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Are you planning a trip to the Big Island, Hawaii and wondering where you can find the best kid-friendly hike on the Big Island that gives you the most bang for your buck?

We visited the Big Island, Hawaii with our toddler and a highlight activity for us was hiking Pololū Valley, a 50 minute beautiful drive along the coast from the Hilton Waikola Village where we were staying. The views from the lookout are beautiful with magnificent cliffs and ocean views but we loved the hike down to Pololū Valley!

Check out our ultimate 5 day itinerary to the Big Island!

Here’s everything you need to know about hiking with a toddler to Pololū Valley:

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How long is the hike down to Pololū Valley?

The hike down to the black sand beach in Pololū Valley is around 0.6 miles. The hike is short (about 30 minutes) but steep down into the valley floor and beach. At the end, you are welcomed with a beautiful black sand beach and a lush valley with a stream.

Can I do the hike to Pololū Valley with a toddler?

We brought our 2 year old with us on the hike and it was totally doable! We did the hike in our teva sandals and our toddler in his keen sandals and it worked great. Did he need a few shoulder rides? Sure, but he did most of it himself and had a blast! See below for our toddler must haves and essentials list for hikes in Hawaii.

Is the hike to Pololū Valley worth it?

The hike to Pololū Valley is absolutely worth it! Once you get to the valley and walk towards the beach, there are trees that provide some shade and a fun makeshift swing. Along the beach, there are tree logs for sitting and it’s fun to go for a stroll. The black sand is so special and it was fun to enjoy the views!

Behind the beach, you can explore the valley floor and appreciate the beautiful scenery. Make note that the further inland you go, it becomes private property, so don’t venture too far.

Can you swim in Pololū Valley?

We dipped our feet in the ocean and played a bit in the waves. But it’s not recommended to swim given the high surf unless you are a strong swimmer.

Is there parking at Pololū Valley?

There is limited parking space at the lookout point with minimal space to turn around (it’s like a dead end street with the end being the entrance to the trail). Your best bet is to go early and park on the shoulder of the road.

Other things to do in the area

(1) Enjoy local snacks & food at Fresh Off the Grid

A few minutes drive from the Pololū Valley lookout, you can grab shave ice, banana bread, smoothies, fresh fruit etc. at this food and fruit truck and stand called Fresh Off the Grid. There’s also more substantial food like nachos and different bowls. There’s picnic tables outside for you to enjoy your treats and a view of the ocean and their farm. It was the perfect stop after hiking Pololū Valley!

(2) Kēōkea Beach Park

Kēōkea Beach Park is a great hidden beach park with a shower, restrooms, and picnic tables that’s about 10 minutes from Pololū Valley lookout. This is a nice spot for relaxing and going for a swim after your hike.

What should I bring for my kids on this hike?

• Snacks and water: always a must when going anywhere with toddlers and kids. We like these silicon spill proof snack containers or these stackable snack containers.
• Water shoes that are also good for hiking: I’m a fan of teva sandals and for our toddler, the keen sandals worked great (protected his feet, has good traction and are water resistant)
• Sun hats: we always bring the hats but whether or not we can keep them on our kid’s head is a different story. We like these sun hats for toddlers because it provides pretty good sun (and rain) coverage. It doesn’t necessarily check any of the aesthetic boxes but it does the trick!
• Swimsuits: when in Hawaii, always pack a swimsuit in the backpack or car just in case. You never know if you’ll find a beach, swim hole or waterfall.
• Rain jackets: you never know when it will start raining, so we always like to bring our light rain jackets in the backpack or car. We like these packable light rain jackets that are perfect for more tropical weather like Hawaii.