SaltysMom

Want to find a condo/villa somewhere in Hawaii in late March near a nice beach where teens (2 17 y/o boys) can try surfing and boogie boarding. DH and I love snorkeling and kayaking, too. A pool would be nice, but not a requirement. Was thinking somewhere in Oahu - maybe North Shore area - but are open to suggestions. Thanks!

mumpsimus

Hmmm, Kayaking, snorkeling, beach, boogie boarding. I don't know if this will fit, but you should know about it at least. Kona Village is unique among resorts, and I've been a huge fan for 40 years. Last summer I put together a website which describes it in detail, with 266 pictures. If you take a look, you'll know exactly if it's a place for you. Most of the beach toys are complementary, and all the food is included. Go to www.davidskvr.net. By the way, I have no connection with KVR except that of devoted guest.
David

suze

Do you specifically not want to stay in Waikiki? That's where most of the hotels on Oahu are located. Decent surfing and boogie boarding both. Most places have a pool. Seems like maybe teens would appreciate being somewhere that there is more going on (like there is in Waikiki) instead of being isolated out at other parts of the island?

Placename

Any of the Kaanapali area hotels/condos on Maui would offer what you are looking for.

suze

If you aren't going with Waikiki, I also would suggest Maui instead for what you are seeking.

ohanaman1

Maybe Wailea/Kihei area of Maui would be good for you-there are a series of crescent beaches that are amazing for snorkelling, swimming and boogie boarding plus a whole price range of condos. You could check VRBO.com but it is a site for private owners to rent out their condos so there is a leap of faith element, I mayself have never had a problem but make sure you check references.

sharonf

The Big Island has everything. We have hit all of them and have decided that is are all time favorite place. Best snorkelling we have found.(Snorkeled many place in the world) Swam with ten dolphins and Capitain Cook area has the very best small fish selection. Never stay in Oahu longer than a couple days. Spent a month there before we knew better.

roundthebend

Check out Papakea Condos on Maui. We've stayed there a number of times, and always enjoyed it. Our kids like it too!
http://www.chasenrainbows.com/proper...kea-resort.php

sf7307

I can't comment on the Big Island (except to say that the best snorkeling we've ever done was on the Big Island, but that was more than 30 years ago!).

We've been to all the others - Oahu, Maui and Kauai - multiple times both with and without kids, and I think you can't go wrong. The North Shore of Oahu is great, but I don't think there's any hotels, and not too many rentals available, but the beaches are fabulous, Haleiwa is a funky beach town with good poke-around shopping and restaurants. Waikiki is a great beach, but of course, surrounded by buildings and pretty crowded. Kailua, on the east side of Oahu, is a spectacular beach, and good town, so if you could find a rental there, I'd highly recommend it (not too far from Waikiki either). On Maui, we love Kaanapali Beach, even though it's highly "developed", we love the fact that all the hotels and condos are connected by the beach path, great snorkeling at Black Rock right at the beach, Whaler's Village right in the middle, which is a good place to hang out -- restaurants, shopping, coffee, even fast food if they must! The best condo complex is Kaanapali Alii, small pool (meaning nothing flashy - no slides or swim-up pools), but great property, and the condos are luxury and huge. But there's many other choices from the Hyatt, Marriott timeshares (new and gorgeous) to more "simple" accommodations, like the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Lastly, we love Poipu Beach on Kauai -- the beach is great, my daughter learned to surf there, it's across the street from a small shopping center with good restarants (Keoki's, Roy's, Puka Dog). The two complexes I would recommend are Kiahuna Plantation (all private condos) and the Marriott Waiohai (look for my review under the same screen name as here on tripadvisor).

dusty56438

"The North Shore of Oahu is great, but I don't think there's any hotels, and not too many rentals available,"

Turtle Bay Resort is on Oahu's North Shore. it is rather expensive.

There are some condos available right next to the resort. They are not right on the beach, bu in a decent location about 100 yards from the beach. About 1/2 the cost of Turtle Bay Resort.

www.turtlebaycondos.com

There are also a lot of condos & beach houses available on North shore & near the North Shore on the Windward (east) side in Punaluu & other villages nearby on vrbo.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/oahu

you can get to other islands from the site.

Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

SaltysMom

Thanks for all your comments! We've been to Maui and was thinking that we would try something different this time - but it might be the best fit with teens. Kind of depends on what we find airfare-wise...

pspercy

Maui is great, our favourite but consider Kauai as well.

My first reaction was Poipu Beach & perhaps a condo in walking distance like Poipu Kai. See http://www.suite-paradise.com

Also consider a timeshare rental, there's usually plenty available these days and they're often very nicely done.
Examplw: Marriott Waiohai, right on Poipu Beach.
See http://www.redweek.com or http://www.tug2.net as well as Marriott themselves
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...ai-beach-club/

Good hunting

pspercy

sf7307
Kaanapali Alii, small pool

They're addressing that issue right now; a new pool area was under construction last October.

In fact, it's open:
http://www.kaanapali-alii-maui.com/?...FSkHswodCg91JQ

sylvia3

Check out what the waves will be like on the north shores (of wherever); winter can be lots more energetic than other times of the year...
http://images.google.com/images?q=ja...ed=0CBYQsAQwAA

ohanaman1

Thanks so much pspercy for the Kaanapali Alii pool info/link. I am tentatively looking to go back to Maui in the fall as we have not been for a while so it is great to know there is a condo with a nice pool as an option.I was looking at Honua Kai up north of the main beach but I would much rather be right on Kaanapali. I just love all the info I get from these forums!

leitrim

The Kahana sunset in West maui which is just north or south of Papakea(I forget which) has a private crescent beach.We have stayed there for a week at spring break for four years with three other families with kids ranging from toddlers to teens and it is a great safe swimming beach that also has wonderful breakers for boogie boarding,like a mini Hapuna beach.There is a nice pool and also a toddlers wading pool.There are two rental companies there and you will probably also find some units on vrbo.com.Make sure whoever you book with that you ask if the unit has been remodelled.