Hawaii's Big Island Family Multisport
- The sensational Waipio Valley, where sheer cliffs are blanketed by thick greenery and strung with waterfalls
- Bike on Crater Rim Drive before a huge descent to the stunning Kau Coast
- Plenty of quality beach time - and a surf lesson if you like
- Snorkel and kayak with sea turtles and colorful fish
- Hike across a caldera with a certified volcanologist
Big-Time Fun on the Big Island from Coast to Crater
Aloha and whoa! Animal: parrot fish, turtles, butterfly fish. Vegetable: rain forest, flower leis, fresh pineapple. Mineral: Lava tubes, sea caves, active volcanoes, black-sand beaches. Add crystalline water, surfing, hiking, snorkeling, biking. And plenty of opportunities to lounge poolside, hit the waterslide or head to the spa. You guessed it: Hawaii.
Day 1 The sensational Waipio Valley, where sheer cliffs are blanketed by thick greenery and strung with waterfalls 
Bike along Hamakua's high coastline - postcard-perfect valleys and lush tropical hills greet you around every turn 
Hear a rushing sound? A rain forest walk leads to Akaka Falls, where water plunges more than 400 feet.
Days 2-3 Hike across a caldera and through a 600-foot-long lava tube with a certified volcanologist in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Kilauea, the Earth's most active volcano Spin past ferns and ohia lehua trees on Crater Rim Drive before descending 4,000 feet to the stunning Kau Coast Is that rock moving? No, it's a sea turtle on the black sand of Punaluu Beach! Learn the stories of people who sought refuge at Puuhonua long ago.
Day 4 Kayak past rocky cliffs and secluded sea caves in crystalline Keauhou Bay Want a closer look? Don a mask and snorkel for a swimming adventure among colorful parrot fish, moorish idol and Hawaiian lionfish Fresh Kona coffee tempts at a small independent farm.
Days 5-6 Kids hang ten with a surfing lesson, explore tide pools or learn to make leis Spin along the sun-drenched Kohala Coast, tracing 30 miles of the Kona Ironman Triathlon's cycling course Rather relax? Lounge on white sand or indulge at the spa, snorkel or play tennis Glimpse Hawaii's ancient culture on a walk to petroglyphs chiseled on smooth black slates of cooled lava.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
This was the best family vacation we ever had, and a great part of that was due to the wonderful leaders we had, who were simply outstanding. They not only were sensitive to our every need and concern, they were wonderful with the children, all of whom clearly ended up worshiping them and wishing - like us - that the trip would not end. I think our son would have preferred to go with them at the end than to come home with us! All in all, we're with Backroads for the long haul and look forward to another trip soon.- Manhattan Beach, CA
The best leaders on a Backroads trip I've experienced. Their knowledge of the area, culture, animals, plants, myths/stories was excellent. They were all encouraging and worked to make sure everyone got to do what they wanted (levels, activity, whatever). I appreciated the down time built in to the schedule.- Los Altos Hills, CA
Superb operation, wonderful (WONDERFUL) family vacation experience. Taking the logistics/planning out of the equation made everything better. And the guides did a tremendous job enabling everyone in our family and our group to customize their daily activities to match their individual preferences. Truly a wonderful family experience.- San Francisco, CA
Casual Inns*
Kilauea Lodge
Volcano Village (2 nights) An up-country bed-and-breakfast with ideal access to Volcanoes National Park.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
Kailua-Kona (1 night) This full-service resort overlooks an ancient lava flow on the Kona coast. (pool, spa, tennis)
Fairmont Orchid
Kohala Coast (2 nights) Earning a spot on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List, it offers abundant amenities, a lovely half-moon beach and sweeping views of the Pacific. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
* Premiere Inn
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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 17 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 0.5 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 4.9 miles
- 850 feet elevation gain
- Biking 6, 16, 32 miles
- 500 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 24, 40, 48 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Kayaking & Snorkeling 3-4 hours
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Bike 13, 32, 50 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Surfing (Kids) 3-4 hours (weather permitting)
Day 6
- Walking 1.5 hours
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Hawaii tour experts. See our award-winning USA multisport tours, USA biking tours and USA walking and hiking tours.
