Looking to experience family fun in beautiful Waikiki?  Sun, sand and sightseeing are highlights of this famous Oahu vacation destination.  Plus, there are numerous outdoor adventures and Hawaiian culture activities to take in, adding to the authentic atmosphere only Hawaii can provide. 

Here are our top Waikiki activities for families:

Swimming with dolphins at Sea Life Park

Sea Life Park: Explore and learn about the abundant sea life in Hawaii’s ocean waters at this aquarium, featuring shows, personal aquatic encounters tailored to your interests, and interesting marine life exhibits.  You can opt to simply tour the Sea Life Park and enjoy the interactive shows and aquariums or you can upgrade your visit to include a dolphin encounter or sea lion swim. 

Pearl Harbor: A trip to Pearl Harbor, located about 10 miles from Waikiki, can be a somber but poignant one.  Share the significance of this moment in our nation’s history with your kids.  The USS Arizona Memorial is located above the sunken USS Arizona, where over 1,000 Americans lost their lives.  Touring this memorial gives deeper meaning to what it means to be free and is a very important lesson to learn.  The USS Missouri Battleship, which was active for more than five decades, from WWII to Operation Desert Storm, is also stationed here.  You can tour the battleship and see the spit where the Japanese surrendered to end World War II.

Royal Canoe Pageant Show at Polynesian Cultural Center. Image credit: Makuahine Pa'i Ki'i/Flickr

Polynesian Cultural Center: For authentic island experiences, there is simple no attraction better than the Polynesian CulturalCenter.  A trip to the cultural center offers a full day of activities for kids.  You can learn to climb a coconut tree, race outrigger canoes and practice spear throwing or younger kids can learn to hula and learn how to catch a fish, native-style.  The beautiful canoe pageant show is a highlight for visitors of all ages.  Occurring at 2:30pm each day, it showcases the songs and dances of each island culture on the Center’s winding lagoon.  End your day with a delicious luau feast, complete with whole roasted pig and the show “Ha: Breath of Life.”  100 performers bring Polynesian culture to life through the art of singing, dancing, fire and special effects.

Surfing in Hawaii

Pro Surf School Hawaii: Surfing is synonymous with fun in Hawaii.  The whole family, at least those ages 6 and up, can take part in learning how to surf.  You can choose from private or group lessons.  Lessons are two hours long and go out twice a day. You can choose to go at either 9:00am or 3:00pm.  Plus, Pro Surf School Hawaii caters to all skill levels so whether you’re a novice surfer ready to catch your first wave or an experienced surfer looking to improve your skills, you’ll have a great day on the waves.

Dole Plantation: Younger kids will really enjoy this excursion, located about 40 minutes from Waikiki.  Admission to the plantation is absolutely free, but activities available are paid for a la carte.  Dole Plantation provides enjoyable activities for the entire family including the Pineapple Express, a 20-minute narrated train tour through the working planation, and the Pineapple Garden Maze, a 3-acre labyrinth featuring a  mystery you must solve.  Try a variety of pineapple dishes at the Plantation Grille for a sweet yet refreshing treat after you conquer the maze.