Noah, Eden, and Jonah have been traveling with me their entire lives. So far the three of them have been to at least 22 countries, 4 continents, and almost every state in the United States. Needless to say, when I ask them what the best family vacations were, they had more than a few opinions! 

They quickly fired off an assortment of places we have been. It was interesting to hear what they picked, some of them I knew, but other ones were a complete surprise. After some serious conversation with them, we’ve narrowed it down to 17!

Top 17 Family Vacations You will Never Forget!

1. Singapore

Singapore is in all of our top ten picks. My oldest, Noah considers Singapore to be a utopia because of its cleanliness and orderliness. Oddly enough, we were only in Singapore for two days, making it one of the shortest stays we have done anywhere. It only took one day for us to fall in love with this city. We recommend walking around Marina Bay where the architecture is insane and definitely visit some parts of the Marina Bay Gardens. I can assure you that your kids have never seen anything else like this! The kid’s favorite hotel here is the Fairmont Singapore. For more ideas on what to do and where to find the best milkshake see my article: Singapore Travel Guide.

2. Cancun

Cancun has so much going on, and don’t worry, it’s safe. We spent a week there and basically had a non-stop adventure! The entire area is set up well to accommodate any kind of family and literally any type of budget. Families will appreciate luxurious, all-inclusive resorts with kid’s clubs and teen clubs. While the kids are off doing their own thing parents can head to a spa or the bar. There isn’t a bad beach anywhere in the area, so plan to spend at least two full days beach bumming.  While you are there, be sure to see Mayan Ruins, swim in a cenote, eat lots of Mexican food, and go ATVing. 

For a list fun family things to do in Cancun check out this post: 12 Adventurous Things to do in Cancun. I recommend staying at The Grand in Cancun or at another one of the  11 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Cancun for Families.

If at some point you head over to Cozumel (you totally should), check out my post: 13 Things to do in Cozumel. I recommend staying at Allegro Cozumel.

3. Thailand

Thailand is absolutely incredible and I wasn’t surprised it landed in my kids top three places. You can basically go anywhere in Thailand and have an interesting experience. I recommend visiting at least these three places when you go: Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. Although they each have some similarities they are completely different experiences.

Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s islands and it’s extremely kid friendly. My kids thought taking a Thai cooking class was cool and they loved going to the beaches and interacting with elephants and tigers. To find the elephants on the beach check out my post: Swimming with Elephants in Thailand. And for more help planning your trip to Phuket see my article: 5 Day Phuket Itinerary with Kids.

Bangkok

Bangkok is massive so there are loads and activities. The kids loved biking through the city despite the heavy traffic and they were thrilled when we stumbled across monstrous milkshakes. To read more about taking Bangkok to kids, check out my article: Two Days in Bangkok with Kids.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is an easy city to get around and it has tons to see and do. The city has an incredible night market where you and your kids could shop for hours. Here you will find interesting things to purchase like leather journals, bracelets, and tuk-tuks made out of soda cans. There is an elephant sanctuary where families can care for elephants and of course the food is outstanding! I recommend staying at the Shangri-la and taking a food and city tour by bike. Learn more about visiting Chiang Mai with kids in my article: 4 Things to do in Chiang Mai with kids.

4. New York City

New York City is currently Noah’s #1 and in Eden’s top 3 and in my top 15. The kids love the many dessert experiences here like Serendipity and  Black Tap. Both places have outrageous over-the-top desserts. They all enjoy hanging out in Central Park and Bryant Park, both parks have lots of free activities. At Bryant Park, kids can play kubb, while parents grab a drink at the little outdoor bar there. In Central Park, there are multiple playgrounds.

Visiting the 9/11 memorial is a must and if the kids are 10 or older tour the museum. Kids enjoy touring the Statue of Liberty, but not necessarily Ellis Island. If you do, go to Ellis Island to look for your family’s name on the wall. If you want to do a bus tour I recommend The Ride, especially if your kids are teens or tweens. I think going to a Broadway show is a must, but this is expensive and not worth it if your kids hate musicals or might possibly sleep through it. Good plays for kids are Wicked, Lion King, and Phantom of the Opera.

Remember the further out you can plan a trip to New York the cheaper the trip will be. Here are 15 Ways to save money in NYC.

We’ve been to NYC more times than we can remember. Check out our New York City Travel Guide to help you plan your own epic NYC getaway!

5. Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii is another place that all three kids agree on and Oahu is their top island followed by Kauai. On Oahu, their favorite thing to do is sit at the pool or sit on the beach.

The kids recommend hanging out at the beach on North Shore to check out the waves and do some shopping. While you are up there have shrimp from Giovani’s Shrimp truck and get shaved ice at Matsumoto Shave Ice. If you feel like getting active rent a paddleboard at Sea N Surf and paddle up the Anahulu River and look for sea turtles. The last time we went we saw five huge sea turtles.

Also, fun in Oahu is parasailing in Waikiki and hiking to the top of Diamond Head. When you get done hiking Diamond Head, stop by Shimazu Shave Ice for massive shaved ice.

