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How to plan a Hawaii honeymoon
So you want to know how to plan a Hawaii honeymoon. If you’re planning a wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii – congratulations! Hawaii is a popular honeymoon destination. Couples who want to visit somewhere exotic without needing a passport find that Hawaii is the perfect option.
The problem is that while Hawaii is technically part of the United States, it becomes tough planning a honeymoon in a destination so far away. Most couples planning a Hawaii honeymoon have never been to Hawaii, and they wonder what to do. Well, I am here to help!
I am a Hawaii Travel Agent who specializes in honeymoons. If you want to work with a pro, you can always contact me to check availability. Either way, keep reading to learn how to plan a Hawaii honeymoon.
When to plan a Hawaii Honeymoon
The most popular times to visit Hawaii are the summer, school breaks, and December-February (when it’s cold!) This means that everything is busier, and availability can be limited. Accommodations and activities are likely to sell out. I am not saying that to scare you; I am saying that because many visitors arrive in Hawaii thinking they can book a snorkeling tour or luau upon arrival, that is not the case.
If you can travel March-May or September-October (the “shoulder season”), you’ll find more availability, better flights, and fewer crowds. For further reading, check out the best time to visit Hawaii.
When should you start planning a Hawaii honeymoon?
The best time to start planning a Hawaii honeymoon is right away. The best accommodations and activities tend to sell out during the busy season.
It can be overwhelming to plan a honeymoon while planning a wedding, so why not leave Hawaii the travel planning to an expert? I plan Hawaii honeymoons and vacations every day, and I’d love to arrange yours! Contact me for more information.
If you prefer to DIY your trip, you’ll find many tips and tools to create the perfect Hawaii honeymoon here. I’ve also included links to book my favorite honeymoon resorts and activities, so keep reading about planning a Hawaii honeymoon.
The first thing you need to know about planning a Hawaii honeymoon is that to truly explore the islands, you’ll need a rental car; I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental. You’ll find the best prices on rental cars in Hawaii. You can reserve the car at any time but do not have to pay until you arrive. Trust me, you’ll thank me later if you reserve it now!
Which Hawaii island is best for honeymoons?
I have a blog post about which Hawaii island is best for honeymoons, but I’ll do a quick breakdown here.
Is Maui the best island for honeymoons?
Maui is what you might consider first when thinking about how to plan a Hawaii honeymoon. Gorgeous beaches and romantic resorts make Maui a favorite honeymoon destination.
Maui is great for couples who enjoy fabulous beaches, road trips, and water activities. Some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii can be found in Maui. Molokini Crater is a top snorkeling spot on the islands.
Maui also offers rare adults-only accommodations, which can be hard to find in Hawaii. I recommend staying at Hotel Wailea if you want an adults-only experience. The Four Seasons Maui, The Andaz Maui at Wailea, and the Hyatt Regency Maui are a few of my other favorite Maui honeymoon resorts.
If you want to visit somewhere more secluded, the Hana-Maui Resort is a fantastic choice.
Maui has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
is Kauai the best Hawaii island for honeymoons?
Kauai, in my opinion, is the most under-rated of the Hawaiian islands. It’s the perfect honeymoon destination for couples who love the outdoors.
Kauai is a nature lover’s dream, from hiking to kayaking to water activities. The island has stunning scenery and feels very secluded. Kauai is an excellent choice if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and hike, snorkel, or just enjoy being outdoors.
I love Ko’a Kea Resort on the South Shore for honeymoons. As soon as the 1 Hotel Hanalei opens, I’m sure I’ll be recommending that! The Princeville Resort (which used to be there) was fantastic. I share even more options in the best Kauai honeymoon resorts
The Na Pali Coast on Kauai is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Is Oahu the best island for honeymoons?
Oahu is the most populated island and the most popular for tourism. “The Gathering Place” has a little bit of everything, from nightlife and dining in Waikiki to more remote areas outside of the city.
