Hawaii has welcomed honeymooners for more than a century, since steamships brought newlyweds to the first hotels on Waikīkī Beach. The romance has moved on to quieter shores, but the ingredients are the same: warm water, scented air, a sunset over the Pacific and nowhere you have to be. Here is where to stay for a honeymoon, island by island.
Choosing your honeymoon island
| Island | The honeymoon it gives you | Where to stay |
|---|---|---|
| Maui | Classic: resorts, sunsets, Haleakalā, whales | Wailea, Kapalua |
| Kauaʻi | Dramatic and quiet: cliffs, gardens, Nā Pali by boat | Princeville, Poʻipū |
| Big Island | Adventure: volcano, mantas, stars | Kohala Coast |
| Lānaʻi | Seclusion and luxury | Mānele or Kōʻele |
| Oʻahu | City romance and history | Diamond Head Waikīkī, Kāhala |
Maui
Wailea and Kapalua
Best for: classic honeymoons
Wailea is Maui's honeymoon heartland: luxurious resorts on crescent beaches, a coastal walk at sunset and the sunniest weather on the island. Kapalua is greener and quieter, with beautiful bays and a hideaway feel. Highlights for two: sunrise or sunset on Haleakalā, a private snorkel charter to Molokini and, in winter, whales breaching offshore. See where to stay on Maui.
Kauaʻi
Princeville and Poʻipū
Best for: romance with drama
Wake up to views of Hanalei Bay and the North Shore mountains in Princeville, or to sunshine on the south shore in Poʻipū. A sunset sail along the Nā Pali Coast, a helicopter flight over the island's interior and walks through tropical gardens make Kauaʻi unforgettable. The island is recovering from Hurricane Lowell; resorts are open, but some parks remain closed in autumn 2026.
The Big Island
The Kohala Coast
Best for: adventurous couples
Luxury resorts in the lava fields north of Kona, with Hāpuna and Kaunaʻoa beaches, sunset dinners and some of the clearest night skies on Earth. Add a manta ray night snorkel and a night in Volcano Village near the crater.
Lānaʻi
Lānaʻi
Best for: privacy above all
Lānaʻi has around 3,000 residents, no traffic lights and two luxury resorts: one by the sea at Mānele Bay, near Hulopoʻe Beach, and one adults-only retreat in the cool uplands. It is reached by a short flight or the 75-minute ferry from Maui. Few places in Hawaii feel so private.
A two-island honeymoon
Many honeymooners split their stay: four nights in Wailea and three on Kauaʻi or Lānaʻi, or a few nights in Waikīkī followed by a week on Maui. Keep it to two islands and one inter-island hop, which cost more in 2026 than in recent years. See island hopping in Hawaii.
Honeymoon tips
- Tell your hotel it is your honeymoon when you book; upgrades and welcome gifts are common when availability allows.
- Ask about honeymoon packages with breakfast, spa credits or dinners included.
- Choose oceanview, not just "partial view", and check the floor and orientation for sunsets.
- Budget for extras: resort dinners run about $65 per person before drinks, and taxes add about 18.7% to rooms.
- Book the big experiences early: Haleakalā sunrise, helicopter flights, sunset sails and luaus.
For budgets, see a Hawaii trip for two; for more ideas, where to stay for couples.
When to go
Hawaii is warm all year, so pick your season by what matters most. January to March brings humpback whales and big North Shore surf, but the highest prices. April to early June and September to October offer calm, sunny weather, quieter resorts and better rates, though hurricane season runs from June to November; travel insurance is wise. Summer is the best time for calm seas on Kauaʻi's North Shore and Nā Pali boat trips.
What a honeymoon costs
Hawaii's luxury hotels averaged about $719 a night before tax in 2026, and oceanfront rooms at the top resorts cost much more. A week in an oceanview resort room with a few special experiences, such as a helicopter flight, a private boat trip and several fine dinners, typically costs $12,000–15,000 for two including flights from the US West Coast. Split your stay between a splurge resort and a more modest hotel or condo to stretch the budget, or choose shoulder months when rates fall.
Full budgets are in how much a Hawaii trip for two costs.
Quick answers
Where is the best place to stay for a Hawaii honeymoon?
Wailea or Kapalua on Maui, Princeville or Poʻipū on Kauaʻi, the Kohala Coast on the Big Island, or Lānaʻi for complete seclusion. Many couples combine two islands.
Which Hawaiian island is best for a honeymoon?
Maui is the classic choice for its resorts, sunsets and Haleakalā; Kauaʻi for drama and quiet; the Big Island for adventure; Lānaʻi for privacy.
How much does a Hawaii honeymoon cost?
A week in an oceanview resort room with a few special experiences typically costs $12,000–15,000 for two, including flights from the US West Coast, and more at the top resorts.
When is the best time for a Hawaii honeymoon?
April to early June and September to October offer warm weather, fewer crowds and better prices; January to March adds whale watching.
More on where to stay: first trip, Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Big Island, with kids, Maui with kids, couples, honeymoon and on a budget.
Facts checked October 2026. Prices are averages and change with the season; vacation rental rules are changing on every island, so check that a rental is legal before you book.
