Things to Do in Oahu With Kids
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While the beach at Waikiki is justifiably popular, Oahu has much more to offer than Honolulu and the surrounding area. For example, a recent visit to Ko Olina, on the island’s less crowded western side, introduced our family to an unspoiled refuge of palm-shaded sandy coves and rugged shoreline known for its spectacular sunsets over the Pacific. Here it’s possible to swim and paddle-board with sea turtles in sheltered bays, hike craggy volcanic hills to spectacular viewpoints and watch whales spout just offshore.
Despite its get-away-from-it-all vibe, Ko Olina is just 45 minute from the airport, less than an hour from Honolulu and within shouting distance of a comfortable family- and points-friendly hotel. Thanks to Oahu's compact size and good road system, an hour's drive will also bring you to most of the island's other most popular attractions.
Getting to Hawaii, meanwhile, has never been easier. The long-awaited arrival of Southwest’s new Hawaii service is not just a boon for Rapid Rewards members, it’s leading to bargains all around, including more affordable inter-island flights for island-hopping. Hawaiian Airlines also recently introduced direct flights from Boston, vastly improving access to the islands for New England travelers.
So once you've landed in Honolulu, it's time to check out some of our favorite Oahu activities:
Head to the Beach
Perhaps Oahu's biggest secret is its beaches, considered by many locals to be among the state's best. From picturesque Makapu, overlooked by a historic lighthouse, to the east side's popular Kailua and Lanikai, to the rugged north shore renowned for the surf breaks at Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline, there's a beach for every age and type of activity.
Try SUPsquatch
We started our first day at Eisenhower Beach, where Let’s Surf Hawaii introduced us to the brand-new sport of SUPsquatch. Never heard of it? Neither had we, but we're now telling everyone we know about this kid-friendly group surfing sport. A cross between stand-up paddling and surfing, SUPsquatch uses a giant raft-sized inflatable board that can accommodate up to six people. Led by experienced guides who had us laughing from the first five minutes, we piled onto the board and headed out beyond the surf, positioning ourselves to be ready for the next wave. At the first shout of “paddle now!” we took an exhilarating ride, thrilled to find that even beginners felt stable enough to stand up for the first time. (SUPsquatch is $89 per person with a minimum of two or $109 for a private lesson, and is suitable for ages 6 and up.)
Be a Hawaiian Cowboy
Another popular excursion took us to historic Gunstock Ranch, where we cooed over baby goats before setting out on a paniolo (cowboy) trail ride. Our guide, Kenzie, carefully chose our horses to match our level of experience (in our case, none), building up our confidence with simple instructions and amusing commentary on each horse's personality. We chose the one-hour Scenic Experience ($82, age 7 and up), which brought us to the ranch's mountain lookout, but kids ages 2 to 7 raved about the 30-minute pony rides ($45). The best part was getting to plant our own legacy Monarch Milo tree as part of the ranch's Hawaiian Legacy Forest project to replant native forests cleared for ranching and plantation.
Take to the Air
The more adventurous among us took a helicopter tour over the island with Paradise Helicopters, marveling as we dipped down to see the sunken battleship USS Arizona, its hull outlined against the waters of Pearl Harbor, and swooped over KoKo Head Crater and lush Ka'a'awa Valley, otherwise known as Jurassic Park for its role in the film. (Helicopter tours range from $199–$299; there are no specified age restrictions though it is not recommended for babies and toddlers.)
Go for a Hike
Another highlight was a guided hike with Hawaii Forest and Trail, which took us through a private forest reserve high in the Waianae mountains. Our guide, Peter Thoene, proved a riveting storyteller, and no one in our group will ever forget the tragic story of Pele and her sister Namakaokahai -- the best lesson about the consequences of sibling rivalry any parent could hope for! (Various hikes available, ranging from $169 to $199 per person for adults and $149 for kids; all ages welcome.)
Book a Snorkel or Scuba Excursion
Perhaps the biggest thrill we had on Oahu came on a scuba and snorkel excursion on the Waianae Coast with Trident Adventures, which included a lesson and guided dive ($299), allowing us to explore the undersea world for the first time even without being certified divers. Trident Adventures offers a host of boat trips and other underwater experiences including an all-ages Snorkel Adventure ($129 adults, $89 children 3–9, $30 infants) and a Discover Scuba Diving adventure in the Four Seasons and Disney Aulani Lagoon ($189, ages 10 and up).
I paid for all excursion expenses with my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, racking up hundreds of miles for future trips at two miles per dollar. (If I had more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I could have booked excursions through its travel portal and used points or paid cash to earn more points.)
Our home base, the Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina, is a family favorite because of the resort's complimentary Camp Kohala kids' program (ages 5–12; under 5 must have a parent present), which takes advantage of the expansive property to include a whole host of outdoor games and activities in addition to art and game rooms. The biggest hit of all: Keiki Glamping, available as either an evening or overnight adventure complete with tents, outdoor movies, a picnic dinner and s'mores. Between now and Dec. 26, 2019, the resort is offering a fourth night free with its Stay Longer offer and suites are 30% off when booked at least two weeks in advance.
Ko Olina has other properties that will interest families, including Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Disney’s over-the-top Hawaiian resort complete with tube slide and lazy river (pay with discounted Disney gift cards or via rented Disney vacation club points to save money) and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club (Category 6, 50,000 points per night).
Bottom Line
Oahu is perfect for a family trip and even a multigenerational experience. The ease and affordability of flights (especially if you use miles) makes it convenient for those coming together from different locations, while the island's wide variety of activities will satisfy those eager to go-go-go and those who prefer to lounge by the pool. This was particularly evident on our last morning as we strolled the wide, paved seaside path that links the resorts and beaches of Ko Olina. Kids ran and played tag, parents pushed strollers, fitness buffs jogged or used a series of fitness stations, and benches beckoned those ready for a rest.
Next time, I thought, we're bringing the extended family.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.