Ko Olina Resort Week—Family-Friendly Activities

Less than 30 minutes into a snorkeling cruise with Ocean Joy Cruises out of Ko Olina Marina, we were surrounded by a pod of spinner dolphins. They were gracefully swimming next to the boat, their fins gliding in and out of the water. At least five dolphins jumped dramatically out of the water and spun in the air. The best part about the experience is that we were the only boat out there, not the usual half-dozen boats chasing the same dolphins. Backed by the arid, jagged peaks that rise along the quiet western shores, the backdrop was magical. It only got better when we were dumped into the 78-degree ocean water atop a reef that was teeming with neon-colored fish. The visibility was excellent and as soon I made the plunge, I was mesmerized by the yellow eyes of the aptly named Picasso Triggerfish and the silky Black Triggerfish. 
 
Venturing out on a snorkeling cruise is merely one of the numerous activities offered at the Ko Olina Resort. Frankly, you never have to leave your property whether you’re staying at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, the Disney Aulani Resort, or the Marriott Vacation Club villas. There are four beachfront lagoons that lead to the shallow waters, ideally suited for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking or spotting fish. This is in addition to the numerous pools, lazy rivers, and hot tubs scattered across the properties, most with waiter service. And the Ko Olina Golf Club was recently chosen by Golf Digest as one of the top 75 resort courses in America.
 
Last night, the moon was glowing and stars glittered across the sky, the perfect opportunity to stargaze, an activity led by the knowledgeable astronomer, Greg, at Aulani. Through his high-powered telescopes, we lined up to view the ring around Saturn, see the craters of the brilliantly lit moon, spot disc-like Mars, a hazy distant galaxy, even a Black Hole. I’d say that’s a pretty good day when you can view a Picasso Triggerfish and the ring around Saturn.