Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the easiest and best ways to introduce children to the kinds of animals that live below the water. One of the best places on the island of Hawaii to snorkel is Kahaluu Beach Park. The snorkeling there is very accessible and according to the travel guide "Hawaii the Big Island Revealed" you will find a large variety of fish including wrasse, convict tang, puffer fish, eels and octopuses. You'll also get to see plenty of sea turtles there too. Kahaluu Beach Park is a cove that is fairly well sheltered from big waves, so the water is usually shallow and calm, perfect for kids who are new to snorkeling. There is also a variety of facilities at the beach park including a lifeguard station, restrooms, showers and picnic tables.
Kahaluu Beach Park
78-6699 Alii Dr,
Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740
Go Whale Watching
Every year between the months of December and April humpback whales migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to Hawaii to breed and give birth to their young. The Big Island is an excellent place to take a boat ride out and watch for whales. One of the most popular tour operators offering whale watching tours is Captain Dan McSweeney's Whale Watch. Captain Dan has spent many years researching whales and personally takes out each boat so in addition to getting to see lots of these behemoth mammals, you and your child will also be treated to expert insight into the behaviors of the humpback whales you encounter.
Captain Dan McSweeney
P.O. Box 139
Holualoa, Hawaii 96725
(808) 322-0028
www.ilovewhales.com/index.html
Interact with Dolphins
There are a lot of different places on the Big Island where you can get to see wild dolphins in the water, particularly at Kealakekua Bay. However, if your child would like to interact with a dolphin, then you should contact Dolphin Quest Hawaii, which is the only company offering dolphin interaction programs on the island. At Dolphin Quest your child will stand in a shallow lagoon and get to touch the Atlantic bottle nosed dolphins that are housed there. If you do decide to do an interaction program at Dolphin Quest, just be sure to book 60 days in advance as it is a very popular program.
Dolphin Quest Hawaii
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738
(808) 886-2875
dolphinquest.org/
