Ocean swims, shaved ice, golden sunsets, island adventures, and a little trip down memory lane. Returning to Hawaii with our daughter made this trip to Oahu extra special.
Aloha, Hawaii
Hawaii has always held a special place in my heart. There is something magical about this little piece of paradise, and for me, it starts the moment you step off the plane and are greeted by the warm Hawaiian breeze.
Fifteen years ago, we got married at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore. Returning to Hawaii with our daughter, London, and sharing a place that holds so many special memories for us made this trip extra meaningful.
While Hawaii will always be a place we love returning to, experiencing it through London's eyes brought a whole new kind of magic. From morning walks and ocean swims to shaved ice stops and watching the sun disappear into the Pacific, it was a reminder that sometimes the simplest experiences become the most memorable.
This trip was all about slowing down, spending time together, and embracing the kind of everyday adventures that make family travel so special.
Where to Stay
We have stayed in a few different places around Waikiki on previous visits, but this time we decided to stay slightly away from the busiest, most touristy part of the neighbourhood. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for, and we would happily choose the same area again.
We stayed at Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites, which had everything we needed for a family of three.
Our junior suite had a city view rather than an ocean view, but having a kitchen, a king bed, and a sofa bed made it a comfortable home base for our stay. I especially loved having the flexibility to prepare a few things in our room and settle into a slower pace between adventures.
The hotel has two heated swimming pools and is just a short walk from the beach and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon, which quickly became one of London's favourite places to visit.
A few little arrival perks added to the experience, too. We were welcomed with a shell lei, received a voucher for two bottles of water daily, and enjoyed a complimentary daily keiki scoop of ice cream from Dave's Hawaiian Ice Cream shop.
What I loved most about our stay was the location. We could head out on foot, explore Waikiki at our own pace, and return to the water whenever we felt like it. For our family, that balance made all the difference.
Our Little Waikiki Routine
One of my favourite things about family travel is discovering a rhythm that allows you to explore without feeling like you need to do everything.
We quickly fell into our own little routine in Waikiki.
We would walk into the heart of Waikiki, grab a coffee, wander through the shops, and treat ourselves to shaved ice before making our way back along the beach. The afternoons were usually spent swimming, whether that meant heading to the ocean, floating around the lagoon, or enjoying one of the hotel pools.
And then came my favourite part of the day: sunset.
We would head to a little stretch of beach, watch the sky change colours, and wait for the surfers to make their way back to shore after a day in the waves. London often wanted one last dip in the ocean before we called it a night.
There was no rush to get anywhere and no packed itinerary to follow. Just warm evenings, salty hair, sandy feet, and time together.
These are the moments I want to remember most about travelling as a family. Not necessarily the big-ticket attractions, but the little rituals that become part of your trip.
Our Favourite Things to Do in Waikiki
1. Spend the Afternoon at Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon
The Hilton Lagoon was London's favourite little swimming spot during our stay.
Located beside Hilton Hawaiian Village, this protected saltwater lagoon is a lovely place for families to enjoy the water away from the open ocean. It was perfect for a relaxed swim, and we found ourselves returning again and again.
Sometimes the best travel discoveries are the places you stumble upon and end up visiting every single day.
2. Watch the Sunset at Kahanamoku Beach
If there is one thing I would recommend making time for in Waikiki, it is sunset at the beach.
Our favourite way to end the day was at Kahanamoku Beach, near the Ala Wai Boat Harbor and Hilton Hawaiian Village.
We loved watching the surfers paddle in after their adventures, listening to the waves, and taking in the views across the water towards Diamond Head.
London would often head back into the ocean for one final swim while we watched the light soften over the Pacific.
3. Wander Through Waikiki
Waikiki is full of energy, with shops, restaurants, cafés, and plenty of places to stop for a treat.
We loved heading into town for coffee and a wander before walking back along the beach. Shaved ice became a regular part of our routine, and we enjoyed discovering little spots along the way.
One of my favourite things about exploring a destination on foot is that it leaves room for the unexpected. You can change direction, stop when something catches your eye, or spend an extra half hour somewhere simply because you are enjoying yourself.
For us, these unplanned moments were just as much a part of the adventure as the places we had planned to visit.
Exploring Beyond Waikiki: Our Oahu Island Adventure
While it would have been easy to spend our entire trip enjoying the beaches around Waikiki, there is so much more to discover across Oahu.
If you have the time, I would absolutely recommend renting a car for a day or two and exploring beyond the city. The island has such a beautiful mix of coastal scenery, lush landscapes, charming communities, and beaches that make you want to pull over every few minutes.
One of our most meaningful stops was a return to a place that will always be part of our story.
Turtle Bay Resort: A Trip Down Memory Lane
I may be a little biased, considering this is where we got married, but Turtle Bay Resort is honestly in one of the most beautiful locations on Oahu.
Situated on the North Shore, the surrounding coastline feels a world away from the busier streets of Waikiki. The ocean views, rugged shoreline, and laid-back atmosphere make the drive worthwhile.
You don't need to stay at the resort to appreciate the surrounding area. Public beach access is available at designated locations, although access and parking can vary, so it is worth checking the current arrangements before visiting.
For us, though, this stop was about much more than the scenery.
We returned to the pavilion where we had exchanged our vows fifteen years earlier. Standing there again, this time with London, was one of those full-circle moments that makes you pause and appreciate how much life has changed.
I took a photograph of the pavilion during our visit and have since had it printed to hang in our home. I love the thought of having a piece of that memory on our walls, especially now that our daughter is part of the story, too.
Travel has a way of connecting different chapters of your life. You return to a place you remember, but you experience it through the person you have become and the people who are now beside you.
This visit to Turtle Bay was a beautiful reminder of that.
Why I Love Family Travel
As a family adventure photographer, I spend a lot of time thinking about how we preserve memories.
I love documenting the movement, connection, laughter, and little in-between moments that tell the real story of a family. Travel gives us so many opportunities to experience those things together, often in places that encourage us to step outside our everyday routines.
But I also believe family adventures don't have to be elaborate or perfectly planned.
Sometimes they look like a morning walk for coffee, a spontaneous swim, a shared scoop of ice cream, or watching your child run back into the ocean just as you think it is time to leave.
Those are the moments that stay with us.
Our time in Waikiki reminded me that the best family trips aren't always about how much you manage to see. They are about how you feel while you are there and the memories you bring home with you.
Hawaii will always be special to us because it holds a piece of our history. But returning with London gave us a chance to create a whole new collection of memories, ones that belong to the three of us.
And that is what makes travelling as a family so meaningful.
Mahalo, Hawaii
Until next time, Hawaii.
Thank you for the salty ocean air, the golden sunsets, the shaved ice, the endless swimming, and the opportunity to share a place we love with our daughter.
Fifteen years after getting married on Oahu, we returned with a little more life behind us and a whole new set of memories to make.
And somehow, it felt just as magical as the first time.
Aloha, until we meet again.
