Hawaiian Activities — island tours, luaus, and adventures across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
The hardest part of planning Oahu with children is not finding things to do. It is finding out, before you book, whether your child is old enough. Minimum ages on Oahu run from 2 to 16 depending on the activity, and they are strictly enforced. This guide sorts the bookable options by the age your child needs to be.
Quick Answer: Under-5s can surf tandem with an instructor (from age 2, $200). From 5, the options open up: outrigger canoe surfing ($48), private Waikiki surf lessons ($150) and parasailing ($80+). The Wai Kai wave pool and eFoiling start at 10; most group surf and paddle lessons at 14 to 16.
TL;DR
- Ages 2 to 4: Tandem surfing with an instructor, $200
- Ages 5 to 9: Outrigger canoe $48, private surf $150, parasailing $80+
- Ages 10 to 13: Wai Kai wave pool $149, group eFoil $149
- Teens: Group surf and SUP from 14, eFoil private from 16
Toddlers and preschoolers: ages 2 to 4
The standout is the keiki tandem surf lesson on the North Shore: an instructor rides the board with your child, paddling and standing as a team, for 90 minutes at $200. It is built for children aged 2 to 12 who cannot manage a board on their own.
Children this age can also ride along as observers on the Kewalo Harbor parasail boat from age 2 while older family members fly.
Ages 5 to 9
| Activity | Minimum age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Outrigger canoe surfing, Waikiki | 5 (min. 3 riders) | $48 |
| Private surf lesson, Waikiki | 5 | $150 |
| Parasailing, Kewalo Harbor | 5 and 50 lb | $80 to $115 |
| Tandem parasailing | 5 | $89 |
| Private lesson for two, North Shore | 7 | $150 each |
| Pearl Harbor audio tour | Child rate 4 to 12 | $9 |
Outrigger canoe surfing is the easiest first wave in Waikiki: two captains steer while everyone paddles, and nobody has to stand up. Waikiki Beach Services require children aged 12 and under to take a one-to-one lesson, which is why the private lesson is the one to book for this age. More detail is in our kids surf lesson guide.
Ages 10 to 13
Ten is the age that unlocks the most. The Wai Kai wave pool lesson lets first-timers ride a wave without learning to paddle or pop up, in a 45-minute session at $149, for ages 10 and up weighing at least 90 lb. The group eFoil experience also starts at 10, at $149 each, with a maximum weight of 200 lb.
Read our Wai Kai guide to choose a session, and eFoiling on Oahu for how the foil sessions differ.
Teens
- Stand-up paddle lesson in Waikiki: $100, ages 14 and up.
- Hans Hedemann group surf lesson: $100 for two hours, ages 14 and up.
- North Shore open group lesson: $120, minimum age 16.
- Private eFoil lesson: ages 16 and up.
Days out the whole family can share
Pearl Harbor battleships from Waikiki is $116.99 per adult and $89.99 for children aged 3 to 11, with infants free. See Pearl Harbor with kids for how to pace it. The Ultimate Circle Island tour is $137 per adult and $130 per child, with an hour at Waimea Valley and stops for Dole Whip and shave ice.
Visiting Maui too? Our Maui with young kids guide covers the same ground there.
Travelling with children? Our guide to the Big Island with kids sorts every bookable activity in Kona and Hilo by minimum age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can toddlers do on Oahu?
A keiki tandem surf lesson on the North Shore takes children from age 2, with an instructor riding the board with them, for $200. Toddlers can also ride along as observers on the Kewalo Harbor parasail boat from age 2.
What is the minimum age for surf lessons in Waikiki?
Five for private lessons with Waikiki Beach Services, which require children 12 and under to take a one-to-one lesson. Most Waikiki group lessons start at 14.
Can kids go parasailing on Oahu?
Yes, from age 5 on both Kewalo Harbor trips. Go Hawaii Watersports also asks for a minimum weight of 50 lb.
How old do you have to be for the Wai Kai wave pool?
Ten, with a minimum weight of 90 lb, for the 45-minute beginner lesson at $149.
Is Pearl Harbor suitable for children?
Yes. The self-guided audio tour has a $9 child rate for ages 4 to 12, and the battleships tour from Waikiki is $89.99 for children aged 3 to 11.
Prices checked against operator listings, September 2026. Availability and rates are set by the operator and can change.
Plan Oahu with the kids
Live availability for family-friendly tours.
All Oahu tours · Oahu surf lessons · Keiki tandem surf · (808) 207-9427
New to Oahu? Our first-timer’s guide to Oahu covers what to book first and how to pace a week on the island.
