Big Island with kids: tours, ages and prices
Prices and details checked on October 21, 2026How we compare tours
The youngest child in your group decides which tours you can book, because minimum ages are set per tour. Farm Tours from Big Island Abalone takes children from 3 years old and costs from $35 per person.
What should you know about Big Island with kids?
The youngest child in your group decides which tours you can book, because minimum ages are set per tour. Farm Tours from Big Island Abalone takes children from 3 years old and costs from $35 per person. The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience from Aquatic Life Divers requires children to be at least 10 years old.
Farm Tours
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Start with the youngest child's age, then compare price and length among the tours that allow it.
Who does it suit, and who should skip it?
Families with a youngest child aged 3 or older can book the abalone farm tour.
Kailani Tours' Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour and Wasabi Tours' Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour both start at 5 years. Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary's Cloud Forest Tour also starts at 5 years.
Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour
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Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour
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Families with children under 7 should skip Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures' Kealakekua Bay snorkel, which starts at 7 years. Hilo Ocean Adventures' beach snorkel requires children to be 8 years or older, and Kohala Zipline's Kohala Zip & Dip has the same 8-year minimum.
Kohala Zip & Dip
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How do you choose a Big Island tour with kids?
Choose by age first, then by budget, then by how long you want to be out.
For a half day in the water, Hilo Ocean Adventures' beach snorkel runs 3 hours and costs from $119 per person. Choose it only if your children are 8 or older.
If you want a full day without driving on your own, Kailani Tours' volcano day tour runs 11 hours and includes hotel pickup. Families with small children who need car seats can look at Hawaii Forest & Trail's Kohala Waterfalls Adventure, which includes car seats, booster seats and backpack carriers.
Kohala Waterfalls Adventure
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How much does it cost, and what is included?
The abalone farm tour costs from $35 per person, and the Kailani volcano day tour costs from $292.15 per person.
Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures' Kealakekua Bay snorkel costs $99 per person and includes snacks, flotation devices and a professional snorkel guide. The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience costs from $135 per person and includes snorkel equipment, snacks and hot ginger tea after the activity.
The higher price on the volcano day tour covers more of the day. Kailani Tours' tour includes a restaurant lunch, park entry fees to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, snacks and malasadas.
What should you expect: how long it lasts and where it starts?
The abalone farm tour lasts 1 hour and meets at 73-357 Makako Bay Dr, Kailua-Kona. The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience lasts 3 hours and leaves from Honokohau Harbor Slip #21.
Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures' Kealakekua Bay snorkel runs 3.5 hours from Honokohau Harbor on Kealakehe Parkway. Hilo Ocean Adventures' beach snorkel runs 3 hours and meets at 1717 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo.
Plan to arrive early enough to check in before a harbor departure, since a late arrival can mean missing the boat.
What are the tours to book?
- Farm Tours from Big Island Abalone: 1 hour, from $35 per person, minimum age 3 years.
- The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience from Aquatic Life Divers: 3 hours, from $135 per person, minimum age 10 years.
- Beach Snorkel: Sea Turtle Lagoon and Black Sand Beach from Hilo Ocean Adventures: 3 hours, from $119 per person, minimum age 8 years.
- Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Snorkel from Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures: 3.5 hours, from $99 per person, minimum age 7 years.
- Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour from Kailani Tours Hawaii: 11 hours, from $292.15 per person, minimum age 5 years.
How do booking, cancellation and weather work?
Kailani Tours' cancellation window is 48 hours. The Volcano Van's shared tour offers a full refund if you cancel up to 48 hours before the scheduled start.
Wasabi Tours' Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour charges the full price unless guests give advance notice: 24 hours for 1 to 5 guests, and 48 hours for 6 or more.
Weather can change ocean plans. Kohala Divers includes a hydrophone on its whale watch "if conditions allow," so the listening part is not guaranteed. Check the National Weather Service marine forecast the day before any boat tour.
Frequently asked questions
Where to stay on the Big Island with kids?
Wasabi Tours' Grand Circle tour picks up at major hotels and resorts in Kona and Waikoloa, and The Volcano Van's shared tour meets in Kona, Kohala and Waikoloa. Choose a base near the tour you want most.
What is the best age to take kids to Hawaii?
No single age works for every tour. The abalone farm tour takes children from 3 years, while the Kona Manta Ray Night Experience requires 10 years, so the right age depends on the tour you pick.
