Are you planning a Hawaii honeymoon but don’t know which island to pick? Keep scrolling to find out the best Hawaiian island for honeymoons that are packed with romantic adventures and luxury resorts!
This post about the best Hawaiian island for honeymoons was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning your Hawaii honeymoon and stuck on which island to choose? I totally understand. Every couple I work with through my Hawaii travel consultations asks me this exact question.
As a Hawaii travel expert and certified Hawaii destination specialist who’s been to Hawaii 40+ times, I can tell you right away: there’s no single “best” island for everyone.
But there is probably a best island for what YOU want from your honeymoon.
This post breaks down the four main Hawaiian islands so you can figure out which one matches your honeymoon vibe. No fluff, just real talk about what each island actually offers.
Quick heads up: all four islands have gorgeous beaches, incredible hiking, amazing pools, farmers markets, and luaus.
So this really comes down to YOUR specific interests and what kind of honeymoon experience you’re after.
The Honest Truth About All-Inclusive Hawaii Honeymoons
Let me address this right away because everyone asks: Hawaii doesn’t really do all-inclusive resorts like Mexico or the Caribbean.
Most luxury resorts have multiple restaurants where you can charge meals to your room, but that’s not the same as a true all-inclusive package. Just wanted to set realistic expectations.
Now let’s talk islands.
Oahu: If You Want Options and Easy Access
Oahu is what most people picture when they think of Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is here, and while it gets crowded, there’s a reason it’s popular.
It’s a good choice for honeymooners who want restaurants, nightlife, and activities within reach.
What Makes Oahu Different
Pearl Harbor might not be your first thought for a honeymoon activity, but hear me out. The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most moving experiences in Hawaii.
You can spend a few hours learning about history, then head to the beach. It’s a nice balance. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and USS Missouri are there too if you want to make a full morning of it.
Diamond Head is the sunrise hike everyone does. It’s worth it for the views, but you need to book your reservation ahead of time since they cap visitor numbers now.
Things to Actually Do on Oahu
Kualoa Ranch covers 4,000 acres and was used for filming Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and a bunch of other movies.
The UTV tour is my favorite because you get to drive through valleys and mountains with views you can’t see from the road. There are also horseback riding, zipline, and boat tours if UTVs aren’t your thing.
For luaus, I recommend either Toa Luau in North Shore or Experience Nutridge Luau in Honolulu.
Both are smaller and feel more authentic than the huge resort luaus. Toa Luau is at Waimea Valley and really focuses on Hawaiian culture. Experience Nutridge is more intimate and has better food than most luaus I’ve been to.
If you want unique experiences, you can swim with dolphins at the Kahala Hotel & Resort or try shark cage diving in North Shore.
Getting Good Photos on Your Honeymoon
This might seem obvious, but think about hiring a photographer.
When I’m in Hawaii, I book Flytographer because otherwise I end up with nothing but selfies and terrible photos where someone’s arm is stretched out awkwardly.
They make it easy and you actually get photos of both of you together. You can save $20 through my link.
Book a Hawaii Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel to Hawaii, we almost always book a photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND it guarantees that I’ll have more than just selfies. You can get $20 off if you book through this link.
Oahu Hotels Worth Considering
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is the pink building on Waikiki Beach you’ve probably seen in photos. It’s been there since 1927 and has that classic Hawaii feel. Rooms aren’t huge, but the location is unbeatable.
The Surfjack Hotel is more affordable and has a younger vibe. There’s a poolside bar and it’s close to everything in Waikiki. Good middle-ground option.
The Alohilani Resort has a three-story aquarium in the lobby (you can see it from the elevators) and a rooftop pool with a DJ on weekends. More modern than the Royal Hawaiian.
If crowds aren’t your thing, Ritz-Carlton, Turtle Bay Resort is on North Shore about 45 minutes from the airport.
They renovated in 2021 and it’s much quieter than Waikiki. This is where they filmed Forgetting Sarah Marshall if you’re a fan.
Want more Oahu planning help? Check out my complete Oahu travel guide.
Maui: If You Want Classic Luxury
Maui has been the go-to honeymoon island for decades, and for good reason. It has great restaurants, beautiful resorts, and plenty of outdoor activities. It’s also the most “polished” of the Hawaiian islands if that matters to you.
What to See on Maui
Haleakala National Park is known for sunrise from the summit, but sunset is just as pretty and way less crowded.
The drive up takes about 2 hours from most resorts and it’s cold at the top (bring layers).
