While living near beautiful beaches can be paradise, for some of us, the pool or splash pad is a much more convenient way to have more fun, especially with young children. If you’re trying to find the closest (or most exciting) aquatic venue, check out this list! You’ll want to bookmark this one for sure, as it’s guaranteed to have something fun for everyone!

1. Kapolei Kroc Center

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Located near Kapolei, the Kroc Center Hawaii is the largest community center of its kind in Hawaii. The facility offers a lap pool, fitness classes, wellness center, gymnasium, child watch, pool with water slides, outdoor activities, and more! They even offer summer programs, preschool, and other enrichment opportunities for homeschooling kids too! They offer a membership monthly or annually, or you can purchase a guest pass. You can take a virtual tour of the facility here.

Here’s the Link: http://www.kroccenterhawaii.org/facility.html

Here’s What You Should Know:
There’s a charge for babies too. Parking is plentiful. There are daycare facilities. Being a member saves you up to 10% off of registration fees for different programs. It can get busy on school holidays and during the summer, so if you want to try it out one time first, your best bet is on a weekday when you’ll have the place more to yourself.

2. Wet N’ Wild

If you’re looking for a day away with rides, pools, and water galore, this is the place! The facility offers varying levels of rides for all ability levels. Many of the rides have height requirements, and may require lifejackets, but kids of all ages can enjoy the facility. There are even areas for ages 12 and up only. For those who want a break from the water, take advantage of the mini-golf course! Watch a video of the different rides here.

Here’s the Link:  https://www.wetnwildhawaii.com/

Here’s What You Should Know:
Daily admissions tickets are almost the same cost as the Season Pass. If you purchase before May 31, you get a season pass for only $49.99 + tax, and you also get a free admission ticket for a friend and a refillable bottle to be used in the park which gives discounted drinks. For a little more, you can buy the Gold Pass which provides free parking, free mini golf, priority entry, and in-park discounts. No personal flotation devices are allowed in the park, but you CAN bring unopened sealed bottled water. Food and drink can be expensive, but if you are a Costco member, it is very close and you can stop for $1.50 hotdog and drink on your way to or from the park to save money!

3. City of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recrecation

In addition to the bigger water parks on the island, the parks and recreation departments around Oahu have city pools available for use as well!  http://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/dpr/dpr_docs/pool2.pdf

Here’s What You Should Know:

Many of the pools have locker rooms and bathrooms available, as well as showers and other facilities. Call the specific pool you intend to visit before going, though, to verify their hours and operation.

4. YMCA

The YMCA of Honolulu offers swim lessons throughout the year. There are swim classes, private swim, as well a swim team if your child is interested, all offered in their heated salt water pool!

http://www.ymcahonolulu.org/

Here’s What You Should Know:
The lessons are available to members as well as non-members, but you do get a discount if you join. The Leeward, Windward and Mililani branches all offer classes, so choose the location closest to you!

5. Disney Aulani (for a staycation)

If you’re looking to get away without leaving the island, Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa may be just the thing for you. With water slides, a lazy river, a private lagoon, and other play areas and pools, there is fun and relaxation for all ages. Characters appear at pool parties during the day, and there is a splash zone and other areas for the youngest of Disney fans.

Here’s the Link:  http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/about-aulani/story/

Here’s What You Should Know:
Fall and Spring offer the best rates for staying at Aulani. You can get a Kama’aina rate which helps offset the cost some as well. Also, you have access to the resort from when they open on the day you check in, until they close the day you are checking out, so arrive early that first day and stay late your last to get the full experience.

6. Hickam AFB Pools*

Military Pools and Splash Pads

Most of these require base access, but if you do have an ID card, it can be a way to enjoy the sun and water in a secure environment. They’re not always less crowded than public pools, but they are convenient, especially if you live on base. Also, all children have to pass a swim test given by the lifeguards or they are required to use a lifejacket (provided by the pool). No outside toys or floats allowed.

