Which island to choose for your Hawaii honeymoon

One way for couples to stay sane while wedding planning is to focus on the honeymoon that awaits them once the ceremony and reception is done. For those dreaming of a Hawaii honeymoon, the combinations of romance, relaxation, and adventure are nearly endless. Even better, there’s no “bad” time to visit Hawaii, as the weather is usually sunny and warm all year round – although some months are better to avoid crowds and peak room rates.

It’s also possible to mix and match islands by spending a few days on one island before taking a short flight to another. This especially makes sense for couples who are flying a long way to Hawaii and want to see as much of paradise as they can. Yet, while each Hawaiian island can deliver majestic sunrises, lazy days on the sand, and that warm Aloha feeling, some islands may speak to you more than others. Here’s the breakdown of each island for choosing the perfect Hawaii honeymoon vibe, and where to stay.

Maui

Island vibe: All-in-one island adventure

Island details: Maui ticks all the boxes for first-time visitors – five-star resorts, excellent snorkelling, epic surf breaks, delicious restaurants and even a (dormant) volcano you can hike up to see the sunrise. But it also has a few remote hideaways if you and your partner want to go off-the-grid.

Maui tends to be popular with families (especially around spring break and the holidays), so be sure to seek out a few adults-only excursions like a helicopter ride over the island, a couples massage in a beachfront hale, or the Road to Hana, a winding road trip along the island’s eastern coast stopping for waterfalls, forest hikes, and secret beaches.

Where to stay: Some of the island’s best resorts are found along the beach in Wailea like the Four Seasons Maui (splurge for a club floor room for more dedicated service) and the Andaz Maui (book a suite as the starting room category is small.) And since the resorts along Wailea’s beach are close together, it makes it easy to hotel hop for drinks and dinner. But if you want to check out of the resort life for a few days, head up the hill to Hotel Wailea, an adults-only hotel with ultra-private accommodations.

Over on Maui’s North shore where the vibe turns from resort-y to local living is the adorable Inn at Mama’s Fish House. Twelve small cottages and suites overlook the peaceful Mama’s Beach and the island’s favourite restaurant, Mama’s Fish House; it’s not the most secluded spot but it feels more like the real Maui.

If the Road to Hana is on your honeymoon wish list, then you’ll want to crash for a few nights at the Hana Maui Resort, an off-the-grid escape perched on the edge of Hana Bay where newly renovated rooms offer prime views of the sunrise but thankfully, no TVs. There is WiFi though.

Hawaii: The Big Island

Island vibe: Fewer tourists, more Hawaii

Island details: The Island of Hawaii – affectionately called The Big Island – has a considerably more laid-back vibe than Maui and Oahu and is far less crowded too. It also looks a bit different. Since The Big Island still has two active volcanoes, it’s common to see lava rocks instead of green fields, which only adds to the allure of the island. With smaller beaches, great hiking trails, and a handful of luxury resorts, it’s actually perfect for couples who want to retreat from the world for a while without going completely off the grid.

Some activities to consider when you’re ready to leave the resort? Snorkelling in Kealakekua Bay in Kona, walking through lava tubes at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, and a drive out to the eastern side of the Big Island, which is rainier and rather remote, but still full of stunning only-in-Hawaii sights.

Where to stay: To hibernate in a serene setting with your partner until it's time to go home, check into the Four Seasons Hualalai. Each room at this beachfront resort is its own little paradise of relaxation, with deep soaking tubs and outdoor showers. (Just be sure to book a room in the adults-only wing.) There’s so much to indulge in on-property from drinks and meals, to wellness activities and water sports, including snorkelling amongst fish in the resort’s saltwater aquarium pond.

The Mauna Lani, an Auberge Resort just north of Hualalai offers a modern take on the Hawaiian getaway with beautiful guest rooms and spacious lanais. Mauna Lani has all the amenities of a luxury resort including a spa, tennis and golf, and an oceanfront restaurant, but it also delivers the heart of Hawaii through its Living Culture team who share stories, songs, and educational talks about the history of the islands.

If you plan on exploring the island more than staying in, book the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel overlooking the Kauna’oa Bay. Its beachfront rooms have balconies with unobstructed ocean views and there are plenty of dining options on-site including a grab-and-go market stocked with local products. And the resort’s luau is one of Hawaii’s best – intimate in size with a captivating performance, delicious food and gorgeous backdrop of the ocean at sunset.

Kauai

Island vibe: A little wild, a little sweet

Island details: Kauai is Hawaii’s Garden Isle, known for its lush forests, winding rivers and waterfalls. It’s also not as developed as other Hawaiian islands making it an ideal spot for the sustainable-minded couples. But all this lushness comes with a price as Kauai is Hawaii’s rainiest island particularly from November to March. Even in the drier months, it’s common to see rain overnight.