I usually recommend booking a tour so you don’t have to worry about driving in the dark, but you can also drive yourself if you’re comfortable with mountain roads.
The Maui Pineapple Tour is more interesting than it sounds.
You walk through the pineapple fields, learn how they’re grown, and taste pineapple straight from the plant (it’s way sweeter than grocery store pineapple).
Plus there’s a distillery next door where you can try locally-made spirits.
Is the Road to Hana Worth It?
The Road to Hana is touristy, but it really is beautiful. The drive has over 600 curves and 50+ bridges, so it takes most of the day.
Good stops include Twin Falls (easy waterfall hike), Garden of Eden (paid arboretum with views), a black sand beach, and the bamboo forest hike.
If you can swing it, spend the night in Hana instead of driving back the same day. It makes the whole experience less rushed and you’ll actually enjoy it more.
Maui Luaus
Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui is the nicest luau I’ve been to in Maui. Instead of a buffet, it’s a plated 3-course meal with farm-to-table ingredients.
The Polynesian show is well done and it’s all right on the ocean. It’s expensive (expect to pay $200+ per person), but the quality matches the price.
For snorkeling, Molokini Crater is the main spot. It’s a partially submerged volcanic crater about 3 miles offshore. The water is really clear and you’ll probably see green sea turtles.
Book through Viator or Get Your Guide to compare tour options.
Maui Hotel Options
Andaz Maui in Wailea has four pools (including an infinity pool with ocean views), multiple restaurants, and they host the Feast at Mokapu luau on property.
It’s on the pricier side but the quality is there. Rooms start around $600-800/night depending on season.
Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali is a big resort with lots of food options. The pool has a water slide and swim-up bar. Good for couples who want everything on-site. Usually $400-600/night.
Royal Lahaina Resort is more affordable (around $300-400/night) and walking distance to Whaler’s Village where there are shops and restaurants.
For more Maui planning, grab my Maui travel guide.
You can also hear all my best Maui tips on my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy.
Kauai: If You Love the Outdoors
Kauai used to be less crowded, but it’s gotten pretty popular for honeymoons in recent years.
It’s the greenest island and has some of the most dramatic scenery. Good choice if you like hiking and waterfalls more than shopping and nightlife.
What to See on Kauai
The Na Pali Coast is probably Kauai’s most famous feature. The cliffs are over 4,000 feet tall and there are waterfalls everywhere.
You can see it by helicopter (expensive but you see everything), boat cruise (cheaper, but depends on ocean conditions), or hiking the Kalalau Trail (11 miles one way, need permit, pretty strenuous).
Waimea Canyon is called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” which is a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s still worth seeing.
There are multiple lookouts along the drive up and short hikes if you want them. Keep going to Kokee State Park at the top. It’s cooler and cloudier up there, so bring a light jacket.
Wailua Falls is the waterfall from the opening of Fantasy Island if you’re old enough to remember that show. You can drive to a lookout or kayak up the Wailua River to see it from below.
Different Things to Do on Kauai
The Kauai Rum Safari takes you around a plantation to see tropical fruits and plants, then you learn about Koloa Rum and do tastings.
It’s about a 3-hour experience. Not something you’ll find on other islands.
The Kauai Jungle Tub is a photography session in someone’s backyard where they set up an outdoor tub filled with tropical flowers.
Includes professional hair and makeup. It’s kind of silly but the photos turn out really good. Your partner can get in the tub with you for couple shots.
If you want professional honeymoon photos, Flytographer is another option that’s good in Kauai (save $20 with my link). They’ll take you to actual beaches and scenic spots.
Kauai Mountain Tubing is floating down an old sugar cane canal on inner tubes.
You go through a few tunnels. It’s not scary or intense, just a relaxed way to see part of the island you can’t access otherwise.
Kauai Hotel Recommendations
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the nicest resort on North Shore.
It opened in 2022 and has an eco-friendly design with great views of Hanalei Bay. There’s a spa, multiple pools, and several restaurants. Expect to pay $800-1,200/night.
Grand Hyatt Kauai is on Shipwreck Beach on the south side. Sunny weather, nice pool complex, and they have a luau on property. Usually $500-700/night.
Koloa Landing Resort is good if you want condo-style accommodations. Really nice pool and next to shops and restaurants at Kukuiula. Around $400-600/night.
You’ll need a rental car on Kauai. Book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental to compare rates across all the major companies.
Check out my Kauai travel guide for detailed planning help.
Big Island: If You Want to See a Volcano
The Big Island is the best choice if seeing an active volcano is high on your list.
