NCL - Wind Hawaii Ports

[amchew]

Hi- I'm booked on the NCL Wind this summer and was wondering if anyone knew if there are nice beached close to the ports in Hawaii? I am traveling with an infant and toddler and was hoping that we could just hang out at the local beached without having to rent a car or take a cab anywhere.

Any suggestions on good/interesting excursions for toddlers around the islands?

Thanks for your help!

[spleen93]

Fairly well covered topic in the past - you may wish to take a look through the old posts here regarding beaches. (I would recommend doing a search but it's notoriously unstable).

To get you started, most beaches are difficult to get to by walking from the pier. Honolulu (Oahu) is probably the prime example of this since the pier (Aloha Tower) is in the middle of an industrial harbor and downtown Honolulu. However, Kauai is doable since there is a beach that's relatively nearby (the one in front of the Kauai Marriott). Lahaina (Maui) is also doable since you can take a shuttle to Kaanapali Beach. Kahului (Maui) would be a little harder since none of the beaches on the north side are all that great. Kona (Hawaii) does have some beaches that are within walking distance from where the tender docks. Hilo (Hawaii) does not.

I would think that most of the animal attractions would be good for toddlers. Sea Life Park on Oahu, Maui Ocean Center on Maui might be options. How old is your toddler?

Spleen

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[amchew]

Thanks for the info. That helps me out and I'll do a search on beaches. My toddler is 3.5 going on "7".

[spleen93]

That's a cute age. Yeah, I think the animal attractions would work pretty well for a kid that age. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Spleen

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[Suebee]

Sorry I didnt notice your toddler questions until now.
I have a 6 and 4 year old now....we can help with the questions on kids excursions. I would recommend the zoo and aquairium...they are inexpensive and JUST ENOUGH for kids...we are at the zoo a lot!
You MIGHT like the Childrens Discovery Center...not a museum, more of a place to let them explore. It is set up like different areas to try to be a fighfighter, doctor, news person, etc...dress up, try the environment...not good for older kids but great for little ones.
The out of town beach we prefer is KoOlina Lagoons...they are a 1/2 hour out of town, but GREAT beaches for little ones because of no waves or undertow.
Sea Life park can be scary for toddlers because the sea lions and dolphins are BIG and right there...my son had a hard time at 3 and 1/2. If your kids arent skiddish, the shows are really fun for them.

Those are the places we go mostly around here. The Dole Plantation can be fun on the drive back from the North Shore for some ice cream, but is pricey if you do the railroad there and maze for a family of 4.

Ask away...I am sure i have left something out.

[amchew]

Thanks for responding! We've been to the discovery museum and love it. Do you have any other suggestions on the other islands as far as beaches for kids?

Also, I wanted to take my child on a boat excurion to see the dolphins. Do you know of any reliable companies to book a tour with besides the ship's excursions and what island might be best? The ship has an excursion in Kona. I didn't know if that's the best place.

thanks!

[Suebee]

Sorry you asked the two questions that I cant answer! We have only been to the other islands while cruising on the Star. We didnt do any beach days on those days at all.
You might want to go to the Black beaches on the Big Island to see the turtles and just to marvel at the sand....but dont take any!
On Maui, we went to the Maui Ocean Center which the kids just love. I think they do some excursions but not sure.
I havent been on any excursions for dolphins yet. [url]www.dolphinexcursions.com[/url] has a coupon in the Entertainment book. There is also a coupon for one in Kona [url]www.dream_cruises.com[/url].

Sorry I cant help more on those questions.

[spleen93]

[quote name='amchew']Also, I wanted to take my child on a boat excurion to see the dolphins. Do you know of any reliable companies to book a tour with besides the ship's excursions and what island might be best? The ship has an excursion in Kona. I didn't know if that's the best place. [QUOTE]

Spinner dolphins are commonly seen between Maui and Lanai - there's usually sailing expeditions from Maui that go to Lanai that claim frequent dolphin sightings.

BTW, on Maui, for small children that may be frightened by larger waves, you may want to look at going to Olowalu. Normally, I don't recommend this area for swimming. But if you're only going to splashing in the shallows (i.e. calf deep), then it may be a good choice since the waves here are blocked by the close-in reef. I would avoid here though if the water is murky or if there's been recent heavy rains - there have been reports of shark attacks out beyond the reef in the past. It's a pretty beach though with nice sand and it's EXTREMELY easy access - you just park on the side of the road and it's right there. It actually has pretty decent snorkeling too.

Spleen