Two of the island’s most beloved areas for exploring and hanging out are Poipu on the south shore and Hanalei on the north shore. Since they are only about an hour apart it’s possible to enjoy lunch in Poipu then drive to Hanalei to jump off the pier for a sunset swim, followed by a walk into town for dinner and drinks.

If you want to see more of the island, consider chartering a boat to explore more of Kauai’s shores or book a helicopter flight to get spectacular views of the waterfalls. Tubing down rivers, zip lining through forests and surfing are other ways to take in Kauai’s beauty.

Where to stay: The eco-minded 1 Hotel brand has transformed the former St. Regis Princeville into 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, a sexy sustainable resort overlooking the idyllic Hanalei Bay, complete with a Bamford Wellness Spa and an infinity pool just for adults. Book a room with an ocean view terrace to maximise the edge-of-the-world feeling that Hanalei Bay is known for.

Nearby is the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas where the guest rooms have plenty of space and small kitchens which is convenient for making small meals and storing snacks, especially since the on-site dining options are limited.

If you want a traditional resort loaded with amenities and services, The Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu delivers on all of that and with one of the best beaches on the island. Yet part of the charm of Kauai is its DIY-style, so booking an Airbnb for your stay might be the better way to experience the island.

Oahu

Island vibe: Life in the Big City

Island details: You can feel the energy  of Oahu from the moment you touch down in Honolulu. Even if you’re dying to relax, two nights in Honolulu can be a lot of fun. Hike to Diamond Head for panoramic views of the city, take surf lessons on the famous Waikiki Beach, visit Pearl Harbor and explore the wide-ranging culinary scene from hole-in-the-wall spots to glamorous fine-dining establishments. After that you can head out to the other parts of the island for some rest, relaxation and romance.

Where to stay: In Waikiki, there are so many options from hip boutique lodgings like The Shoreline Hotel to the luxurious ESPACIO, The Jewel of Waikiki hotel with only nine full-floor suites. But the Ritz-Carlton Waikiki hits the sweet spot with deluxe ocean view suites that also come with kitchens, washer and dryer units, and private lanais.

Oahu’s North Shore is a surfer’s paradise, especially when Pipeline waves are firing, but the Haleiwa town is a fun, low-key place to hang out with food trucks, shaved ice shops and stores. Nearby is the Turtle Bay Resort, fresh off a major renovation, with private oceanfront bungalows and dedicated personal hosts available during your stay.

The Four Seasons Ko Olina is a part of the larger Ko Olina resort area that is popular with families (Disney’s Aulani resort is next door) but they’ve carved out an adults-only space at the hotel with a pool and a swim-up bar aptly called Dr. Mai Tai’s. Book a junior suite with an ocean view to elevate your stay.

Lanai

Island vibe: Out-of-office, indefinitely

Island details: Lanai is a tiny island off the west coast of Maui. It’s about a 45-minute ferry ride from Lahaina or a 45-minute flight from Honolulu. For a long time, it served as a pineapple plantation for the Dole company. But in 2012, billionaire Larry Ellison snapped up almost all of the island and has gone about improving the island’s infrastructure to create one of the most magnificent island getaways. The usual Hawaiian activities are done here – hiking, sailing, snorkelling and beaching but within an almost unspoiled part of Hawaii. If you’re looking for something remote, rare, and memorable, look no further than Lanai.

Where to stay: There are two Four Seasons resorts on this island, The Four Seasons Resort Lanai on the beach and the Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort up in the mountains. Sensei is an adults-only property focused on wellness with daily exercise classes, meditations, massage treatments and a Nobu restaurant. But since the two properties aren’t interchangeable, most guests book a few nights at each resort to get the full experience.

Moloka'i

Island vibe: Adventure & the Hawaii of yesteryear

Island details: Another island as remote as Lanai is Moloka'i, off Maui’s north west coast. Its history is complicated, having served as a leper colony for a hundred years. But because Molokai is so underdeveloped (the town has no traffic lights), a visit here gives you a good look at how Hawaii used to be. However, this is not an island for tourists and there aren’t any big resorts. This is a better fit for a couple who have been to Hawaii before and don’t mind hiking, kayaking or exploring on their own, or for couples who want to learn more about the island and its community.

Where to stay: Hotel Molokai is a small but friendly inn on Kamiloloa Beach with Polynesian-style bungalows and its own waterfront restaurant, Hiro’s Ohana Grill, where guests can end a day of adventure with cocktails and Hawaiian cuisine.

Which island to choose for your Hawaii honeymoon was first published by Condé Nast Traveler US.