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Welcome to our family adventure in paradise! We just got back from a trip to Oahu, and stayed at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club with kids – below is a rundown of our experience as well as a 5 day itinerary of our trip and things to do near Ko Olina. The itinerary worked out really well for us!
Over the next five days, we’ll explore the sun-kissed beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture of this Hawaiian gem. Essentially, what are all the fun things to do near Ko Olina. From enjoying sea turtles to savoring shave ice, our Oahu vacation itinerary promises unforgettable moments for all ages. So grab your flip-flops, pack your sunscreen, and let’s dive into the magic of Oahu!
Before we get to the Itinerary, let’s talk logistics. Where should you stay? Do you drive? What is the airport like? Should you rent a car? Check out this blog post for the Ultimate Guide to your Travel to Oahu as you consider what will make the best vacation for you and your family.
Also, do you consistently find that you forget to pack something important? Here is a packing list to hedge against those forgotten items when packing!
Table of Contents
Day 1
When we arrived on Oahu with our kids, it was about 11am. We hustled from the airport to the car rental. This was across the street, which made the car rental process very streamlined.
We hit Costco (as per usual) because they made it so convenient to get to from the airport. Our nanny was with us, and was commenting about the beach chairs and tents that they had on display and how sad it was that they would only get one use….we quickly told her that we usually see these chairs get a TON of use because of the Freecycle bins at the hotels.
Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club
Usually right by one of the kid pools there are bins in which people can leave their floaties, sand toys, beach chairs, etc. OR we often make hotel friends who give us their floaties, etc. when they leave. Quick tip: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are top rotation days and so are top days to get the primo gear from the Freecycle bins. Shhh….don’t tell anyone, though.
We got to the hotel, the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club. Having never been to this hotel before, we weren’t sure what to expect. Let me tell you….the 5 days we spent here were one of the best experiences that we’ve had in any hotel (other than our trip to Bora Bora). You’re about to find out why…
We are chairman’s club with Marriott. The Oahu Villa Vacation Resort | Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club has a separate entrance for Chairman’s club members, and have a quiet, easy registration process with a separate desk with a view of the ocean and palm trees in the background. The person who registered us stayed in touch with us throughout the stay, making sure that our trip was excellent.
Our hotel room was still being cleaned, so we headed down to the pool. I always travel with our bathing suits and sunscreen in my carryon for exactly this situation.
Blue Lizard is a great sunscreen that shows you when UV rays are strong and is uber helpful for explaining to my 5-year-old that she HAS to wear sunscreen because the cap (or bottle) is hot pink or purple depending on the strength of the UV rays at that time. One of my best friends is a research dermatologist, and she uses this brand with her young children.
We debated between the pool and the beach. It was a toss up. We ended up at the pool, splashing around for an hour while we waited for our room to be ready. Checked out the ocean-side restaurant to get a quick snack and then were taken to our room. Spent that first evening relaxing, getting dinner and unpacking.
The beach at this hotel has been engineered to minimize waves, still allowing fish to enter the lagoon. Amazing for all ages, my 5-year-old (who is still working on her swimming skills) liked it because she felt safe and the 8-year-old (who wanted to swim out to the rocky outcropping) loved it.
The 3-bedroom villa was lovely. It featured a full kitchen, large dining room table, ample seating. The master bedroom was conveniently located on the other side of the living/dining area from the kid/nanny room so that we could get some couple time. The kids had their own room with two full beds. It was a GREAT set up for us.
Day 2
The next day we decided to have a pool/beach day again just to relax and acclimate for our trip to Oahu. We also decided to walk along the boardwalk, which takes you from the Marriott Vacation Club past the Aulani Disney resort and then to the Four Seasons.
All of these resorts have the same type of engineered lagoon, and all were beautiful, calm and not too full of screaming kids. In fact, I didn’t hear one kid scream this entire walk…not even ours. The Aulani looks like it would be amazing for children (obviously). We’ll check out this hotel next time we visit Oahu.
The pools at the Vacation Club were very kid-friendly, featuring waterfalls, a cave, a waterslide, several hot tubs, a splash pad next to the sandy beach. You could easily spend your trip bouncing from these pools to the beach, taking in the breathtaking views of the ocean, and swimming in the protected cove.
