We will be in Hawaii late March with 2 kids (2 & 5). We still have yet to decide on the itinerary and any travel suggestions would be welcome. Some questions I have are:
1) What is the sea water temp like in March? Is it still too cool to swim comfortably?
2) Since we will be with two small children, we are looking for a beach with calm shallow water. I know there is a vast seasonal current change but what is it like in March? Where will we find the calmest water?
3) For dryer, warmer weather and activities for small kids, which island do you recommend?
Any other suggestions for travel and itinerary with kids welcome!
Thanks in advance!
Hawaii in March with two small kids
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I've been numerous times and am a Travel AGent, so I love to offer my advice. Here is my suggestion by Island:
You did not mention your budget, so it would help to narrow it down.
Oahu: If you can afford it, Disney's Aulani or Marriott Ko Olina Resort, nice calm Bays for the little ones, kid pools at both, and quiet. Easy access to most of the Island. Or Turtle Bay on the North Shore. If you want Waikiki, HIlton Hawaiian Village has a nice new children's pool. If you are on a budget, Outrigger Reef on the Beach.
Maui-Hanua Kai nice condo's with kid friendly pool, not too big of a resort, or Westin Kaanapali Villas. Budget-go for Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
If you can swing it, Grand Wailea has a nice zero entry tot pool, and warmer down in Wailea. The Waileu Elua Village is nice for condos down there, and a nice calm beach.
Kauai-Sheraton at Poipu, or Kiahuna Plantation. March could give you more showers in Kauai.
Big Island, Fairmont Orchid has a nice little cove for little ones, but they would probably like the Hilton Waikaloa. Be sure and book the Lagoon Tower, otherwise you are 15+ minutes to your room!
Water will be slightly cooler than the summer and fall, but still swimable and pleasant.
Enjoy!
What island are you staying on? If the Big Island, I agree with staying at the Hilton. Kiddie pool and activities to keep them busy. The water temperature is about the same year round with maybe a 2-5 degree difference in the winter. No real ocean swimming there but can go to A-Bay and swim there. Calm water or head north or south to the county beach parks.
We stayed in a condo at Aston Waikiki Beach Tower on Waikiki Beach four years ago and it was perfect for a 4 and 8 year old. The water was warm and the waves were not too big - little cove area across from condo. I was not overly thrilled with the condo it was a bit dated and I wanted a higher floor but the space and location were big pluses.
There is a sea wall around the ocean area closest to Kapiolani Park on Waikiki that makes a good place for children to play. See www.discounthotels.com/waikikimap.html for a map of the hotels at Waikiki.
We have stayed at the Aston Waikiki Sunset Hotel which is a condo type with a kitchenette, good for having breakfast in with children. It's three blocks from the beach at the sea wall area, reasonably priced, and quite nice.
I have stayed at the Marriott on the Big Island with a then 3 year old and it worked out well. The beach at the hotel is very nice, the rooms are reasonably sized, there is a nice sandy bottomed kids pool and it is close to a grocery store that has good prepared foods (sushi etc) if you want to get something to bring back and eat on the beach for dinner rather than going to a restaurant. The hotel has washing machines which are handy. We stayed on a ground floor room which was great because we had a lanai and could sit outside and talk after our daughter went to sleep.
That said, we are going back to Hawaii later this week with the same lucky child, who is now 6, and her two year old sister. We felt that with two kids, a hotel room would be a bit small. Instead we are renting a condo in the Waikoloa complex very close to the Marriott. Our two bedroom, two bathroom condo is the same price as a hotel room at the Marriott. If you have not already made your plans, I can let you know how it is when we return in a couple of weeks. I think the extra space and full kitchen will more than make up for a longer walk to the beach.