Hawaiian Activities — island tours, luaus, and adventures across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
The Big Island is big: Kona and Hilo are two to three hours apart, and the volcano sits between them. For families, that means choosing a base and matching activities to your children’s ages, because minimum ages here vary from none at all to a strictly enforced 15. This guide sorts what is bookable by age.
Quick Answer: All ages can join a private volcano day such as the Ultimate Hilo Volcano Adventure, and young children can ride along on the sunset manta boat for $89 while older family members snorkel. From 5, the whale and manta combo opens up; from 7, the night manta snorkel and lava tube hikes; from 10, Kona surf lessons.
TL;DR
- All ages: Private volcano days; manta boat ride-along $89
- Ages 5+: Whale and manta combo, $219, in winter
- Ages 7+: Night manta snorkel $139; private lava tube hike
- Ages 10+: Kona surf lessons from $124
Kona or Hilo as a family base
Kona is drier and sunnier, and it is where the manta ray trips and the surf schools are. Hilo is closer to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Most families base themselves in Kona and do the volcano as one long day, or book a tour that handles the drive. Our Kona vs Hilo volcano guide explains the trade-off, and Kona: three days covers the dry side.
Manta rays with children
| Tour | Minimum age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset & manta combo | Confirm snorkel age; boat-only children welcome | $135 adult, $121 youth, $89 ride-along |
| Whale watch & manta combo | 5 to 17 with adult supervision | $219, or $209 non-refundable |
| Manta Magic night snorkel | 7, with adult supervision | $139 |
The ride-along rate on the sunset combo is the family trick: younger children stay on the boat and watch while parents or older siblings snorkel above the feeding mantas. For how the night snorkel works, see our manta ray planning guide.
The volcano with kids
- Ultimate Hilo Volcano Adventure: six private hours in the park, all ages welcome, $1,345 for your group.
- Private volcano tour from Hilo: nine hours, $374.58 per adult and $354.50 per child.
- Custom Volcano Park Tour: 7.5 hours for up to 11 at $1,545; children 7 and under need car seats.
- Private Kilauea Iki & lava tube hike: ages 7 and up, moderate fitness, $1,000 for up to 8.
Terrain in the park is uneven, so a private tour that sets its own pace suits younger children best. See the volcano park guide for what each area involves.
Surf lessons in Kona
Kahalu’u Bay south of Kailua-Kona is the Big Island’s beginner surf spot. The group lesson at Kahalu’u Beach Park is $124 for ages 10 and up, with no more than four students per instructor. Kona Mike’s offers a private lesson for children aged 10 and under at $210, and a lesson for ages 11 and up at $169 per adult with two adults required.
More detail is in surfing on the Big Island and our kids surf lesson guide.
A luau with young children
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Sunset Luau on the Kohala Coast is the Big Island luau we sell that lets children under 5 in free, and ages 6 to 12 pay a discounted rate. Seating is reserved, so there is no need to arrive early and hold a table with restless children, and the three-hour evening includes a buffet and live Polynesian music and dance. The Big Island luau guide compares it with the other two.
What to save for the teenagers
The fat-tyre e-bike tour across the 2018 lava coast strictly requires riders to be 15, and it is an intermediate four-hour ride. Our Hawaii bike tours guide has the details.
Arriving by cruise ship? Our guide to cruise ship days in Hilo covers what fits into a single port call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can young children do on the Big Island?
Private volcano days welcome all ages, and on the sunset manta boat younger children can ride along for $89 while older family members snorkel.
What age can kids snorkel with manta rays in Kona?
From 5 on the whale watch and manta combo, and from 7 on the Manta Magic night snorkel, both with adult supervision.
Can kids go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Yes. A private six-hour Hilo volcano tour welcomes all ages, and the private Kilauea Iki and lava tube hike takes children from 7.
What is the minimum age for surf lessons in Kona?
Ten for the group lesson at Kahalu’u Beach Park. Kona Mike’s offers private lessons for children 10 and under.
Should families stay in Kona or Hilo?
Most stay in Kona for the sunshine, mantas and surf, and do the volcano as one long day or with a tour that handles the drive.
Prices checked against operator listings, September 2026. Availability and rates are set by the operator and can change.
Plan the Big Island with kids
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