Deep gorges and valleys are commonplace on the island of Kauai.
Renowned for its colored-sand beaches and board-breaking waves, Hawaii is a haven for both families and surf lovers. Once reserved only for royalty, surfing, or the "sport of kings," is now accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. Sprawling resorts dot the coastline of the Hawaiian Islands and offer dozens of family-friendly activities and events, including group surf lessons, horseback riding and snorkeling.
Turtle Bay Resort
The Turtle Bay Resort is found on Oahu's north shore.
The Turtle Bay Resort offers nearly five miles of beachfront and views of both its namesake, Turtle Bay, and Kawela Bay. This luxury resort houses 406 guest rooms and suites, as well as 42 beach cottages and villas. Rooms provide traditional upscale amenities and bay views, while suites include added luxuries like private lanais, or patios, game tables and living areas.
Oceanfront cottages feature Four-Diamond quality and boast Brazilian walnut floors and marble bathrooms equipped with deep-soak tubs and free-standing glass showers. Villas offer full dining and laundry facilities, as well as a private pool, Jacuzzi and the option of hiring a private chef.
Six dining venues are available, as are two 18-hole golf courses and a private spa. Turtle Bay is the only island resort to offer its own helicopter rides and also has boogie boards, snorkel equipment and volleyball nets for rent.
Surf lessons are offered through the Hans Hedemann's Surf School. Group lessons can be arranged for parents and children over 13 and begin at $75 per lesson as of 2010; children under 13 require private lessons, which start at $95 for a one-hour session.
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Kauai is home to white sand beaches and striking cliffs.
Situated beachfront, this Sheraton Resort offers 394 rooms spread throughout a handful of cottage-style buildings. All offer views of the resort's gardens or the ocean and may include a private balcony, four-poster bed and dual bathroom vanity. Five restaurants are located on site and include a sushi bar and Japanese buffet.
The quarter-mile Poipu Beach abuts the resort, providing for a variety of family-friendly activities, while the resort's Keiki program caters to children ages five to 12. Here, children participate in sandcastle building, arts, crafts, bamboo fishing and hula and ukulele lessons.
Surf lessons are available through the resort for adults and children who are strong enough to swim and manage a board. Hands-on instructors teach groups of no more than six the basics of surfing in the waters off Kauai. Sessions last two hours and cost $75 per person.
Four Seasons Resort
Snorkeling, scuba diving and whale watching are available on Maui.
This resort is nestled on the southern coast of Maui, Hawaii's second largest island. As the island's largest resort, the Four Seasons offers 380 guest rooms and suites, all of which include deep-soaking tubs, flat-screen televisions and Pacific Ocean views. Children guests are treated to luxuries suited to their taste like child-sized bathrobes and toiletries.
Dining options include Wolfgang Puck's Forbes Four Star and AAA Four-Diamond Spago restaurant, which serves a selection of Californian- and Hawaiian-inspired entrees. Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante showcases both native and Italian dishes, while DUO offers steak and seafood. An adults-only infinity pool, game room and spa are among some of the location's facilities.
Located just steps from Wailea Beach, the resort offers private and semi-private surf lessons through the Big Kahuna Surf School. Instructors, who are CPR- and first aid-certified, work with groups of six or seven students. Most lessons last about two hours and include everything families need for the water. The lessons vary in cost.
Tags: Turtle Resort, family-friendly activities, Four Seasons, guest rooms, guest rooms suites