How to Plan the Perfect Hawaii Honeymoon, According to Experts

Planning the perfect honeymoon requires many of the same skills needed for marriage: communication, patience, consideration, honesty, and perhaps even some compromise. 

Your honeymoon is a chance to celebrate your love for each other, as well as an opportunity to explore the world together. Countless couples each year choose the Aloha State for their newlywed getaways, and if you want to join them, you'll need to know how to make the trip unforgettable. Here are some expert tips for planning the perfect Hawaii honeymoon. 

Outline expectations.

As you start to plan, put your honeymoon vision on paper with your partner. “Go over expectations and must-haves,” says Renee Meyer, founder and owner of Unforgettable Honeymoons, a boutique agency that’s been planning honeymoons in Hawaii since the 1990s. Discuss preferences about things like accommodations, activities, hiring a driver, and whether you prefer scheduling or spontaneity. 

Be realistic about your budget, too. Prices increased during the pandemic, and in many parts of Hawaii, they remain high. Outlining the itinerary you want can help you create a clearer picture of what your costs will be. “Gather estimates on airfare, hotels, and rental cars to be certain your dream honeymoon will fit into your budget.”  

Choose an island.

Much like in marriage, it's key to be compatible with the places you'll go on your honeymoon. While all of the Hawaiian islands are rich in culture and natural beauty, each has distinct mana (energy), so you'll want to research which islands align with your interests. Oahu offers a balance between urban and outdoor adventures, with shopping and nightlife in Honolulu and hiking and surfing around the rest of the island. Honeymooners seeking a slower-paced experience will appreciate the laid-back vibes of Kauai and the Island of Hawaii. And if you love lounging at beaches and luxury pools, Meyer recommends Maui. 

Meyer also advises thinking carefully about any island-hopping plans. “Try not to visit too many islands on your honeymoon,” she says. “You’ll spend more time in airports and traveling than seeing the islands.” She suggests picking just one, but if you're set on a multi-destination trip, plan to stay a minimum of four to five nights on each island so you can really explore them all.

Traveling between the islands usually requires air travel, but if you’re honeymooning on Maui, you can fit in extra stops without a flight. Ferries connect Maui to Molokai and Lanai, two nearby islands that are small and relaxed but have plenty to offer (including, on tiny Lanai, two different Four Seasons resorts). If you’re taking the ferry between November and March, keep your eyes peeled for whales along the route.

Determine dates.

Choose dates suited to your interests and budget. If cost is a concern, be flexible. “Many hotels base pricing on occupancy, not the season," Meyer says. If the specific dates you're looking at are out of your price range, try looking for stays a few days earlier or later — even in peak season, back-to-back weeks can have wildly different prices.

Note that it's not always sunny in Hawaii; winter can be extremely rainy in some areas. Research the weather for the islands you're interested in to determine the best time to visit.

Check out event calendars, too. “Consider planning around one of Hawaii’s major cultural festivals," says Duke Ah Moo, Hilton’s vice president and commercial director for Hawaii and French Polynesia. “Doing so can enrich your honeymoon.” To name a couple of examples: the Aloha Festivals bring cultural events to Oahu each September, while November's Made in Hawaii Festival highlights thousands of local products, from food and drinks to clothing and crafts.

Ask questions.

Compile a list of questions to ensure your trip is memorable for the right reasons — not because of unwanted surprises. Meyer recommends asking for clarification on room details such as bed size and view, since, for instance, "ocean view" does not always mean oceanfront. “If you expect a full ocean view, book oceanfront,” she says. 

Also, ask for a breakdown of resort fee inclusions. Look for hotels that offer complimentary activities and access to adults-only pools, says Meyer. “For example, Wailea Beach Resort includes outrigger canoe excursions, snorkeling gear, and cultural activities such as ukulele and hula lessons.”

If you're honeymooning on a budget, ask whether the property accepts loyalty points or partners with the Malama Hawaii program. It's aimed at helping tourists give back, and participants can earn discounts or free one-night stays at certain hotels in exchange for some simple volunteer work.

Another way to plan a respectful visit is to inquire about what your hotel is doing to protect the environment and support local businesses. Lokalia Farm, cultural ambassador at Montage Kapalua Bay, says, “Find places to eat, shop, and stay that are owned locally. So much more of the money you spend here will stay here and benefit our communities.” 

Beware of illegal rentals, too. If you’re booking a vacation rental, Ah Moo suggests double checking whether they have proper licensing. This keeps you safe and protects residential communities from overcrowding.

Make reservations.

If you want a romantic dinner with a view, MaryAnn Blanchard, director of meetings and events at Montage Kapalua Bay, recommends checking the sunset time, then scheduling your reservation for 30 minutes to an hour before that, so you can dine during golden hour. Don’t wait to make reservations, either. “Hoping to walk in and grab a table is getting more difficult,” says Kainoa Horcajo, cultural advisor and founder of The Mo’olelo Group. “Make your restaurant reservations as early as you can.” 