For more help planning your family’s Oahu vacation read our Oahu Travel Guide. 

I highly recommend staying at Disney’s Aulani if possible. 

6. Orlando

Orlando would probably make any kid’s list. With it being home to Disney World, Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Universal Studios a family could spend a month and do something different every single day. Universal Orlando is a must once each kid is tall enough to ride all the roller coasters and the new water park, Volcano Bay is fantastic. Besides the theme parks, there are all sorts of other fun things to do like swamp tours through alligator-infested waters, knight tournaments at Medieval Times, and within a short drive lots of beaches.

7. London

London also made it high on the list of the kid’s favorite places. We visited during Thanksgiving a few years ago and everything we did was awesome. There is so much to see and do that you can easily spend a week or two here and never run out of activities. Some of their favorite things were seeing the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, eating at Borough Market, and doing the Tower of London tour. Both boy’s least favorite thing to do is the bus tours. I personally appreciated how many free things there were to do in London. For more London ideas and tips, see my article: London with Kids.

8. Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica is Jonah’s #1 pick, and if I was his age, I think this would possibly be my #1 too. We recommend staying at Beaches Negril. This is an all-inclusive resort geared specifically for families. Highlights of staying here include:

• Sesame Street parade and BBQ party where families can dance with the characters, DJs lead dances, flame throwers perform, and more.
• Ice Cream Machine – The kids loved the ice cream machine which they visited a minimum of three times a day. (Don’t judge me, it’s vacation!)
• Snuba – Even kids can snuba at Beaches Negril and they do not have to have any experience to do this. The instructors are fabulous and it’s an activity the kids will never forget.
• Multiple pools, a lazy river, a water playground, and hot tubs.
• Miniature golf
• Video game lounge
• Kid’s club

9. Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado is another destination that is enjoyable year-round. During the summer the kids enjoy biking around town, riding horses around the mountain, and visiting the Epic Discovery adventure park set up on the mountain. In the winter the skiing is excellent. My kids have skied since they were little and appreciate the extensive skiing found in Vail. If you do not ski, this is a great place to learn.  For more info, check out our Vail Travel Guide. 

10. Silvies Valley Ranch

Visiting a dude ranch is a completely unique vacation. You can have an experience as a family that just can’t be had unless you are on a working ranch. Here you can shoot guns, interact with baby goats, hit the spa, experience gourmet dining, participate in a cattle round-up, and much more. They even have four golf courses on the ranch. Golf lovers will flip out over the reversible golf course that’s right I said reversible! With a little bit of everything, your family is sure to have an incredible time. To get a feel of the overall ranch read about our Silvies Valley Ranch Experience.

11. Greece

Greece is an epic experience because let’s face it, there’s no other place on earth like it. It basically doesn’t matter what part of the country you visit, you will never have a bad meal, you will experience history and culture like never before. I can state this as a fact because we’ve traveled all over Greece and it’s all been wonderful. 

Athens

Chances are high that one way or another a Greek vacation is going to take you through Athens at some point. Plan to spend at least a day here so you can visit the Acropolis before heading out to the islands. At night during the sunset dine at Savvas, their rooftop overlooks the Acropolis. Hotels can be difficult to get for a family, you may want to stay in an Airbnb.

Mykonos

A one of a kind city and gorgeous beaches await you in Mykonos. Teens and parents alike will love Mykonos City full of white-washed buildings. Also, if you can get a sitter or if your kids are old enough to stay at the hotel alone plan to go out. Mykonos has one of the best nightlife experiences in the world.

• For more advice, check out my post: Mykonos with Kids

Santorini 

Here you will have the opportunity to see things you’ve never see before like Red Beach. Perissa, the black beach is also worth visiting if you’ve never seen one before. There are two towns built into the sides of the island, both of which are worth spending time in, Fira and Oia. In Oia, you will see one of the greatest sunsets in the world. 

• For more things to do and where to stay check out my post: Santorini on a Budget. 

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is from biblical times and many of their historical sights have withstood the test of time. (Okay, I know what you are thinking. Yes, all of Greece is from biblical times.) They basically have ruins or a gorgeous church around every corner. The food scene is excellent here. For a list of things to see and do check out my post: Thessaloniki on a Budget. 

Kassandra

Can’t afford to splurge on the islands? Head here instead. Here you will be greeted with that famous aqua water and glorious beaches. Go shopping in Pefkochori and grab lunch at Agora Beach Bar. I highly recommend staying at Alexander the Great Beach Resort in this area. 

12. Australia

If you can get yourself to Australia, do it! Australia is just as fabulous as everyone says it is. There are so many varied experiences to be had throughout the country.  Try to plan a minimum of 9 days in the country. More than two weeks would be better. 

