9 Best Resorts on Big Island for Families in 2023

Looking for the best family-friendly resorts on Big Island for your Hawaii vacation?

Big Island of Hawaii is becoming increasingly popular as a Hawaii vacation destination for families due to its unique white, green, and black sand beaches, excellent snorkeling, visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and so many water activities.

There are many world-class resorts on Big Island offering many activities to attract families like special kid’s pools with waterslides, beach access, lagoons, kid-friendly restaurants, kids club with special classes and activities, and so much more.

On my family trip to Big Island we stayed at Hilton Waikoloa Village and had an absolute blast! Big Island has so many world-class resorts for a relaxing and fun vacation.

In this post, I am going to outline the best resorts on Big Island for families and what kid-friendly amenities they offer.

Table of Contents

9 best Big Island Hawaii resorts for families

Below are the top 9 resorts in the Big Island of Hawaii that are best suited for family vacations and boast excellent kid-friendly amenities.

1. Hilton Waikoloa Village (Best overall!)

Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest resort in the Waikoloa region of Big Island and my number-one recommendation for families! This is a 62-acre ocean-front property with numerous pools and a lagoon.

This resort is like a town on its own with everything you will ever need, you will never have to leave the resort! Hilton Waikoloa Village is one of the best resorts on Big Island for families.

Family-friendly amenities at Hilton Waikoloa Village

3 large swimming pools, and a huge 174 feet water slide
A saltwater lagoon with kayak rentals
Dolphins to watch for free and dolphin encounter experience
Several family-friendly restaurants onsite
Oceanfront property to watch spectacular sunsets
Hapuna beach, which is the best white sand beach is only a 15-minute drive
Airport shuttle for guests

➡ Check rates and availability at Hilton Waikoloa Village – Best overall!!

2. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort sits directly on one of the best white sand beaches on Big Island – Hapuna beach. Hapuna beach is also the best family-friendly beach on the Big Island.

Being right at the beach means chilling all day in the sun and enjoying swimming at the beach. You can rent water activities equipment like snorkeling gear, body boards, kayaks, etc. from the Hapuna Beach Activities Hut on the beach.

Family-friendly amenities at Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Ocean-front and beach-front right on Hapuna beach which is one of the best family-friendly white sand beaches on the Big Island
2 Outdoor swimming pools – a family pool and an adult-exclusive infinity pool
Children’s activities offered by the resort
Adults can enjoy golfing at Hapuna golf course and the full-service Spa
Beach 69 which is a great beach for snorkeling is nearby.
Several on-site restaurants – Meridia offers Mediterranean cuisine, Ikena Landing with American cuisine, beachside Naupaka Beach Grill, and the barista bar Piko Coffee+Bar

➡ Check rates and availability at Westin Hapuna Beach Resort – Great beach-front location directly on Hapuna beach!!

Snorkeling at best resorts on Big Island for families

3. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is another excellent luxury resort that sits directly on one of the best white sand beaches of the Big Island- Mauna Kea beach. Mauna Kea beach is a very family-friendly beach with pristine soft white sand!

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel includes all amenities of a luxury resort like championship golf, award-winning tennis, a full-service Spa, a fitness center, on-site restaurants, and much more.

Family-friendly amenities at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Ocean-front and beach-front right on Mauna Kea beach which is one of the best family-friendly white sand beaches on the Big Island
Outdoor family pool
Mauna Kea Keiki Club – Children’s club with daily activities
Complimentary daily activities for adults and children including shell art, hula dance, lei-making, coconut weaving, etc.
Tennis Courts
Adults can enjoy golf and spa services
Several onsite restaurants – Manta Restaurant (Continental), Hua Tree (American), Number 3 restaurant (Continental)
Home to the Mauna Kea Luau to experience Hawaiian music, performances, and dinner.

➡ Check rates and availability at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel – Great beach-front location directly on Mauna Kea beach!!

4. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa is a beachfront property right on Anaehoomalu Bay with excellent water activities for the family.

This is a great choice if you are looking forward to spending the days at the beach in front of the property and enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

Family-friendly amenities at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa

Beachfront property on Anaehoomalu Bay provides access to snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, and water activities
Outdoor Children’s pool with Slide and Whirlpool
Several restaurants on site
Oceanfront property to watch spectacular sunsets
Cultural historic walks on the property

➡ Check rates and availability at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Great for beach and water activities right out front

pool fun at resorts on Big Island for families

5. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection is a luxury 5-star resort in the Waikoloa region of Big Island. This property is ocean-front and beach-front and has several luxury amenities like golf, spa, fitness, tennis courts, and restaurants.

Family-friendly amenities at Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

Ocean-front and beach-front property
Several outdoor swimming pools including a children’s pool and an adult-only pool
Holoholo Kids Crew -Children’s club with daily activities
Kainalu Ocean Sports – offering gear rentals and experience bookings
Tennis courts and bicycles available for guests
Adults will enjoy the golf course and spa services
Several onsite restaurants – CanoeHouse with a farm-to-table menu, The Bay Terrace (several cuisines).

➡ Check rates and availability at Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection – One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts

6. Fairmont Orchid

Fairmont Orchid is another luxury 5-star resort in the Waikoloa region of the Big Island. Ocean-front and beach-front resort with several luxury amenities like golf, spa, tennis courts, 6 restaurants, and a huge ocean-front pool.

Family-friendly amenities at Fairmont Orchid

Beach-front resort with swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities
Huge outdoor swimming pool
Resort activities like Yoga, lei-making, story-telling, and more
Tennis Courts
Adults will enjoy the golf course and spa services
Home to the Hawaii Loa Luau
Onsite restaurants offer kid-friendly dining – Brown’s Beach House, Binchotan Bar & Grill, and Hale Kai Restaurant.

