths of the earth. From afar it wasn’t as stunning as it sounds but we got a kick out of it and this vantage point definitely makes it more kid friendly.
While active volcano sounds huge and intense… this is not. There is a lava-tube to walk through, a museum for an explanations you may need and tons of walking trails. Don’t be confused, the paths are pretty flat so it’s not hiking like my uncle expected.
These are very easy walking trails around the volcano. Both Maunaloa volcano and Kilauea volcano started erupting again this year, 2022, and was the first time in decades the two erupted simultaneously.
Due to shifts in the wind, some trails also get cut off because you don’t want to inhale any noxious fumes. The day we went, we weren’t able to walk around the entire perimeter because of the wind. Kilauea is known as the “drive in volcano” because you can literally drive in to all of the sites. It’s very easy to drive in, see and head out which worked well for us and our babies.
Scientists have no idea when the current eruption will end. They say it could last another 100 years or end tomorrow. It’s currently producing 250,000 to 650,000 cubic yards of lava per day! It’s worth the drive-in trip for sure though.
- Book this experience: You can see this on the Big Island Circle Tour, but you can also take a more focused trip to see the volcanoes too.
- Join this deluxe volcano tour and get exclusive access to the hidden zone in Fissure 8 and eat breakfast with exquisite views of the tallest volcano in world.
- You can also join a volcano hiking adventure to go over Saddle Road and walk up a cinder cone and visit some of the “hot spots” of the volcanoes on the island.
Tours and Experiences
Snorkeling Boat Adventure
You can’t go to Hawai’i and NOT snorkel or attend a luau. Am I right? I can’t even explain how it felt to snorkel into the depths and to literally swim with a pod of wild dolphins. They went this way and that and all the while we snorkeled around. When we weren’t swimming in the water, the guys on the boat explained everything they could about dolphins and whales and answered all of our many questions.
We even followed a whale for a bit but unfortunately by the time we caught up to him only saw his whale tail when he decided to head down to the deep blue sea. Our guides told us it would likely be quite some time before he would resurface so we wouldn’t see him again. Even so… I saw a whale’s tail in the actual ocean. That’s pretty awesome. I very much appreciate witnessing animals in their own element. We were so lucky to see these gentle giants and experience a bit of nature with them. The boat was even suitable for our babes.
No, they didn’t get to snorkel, but they did have fun on board rockin’ and rollin’ and sharing their baby stories that they went on at length about to each other and anyone that would listen. A family member was also happy and willing to take a turn on board watching the two of them.
Doing this with children may only work if you have a couple family members that don’t mind taking turns watching the little ones as you jump into the water. If yours a bit older, then they can join in!
- Book this experience: You can book a deluxe snorkeling experience to see dolphins here on Klook.
A Luau
For our luau, we opted to take advantage of the Marriott Resort’s luau and dinner. The meal was amazing and plentiful and of course we got plenty of pictures and saw all kinds of dances not just from Hawai’i but from other Pacific Island nations as well. One of my cousins was chosen to go up and practice her hula and my brother-in-law was asked to head up and try his lungs at blowing a conch shell to start off festivities.
Who else watched Saved By The Bell when they were growing up? My only major visions of luaus are from Saved By The Bell’s few episodes where they went to Hawai’i. Anyone else remember that? This stood up to the SBTB version for sure though I didn’t see Zach Morris, Kelly or anyone else from the gang wandering around.
Manta Ray Night Snorkeling
While we did almost every activity with our little ones, there were a couple things that we got out to do while the grandparents spent time with the littles toddlers in our crew. If you have that option, this is one experience that is pretty dang cool… also a little scary because the ocean at night is pitch black, but also really cool.
Catch a ride on a boat headed out in the evening and watch as the sun sets over the ocean waters. You’ll be given diving suits because it gets nippy once the sun goes down and snorkels and then jump into the water to hold on to these huge light contraptions to watch below as various sea creatures swim this way and that. This is the best time to see the graceful manta rays.
While I don’t have any pics of the bits in the water, we really had an amazing time and got to see more than just manta rays during our experience. This experience takes about three hours so make sure your sitter knows and maybe puts the kids down while you’re gone.
- Book this experience: You can book the Manta Ray Night Snorkel experience easily on Klook.
Mauna Kea Stargazing
While we couldn’t fit this into our schedule, it’s definitely something to check out IF you have older children. This is an experience that only people 16 years are older can experience but it sounds like an unforgettable experience. Mauna Kea is one of the world’s best astronomical observation points and is the highest mountain on the Big Island.
Watch as the sun sets over a sea of clouds and then take in the vast world above. There are more than 300 clear skies year round in Hawaii so you’re bound to have a stunning view of constellations and stars you probably don’t see too often. If you can get a sitter for the kids, or have some older ones, definitely look into this experience. The pictures are truly amazing and learning more about the vast space around us is always a winner with me.
- Book this experience: Join this Mauna Kea Stargazing tour that also provides transfers via Klook.
When we weren’t on boats, diving into the ocean or swimming we were spending time with our family having picnics, eating family dinners together every night and telling stories that we tell again and again.
My grandmother sent me a cassette tape with Kermit the Frog singing some tunes for a road trip. This cassette tape was the music when we were young and in my grandmother’s car. We all knew every song by heart and when we get together it isn’t uncommon to suddenly have everyone break out into song. I managed to get the cassette onto my computer and put the songs on USBs for everyone because if we’re going to keep singing these songs, shouldn’t the next generation get in on it too Some things never get old.
The views were beyond amazing and the sunsets just gorgeous every single evening. Hawai’i truly is breathtaking. Aloha Hawai’i!
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