Whitsunday Islands

If swimming the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, then this should be your first stop. Whitehaven Beach should also be on your bucket list. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Melbourne

If you’ve got a family of foodies, Melbourne is sure to delight. They have the most over-the-top, whimsical food creations you’ve likely ever seen. In between beautiful meals stop by the Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes and the graffiti alleys. The alleys in Melbourne are really cool. 

• Where to eat in Melbourne

Great Ocean Road 

One of the top road trips in the world is driving the Great Ocean Road. Along the way, you can stop at dozens of scenic overlooks and take in the magnificent rock formations like Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles. You can enjoy one of the many nice beaches where kids can swim and play in the sand. Plus, there are animal encounters. Pull over to look for koalas in the trees and feed the birds at Kafe Koala. Be sure to stop at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos. 

13. Texas

We are originally from Texas so it was no surprise that Texas made the list. The kids have been all over Texas and they recommend eating lots of Tex-Mex food and visiting the following cities: Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

San Antonio

San Antonio has a ton of stuff for families to do. Here you will find a massive zoo, Fiesta Texas theme park, the famous San Antonio River Walk, and just outside of town is Schlitterbahn the #1 water park in the world. When visiting plan at least one full day at Schlitterbahn, half a day at the river walk, and float the Comal river. Our favorite restaurants in San Antonio currently are Ocho, Toro Kitchen + Bar, and Rita’s on the River. 

In San Antonio, I recommend staying at Hotel Emma.

Plan your entire trip with our San Antonio Travel Guide.

Dallas/Fort Worth

The Dallas, Fort Worth area is packed with stuff to do for families. Over in Fort Worth will love the rodeo at the stockyards. Be sure to go when they have bull riding. Also found in the stockyards is a fun maze and Texas-themed shopping. Plus, they do a daily cattle drive. Our favorite restaurants in Dallas include Meso Maya for dinner and El Jordan Cafe for breakfast. Just north of Dallas is Addison, TX which is jammed packed with great restaurants. 

14. Honduras

Honduras is easily one of our top vacations, according to me. Unfortunately, the kids remember very little of the trip. I recommend going to Roatan and Copan. These two places are no where near each other and two extremely different experiences. What they do have in common is affordability!

Roatan

Roatan is one of the Bay Islands and along the 2^nd best barrier reef in the world. The reef is near the shoreline making it extremely easy for kids to snorkel. Jonah was 4 when we visited and he was able to snorkel. Also fun here is zip lining and paddleboarding.

Copan

Copan is a Honduran city that borders Guatemala. Here you can go horseback riding up a mountain, go zip lining on one of the longest zip lines in the world, and visit an incredible hot spring.

15. Panama City Beach

Another family favorite in Florida is Panama City Beach. The beach has soft, powdery, white sand. It isn’t as big as many of the beach towns, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do. Go mini-golfing and go-carting, spend the day at the beach, or shop around at Pier Park. Spend one day bopping around Scenic 30A, where you will find tiny beach towns like Seaside or Rosemary. Renting some bicycles is a perfect way to explore this area. Another interesting spot worth venturing out to is Sandestin’s Baytowne Wharf. Here, families can indulge in boutique shopping, zip-lining, ropes courses, an arcade, and unique eateries.

Use our Panama City Beach travel guide to plan your entire vacation.

16. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is super cool country with a wide variety of things to do. The food was consistently good, the activities were exciting and the people were so nice. Whether rafting down a volcano’s raging rivers in a tube near La Fortuna to chilling at a beautiful beach on the Pacific or the Atlantic everyone is going to enjoy the country. Costa Rica Travel Guide

17. La Paz

La Paz features miles of white sand beaches and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure including paddle boarding, kite surfing, kayaking, SCUBA diving, whale watching, swimming with whale sharks, sportfishing, hiking, mountain biking, and much more. If you want your kids off their devices and outside doing stuff you will love it here. Plus, the food is unbelievably good. 

Plan your own trip with our La Paz Travel Guide for Families. Plus, Best Places to Stay in La Paz, Mexico and Best Beaches in La Paz.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it, the best of the best family travel locations. There are hundreds of other places that could have made the list but didn’t. These were ones that just barely missed making our list: Las Vegas, Bavarian Alps in Germany, Paris, and house boating on Lake Shuswap in British Columbia. Like Honduras, my kids do not even remember house boating up in Canada, but if they did (well not Jonah, he had yet to be born), I am sure it would have made it onto the list.

Where are your favorite places to take your kids on vacation? We are always taking recommendations and planning our next family vacations. Yes, plural. Why take just one vacation? I think you should take as many as possible, big trips, weekend getaways, family reunions, you name it. These are all opportunities to have fun, spend time together and make the most memories possible. And don’t delay. Noah’s a high school senior and he’s about to move on with his life. (Oregon State University #Bragging) And y’all, I straight up ran out of time with him. You will run out of time, so make today count.

Read Next:

16 Insanely Awesome Girl’s Trips

11 Best Places to Snorkel with Kids Around the World

The post 17 Incredible Family Vacations appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Plus, answer some common questions about snorkeling and provide some tips for making the most of your experience. 