It’s also good for couples who want to see really different landscapes (black sand beaches, green valleys, volcanic desert, tropical rainforest).
Big Island Main Attractions
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is why most people come to the Big Island. Kilauea has been erupting intermittently since December 2024.
The eruptions are episodic (they pause and restart every week or two), so you might see active lava fountaining or just a red glow, depending on when you visit.
Check the park’s website before you go to see current activity.
Even if there’s no active lava when you’re there, the park has lava tubes you can walk through, crater overlooks, and hiking trails. It’s worth spending at least half a day there, maybe longer if lava is flowing.
Kona coffee farms are all over the western side of the island. Most offer free tours and tastings. The volcanic soil here creates unique coffee flavors that you can’t get anywhere else.
On the Hilo side, there are several easy-to-reach waterfalls. Rainbow Falls is right off the main road (literally 2-minute walk from parking).
Akaka Falls requires a short paved loop trail. The Hawaii Tropical Biosphere & Garden has a nice waterfall plus tons of tropical plants.
Things to Do on the Big Island
Night swimming with manta rays in Kona is genuinely one of the coolest things you can do in Hawaii.
The tour boats go out after sunset to spots where mantas come to feed on plankton. You float in the water with a light board while 10-foot manta rays swim around you.
It’s not scary at all, just beautiful.
The cultural ATV tour at Aloha Adventure Farm is different than any other ATV tour in Hawaii.
You ride to different villages on the property where they do cultural demonstrations and hands-on activities.
There’s a Polynesian wood carving station where you actually make something. You can drive your own ATV or ride as a passenger in a UTV.
Waipio Valley tours are running again as of 2026. The valley was King Kamehameha’s childhood home and has Hi’ilawe Falls (Hawaii’s tallest waterfall).
You can’t drive down yourself unless you have a 4WD vehicle, and even then it’s pretty intense. The shuttle tours and ATV tours are easier options. Book through Hawaii Activities or Hawaii Tours.
Big Island Resort Options
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was the Big Island’s first luxury resort (opened 1965). It’s on the Kohala Coast with a beautiful white sand beach.
They offer private dining setups around the property and have an on-site luau. Rooms usually run $500-800/night.
Four Seasons Hualalai is the top luxury option on the island. Bungalow-style rooms, multiple pools including one with rays and tropical fish you can snorkel with.
It’s expensive ($1,000+ per night typically) but it’s Four Seasons quality.
Fairmont Orchid has a unique spa with treatment huts outdoors near the ocean. Good middle option around $400-600/night.
Get my Big Island travel guide for more planning help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most romantic Hawaiian island?
It depends what you consider romantic. Maui has the most upscale restaurants and luxury resorts. Kauai has dramatic scenery and privacy. Oahu has more nightlife and dining options. The Big Island has remote, quiet resorts if you want to really get away.
What’s the cheapest island for a Hawaii honeymoon?
The Big Island and Oahu tend to have more budget-friendly accommodation options. The Big Island has lots of vacation rentals and smaller hotels, especially on the Hilo side. Oahu has competition from tons of hotels, so you can sometimes find deals.
That said, honeymoons in Hawaii are generally expensive no matter which island you pick.
Can you visit multiple islands on one trip?
Yes, and lots of couples do this. Inter-island flights take about 30-45 minutes. My island hopping guide has specifics.
Just know that flying between islands eats up time with airport security, checking out and into hotels, etc.
I usually recommend picking one or two islands max for a honeymoon so you’re not constantly packing and unpacking.
How to Pick Your Island
Here’s how I break it down for couples when they book Hawaii travel consultations with me:
Choose Oahu if you want lots of restaurant options, nightlife, and activities all within reach. Good if you don’t want to feel isolated.
Choose Maui if you want the most polished Hawaii experience with top-tier resorts and dining. This is the “classic” honeymoon island.
Choose Kauai if you care more about hiking, dramatic scenery, and nature than shopping and restaurants.
Choose Big Island if seeing an active volcano is important to you, or if you want to explore really different landscapes (volcanic desert, rainforest, beaches).
Honestly, all four islands make good honeymoon destinations. It really comes down to what you want to do while you’re there.
And wherever you end up, book a photographer through Flytographer (save $20 with my link). You’ll be glad you have good photos together when you get home.
Looking for more Hawaii honeymoon content? Find out the most romantic Kauai resorts, the best Oahu honeymoon resorts, romantic things to do on Maui, are there overwater bungalows in Hawaii, and romantic Kona restaurants.
