Head Over Heels For Hawaii

NATALIE MOURAD travels to the heart of Oahu to discover innumerable delights for families

Lying on the warm sand outside of the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, I listen to crashing waves as the sunrise glistens over the ocean. Pulling me out of my reverie are like-minded early-risers tackling the morning waves and children building sandcastles. This is my idea of serenity.

Aloha Honolulu

Greeted with leis, “alohas” and a tangy, tropical island juice, our welcome to Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort leaves us in no doubt that we are in heavenly Hawaii. Located in central Waikiki, the all-inclusive resort spoils us for choice, with everything from cultural experiences and walking tours where kids are enchanted with tales of Hawaii’s ‘Merrie Monarch’ King Kalkaua and Princess Kaiulani, to in-resort shopping and a sprawling pool.

Wonderfully located, with the restaurants, bars and shops of the Waikiki Beach Walk nearby, guests of the resort can explore the precinct with ease using their room card to access Outrigger’s own connection trolley. As an added bonus, guests receive discounted admission (free Junior admission per paying adult) to nearby Waikiki Aquarium to learn about Waikiki Beach and its fragile coral reefs.

Making waves in Waikiki

Hawaii offers plenty of classic must-do activities and a slight sprinkle of rain doesn’t deter me from braving the waters of Waikiki Beach by canoe with Faith Surf School. Our lesson begins with moderate paddling and we increase our tempo only when it’s time to catch a wave. We float back to shore before going for round two. There’s no age limit for the experience so, if the waves aren’t too big, you and the little ones can hit the water.