Best Places to Snorkel with Kids

Snorkeling with kids can be a fun and exciting experience, but it is important to pick the right spot. With so many great snorkeling destinations around the world, it can be hard to choose just one. To help you out, we have put together a list of our top eleven picks for the best places to go snorkeling with your little ones. These are in no particular order. 

Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

If you are looking for a breathtaking snorkeling experience with your kids, look no further than Hanauma Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. This world-famous marine sanctuary is home to an abundance of brightly colored fish and coral formations. The calm waters make it perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and the beach is great for picnicking and sunbathing.

Also, Hawaii is a great place to take your kids on vacation in general. Other kid-friendly Hawaiian attractions include the Waimea Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”) in Kauai, Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and Pearl Harbor in Oahu.

Roatan, Honduras

The reef that comes up close to parts of Roatan is absolutely phenomenal. You barely have to go out into the water before you have emerged in the reef. It’s easy for kids to snorkel here because they do not have to go out very far to see fish. 

Bonaire

Bonaire is a small island in the Dutch Caribbean and it’s known for its amazing snorkeling. The waters are clear and calm, making it perfect for kids of all ages. There are plenty of reefs to explore, as well as sunken ships and WWII tanks.

In addition, Bonaire is a great place to learn how to dive. The island has many diving schools, which offer courses for kids as young as eight years old. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved in snorkeling and diving.

5 Best Caribbean Islands for Kids

Turks & Caicos

The Turks & Caicos are an archipelago of eight main islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. The crystal clear waters and white sand beaches make it a perfect place for snorkeling with kids. There are plenty of fish to see, as well as coral reefs.

This place is also great for kids because the water is typically calm, making it a perfect place for beginners. But make sure to bring plenty of sunscreens, as the sun can be quite powerful here.

Also, keep in mind that the Turks & Caicos are a British territory, so the currency here is pounds sterling.

Quintana Roo, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula is home to many incredible snorkeling destinations, and Quintana Roo is one of the best. With its crystal-clear waters and colorful coral reefs, you and your family will be able to explore an underwater world right from the shore. In addition, Quintana Roo is known for its amazing Mayan ruins, which make for an interesting and fun day trip.

Your kids will love swimming and snorkeling in the cenotes, or underground caves, which can be found throughout the region. Just be sure to watch for jagged rocks and avoid areas with strong currents.

9 Adventurous Things to do in Cancun With Kids

13 Things to do in Cozumel with Kids

Whitsundays

Home to the Great Barrier Reef the Whitsundays is a spectacular place to snorkel. There are many outfitterss that will take you out to snorkel and visit Whitehaven Beach. Some parts of the Great Barrier Reef are much better than others, so be sure and do some research before deciding which part to visit. 

Bora Bora and Mo’orea, Tahiti

The islands of Bora Bora and Mo’orea are located in the Society Islands, part of French Polynesia. The turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and lush green mountains make these two islands some of the most beautiful in the world. And they offer great snorkeling for kids too! There are many coral reefs close to the shore, and plenty of colorful fish to see.

In addition, the water is warm, making it a perfect place to swim and snorkel year-round.

For adults, there is also entertainment and nightlife available in the form of casinos, nightclubs, and restaurants. But for families with kids, Bora Bora and Mo’orea offer a perfect mix of natural beauty, relaxation, and fun activities.

10 Fun Things to do in French Polynesia

Fiji

Fiji is one of the most popular destinations in the world for snorkeling. With crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and beautiful coral reefs, it’s easy to see why. The best place to go snorkeling in Fiji is undoubtedly the Coral Coast. This area is home to several amazing snorkeling spots, including Cloudbreak, Musket Cove, and Natadola Beach.

Cloudbreak is one of the most popular spots on the Coral Coast, and for good reason. This large reef is teeming with colorful fish and coral, making it a perfect place for snorkeling. Musket Cove is another great spot, thanks to its sheltered location and abundance of marine life. Natadola Beach is also worth a visit, as it offers some of the best snorkeling in Fiji.

If you’re looking for a bit of luxury while snorkeling in Fiji, consider staying at one of the exclusive resorts on Denarau Island. These resorts offer some of the best snorkeling spots on the island, as well as other amenities like golf courses and spas.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider staying at one of the many family-friendly resorts in Viti Levu. These resorts offer great value for money and some of the best snorkeling spots on the island.

4 Spectacular Fiji Islands

Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most popular destinations for snorkeling with kids. With crystal clear water and a wide variety of marine life, it’s easy to see why this destination tops many lists. 

The best part about swimming and snorkeling in the Maldives? Many resorts offer complimentary equipment rentals so you can explore without having to worry about packing your gear.

Also, many of the resorts have private beaches and lagoon areas that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling with kids.

22 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families

Thailand

Thailand has some of the best snorkeling in the world and is perfect for kids. The waters are warm and crystal clear, making it easy to spot colorful fish and coral reefs. Popular spots include Koh Phi Phi, Railay Beach, and Ao Nang.

