Hawaii Family Adventure

Arrive in Hawaii at any time, and transfer to your hotel. Once you arrive into your hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore. In the evening we have time for a local dinner, to get to know our fellow families better.

Kilauea is regularly mentioned as one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Today we learn all about how this volcano was formed, as we visit the visitor centre, which contains a fascinating insight into the history of Kilauea, before a walk along the Kilauea Iki Trail. Starting in rainforest, we descend to the crater floor, still stetaming in places, before visiting the Thurston lava tube.

Return to our hotel for the evening.

Picking up bikes (all ages available) today we cycle around Hilo and its surrounding parks. We stop along the way to explore the Liliuokalani gardens, named for a former Hawaiian princess, and dedicated to the Japanese population of Hawaii. The largest Edo period gardens outside of Japan, the beautifully landscaped park provides a great place to rest after our cycle.

Following the route along Bay Front, we stop for lunch, before continuing along Hamakua Coast. We stop at Akaka Falls and Waipio Valley for a walk.

Return to our hotel for the evening,

The volcanic coast of Big Island is rugged and varied. The ideal place for a sea kayaking expedition. After a short safety briefing we head out into the waves.

Travel along sea cliffs adorned with interesting arches and blowholes, then kayak into a spectacular sea cave with pink walls and electric blue waters, followed by an exploration of a rare, dry lava tube that extends deep into the earth. There will be time to take a break and swim and snorkel in the waters in the cave. The sea life here is particularly abundant, and you may even see Sea Turtles and Spinner Dolphins, and whales in season.

Head into paniolo country today up in the Kohala Mountains. You might be surprised to learn that Hawaii has a rich cowboy heritage, and it is these paniolos, as they are named, who we will meet today. Living here since the late 1790s, we visit a paniolo ranch where we will hear all about the history of the people.

What better way to get to know more about cowboy culture than a horseback riding lesson. We cross the green Waipo Valley and ride along the coast, along cliffs over 2000m in height.

This morning we return to the water on a boat trip in Kealakekua Bay. This marine conservation area is home to bright coral and schools of tropical fish. In the right season, we might even see dolphins swimming in the bay. This is also a historic location, as it marks the first point Captain Cook landed on the island. Less than a year after he arrived, he was killed in battle. A monument marks this point.

This afternoon is free to relax at the hotel at leisure.

This morning its time to say goodbye to our new, extended family and head for the airport.