Oahu has great hikes, beaches, and plenty of historical and cultural activities. If you want to enjoy the nightlife or high-end shopping, you’ll want to honeymoon on Oahu. On Oahu, I recommend The Kahala Resort or Halekulani.
Check out The 7 Best Luxury Resorts on Oahu for even more Oahu honeymoon resort ideas.
Make sure to get out of Waikiki and visit the beautiful North Shore of Oahu.
is Big Island a good island for honeymoons?
The Big Island, or Hawaii Island, is geographically the largest in Hawaii. Hawaii island is perfect for honeymooners who want to see the active volcano of Kilauea.
The Big Island is extremely diverse, which means you can experience plenty of different activities and even climate zones, all on one island. The Big Island has excellent snorkeling and plenty of beautiful waterfalls.
I recommend staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Fairmont Orchid, and Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island.
The Big Island offers so much more than just an active volcano! There are plenty of things to do in Kona and things to do in Hilo.
How much does a Hawaii Honeymoon cost?
I’ve had many couples ask me if it’s possible to plan a Hawaii honeymoon for $2000-$3000, and it just isn’t. Hawaii is notoriously expensive, thanks to its isolated location.
Flights to Hawaii are expensive, accommodations are expensive, and very importantly, car rentals have skyrocketed thanks to a shortage on most islands. Almost everything has to be shipped to Hawaii, making everything cost more.
Flights to Hawaii
Flights to Hawaii begin at around $400 from the West Coast and about $800 from the East Coast. Yes, you’ll see cheaper and more expensive depending on the year, but this is average.
Nonstop flights are available from most US cities to Honolulu, with some non-stop options to Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island. Depending on your location, you’ll likely have at least one stop in LAX, SFO, SAN, DEN, ORD, or DFW if you’re flying out of a small airport.
Hotels in Hawaii
The average hotel in Hawaii costs about $300 per night. That is the average, not the Four Seasons. A nicer resort will likely cost upwards of $600 per night. You can find less expensive accommodations, but there is probably a reason for it if something is cheap.
Extra honeymoon expenses in Hawaii
Unless you’re staying on Oahu, you’ll need to rent a car. Even if you stay on Oahu, you might want to rent a car anyway. Other expenses, like boat tours, sunset cocktails, spa treatments, golfing, will add up quickly.
As a Hawaii Travel Agent for honeymoons, I used to recommend that my clients plan on spending $5000 for one week for two people. At this point, it’s probably more like $6000 or $7000 for a moderate one-week honeymoon.
Most of my clients pay upwards of $10,000, but $6000+ is a good starting point and a realistic expectation.
Hawaii Honeymoon Itinerary
If you’re looking for the perfect itinerary for your Hawaii honeymoon, check out some of my pre-made sample itineraries.
I also sell premium itineraries which I will be sharing very soon. These itineraries are far more detailed at 10-15 pages each and are constantly updated to reflect current rules and openings in Hawaii.
The best things to do on a Hawaii honeymoon
The best things to do on a Hawaii honeymoon depend on you! If your idea of the perfect honeymoon is relaxing on a beautiful beach or spending a day at the spa, you’ll want to make sure to find a beautiful beachfront resort with a great spa.
If you’re going to spend the day hiking and exploring, you might want a clean and welcoming place to sleep at the end of the day.
Check out the following posts for some of the best things to do on your Hawaii honeymoon:
- 100 things to do in Hawaii.
- 10 best things to do in Waikiki.
- The 7 Best Things to do on the Big Island.
- 25 best things to do in Kona.
- 10 best things to do on Kauai.
- The 7 Best Things to do in Maui.
- 10 best adventure activities on Kauai.
- 10 best things to do on Oahu.
How to plan a Hawaii honeymoon
You can check out my sample itineraries, but I recommend planning a Hawaii honeymoon itinerary that’s perfect just for you. That’s where I come in. As a Hawaii Travel Agent who specializes in honeymoons, I can help you plan the ideal honeymoon just for you.
I don’t do any packages; everything is fully customized. Contact me, or go ahead and fill out a custom travel request, and I’ll get back to you to start planning ASAP!
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