Things to Do in Oahu with Kids

Oahu is the third largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago and the most touristy of all. Its capital Honolulu and its beaches are the preferred destination for most people who want to visit this paradisiacal archipelago. But the island of Ohau offers much more to see and do. Needless to say, if you're looking for a family holiday, the island of Oahu is a perfect choice.

Whatever you do, the little ones will enjoy a trip like this. Oahu offers hundreds of things for the kids to do and they'll have a great time. Water parks, incredible beaches, aquariums and zoos, nature... the island has it all for an unforgettable family holiday.

The island of Oahu is full of theme parks and amusement parks perfect for kids and not-so-kids to enjoy.

There are many options scattered throughout the region. For example, if you're looking for water fun, the Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii water park on the west side of the island is the best of its kind. It's a 40-minute drive from Honolulu.

Animals also play a starring role in the region and are always a great way for kids to have fun while learning about the local wildlife. Being an island, marine animals are more prominent and one of the best places to meet them is the Sea Life Park, where you can also interact with several of them.

The park is located on the easternmost part of the island, just half an hour from downtown Honolulu.

There's also space for land animals if you prefer at the Honolulu Zoo, where there are over 1000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and all sorts of other animals.

Honolulu's Waikiki neighbourhood is home to the vast majority of the island's hotels. It's quite likely that you'll be staying in this area and have its famous beach just a stone's throw away.

Waikiki Beach is an icon of Hawaii and is considered one of the best beaches in the world for swimming thanks to its crystal clear waters, white sand, atmosphere and all that surrounds it.

It's perfect for a day out for the little ones to enjoy the waters and the sand as there are all kinds of amenities on offer. The beach is also surrounded by restaurants and shops to round off the day. Although it is true that as it is so touristy it cannot be considered a quiet beach, especially in the high season months.

Right at the end of Waikiki Beach is the aquarium that bears its name. It is part of the University of Hawaii and is an institution in the study and conservation of marine species.

It is the third oldest aquarium in the United States and, being built near a coral reef, it has considerable added value.

But beyond these details, the Waikiki Aquarium is a perfect place for children to enjoy the more than 3,000 aquatic species in its facilities. The good thing is that it is open almost every day of the year from Monday to Sunday.

Ticket prices converted to euros are around 10 euros for adults and around 4.50 euros for children between 4 and 12 years old. Children under 4 are free.

Because of its historical importance, this place is a must-see if you travel to Honolulu. Pearl Harbor was the scene of one of the most important episodes of World War II and today you can visit this military base and take a tour of its interior to learn about the bombing that ravaged it.

It doesn't sound very suitable for children, but it is quite the opposite. The tours are very well adapted for children and Pearl Harbour also has a museum focused on aviation which exhibits various models of aircraft and which is usually very popular with the little ones at home.

So don't hesitate to visit this place with children because they will enjoy and learn in equal parts.

It is true that Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world and also one of the most touristy, but if that is not the style of beach you are looking for and you want to enjoy more of the paradisiacal side of Hawaii, Lanikai Beach is what you are looking for.

It has received several awards that accredit it as the best beach in the United States with the advantage that it is not nearly as crowded as Waikiki Beach.

Lanikai is the definition of paradise beach par excellence. Its waters are crystal clear like few others and the surrounding landscape is beautiful. A perfect setting to enjoy nature while the little ones have fun in its waters.

To put a downside to this beach, it is located outside Honolulu. However, it only takes about half an hour to drive the distance from the city centre.

Water activities are one of the best things to do on the island of Oahu. And of all the options, one of the most recommended to do with children is to rent a kayak to explore the coastline along the beaches. And in this case Lanikai Beach is also one of the best places to do it.

Firstly, because its waters are very calm and pose no danger to children, and secondly, because of the wide range of options and companies in the vicinity.

It is always advisable to check the options online and book in advance to get better prices, but as a reference, renting a double kayak for the whole day is around 60 dollars, which at the exchange rate is approximately 55 euros.

Another of Hawaii's quintessential water activities is snorkelling, or diving in shallow waters. Given the wealth of underwater fauna and flora, Hawaii and the island of Oahu are a true paradise for this.

Some areas are better for snorkelling than others, but the most recommended in general is always Hanauma Bay.

This bay is actually a crater of an extinct volcano, which contributes to the immense wealth of flora and fauna in this area. As it is a nature reserve, the entrance fee to the beach is about 7 euros at the exchange rate, but it is well worth it.

To snorkel in this area we can choose to do it on our own with our own goggles or hire an expert guide through a company that in addition to providing the equipment will take us to the best spots to see all kinds of animals. Here it is up to each person's choice.

Snorkelling is an activity only recommended for children with good water skills and always with caution.

Oahu's cuisine is also a great activity to enjoy with the whole family. In fact, the island's restaurants are very family-oriented. Many of them are themed and have special children's menus.

The local cuisine is very varied but there is one dish that tends to be the star of Oahu's restaurants.

I'm talking about the famous Kalbi Ribs. These are pork ribs cooked with a sesame and soy sauce. This dish is a big hit with the little ones in the house as well as the adults. Hawaiian cuisine is mainly based on meats with very exotic dishes.

Hawaii has been the setting for a number of Hollywood movies, many of them very popular with children. And there is one place where you can visit these sets and have a movie experience: Kualoa Ranch Park.

This 1500-acre ranch was the setting for films such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Pearl Harbour, but it's the Jurassic Park tours that take centre stage. In the park there are recreations of dinosaurs, footprints and some of the sets they used.

The park is toured in an antique bus and apart from the cinematic part, the scenery is breathtaking. The entrance fee for a full day is around 50 euros at the exchange rate. There are also organised tours that include transfer to the park north of Honolulu.

It's no secret that Hawaii is a surfing mecca. Surfing is the king of the islands and one of the most popular activities on Oahu. Travelling to the shores of this island is an excellent opportunity to learn or practice this sport and it's an activity that kids tend to love.

If you are interested there are several options. There are beaches for experienced surfers and others with calmer waters for beginners.

The best in this sense is Waikiki beach as there are more companies offering lessons to teach you or your children how to surf. Surf lessons in Waikiki last about two hours, which should be enough time to get you up on the board, and cost around 100 euros, although there's a wide range to choose from. You can also rent boards if you've already mastered the sport at much lower prices.

In order to enjoy the plans we have seen above and not have any surprises that may spoil your trip, here are some tips that may help you if you are travelling with children:

• If you want to avoid crowds and crowded beaches, avoid travelling to Oahu during Christmas, Easter and summer. Besides the fact that it will be more expensive at those times of the year.
• The weather is hot all year round and the sun is very strong, so it's almost obligatory to protect your children with sunscreen and all kinds of sun protection.
• There are several ways to get around the island. You can hire a car, take a taxi or use the public transport system. The latter is the cheapest, but the most convenient, especially if you're travelling with children, is to hire a car.
• In most tourist places there are discounts for children. However, due to the high demand, especially in summer and high season, prices are higher. If you book your tickets online in advance you will always find better prices.