Pools and Rainbow Reef

What is in the water

The heart of Aulani is a built valley of water in the middle of the resort: the main Waikolohe Pool, the Waikolohe Stream lazy river you float in an inner tube, Ka Maka Grotto, whirlpool spas and the Menehune Bridge leading to the slides.

All of it is included in the stay. It is by a wide margin what guests spend their time doing, and the main reason a family chooses Aulani over a neighbouring hotel in the same place.

Rainbow Reef

Rainbow Reef is a saltwater lagoon built into the resort and stocked with tropical fish. You snorkel with no boat, no current and no waves, which makes it the first mask-and-snorkel experience for a great many children.

It carries an access charge and is separate from the pools. Ask your advisor to confirm the options available during your dates.

Where the adults go

Wailana Pool is adults-only, set away from the noise, with its own bar. It is where a couple spends the afternoon while the children are at the club.

Laniwai spa also has its open-air hydrotherapy garden, Kula Wai, which can be visited independently of treatments.

Where the youngest go

Keiki Cove is a shallow, child-height splash zone built for toddlers.

Ka Maka Grotto and the calm stretches of the lazy river suit young children too, with a hand kept on them. Flotation vests are available on site.

The beach and the Ko Olina lagoon

Aulani fronts one of Ko Olina's four built lagoons, sheltered by a breakwater. The water there is markedly calmer than open ocean, which is why the area draws families.

One point deserves to be plain: this beach is not private. There are no private beaches in Hawai'i and all shoreline access is public. What is reserved for hotel guests is the equipment, not the sand.

Nor is the leeward coast sheltered from everything. Large north swells wrap around the island and reach this side, chiefly from November to April. Hawaii Ocean Safety then advises swimmers of any skill level, not only beginners, to stay out of the water. Check the day's conditions before swimming outside the lagoon.

Worth knowing before you arrive

Chairs go early. It is the first irritation guests name, and it is real in high season.

A mineral sunscreen is the right choice here. Hawai'i law bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate — not their use, but you will not find them in stores locally. A stricter rule exists in Maui County; it does not apply on O'ahu.

Once they are out of the water, children have a program of their own, and choosing between a room and a villa changes how far you walk to the pools. The main Aulani page covers the rest.

Finally, pools and beach equipment are for overnight guests. Aulani sells no day pass. Voyages AquaTerra holds a Quebec travel agent licence (702703), and your payments are covered by the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents, subject to the program's terms. Speak with an advisor at 1-866-628-6241.