I have been going to Hawaii for most of my life. My great-aunt lived in Oahu so it was a great reason to go visit. After my kids were born, I continued to vacation on Oahu as it was an easy vacation for preschoolers, whether it was with my (now-ex) husband or with my mom and my kids!
Oahu offers a tropical vacation, authentic culture, but the convenience of domestic travel for Americans and familarity for Canadians who want a vacation with familiar conveniences, English speakers, and some American shopping favorites like Target.
Why Oahu Works So Well With Teenagers
One of the reasons I think Oahu works so well with teenagers is the variety. You can spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon shopping or exploring Honolulu’s many hikes. There is history and culture, great food (and unique local flavors to try), water sports, and plenty of outdoor adventure.
With teens, I find I no longer need a destination filled with traditional family attractions. Give them a few things they are genuinely excited about and mix those with the things I want to see, and everyone gets something out of the trip. It truly is one of those destinations that you can enjoy with kids of any age.
Let Food Be Part of the Experience
Food has become a much bigger part of our travels as my boys have gotten older. Oahu gives families plenty of opportunities to try something new without every meal needing to feel adventurous.
Make a point of getting beyond the hotel restaurant at least a few times. Look for local favourites, try poke, grab shave ice, and let your teenager choose somewhere they want to eat. Food can become one of the easiest ways to get teens interested in exploring somewhere new.
If you are like me and like checking out the McDonald’s menu, then you will have a treat in Oahu! Look at their breakfast menu and try the SPAM. Another place to check out is the grocery store. Oahu has some great bakery items. Look for peanut butter mochi, purple ube breads, and Hawaiian juices!
Get Them in the Water
You can’t take teenagers to Hawaii and not get them in the water. Surf lessons are an obvious choice on Oahu, but there is also snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and plenty of time to simply swim at the beach.
Add a Hike or Outdoor Adventure
The beach might get most of the attention in Hawaii, but I would make room for at least one hike or outdoor adventure. Oahu has everything from relatively short hikes with incredible views to more challenging options for active families.
Diamond Head is an obvious choice due to its proximity to Waikiki, but it is also the busiest hike. My kids were able to do it as preschoolers, so teens should have no issues. The views are incredible and it is worth doing, it you are ok with crowds.
Shopping Galore
Honolulu is a big city. With that comes Costco and Target and plenty of American shopping opportunities. We have always enjoyed Ala Moana Centre to get out of the rain or beat the afternoon heat.
Teens can pick up all kinds of Hawaiian souvenirs or some of their favorite brands while in Hawaii. I usually look for something with the Hawaiian Islands on it, like a rash guard, because that is something you will not find at home!
Choose Your Oahu Base Carefully
Where you stay becomes a little different when you travel with teenagers. I no longer need to plan every minute of the day or look for a resort packed with activities designed specifically for young kids. Instead, I want somewhere that gives us enough to do together while also giving everyone a little freedom to do their own thing.
Waikiki puts you right in the middle of the action, with restaurants, shopping, and the beach within easy walking distance. That can be especially convenient with teenagers who like having plenty happening around them.
But Waikiki isn’t your only option. Staying outside the busiest part of Honolulu can give you more of a resort vacation while still keeping the city’s attractions within reach. I would think about how much time your family plans to spend exploring versus relaxing at the hotel before choosing your base.
Keep in mind that the North Shore can be a couple of hours from Waikiki with traffic. The island is small, but drive times can be long when mixed with rush hour or big surf events.
Where I’d Stay on Oahu With Teens: The Kahala Hotel & Resort
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is one property I’d consider for an Oahu trip with teens. It sits on a secluded stretch of beach away from the busier atmosphere of Waikiki, but you are not completely removed from Honolulu either. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to Waikiki, Ala Moana and Kahala Mall, which means we can work a shopping day into our itinerary and some time walking the Waikiki strip.
For active teens, there is plenty to do without leaving the property. Complimentary bicycle rentals are included for hotel guests, and families can spend time at the beach, pool or fitness centre (yes, with teen boys, the fitness centre is one of the first things they want to go check out). Water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling are also available.
There are 6 restaurants on site, from local Hawaiian flavors to international tastes. This gives families the flexibility to accommodate mom’s morning coffee and never-ending hunger that teens seem to face!
Another detail worth noting for families is that the Kahala does not charge a resort fee, and Wi-Fi, beach furniture, cultural classes, bicycle rentals and access to the fitness centre are among the amenities included with a stay. Resort fees have become common in American resort destinations and it is something that drives me crazy! It can easily add hundreds of dollars to your trip.
Consider a Family Photoshoot
Hawaii is a popular place to get family photos updated! An easy way to build that into your itinerary is to hire a local photographer with Flytographer. For years I have taken beach photos with my kids, but it was not until I went to Hawaii with a group of friends did we book a photoshoot. I highly suggest you do this while you are in Hawaii. Whether you print them for your walls, send Christmas cards (are you still doing this .. I gave up almost a decade ago) or just share them online, I promise they are one of the best souvenirs you can buy on your travels!
How Many Days do you Need in Hawaii with Teens?
This question really depends more on YOUR travel style. But here is my take. I’ve been for a week, I’ve been for 4 days, I have even spent three weeks in Hawaii. There is no right or wrong answer. My parents always said 2 weeks was just enough time to get into relax mode and then they had to come home. They took one big vacation a year and wanted to enjoy it as long as they could.
For me, hopping on a plane for a long travel day is not a big deal. It can be a big part of the expense sometimes and some people feel like they need a long time to make that cost worth it. I can hop on a plane for a 15 hour travel day and then go home three days later. We are all different.
With that being said, a week is the perfect Hawaii vacation and it works well with teens and school breaks. Whatever the time of year, a week gives time for travel days and plenty of time to enjoy the beaches and sunshine, see a bit of Hawaii and then get back for school and other responsibilities. But by all means, if you have two weeks, it is not too long to spend in Hawaii at all!
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.