This applies to activities, too. Many popular sites, like Hanauma Bay, have implemented booking systems to protect the environment. “There’s a high demand for bookable experiences,” says Julian Arp-Sandel, director of guest experience at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. “Secure them well in advance.” And don’t forget to book your rental car, or you may find them sold out. 

Try something old and something new.

Stepping out of your comfort zone with your partner will only strengthen your bond. “Do something once a day that you’ve never done before,” says Tiffany Dusenberry, director of events at Kukui’ula. Watch the sunrise from atop Haleakalā. Book a private picnic on a secluded beach. Indulge in a rooftop cocktail. Take a heli-tour by day, then experience the magic of a manta ray snorkel at night. Exercise during a warrior hula workshop, unwind with an oceanside lomilomi massage, and connect through a meditation — the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina offers great sessions with Native Hawaiian healer Pi'iali'i Lawson.

There are plenty of other Native Hawaiian-led experiences across the islands, too. The Four Seasons Resort Lanai has a whole team of cultural advisors, who can arrange activities that range from traditional craft workshops to stargazing with an expert in ancestral practices. At Mauna Kea Resort, the "Aloha ambassador" Healani Kimitete-Ah Mow leads sunrise ceremonies inspired by Indigenous traditions.

Every meal offers a chance to try something new as a couple. Alexis Huggins, event planning manager at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, suggests a poke picnic on the beach or a chef’s table dining experience at Ka'ana Kitchen. Taylor Seele, cultural expert at Prince Waikiki, recommends sampling Hawaiian food (like the mashed taro dish known as poi) at Waiahole Poi Factory. 

“Given Hawaii’s plantation history, the culinary scene is incredibly diverse,” says Ah Moo. “You can get a taste of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, and there’s also excellent Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, and Chinese cuisine. Some of the tastiest meals are found at smaller mom-and-pop restaurants, and there’s also a plethora of food trucks.” If you want to enlist a local guide, book an Aloha Plate Food Tour with chef Lanai Tabura. 

But don’t overschedule.  

All of the experts agree: Plan ahead, but don’t fill every minute. “Don’t overplan your Hawaii honeymoon,” says Bobbilyn Jones, an event planner at Andaz Maui. “Slow down and make memories.”

Make a commitment to being present, advises Meyer. “Don’t bring your phones to dinner. Or, leave your phones in your room (locked in the safe) for the day.”

Travel with aloha.

While celebrating your love, don’t forget to be a mindful traveler. Increased tourism to Hawaii in recent years has spurred environmental and cost-of-living concerns among locals, and most Hawaiians say if you're going to visit, you should do so thoughtfully — or, as they say, "with aloha." Hulu Kanda-Estabilio, suite experience manager at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, says understanding Hawaiian history and people enriches your experience, and educating yourself can go a long way. Meyer urges her guests to learn some Hawaiian phrases. If you find languages challenging, keep it simple: “Say aloha (hi) and mahalo (thank you),” says Kalikolehua Storer, Hawaiian culture and training specialist at Andaz Maui and Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa.

Another key tenet is to respect nature. “High surf advisories, shore breaks, and strong currents are not to be taken lightly,” says Farm. “If you have little to no experience swimming in the ocean, be very cautious and only swim in places with a lifeguard.” Stay on marked trails when hiking, for your safety and for protection of the environment and culture. Many Hawaiian natural areas (even protected ones like state parks) have a deep spiritual history, so it's important to remember that the ground you're walking on may be considered sacred — and it deserves your reverence.

You can also be a thoughtful visitor by helping prevent overcrowding. “Refrain from using geotags when hiking and visiting beaches,” says Moku Moikeha, director of experiences at Turtle Bay Resort. Farm also suggests choosing lower-impact options when possible. “If the road to Hana is a must, for example, a guided tour (rather than a self-drive) is more ethical because it reduces cars on this heavily traveled road.”

Finally, engage in activities that create memories and leave a positive impact, says Clifford Nae'ole, cultural advisor at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. Moikeha recommends joining a beach cleanup with an organization like Sustainable Coastlines or Surfrider Foundation, and Seele suggests volunteering in a lo'i kalo (taro patch) like Ka Papa Lo'i o Kānewai. You can also reforest native trees and plants at a site like Gunstock Ranch. "It makes for a great anniversary experience to come back and see your legacy tree flourishing,” says Nae'ole. And, as Joy Stedman, a business development executive at Timbers Kauai, says, volunteering may lead you to special places, like the Malama Huleia fishpond, which are otherwise off the typical tourist trail.

Whatever you do on your honeymoon, just remember to do it with aloha. “There is a 'olelo no'eau (wise proverb): 'aloha aku, aloha mai' (aloha given, aloha received),” says Horcajo. “Don't wait for it; be the first to extend it without expectation of return. In Hawaii, we love love. But most of all, we love the kind of love that doesn't expect something in return...that's often when you'll get the most back. And even if you don't, your new spouse will know they made the right choice in finding a good person.”