Koh Phi Phi is known for its limestone cliffs, which tower over the azure waters. The area is teeming with marine life and is perfect for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. Railay Beach is a secluded beach located in Krabi Province that offers excellent snorkeling opportunities, while Ao Nang is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in Thailand.

In addition, Thailand is a great place to visit with its rich culture and delicious food. You can find everything from street food to fine dining, so there is something for everyone.

6 Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand with Kids

Disney’s Aulani in Oahu

Aulani has a man-made snorkeling area called Rainbow Reef. Since it’s man-made there are tons of fish you are guaranteed to see in a safe environment with lifeguards. Snorkeling here is typically an additional cost. 

10 Free Things to do at Aulani the Disney Resort in Oahu, Hawaii

10 Things You Need to Know Before Your Trip to Aulani

How to Prepare for Snorkeling with Kids

You must be well-prepared before hitting the water with your kids. Below are some tips to help make your experience a safe and enjoyable one:

Make sure your child is comfortable in the water

If they are not confident in the water, it will be difficult for them to enjoy themselves. Make sure they know how to swim and are comfortable in the water before taking them snorkeling. Also don’t forget the inflatable life vest for kids, which can give them a sense of security in the water.

Teach your child about snorkeling safety

Before heading out into open water, make sure you have talked to your child about basic safety precautions such as not going too deep, swimming with a buddy, and what to do if they see someone in trouble.

Provide plenty of practice time

Just like with anything else, practice makes perfect. Get your child used to the feel and weight of the snorkel gear before hitting the water. This will help them stay comfortable in open water.

Make sure they are wearing sunscreen 

The sun can be harsh on unprotected skin, even more so when you’re swimming. Make sure your child is wearing sunscreen with a high SPF to protect them from the sun’s rays. Also, be sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. 

Bring plenty of water and snacks

Kids can get hungry and thirsty quickly, especially when they’re swimming and playing. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks on hand to keep them hydrated and fed.

Have fun! 

The most important thing is to have fun. Snorkeling with your kids can be a great way to spend time together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget the waterproof camera and you’ll be able to capture all the memories of your trip.

Conclusion

Snorkeling with kids is a great way to spend some quality family time and get them interested in the underwater world. If you’re looking for some great places to do this, then check out the list above. These are some of the best snorkeling spots with kids around the world.

But make sure to do your research before you go and be aware of any dangers that may be present in these locations. With a bit of preparation, you can have a great time snorkeling with your family and explore some amazing underwater worlds together.

Read Next:

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The post 11 Best Places to Snorkel with Kids Around the World appeared first on Mommy Travels.

THUNDERCAT WHITSUNDAYS 1 DAY TOUR

Your day kicks off early when Red Cat Adventures picks you up from your hotel. Red Cat Adventures will pick you up from your hotel and return you back at the end of the day for no additional fee. They picked us up from Discovery Park Airlie Beach.

You check-in at Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach and they issue you a stinger suit and if you want a life jacket. We always take life jackets. It was also during this time that they inquire about medical conditions. I love that they ask about medical conditions. I think this is extremely important when you are out on a boat on the water all day.

I noticed that many of the parents didn’t take a life jacket. Then when the kids got too tired to continue snorkeling they had to go back to the boat. If the kids had a life jacket they could have snorkeled the whole time. My advice, if you have kids, take the life jacket.

We departed from the marina in Airlie Beach early in the morning and cruised down to Whitehaven Beach. I did not do a good job keeping track of time, but I do know it took us over an hour to get to Whitehaven beach.

Whitehaven Beach

The best part of this excursion, in my opinion, was visiting Whitehaven Beach. It was absolutely breathtaking. The four of us have never seen anything else like it during our family adventures. It is by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world, and we’ve been a few places.

Whitehaven Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the world and I can easily say this was the best beach we’ve ever seen. (Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos is a close second.)

Whitehaven Beach is a 7 km stretch along Whitsunday Island, Australia with crystal clear water. The island is accessible by boat, seaplane & helicopter from Airlie Beach, as well as Hamilton Island. Even if you do not take this tour, figure out a way to get yourself out there. It’s too amazing not to see in person.

During this particular tour, the boat drops you off on the opposite side of the island from the beach. We did see some tours that took you right to the actual beach. As I sweated profusely, I had somewhat wished we had parked on the other side as well. 

Once you are dropped off the guide walks you up to a lookout point before you head down to the beach for a swim. From the lookout, you can get epic photos. The hike up to the lookout was not easy. You climb up-stairs and it’s hot, extremely hot. Take water with you for the hike and for your time down at the beach. There’s no shade on the beach.

Your kids will not need life jackets to swim at this beach, but they do recommend you wear stinger suits because of jellyfish. (We saw no jellyfish.) The water is extremely shallow. On one side of the beach, the water is extremely cold and on the other side there are waves, so you can experience both. Over on the shallow side, the kids found a stingray or two, which was quite thrilling for them.

