Waikiki Beach is on Oahu — not the Big Island. However, head northeast to the resorts in Kaanapali, which are closer to a rain forest and the mountains and experience different weather. Big Island vs Oahu. Pricing starts at $320/night. It’s an important part of history the kids should see first-hand. There are three communities that make up the Ewa District on Oahu – Ewa Villages, Ewa Beach, and Ewa by Gentry, and all have shown remarkable dedication to education and young families. The beautiful island is home to Pearl Harbor, where families can visit the site”s museums and memorials, including the USS Arizona Memorial. My husband and I traveled to Oahu and then the Big Island last September (5 nights in each). The island is particularly good for beaches and surfing and you can take a surf lesson on famed Waikiki Beach where surfing was born. If you like quiet, intimate gatherings on the weekend – you could live on any island, conceivably. Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides. Beaches here are often small and man-made. Here Are The 9 Best Cities In Hawaii To Raise A Family. As the youngest of the islands, it is also still growing, as Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes are still active. Where to Stay: Four Seasons Resorts are both luxurious and provide ample entertainment for families. Different population, topography, etc. Here are a few of the activities that my kids really enjoy when we visit the Big Island. It will be my husband, my daughter of 2 years and myself, plus our little dog. Big Island is great if you enjoy driving around and exploring, hiking etc as so many places to go for outdoor activities. in a nice and safe area, where we can stroll around with the kid and dog without need to take the car to go shopping or to the beach or to the market! Where to Stay: The luxurious Kohala Coast resorts offer plenty for kids, including cultural programs, kids’ clubs, and safe bay waters for snorkeling. That’s when I start getting the “this island vs. that island” questions. Here’s an email I received from a woman in Italy that is hoping to narrow the search down to just one of the Hawaiian Islands – Big Island or Oahu, for her husband, daughter, and their dog. Here, we’ll help you decide which one is truly best for your first visit to Hawaii. Things you buy may earn us a commission. Oahu is ideal for families seeking sun and fun on the beach as well as modern city-style amenities. Buy a good travel guidebook for each Island, and a good (real) map ... and dig in. Big Island has amazing beaches (lots of them), great farms (coffee, chocolate, vanilla, koa trees), amazing National Parks including Volcano (but there are 4 on the Big Island plus 14 state parks). More Resorts. If you choose Oahu & do not rent a car, then Waikiki is the best area to stay. We LOVED the Big Island. Big Island (Image: elisabeth.baker) Hawaii Island, or otherwise aptly referred to as the Big Island, is larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined.Hikers visit the Big Island for an opportunity to hike Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, which you’ll find in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We are looking to take the guys to Hawaii for their next Spring Break. Thanks for your note. Facts on the Kilauea volcano eruption in 90 seconds, A Maui Blog – Liz Pierce's blog that's a great collection of Maui content, Politics Hawaii – Stan Fichtman's excellent analysis of local politics, Ryan Ozawa's Hawaii Blog – our resident media geek. Maui and O‘ahu are separated by one island , 65 miles (100 km), or 40 minutes by plane. From white sand beaches to the frosted tips of mountains, your family can explore 11 different climactic zones all within a short drive of each other. You’ll see craters, steam vents, hardened lava, and perhaps even fresh lava, as the park is home to the Kilauea Volcano, which is still spilling lava into the ocean. My Favorite Places to Stay on Oahu. More direct flights from the mainland arrive through Honolulu, making it the easiest island to get to (and often times, the cheapest). Pros of Visiting with Kids: The Big Island is formed by 5 volcanoes, has 8 of the 14 climate zones in the world and offers a great variety of activities. Its lush landscape has earned it the nickname of the Garden Isle. This island is by far the most popular for travelers, partially due to the accessibility of everything from nightclubs and world-class restaurants to sandy beaches and quaint surf towns. Even West Coast residents must invest about six hours of travel time (double that, East Coast folks). The Fair Wind II is their older boat, having entered service in 1994. In Ewa Villages, the percent of residents over the age of 25 with a high school diploma rose more than 30 percent – to 86.4 percent – in just ten years. Kauai has a law that no building can be taller than the tallest coconut tree. More flights land in Oahu than on any of the other islands. The island is also known for having 12 distinct climate zones—there is snow atop the inactive volcano of Mauna Kea! Big Island: Adventurers and resort fans line up to visit the Big Island. Oahu is also home to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii and the state”s largest city. I have not taken them to Big Island because the best beaches are all in expensive Kohala, which is a long drive from most of the places I can afford to stay. Best for Families. Kauai. The main cluster of resorts can be found along the Kohala Coast, with Kailua-Kona providing a number of hotels in an even quieter setting. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Oahu vs. Maui A Comparison of Oahu and Maui. 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