The Spread:
Wide, white-sand beaches are rare on the Big Island, but the 310-room Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, a luxury resort, is situated on one of the island’s best—a sheltered crescent, perfect for swimming and sunning. The resort also offers scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. At night, you can peer over oceanfront lava outcroppings to watch manta rays swim near the shore.

The hotel shares 1,839 oceanfront acres with Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, where the children’s program is based. A free shuttle allows families to use both properties.

Why Families Love It:
Along with two championship golf courses, the resorts’ each have splash-worthy pools. Hapuna’s takes the shape of a whale, with an infinity edge and whirlpool as its spout.

What would a Hawaiian vacation be without a luau? Every Tuesday, guests watch as the imu (underground oven) is opened to reveal a roasted pig, the centerpiece of a Hawaiian feast. Then the resident hula troupe’s ancient and modern island songs and dances take over.

Kids ages five to 12 learn more about Hawaiian culture at the "Prince Keiki Club," from 9 a.m. to noon ($25) or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for full days ($50 including lunch). The program focuses on Hawaiian arts, crafts, and music, as well as offers beachcombing, pool outings, and tennis instruction through the Bashful Beginners program. From May 1 to September 30, the program is half-price.

More budget stretchers: Kids under 12 dining with an adult eat free during spring and summer, and under the family plan, children 17 years and under sharing with their parents stay free, using existing beds. Teens like to spend time with the beach boys boogie-boarding and lava-hiking, but this hard-to-please group also finds facials and other tailored services at the resort’s spa.

Special Events & Activities:
Gaze at the stars through a high-powered telescope. Three nights a week at Hapuna, a local astronomer holds stargazing programs.