Choose the Perfect Island for Your Hawaiian Honeymoon
If you dream of a tropical honeymoon, without the bother of passports and inoculations, Hawaii is the destination for you. But which Hawaiian island will give you the honeymoon you want? All the major islands have many beautiful beaches, lush tropical areas, and dramatic mountain scenery, plus adventure and local culture. The 4 largest islands also have many resorts and hotels to choose from. We’re going to take a look at what gives each island its unique personality.
Oahu
Home of Hawaii’s largest city, Honolulu, Oahu offers a bit of everything. It’s perfect for honeymooners who love keeping busy and want a taste of the south seas without leaving the amenities behind. Waikiki is a hub of lively tourist activity, with its beautiful beach and countless hotels for almost any budget. And you’ll never run out of things to do in Honolulu, between night life, shopping, fine dining, and cultural and historical attractions like Pearl Harbor. When you want to get away from the city, you can take a scenic drive to other beaches around the island’s shores, or head inland for a hike to one of Oahu’s famous waterfalls. If you don’t mind some crowds, and you think night life and shopping are as essential to your honeymoon as a sunny beach, Oahu is the obvious choice.
Maui
If you don’t want a big city experience, but you still want the conveniences, Maui may be for you. It has some of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches and best resorts, where you can find plenty to entertain you. It also has spectacular natural scenery. You can drive the rural road to Hana, famous for its many waterfalls and scenic overlooks, or get a taste of Hawaiian wilderness by hiking or biking in Haleakala National Park. Historic towns like Lahaina will give you a look at Hawaii’s past and some unique shopping. If you just want to relax with some traditional vacation fun, you can laze on the beach or try some of Maui’s water sports including sea kayaking and surfing, plus some excellent golf courses. It’s no accident that Maui is a favorite honeymoon destination.
Kauai
Hawaii’s “Garden Island” is known for its lush tropical scenery, with mountainous rainforests, glorious waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs and valleys. The island has many fine resorts to give you all the comforts you want – but it still feels like an unspoiled tropical paradise. The natural world really is the star, with an abundance of beautiful places to explore. Hike out in Waimea Valley, take a boat tour along the amazing sea cliffs of the Na Pali coast, or just find yourselves a secluded stretch of beach to stroll on. If you want a quieter honeymoon, surrounded by natural beauty, Kauai is your island.
The Big Island (Hawaii)
The Big Island is larger than all the other islands combined, and has the most diverse landscapes, from the lush north shore to the dry, sunny south shore, to the rugged volcanic landscapes of Mauna Kea and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can find all the usual honeymoon amenities here – the resorts, the glorious beaches, the water sports and resort activities, the Hawaiian culture and history. But you’ll also find adventures that are hard to match anywhere. You can ride through the dramatic canyons of Waipio Valley, and snorkel among a garden of amazing marine creatures in Kealakekua Bay. You can spend an evening stargazing at the Mauna Kea Observatory, and see more stars than you’ve ever seen before. And rarest of all, you can see Kilauea, a live volcano in action. For a honeymoon filled with adventure, the Big Island is the place to be.
Lana’i and Molokai
These two smaller islands are well off the beaten track, in very different ways. Lana’i is only 18 miles long and almost completely undeveloped, with few paved roads and only one town, Lana’i City. For honeymooners, its main attraction is its 2 luxurious resorts. On Lana’i, you can enjoy the full tropical resort experience on a beautiful island far removed from all the crowds.
Molokai in contrast, has only one hotel, and no resorts at all. Instead, you can stay in a rental condo or house, where local residents will welcome you and you’ll get a taste of real rural Hawaiian life. If you’d rather look after yourselves than lounge in a resort, you can enjoy the island’s historic and natural landmarks in blissful honeymoon solitude, including a famous leper colony, now a museum; a coral reef that stretches for miles; and the world’s highest sea cliffs.
Of course, we could go on for many pages about the attractions of every island. If you’re still not sure which honeymoon spot is right for you, give us a call, and let our expertise be your guide.
