Hawaii Honeymoon: Our Guide for Choosing the Right Island, Must-See Sightseeing and Romantic Things to Do
Recently engaged? Congrats!
Now comes the fun part, planning your dream honeymoon. Maybe you have a list of places you’ve been considering: Mexico, Jamaica, Italy…so many options!!
How do you choose?! Knowing your travel style helps to narrow down which destination is the best fit.
Example travel styles:
Adventurous
Nature Lover
Foodie
Beach Lover
Sightseeing/History
City Life
Scenic
We have a fun quiz for you to take to help determine your travel style.
But what if your future husband or wife has a different travel style than you? They do say opposites attract. This is why Hawaii is one of our favorite honeymoon destinations. With 8 main islands to choose from, there is truly something for everyone! Let’s break down all that you need to know about a Hawaii honeymoon.
What’s the best island to visit in Hawaii? Depends on what you’re looking for.
Before diving in, take a moment to consider your ideal honeymoon style. Are you adventurous explorers, beach bums seeking relaxation, a little of both? Around TH we like to call them Adventure-Cation and Chill-cations.
Write a list of the most important things your honeymoon must-have.
Oahu
Why we love it: Variety! We encourage every couple to stay at least 2 nights here to experience some of the sightseeing.
Perfect for: City lovers, history buffs, foodies, surfers (Waikiki)
Pros: World-class surfing on the North Shore, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, diverse food scene (from fine dining to local trucks), iconic landmarks like Diamond Head and Waikiki has great nightlife!
Cons: The most crowded island, Waikiki can be expensive, busy beaches compared to other islands.
Things to do : Sightseeing around Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, USS Arizona Memorial, Diamond Head
Maui
Why we love it: When you close your eyes and picture Hawaii, you’re likely seeing a scene of Maui. It’s gorgeous and has a good balance of activities and relaxing beaches without the hustle of Oahu.
Perfect for: Luxury seekers, activity enthusiasts, and couples wanting a mix of relaxation and adventure.
Pros: Upscale resorts, diverse landscapes (beaches, rainforests, waterfalls), Road to Hana scenic drive, whale watching (seasonal), excellent snorkeling and diving.
Cons: Can be more expensive than other islands, some areas can be crowded (but we’ll help you avoid that).
Things to do: Haleakala Sunrise Tour, Authentic Luau, Molokini and Turtle Town Tour, Haleakala Crater
The Big Island
Why we love it: Unforgettable experiences for nature and adventure lovers.
Perfect for: Adventurous couples, volcano enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
Pros: Active volcanoes (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park), diverse landscapes (black sand beaches, snow-capped mountains), stargazing views, fewer crowds outside Kona and Waikoloa.
Cons: Longer travel time between different regions of the island due to size. The weather isn’t always the greatest on this island.
Things to do: Hiking, visit a botanical garden.
Kauai
Why we love it: This is the island for couples who are looking to unplug but have a good combo of adventure and beach time.
Perfect for: Nature lovers, hikers, and couples seeking a more secluded and laid-back experience.
Pros: Lush rainforests, stunning coastlines (Na Pali Coast), Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), uncrowded beaches, and outdoor activities.
Cons: Fewer luxury resorts compared to Maui and Oahu, limited nightlife, less developed infrastructure.
Things to do: Wailua Falls, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast State Park. Visit Tunnels Beach for the perfect coved beaches for privacy.
When is the best time to go to Hawaii?
Hawaii is generally a great place to visit year around but let’s break down the best months in terms of crowds, prices and weather.
Weather:
Generally dry and sunny: May-October (peak season with higher prices and crowds)
Shoulder seasons: April-May & September-November (beautiful weather with fewer crowds and potentially lower prices)
Whale watching: December-May
Prices and Crowds:
Lowest crowds and potentially best deals: April-May & September-October
Highest crowds and prices: December & June-August (peak season)
Romantic Things to do in Hawaii
Watch the sunrise at Haleakala on Maui or Mauna Kea on the Big Island to witness a spectacular sunrise above the clouds.
Visit Kauai's Tunnels Beach in Kauai to spend some time in the hidden tide pools.
Take a helicopter tour around the Big Island to see the waterfalls and volcanoes.
Have a romantic dinner on a catamaran during sunset.
Inner-island flights make it easy to island hop from one location to another so that you can experience all of the different sights and styles.
If you want to make the most out of your Hawaii honeymoon here’s a popular itinerary that you may like:
2 nights - Oahu
3 nights - Maui
3 nights - Kauai
And while we’ve told you what to do while your in Hawaii, here’s a fun blog post about 7 Things NOT to do when visiting Hawaii.
With endless variety, you can be sure you are starting off your marriage in paradise. And if you’re considering a destination wedding, you can bet that Hawaii is a great option as well!
Feeling overwhelmed by all of the options? Our team of travel experts is here to help you plan your dream honeymoon. We'll take care of everything, from flights and accommodation to exciting excursions and romantic experiences. Contact TH Travel Designs today and let's create an unforgettable Hawaiian honeymoon for you!
Happy planning!