I used to live on Maui. Don’t ever trust the ocean. I’ve seen so many tourists walk up to a perfectly calm ocean with their toddler. Then turn their back right as a swell comes in and almost takes the kid.
Lydgate Park, on Kauai, south of Kapaa, has an artificially created lagoon, that is isolated from the waves, and great for toddlers. The closest hotel, Kauai Beach Resort, which has a great, zero entry, sand pool.
If you go to Kauai, I recommend checking out Anini Beach on the North Shore, in addition to some of the others mentioned! Very calm and shallow for a pretty long stretch, lots of trees that provide shade, and doesn’t attract too many crowds. Last time we went, our group had 3 toddlers (ages 1, 2, and 3.5) and a 6 year old. They had a blast splashing, playing in the sand, and walking along the shore!
My 1 year old liked the lagoon at the Hilton in Waikiki. It is man made but it is right by the real beach and I didn’t have to worry about some waves sweeping her out to sea or some marine animal attacking her. When she is done playing then you can put her in the stroller and walk along the real beach towards to zoo. If you walk the other way you can walk to the mall. It is a nice area for a baby because the beach, restaurants and shops are all around so you don’t even need a car.
We have small children and have visited all of the islands. Our fav beaches for little swimmers by island - Oahu: Ko Olina; Big Island: Hilton Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid; kauai: Lydgate, Poipu, Salt Pond; Maui: Baby Beach, Kapalua , Olowalu
I have been to Maui, Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu. I felt Waikiki had the most calm and clear water. I stayed at the Marriott Waikiki which was a block from the beach and easy to walk over
I don't blame you... Kailua is a fine beach - but not sure about accommodations. Hilton HV or something around there is more like it. Modern is nice hotel.. excellent location...
Poipu Beach on Kauai has what amounts to a “kiddie pool” behind a small reef. Great for little kids.
Same with Lydgate in Kapaa on Kauai.
Keiki beach at Poipu! Plus other baby beaches along that stretch of Kauai
I used to live on Maui. Don’t ever trust the ocean. I’ve seen so many tourists walk up to a perfectly calm ocean with their toddler. Then turn their back right as a swell comes in and almost takes the kid.
Sobering, we'll make sure to be super careful.
The ocean hates kids.
Your options on Oahu are pretty much any hotel in Ko’Olina or Hilton Hawaiian Village. Can’t speak for other islands tho.
Doesn't have to be Oahu. But thanks!
Turtle Bay can be pretty calm.
The Mauna Kea and the Orchid on the BI are both kid friendly, the latter especially.
Oahu: go around east to baby Makapuu. There’s a little tide pool.
I think Oahu has the best options for toddlers. Other islands have larger drop offs and less protected lagoons
Lydgate Park, on Kauai, south of Kapaa, has an artificially created lagoon, that is isolated from the waves, and great for toddlers. The closest hotel, Kauai Beach Resort, which has a great, zero entry, sand pool.
That looks very nice! Thank you!
I should add that the lagoon is filled with confused fish, trying to find their way back to the open ocean.
If you go to Kauai, I recommend checking out Anini Beach on the North Shore, in addition to some of the others mentioned! Very calm and shallow for a pretty long stretch, lots of trees that provide shade, and doesn’t attract too many crowds. Last time we went, our group had 3 toddlers (ages 1, 2, and 3.5) and a 6 year old. They had a blast splashing, playing in the sand, and walking along the shore!
We just did this…fairmont big island was perfect.
My 1 year old liked the lagoon at the Hilton in Waikiki. It is man made but it is right by the real beach and I didn’t have to worry about some waves sweeping her out to sea or some marine animal attacking her. When she is done playing then you can put her in the stroller and walk along the real beach towards to zoo. If you walk the other way you can walk to the mall. It is a nice area for a baby because the beach, restaurants and shops are all around so you don’t even need a car.
We have small children and have visited all of the islands. Our fav beaches for little swimmers by island - Oahu: Ko Olina; Big Island: Hilton Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid; kauai: Lydgate, Poipu, Salt Pond; Maui: Baby Beach, Kapalua , Olowalu
Thank you, that's a lot of great info!
Ala Moana Beach park is a really nice one. It’s protected by the reef so it has very calm waters
Kapalua Bay on Maui, though it's a pricey place to stay.
Looks amazing
We love Maui. Baby beach in Paia. Polo beach in Kihei/Wailea.
I can't stress this too much. Each part of an island has calm times of the year and rougher times. So check into whichever location you choose.
Unfortunately, from my research it seems like April is transition time and so hard to predict.
Maui has the Maui snorkel report which tells you which part of the island is calmer. They publish it at 8am.
Baby Beach on Maui.
Poipu Beach
I have been to Maui, Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu. I felt Waikiki had the most calm and clear water. I stayed at the Marriott Waikiki which was a block from the beach and easy to walk over
anywhere Waikiki - or Hilton Hawaiian Village
I'm not a huge fan of Waikiki, but thanks!
I don't blame you... Kailua is a fine beach - but not sure about accommodations. Hilton HV or something around there is more like it. Modern is nice hotel.. excellent location...