➡ Check rates and availability at Fairmont Orchid – One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts

7. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a 5-star luxury resort on the Kona-Kohala coast of Hawaii and is at a great location to explore the Big Island with your family.

The resort offers a lot of amenities for grown-ups like a golf course, fitness centers, and spa, but they also provide a lot of attention to detail for the little guests in your family.

Family-friendly amenities at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Beach front property
Several pools and a children’s pool
Personalized welcome gift for kids
Children’s menu in the restaurants on site
Child-size bathrobes in rooms
Children’s programs

➡ Check rates and availability at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts

8. Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay is a great family-friendly resort south of Kona.

The biggest draw of this resort is the nightly manta ray viewing that can be seen from the oceanfront overlook.

Family-friendly amenities at Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

Multi-level fantasy pool with Poolside bar and lounge for adults
Lagoon-style pool with a 200-foot water slide and a wading pool that will delight kids
Game room and onsite activities for kids like lei-making, ukulele lessons, etc.
Nightly manta ray viewing from the oceanfront overlook
Ocean-front property (no beach here)
Adults will enjoy the Ho’ola Spa offerings
Wailele Cafe
Home to the Feast and Fire Luau
Educational talks at the Manta Center to learn about manta rays

➡ Check rates and availability at Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa – Great for manta ray viewing

Manta Ray Snorkeling in Big Island — Manta Ray Snorkeling on Big Island

9. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is a great pick for its prime location in Kona. The hotel is located right in front of Kamakahonu Beach and Kailua Pier.

Kamakahonu Beach is great for swimming, snorkeling, and water activities. The Ali’i drive starts from this property location and is great to stroll and explore the town of Kona, historical sites, and local markets.

Family-friendly amenities at Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Great location in front of Kamakahonu Beach, excellent for water activities like swimming, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding
Outdoor swimming pool
Several restaurants on site like Honu’s on the Beach Restaurant which is open for breakfast and dinner, Billfish poolside bar
Submarine tours start near the hotel
Several cultural sites like Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark, and Hulihe‘e Palace are within walking distance of the hotel

➡ Check rates and availability at Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel – Great beachfront location in downtown Kona

Historical landmark sites in Kona, Big Island

Top things to do in Big Island for families

Big Island has a lot of unique kid and family-friendly attractions and activities to experience during your family vacation.

Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – A day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National park is one of the most popular family-friendly activities on the Big Island. You can take a volcano tour from Kona or Waikoloa to make sure you do not miss the top sights and get expert insights about the volcanoes from your guide.
Take a manta ray snorkeling tour – Going on a snorkeling adventure with manta rays is one of the most unique activities of Big Island and a bucket list item. Check out this highly rated Sunset and Manta ray snorkeling adventure tour to get up close to the magnificent manta rays!
Go whale watching – If you are in Big Island during whale season which is November to May, make sure to experience a whale-watching cruise to see these majestic creatures and learn about their habits and migration. Check out this highly-rated whale watching tour on a catamaran boat.
Do a zipline adventure – Zipline over rainforests and waterfalls in this Umauma 9-Line Zipline Experience on the Big Island, this is a family favorite! Allows kids 4 years of age and up to zipline.
Take a chocolate and coffee farm tour – Big Island’s volcanic soil is great for growing coffee and cacao and the Kona coffee here is world-famous. Check out this popular Hawaii volcanoes and Kona coffee farm tour.
Experience stargazing at Mauna Kea Summit – Mauna Kea summit is the highest point in Hawaii and a dormant volcano and is popular for stargazing from the summit. Check out this Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour and remember to take warm layers as it is very cold up there!
Attend a luau – Attending a luau is one of the best ways to experience Hawaii’s culture, traditions, and Hawaiian food. The Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at Royal Kona Resort is one of the best luaus in Kona with an outdoor oceanfront setting.
Visit Punaluu black sand beach – Make sure to visit a black sand beach while on Big Island as it is very unique to Hawaii. The Punaluu black sand beach in southeast Big Island is one of the best and can be combined with a trip to Volcanoes park or Hilo.

Planning to drive yourself around Big Island?

You will need a rental car! I recommend booking your rental car with Discover cars as they check the top rental car brands and offer the best rates!

Visiting Big Island with families: FAQs

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about visiting Big Island with families.

Which part of the Big Island is best for families?

The Wailkoloa resort region in the western part of the Big Island is the best place to stay with families with beautiful white sand beaches for swimming and snorkeling. This is where all the brand-name resorts are that offer a variety of family-friendly activities.

Is the Big Island family-friendly?

Big Island has some of the best world-class resorts offering a lot of family-friendly amenities. Big Island has a lot to offer for family fun like pristine white sand beaches, unique black and green sand beaches, and excellent snorkeling and water activities.

Big Island is also home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see volcano sightings and hiking opportunities. The eastern region of Big Island, Hilo, has several rainforests and waterfalls for families to explore.

Final takeaways: Best kid-friendly resorts on Hawaii’s Big Island

Big Island is a popular family vacation destination in Hawaii due to its great beaches, excellent snorkeling, volcanoes, rainforests, and waterfalls.

Big Island has several amazing resorts for epic family vacations. Below is a summary of the 9 best resorts on Big Island for families:

Hilton Waikoloa Village – Best overall, pools, waterslide, lagoon, ocean-front, dolphins, location
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort – Great beach-front location directly on Hapuna beach
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel – Great beach-front location directly on Mauna Kea beach
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Great for beach and water activities right out front
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection – One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts
Fairmont Orchid – One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – One of the best family-friendly luxury resorts
Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa – Great for manta ray viewing
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel – Great beachfront location in downtown Kona