Scott Pool: Located on Club Road (Pearl Harbor)

LAP SWIM
Monday-Thursday: 5-7 p.m.
Monday – Friday: 5-7 a.m., 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – Noon

OPEN SWIM:
Mon – Fri: 1 – 5 p.m.
Sat & Sun: Noon – 5 p.m.

This pool is a 50 yard pool, and offers a lot more for the older kids. There are two diving boards (one high, one low), and a 120’ water slide!

Here’s What You Should Know:
While there is more to do in the deep end, there are no stairs to enter the pool, just a ladder, making it harder for young children and parents to climb in. There is, however, a shallow wading pool toddlers can enjoy!

Pool 2: Located on Mill Boulevard (Hickam)

OPEN SWIM:
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Wednesday- Friday: 1 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Noon – 5 p.m.
SUMMER HOURS (effective 5/25-9/7)
Open Swim:
Tuesday- Friday: 1- 5 p.m.
Sa/Su/Holidays: Noon – 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays

This pool features a diving board, shallow wading pool (great for toddlers!) and one water slide. There are several canopies to sit under if you need a break from the sunshine, and lounge chairs around the pool as well.

Here’s What You Should Know:
The shallow end entry on this pool is a set of stairs, which makes it easy to get in and out with children.
http://www.greatlifehawaii.com/fitness-sports/aquatics

7. Hickam Splash Park*

Located near the Kuntz gate (Hickam), this Splash Park lets your kids cool off in the water without you worrying as much about deep water.  There are picnic tables and a small playground nearby.

Here’s What You Should Know:
The only downside is it is not fenced in like some other parks are. If you have a runner, you’ll want to keep a closer eye here than at some of the fenced in facilities.

8. Kaneohe MCBH Splash Park*

This is a great option for those who live windward. It’s on the base, is well maintained, is gated, and has lounge chairs and small tables for those watching children. There is a bathroom on site as well!

Here’s What You Should Know:
The water is not turned on until 1000am sharp, and the bathrooms are not open until then either. There is also a large playground nearby, though, if you need to keep the kids busy until they open!

9. Kaneohe MCBH Pools*

March-October
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday:
1100-1300 Lap Swim & Training
1300-1800 Lap Swim & Open Swim
Sat/Sun/Hol: 1200-1700 Lap Swim & Open Swim
November-February
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday:
1100-1300 Lap Swim & Training
1300-1700 Lap Swim & Open Swim
Sat/Sun/Hol: 1200-1700 Lap Swim & Open Swim

Here’s What You Should Know:
There are two pools available on MCBH, however one is closed indefinitely. The other is open, though the kiddie pool is also closed currently for maintenance.

10. AMR Splash Park*

This isn’t the fanciest splash park around, but it gets the job done. There are sometimes sections of the sprayers that do not work, but it is enclosed which is a big benefit if you have multiple small children with you.

Here’s What You Should Know:
There are a few benches inside and a small patch of grass. You might want to bring a lawn chair if you really want to sit while supervising. The other big bonus is that there is no military ID required, it is located inside of the housing area on AMR with no gate guard. The water isn’t scheduled to turn on until 1030am, but there is a playground nearby if you want to play while waiting.

11. Schofield Splash Park*

This park is again on the smaller side, but there is a lot of grass surrounding it to run around, and benches for the parents to sit on. The water here is scheduled to turn on at 930am.

Here’s What You Should Know:
This park is inside of a residential community and on base, and there aren’t many other amenities here so be prepared, especially if you have young ones with you.

12. Hale Koa (Waikiki)*

This military hotel has a great resort experience for tourists and locals alike. Even if you are not staying on premises, you can enjoy the pool and beach. There is a toddler pool, an adult pool, and a standard pool for kids to splash and play. There are also bathrooms, several bars, and several food purchasing options available.

Here’s What You Should Know:
Park in the garage across the street from the Hale Koa. Make sure to bring your parking ticket with you. You can get it validated at the Concierge desk (with military ID) which significantly helps with the parking expenses. Depending on the person manning the desk, you may not be allowed to get a towel without a room key, so bring your own towels and flotation devices for the kids if needed.

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