Lunch Buffet

After spending time at Whitehaven Beach we got back on board for a buffet lunch. To be perfectly honest the lunch is just okay. We found it to be rather tasteless, but we were hungry so it didn’t really matter. It was funny though because our host went into great detail on how flavorful and tasty everything was going to be. There was plenty of food onboard for everyone. I recommend bringing a few snacks. I think fruit and water is best considering the heat.

Whitehaven Beach Snorkeling

After lunch, we visited two different places to snorkel near Whitehaven Beach. Both were excellent and considered fringe reefs, so not the Great Barrier Reef, but pretty darn close. They provided all of the equipment needed to snorkel. They have snorkels that will fit basically anyone.

We felt extremely safe snorkeling with them. They keep a worker near you in a dingy at all times and will scoop you up out of the water if there’s a problem. As I’ve mentioned before, my oldest son has epilepsy, so I was unsure if he would snorkel until we got out there and were able to assess the situation in person. The set up was so safe he was able to participate successfully.

Scuba diving was not offered on this tour, but they have other tours available that will take you out to scuba dive.

On the way back the crew really showed us what the Thundercat can do. The boat was specifically designed for that area and it is highly capable. My kids loved the insane turns and heart-pumping speed.

A few important things you need to know before taking this tour.

1) They do not provide any complimentary drinks. None! You will need to bring your own. They do sell drinks onboard for $2 Australian dollars only. They will not take any other form of currency, including US money. They will not take a credit card either, because there is no cell service out there.

2) If the weather is not great you may need a jacket. We certainly had no need for a jacket the day we went.

3) Every person has a wet bag under their seat to protect things from getting wet. This was one of the things I was the most worried about. I was taking my drone out there with me and I did not want it to get wet. You can imagine my delight when I saw large bags under our seats.

The post Whitehaven Beach and Snorkeling appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Discover Park Resort was the first place we stayed during our visit to the Whitsunday Islands region, it is a campground/cabin chain found in various parts of Australia. Discovery Parks in Airlie Beach is a gateway to the enchanting white sands of the Whitsunday Islands and just one of the holiday parks available in Airlie Beach. 

This holiday park is near lots of Whitsundays adventures including cruises, scenic flights, ocean rafting, and day trips easily booked through the front desk and just a short taxi to the marina. Some of the companies include hotel pick up and drop off, like Red Cat Adventures.

When we first arrive at Airlie Beach we didn’t do anything today except hang out at this hotel. We were super jet-lagged from the 14-hour plane ride, followed by the 2.5-hour plane ride from Sydney to Whitsundays, and of course the 19 hour time change.

Our goal was to stay awake until sunset, which we managed to do. It’s important to try and stay awake so you can get a good night’s sleep. We went to sleep around 7:30 pm and slept until around 5:30 am. We needed to be up early for our excursions so this worked out great.

In order to stay awake, we went to the swimming pool, the spash pad, and the bounce pillow all located on-site at this hotel. It was great to be able to keep active without ever having to leave.

Amenities at Discovery Parks Airlie Beach Location

Discovery Parks is insanely family-friendly. On-site is a bounce pillow, water playground, swimming pool, hot tub, game room, playground, and more. My kid’s favorite amenity was the bounce pillow. They spent a good hour on it and that was with them being horribly jet-lagged. Here is a full list of amenities:

• Activity Room with TV & internet
• BBQ
• Bike Track
• Bouncing Pillow
• Camp Kitchen – I saw at least three camp kitchens. I would have loved to use the one back by the bounce pillow, had we not been so tired. 
• Dump Point – In case you have an RV.
• Hire Equipment 
• Kids Facilities
• Kiosk/Store – This store had sunscreen and bug spray. I highly recommend buying bug spray. Whitsundays seems to have a bug problem. I was bitten at least 30 times in one day and didn’t even realize it. It was awful.
• Laundry
• Playground
• Spa/Sauna
• Swimming Pool
• Tour Booking Office
• Water park
• Dogs allowed (You must request permission in advance.)
• Hot tub – There was a hot tub, but when we visited it was not heated.
• Basket Ball Court

I noticed not far from the basketball court near the back of the property were some trails. You may want to inquire with the office what kinds of trails these are. There might be an awesome hike back there we missed. 

This picture below pretty much sums up how exhausted we all were. I don’t think I’ve seen my kids on one of these ride things for toddlers in at least 8 years! We look crazy because we are crazy.

Website: www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au/caravan- parks/queensland/whitsunday-coast-airlie-beach

Address: 2634 Shute Harbour Road, Jubilee Pocket, Airlie Beach, QLD 4802

Local Phone Number: (07) 4946 6727

Toll-Free Phone Number: 1-800-653-445

Email: airliebeach@discoveryparks.com.au

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For Thanksgiving this year we are headed to Australia. I enjoyed sharing our days in Greece with a travel journal so much, I’ve decided to do it again for Australia.

