Fair Wind Big Island Kealakekua Snorkel Cruise review

Note: The Big Island is tourism-ready and Fair Wind is open for business after Hawaii's recent lava flows. Snorkeling on the west coast of Hawaii (the Big Island) is always a hit due to the incredibly clear water on the dry side of the island, and there’s nowhere better than Kealakekua Bay. This calm, sheltered bay is the home of the Captain Cook Monument and is well known for its clear water, … [Read more...]

Best snorkeling beaches in Kauai North Shore

One of the best activities in the Hawaiian islands is snorkeling in Kauai. Need to know where to go? Read on for our top snorkeling beaches on Kauai's North Shore, compiled after a week of sampling (I know, rough job, right?). Here's what we found out: Anini Beach: This was the first beach we visited on Kauai, and it did not disappoint. Because it’s surrounded by reefs, Anini is very calm and … [Read more...]

Where to stay on Kauai South Shore: Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club

Every time I visit a Marriott Vacation Club, I’m equally impressed. The Waiohai Beach Club is the fourth property I’ve seen, and won’t be my last. Why? While every Marriott Vacation Club is different, in order to fit into its setting geographically and culturally, core amenities and values remain consistent across the brand: roomy, family-friendly suites with kitchens and washer/dryers, above … [Read more...]

Best travel experiences of 2015: Our top family trips

In the travel industry, there are a lot of articles and advertising messages that tell parents to hurry up and see it all. Go before they grow up. See it before they're out of school. You only have X number of years left. While I appreciate the effort to get families out their front door, I urge parents to remember that primarily, travel is about time together, sharing experiences and new places, … [Read more...]

Where to eat with kids on Kauai North Shore

Eating out is one of the most expensive aspects of any family vacation, right after airfare and lodging. When your vacation is in the Hawaiian islands, the cost can be even higher. Wondering where to eat with kids that won't break the bank? We have plenty of picks for Kauai, particularly on the North Shore. If you're staying in a vacation rental, all the better...you can make meals at home, … [Read more...]

Hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast (with teens to toddlers)

You don’t have to be a through-hiker with a backcountry permit and backpacking equipment to experience Kauai’s Na Pali Coast.Yes, the further you hike, the more you’ll see, but it’s entirely possible to hike just half a day and see enough to be wowed. The Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles one-way along the stunning and steep Na Pali Coast, and provides the only means of traveling this section of … [Read more...]

Tubing on Kauai: Kauai Backcountry Adventures

One of the most unique excursions families can take on Kauai is a tubing adventure through a sugar cane plantation. This adventure is very hard to describe until you’ve tried it: essentially, families are guided through the flumes and tunnels of unused irrigation channels on a  now-defunct plantation for a fun, beautiful, and pretty thrilling ride through Kauai’s jungle-like east … [Read more...]

How to see the Na Pali Coast Kauai: Holo Holo Charters

Wondering how to see the Na Pali Coast Kauai? There are four ways to see the famous (and roadless) Na Pali Coast along Kauai’s west shore. Families can take a helicopter tour, kayak tour, hike the Kalalau Trail, or take a chartered sailing tour. We opted for two of the four: we hiked several miles of the trail (the entire 11 miles requires a permit), and saw more of the coastline via … [Read more...]

Learn to surf in Hawaii: Hawaiian Surfing Adventures

If you want to learn to surf in Hawaii, you need to learn from the locals. The minute we checked in at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, we knew we were with o’hana, or family. We met many members of the Alapa family, who have owned this business for years. We were met by an uncle, driven to the beach by the father, and taught by a son and cousin. Everyone took pride in the … [Read more...]

Where to stay on Kauai North Shore: HomeAway vacation rental pick

We recently spent 10 days exploring as many off-the-beaten-path locations on Kauai we could. Our home base: this North Shore Kauai vacation rental. Located in the resort community of Princeville just a few blocks from the ocean, the home was perfect for our extended, multigenerational family of 11. If you're wondering where to stay on Kauai North Shore with your family, read on! When we … [Read more...]