One of the best gifts you can give your children is the gift of travel. I love being able to be right beside my kids as I expose them to new experiences and watch the wonder as they are exposed to the beauty of this world. It can be more challenging to find vacations that the whole family will enjoy as your children get older. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible when you have teenagers! A vacation to Hawaii is sure to get everyone in the family excited, even your teens! Hawaii offers plenty of opportunities to try new things, be adventurous, and explore the tropical beauty of paradise. The Big Island of Hawaii has a little bit of everything from waterfalls to active volcanoes to underwater adventures and it's sure to have something for everyone.
Traveling to Hawaii with Teens
As of July 2018, the Kilauea Volcano is currently erupting, but that shouldn't stop you from coming to visit the Big Island of Hawaii. Kona airport is more than 100 miles away from the volcano's activity and there is no interruption to travel into or out of the island. You'll still find blue skies, fresh air, and crystal-clear water on the island, so don't worry, the Big Island is still safe for travel.
Find the perfect resort
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is the perfect resort for families. You will find three pools with waterfalls, a 175-foot waterslide, and a marine pool with dolphins! The most unique feature this resort offers is an ocean-fed salt-water lagoon. The Hilton Waikoloa Village is situated on the rugged stretch of Big Island coastline and this ocean-fed lagoon provides the perfect safe environment to explore everything that the ocean has to offer. It's a protected oasis perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and water activities.
Not only that, the rooms and suites are spread across three low-rise towers and will give your family the space and privacy that they need. Consider staying in MAKAI at Lagoon Tower because not only is it close to the Kona pool and main lagoon, it also has complimentary spa access and a reserved pool seating area.
The Hilton Waikoloa Village also has a tram and a canal boat for easy exploration of the resort property.
Have a spa day
It's easy to wake up early on vacation in Hawaii if you are coming from the mainland. Most days, even our teenagers who sleep late were up just after sunrise, so it's important to make the most of your days. The Kohala spa opens at 6:00 am and my daughter and I snuck down for some early morning relaxation. Because we were staying in MAKAI tower, we had full access to the spa facilitates and enjoyed some mother/daughter time together.
Seek adventure
The ocean-fed salt-water lagoon is the perfect place to discover an underwater world. For those who haven't snorkeled before, this is a great place to give it a try. You'll see colorful reef fish and have a chance to swim with sea turtles in a calm bay. Many of the Big Island beaches are covered with lava rocks. Combine that with crashing waves and entry into a good snorkeling area for a beginner can be difficult. It's why I highly recommend the lagoon for your first snorkeling experience.
There are plenty of lagoon toys to try too from paddle boards to pedal bikes to kayaks, you can try a little bit of everything in the safety of the lagoon. Your kids can feel safe exploring while you relax in a hammock or from the sandy shores.
Chase waterfalls
The Big Island doesn't have a shortage of waterfalls and neither does the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort! Chase those waterfalls down and enjoy the beautiful backdrop they give you. Your teenagers will love the Instagram-worthy shots they get too!
Swim with dolphins
Talk about an unforgettable experience! You can have an up-close encounter with a dolphin at the on-site Dolphin Quest. It's amazing to watch these creatures effortlessly jump out of the water and swim with ease. You can watch from the shore and hear their clicks and squeaks but why not personally meet these beautiful creatures and have a shared experience your kids will talk about for the rest of their life!
Explore
There is plenty to explore at Waikoloa Village Resort. Not only will you find traditional flowers and plants around the resort, you will also find an amazing art collection with more than 1800 unique pieces. You can gain an appreciation of Hawaiian art and its history without ever leaving the resort grounds.
You can also find plenty of exotic wildlife. You don't have to walk far to see flamingos, cockatoos, Macaws, and Cranes. It's like National Geographic comes to life! You can also take part in other traditional Hawaiian activities like The Legends of Hawaii Luau, hula dancing, and lei making.
Get out there!
I loved that the Hilton Waikoloa Village offered just the right balance of relaxation and exploration, peppered in with learning about Hawaiian traditions and culture. It was the perfect place for our family to stay and our teenagers have already talked about how it's high on their list of favorite resorts. So get out there! Book the trip, you won't regret making memories with your teenagers.
disclaimer: The Hilton Waikoloa Village graciously hosted me and my family for two nights. All opinions are 100% my own. I wouldn't tell you about something I didn't love. Promise.
1 comment
This is a paradise for family holidays. I really like it! fanfic
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