This trip is much shorter than or other trip, but jammed packed. Our itinerary is going to be intense so I don’t necessarily recommend going at the same pace when you head to Australia. We really needed an entire extra day in Whitsundays and Sydney.

A Long Day of Flying

Day 1: We flew into Sydney from Los Angeles, this was a little over 14 hours and we’ve experienced 19 hour time change. We’ve flown internationally a lot at this point, so I have some tips for flying overnight with kids.

As soon as we landed, we immediately had to catch a flight to the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland to kick of our adventure.

Customs is fairly easy in Sydney, but if you are catching a domestic flight that can be a bit tricky to change terminals. When you come out of customs you need to walk out of the international terminal and look for the T bus, not to be confused with the T1 bus. The T bus will take you to the domestic terminal. Do not panic when it takes a while to get to the other terminal, it took us 15 – 20 minutes. At the domestic terminal you will have to go through security again. Australia is kind of funny about aerosols. You will need to take them out of your liquid bag so they can run through separately. Why, I don’t know. But taking them out will save time and hassle.

I was counting on being able to access the American Express lounge in the international terminal so we could shower and change. This didn’t happen. Instead, we went to a lounge in the domestic terminal, The Rex Lounge, and cleaned up the best we could without showers. I have an American Express Platinum and that gets us into lounges all over the world, plus it has a bunch of other travel benefits. I travel with the following items when I fly overnight so I can clean up when I land:

• Wisp throw away toothbrush
• Mouth Spray
• Peppermint Body Wipe
• Travel size Dry Shampoo
• Makeup Removing Wipes

Once we arrived at Proserpine we took a bus into town that dropped us off in front of our hotel. Depending on where you are staying this could take an hour or so. It took us over an hour. 

Discovery Parks Airlie Beach

Today we are staying at Discovery Parks a campground/cabin chain found in various parts of Australia. They have little cabins you can rent. Our cabin sleeps six people and has a little kitchen. In Australia it is expensive to eat out so cooking your own meals will save you quite a bit of money.

I made the mistake of ordering Dominos. It was 43 Australian dollars for two tiny pizzas, garlic bread, and a small bottle of soda.

Discovery Parks is super family friendly. On-site is a bounce pillow, water playground, swimming pool, hot tub, game room, playground, and more.

We didn’t do anything today except hang out at the hotel. Our goal was to stay awake until sunset, which we managed to do. It’s important to try and stay awake so you can get a good night’s sleep. We went to sleep around 7:30 pm and slept until around 5:30 am. We needed to be up early for our excursions so this worked out great.

Read my review of Discovery Parks

THUNDERCAT WHITSUNDAYS 1 DAY TOUR

Day 2: Today is an island tour with Red Cat Adventures with beach time and snorkeling. We departed from the marina in Airlie Beach and cruised down to Whitehaven Beach. The best part of this excursion in my opinion was visiting Whitehaven Beach. It was breathtaking. Whitehaven beach is considered one of the best beaches in the world and I can easily say this was the best beach we’ve ever seen. It’s also the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world. The boat drops you off on the opposite side of the island from the beach. The guide walks you up to a lookout point before you head down to the beach for a swim. From the lookout you can get epic photos. The hike up to the lookout was not easy. You climb up stairs and it’s hot. Take water with you for the hike and for your time down at the beach. There’s no shade on the beach.

After spending time at Whitehaven Beach we got back on board for a buffet lunch. After lunch we visited two different places to snorkel. Both were excellent and considered fringe reefs, so not the Great Barrier Reef, but pretty darn close.

There are a few important things you need to know before taking this tour. 1) They do not provide any complimentary drinks. None! You will need to bring your own. They do sell drinks for $2 Australian dollars only. They will not take any other form of currency included US money. They also will not take a credit card.

Here’s our vlog from our first day in Whitsundays!

Switching Hotels

After our tour we switched hotels. For the next two nights we are staying at Big4 Adventure Resort.

Once again we are staying in our own little cabin. This cabin is three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Yay, for more than one bathroom! This resort has even more kid amenities including a mini water park, the largest resort pool in Airlie Beach, tennis, basketball, a playground, two bounce pillows, go carts, and more! My favorite feature was having a washer and dryer in our cabin. We did two loads of laundry!

Fulfilling Bucket Lists aka Great Barrier Reef

Day 3: We are doing another tour today out to the Great Barrier Reef with Explore. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 2,900 individual reefs with over 1500 types of species and can be seen from space. It is the largest living structure on earth.

Explore is the only company with access to the Bait Reef. They are responsible for caring for it. Here you will see a variety of sea life including: Giant Trevally, Humphead Maori Wrasse, sea cucumbers, bat fish, Parrot fish, 30 different types of clown fish, Damselfish, white tip reef shark, black tip reef shark, Cowtail stingray, Harlequin Sweetlips, Surgeonfish aka Dory, Yellowtail Fusilier, Coral trout, butterfly fish, angel fish

The boat ride out to this part of the Great Barrier Reef is a long one. From Hamilton Island it is a two hour ride. I wish I had brought a game with us or at least some playing cards. I travel with the GOtrio. It is a travel-size version of Otrio and can be played by 3 people, which works out well since I have three kids.

