Oahu with a toddler: Waikiki, lagoons and easy days out

Where to stay on Oahu with a toddler

Waikiki is the most practical base. You can walk to the beach, the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and Kapiolani Park, and you can find a quick dinner at 5 PM without driving. The Diamond Head end is a little quieter and closer to the zoo and park. Look for a suite or a condo with a kitchenette so naps and early dinners are easier.

Ko Olina on the west side is a resort area built around calm, man made lagoons. It is quieter and more self contained, with less traffic once you are there, but it is a long drive to Waikiki and the North Shore. Kailua on the windward side has vacation rentals near a long, gentle beach and suits families who want a neighborhood feel.

Beaches and lagoons for small children

• Ko Olina lagoons: four sheltered lagoons with gentle water and sandy beaches. Some public parking is available, first come, first served, so arrive early.
• Waikiki: parts of the beach are protected by walls and reef, and the water is often calm in the morning. Kuhio Beach is a common pick for families. Check lifeguard flags.
• Kailua Beach: long, soft sand and shallow water on calm days. It can be windy in the afternoon.
• North Shore: usually calm in summer and has big, dangerous surf in winter. In winter, watch the waves from the sand and swim elsewhere.
• Always pick lifeguarded beaches, read the signs, and stay well back from monk seals and turtles.

Hanauma Bay with a toddler

Hanauma Bay is a protected nature preserve with a reef close to shore. Visitors need advance reservations, which open only a short time ahead and go fast, and the preserve is closed on some days of the week. Everyone watches a short educational video before entering.

There is a steep walk or tram ride down to the beach. With a toddler, go early, wade in the shallows and keep the visit short. Snorkeling with a small child is hard, so many families let one adult snorkel while the other plays on the sand, then swap.

Pearl Harbor with a small child

• Pearl Harbor National Memorial has a strict bag policy. Most bags, including diaper bags, are not allowed, so plan to carry diapers and wipes in a clear bag or use the paid bag storage near the entrance. Check the park site for current rules.
• Strollers are allowed around the visitor center grounds but not on the boats or the USS Arizona Memorial. Bring a carrier.
• The USS Arizona Memorial program has timed tickets that can be reserved in advance. It is a quiet place of remembrance, so be ready to step out if your toddler gets loud.
• The open grounds and exhibits are fine with a toddler. Many families keep the visit to the morning and skip the longer add-on tours.

Zoo, aquarium and rainy day options

The Honolulu Zoo sits at the edge of Waikiki next to Kapiolani Park and is an easy morning with a toddler, with shady paths and a keiki (kids) playground. Strollers can be rented at the entrance. The Waikiki Aquarium is small and close by, which suits short attention spans.

For rain or a slow day, try a shopping center with a play area, a library story time, or a drive to a shaded park. Rain on Oahu is often brief, so a backup plan for an hour is usually enough.

Getting around

• You can do a Waikiki stay without a car and rent one only for day trips to Ko Olina, Kailua or the North Shore.
• Rent a car with a car seat or bring your own. Hawaii law requires child restraints for young children in cars.
• Traffic around Honolulu can be heavy at commute times. Plan longer drives after the morning rush or as a nap drive after lunch.