A few more notes about the hotel itself. The hotel staff pride themselves on Guest Satisfaction Services (GSS) and offer a variety of activities to ensure that you enjoy your trip and give them solid GSS scores. To that end, the week we were there the hotel offered a raffle, hula performance, and my daughters met a mermaid. The mermaid, by the way, got into the pool and swam with all the children. The hotel loves to give away Shave Ice, which my girls loved….the sugar high was easily remedied with the pool proximity. We had SO much fun.
Day 3
At this point, we were ready to start exploring the island. So we started exploring fun things to do near Ko Olina. Online we found a review of a cave about 20 minutes north of the hotel on Farrington Highway just north of Ohikiholo Beach. Don’t bother. It was barely a cave and there were no interesting formations in it. This is pretty much it. If you really, really like rocks and tiny caves have fun! If you and your kids like to explore, perhaps this doesn’t make it on your list.
The North Shore
You can find all kinds of things to do here from surfing to watching surf competitions to relaxing on the beach. As we were playing, we realized we were very, very hungry. As in hangry. As in need food now. So we stopped in at a food truck parking lot in Pupukea. My husband and kids got burritos and tacos at the Mexican food truck right next to the entrance.
Their food was fine. I got a poke bowl at the Aji Limo food truck. The poke bowl was phenomenal, and the gluten free options were amazing. I cannot recommend this food truck highly enough. Aji Limo. Look it up if you’re close. I would travel to the North Shore just for this poke.
PSA: there were public restrooms at the beach across the road, and I was glad that we had hand sanitizer in the car because the bathrooms were not attended recently. BUT they worked in a pinch.
Laniakea Beach, also known as Turtle Beach, is a magical spot on Oahu’s North Shore. As you step onto the golden sands, keep your eyes peeled for the gentle giants—the Hawaiian green sea turtles.
These magnificent creatures often bask in the sun, their ancient shells glistening against the azure waves. Approach respectfully, maintain a safe distance, and savor this awe-inspiring encounter with nature.
Day 4
We went to the Makapu’u Beach Park. Thoroughly enjoyed playing in the surf and watching some locals body board.
On the way back we were starving (Notice a theme? This momma needs to get ahead of the game with some snacks.) and stopped in at the Kalapawai Cafe at Waimanalo.
We loved it and got to see some wild chickens to boot. The girls got pizza, my husband got the French dip and I got the Furikake Fresh Catch bowl with ginger wasabi aioli over rice with kimchi. OMG soooo good. The restaurant was quant and clean and very Hawaiian chill. Kalapawai Market.
Day 5
In this day trip we made our way to Waikiki. It feels a lot different from when my husband and I were there last (over a decade ago). Candidly, it’s still Waikiki, but it’s not as clean and there are encampments toward the far edge of the beach. With that said, the outriggers are still going, the catamaran tours are still going in full force and there were a TON of people on the beach.
We walked along the beach, checked out the Outrigger hotel (we used to go there as a newlywed couple – great place to grab a drink, by the way) and then headed to get a cold drink from one of the many, many ABC stores along the main drag, Kalakaua Ave.
Seriously, there were sometimes 3 ABC stores on one block. It’s like Fred Meyer, but at the rate of Starbucks that are all over Seattle streets.
As our unforgettable five-day family vacation to Oahu came to a close, we found ourselves reflecting on the incredible experiences we shared. Staying at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club provided the perfect blend of luxury and comfort, with its stunning ocean views and family-friendly amenities.
As we packed our bags and prepared to leave, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the time spent together in this island paradise. We loved exploring things to do near Ko Olina, and are excited to learn more on our next trip! Oahu’s natural beauty, thrilling activities, and delicious food made for a truly memorable family vacation.
Recipe: Seared Ono with Honey Soy Glaze
As you finalize your plans for your trip, imagine savoring the flavors of the island long after your vacation ends. One way to bring a taste of Oahu back home is by preparing a delicious Seared Ono with Honey Soy Glaze.
This recipe captures the essence of the island’s fresh seafood and vibrant culinary scene. As you sear the ono and drizzle it with the sweet and savory glaze, you’ll be transported back to the sun-soaked beaches and bustling markets of Oahu. Each bite will remind you of the unforgettable moments spent exploring the island, making it a perfect way to relive your Hawaiian adventure.
Let me know what you think of your trip! I’d love to hear what you like (or not!). Sharing is caring, and the more feedback you give the better we can inform the next people who travel to Oahu. You have benefited from other’s feedback. Let’s pay it forward.
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