Once we arrived to the snorkel area we were given an extremely informative brief ranging from how to use the equipment to what kinds of fish you will see in this area. They provide all the equipment needed including a snorkel mask, flippers, stinger suits, and life jackets. They also had noodles if you prefer that. I recommend parents put their children in life jackets, even if they are excellent swimmers. The kids and I always wear life jackets in these types of situations. Because why not, being safe never looks stupid. When the kids were younger, I took an inflatable life jacket with us as we traveled around.

Then, you set off to snorkel for an hour and fifteen minutes. This may sound like a really long time, but it goes by super fast. Isn’t it crazy how fast time flies when you are doing something interesting. After your first snorkel time you get back on the boat for a buffet lunch. They provided more than enough food to feed the 60 tourists on board. In the morning they had coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water available at no cost. Also for no additional cost was the fruit, cookies, and muffins provided in the morning.

After lunch you go back out for another one hour and fifteen minute snorkel. Again time flies and when you get back they have fresh fruit for you. They also open the bar once water activities conclude. Alcoholic beverages are $7 Australian dollars each. They also have soda for $3. A little bit later they put out a complimentary cheese platter.

Snorkeling with Epilepsy

Now many of you know that my oldest child, Noah has epilepsy, so you might be wondering if I have lost my mind taking him on an activity like this. Well, a couple of things. About a week and a half before our trip I had his medication levels checked, they were excellent. Before doing the activity we talked through at length about how it would go: whole family in life jackets always together and prepared. We talk through exactly what we will do and what is important in case of seizure and what isn’t important. Now, there are two things that are the main reasons we can do this and other people or kids with epilepsy cannot. Noah doesn’t have a trigger. The motion of the water and the way sunlight comes through the water will not trigger a seizure. He also isn’t triggered by stress or physical exertion. The second main reason is Noah has a long aura. This means that he knows for 10-30 seconds that a seizure is coming. 10 seconds is enough time to execute a plan you’ve practiced and prepared for. Before you try something like this with your person with epilepsy keep all these things in mind.

We also knew that we might get all the way out there and he not participate regardless of how much was paid for the activity.

When we arrived out to the snorkel spot it was a go. They had three staff members in the water close by at all times. They also put him in a bright red shirt so they could keep an eye on him at all times. They also marked his snorkel.

With all of this said the four of us had two successful and amazing snorkel sessions. I will be truthful though. I never relaxed, not for one second. I enjoyed it and saw many fish, but the most important thing I was looking at was my son at all times. I could also burst into tears writing this because last year in Oahu this was a no go and the year before in Thailand he couldn’t participate.

Stay tuned, because there’s more to come……..

Headed South

Day 4: Today we head to Melbourne where we will be hanging out with my dear friend Explore With Erin. In order for us to get there we’ve taken a taxi to the marina terminal, a Cruise Whitsundays ferry to Hamilton Island and caught a flight to Melbourne. How crazy is that! The Whitsunday area has two airports and Hamilton Island was one of them. It was quite a bit cheaper for us to fly out of here instead of Proserpine. But I think I know why, it’s because it’s a pain to get to. Oh well, another lesson learned. We’ve wised up to the various boat layouts and made sure to have some games with us on the ferry like a deck of cards or GoTrio.

Tonight we went to Santa’s Magical Kingdom, where you could watch an impressive circus show, meet Santa, ride the rides, and eat. I have warned my children not to ruin the magic for Erin’s kids. They are still believers. My kids, not so much. It’s been several years since that ship sailed.

Day 5: Road-trip! We are loading up the kids and headed even further south to see the 12 Apostles. Last year I saw the 12 Apostles for the first time and it totally blew my mind. I knew right then and there that I was going to come back to Australia with the kids just to show it to them.

One of the best times to visit the 12 Apostles is at sunset. The sun reflects off the rocks, which makes for an amazing photo.

Today we drove down a large part of the Great Ocean Road. We made stops at Bells Beach, Kennett River, the 12 Apostles, and then stayed the night at the Port O Call Motel. This was the same place we stayed last year. I was impressed how many things they had updated.

Day 6: We are spending most of today doing more things along the Great Ocean Road. We stopped to see the Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch, the London Brings and we did the Gipson Steps. We also went to the Great Ocean Wildlife Park, here the kids got to see lots of kangaroos and feed them!

On our way back to my friend’s house in Melbourne we stopped at Sweet Street Desserts and had some seriously over the top funnel cake!

Day 7: Today is our last day in Melbourne and we’ve got it jammed packed with all the things we want to do. We will be seeing the Brighton Bathing Boxes and the Graffiti Walls. Hopefully along the way we will be eating lots of amazing food! 

We ended up eating many amazing meals in Melbourne all of which were beautiful and over the top. Colorful Melbourne Cafes.

Day 8: Sydney and Homeward Bound.

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