Best Hawaii Island for Honeymoon: Secrets Revealed!

Oh, the excitement of a newly married life!

There’s nothing quite as thrilling as embarking on that long-awaited honeymoon with your sweetheart. But wait, before you pack your bags and head off to just any tropical paradise, let me share with you my tried-and-true findings: Maui is hands-down the ultimate Hawaiian island for unforgettable honeymoon memories.

You see, my boyfriend and I have been bitten by the travel bug, especially when it comes to exploring Hawaii’s idyllic islands. Time after time, we’ve found ourselves mesmerized by Maui’s enchanting allure – its breathtaking beaches, lush forests and rich cultural experiences make it a true lovers’ getaway.

Here’s why:

Drawing from our countless adventures across this magical island, I’m excited to share my top recommendations for a romantic Maui honeymoon. With insider details on luxurious resorts, awe-inspiring landscapes and intimate dining spots – plus exhilarating activities perfect for couples – you’ll have everything needed to create an amazing trip tailored just right for you two lovebirds.

Warning: After experiencing all the wonder Maui has in store, home might suddenly feel like a distant memory when compared to this honeymooner’s haven!

So grab your sunhat and sunglasses – it’s time to dive into planning the most incredible journey of your lives!

Maui is the Island in Hawaii that’s Best for Honeymoons:

Maui offers a huge selection of content which is great for all kinds of couples. Whether you are looking for adventure, luxury, romance, or culture Maui has it all.  

The island of Maui is the best honeymoon destination in Hawaii due to the following:

• It offers a perfect combination of wild nature, paradise locations, white sand, jungles, and more.
• The resorts and hotels are high quality, luxurious, and one of a kind,  with a lot of content, organized especially for couples. 
• Maui has the best beaches in Hawaii with white powdery sand, crystal clear waters, and ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and watersports. Not to mention the beaches offer some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. 
• The island is lively with a lot of couples content including great tours by boat, helicopter, ATV, 4×4, and more.
• Some of the best chefs from around the world hold restaurants in Maui and combine fresh local ingredients, sustainable local fish, and impeccable views to bring you some of the best dining experiences ever. (You will remember them as one of a kind!) 

Best Maui honeymoon resorts: 

Vacationing at a resort is a great way to have a stress-free vacation with lots of content in one spot. Often resorts have special offers or packages, especially for honeymoons and anniversaries. Here are my top three favorite resorts and the reasons why: 

1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Address: 3900 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753-5453

If you are looking to get spoiled, this is the perfect spot. The resort offers just about all the content you need including premium rooms and suites, golf, pools and spa, stunning ocean and beach views, and more. But what sets them mostly apart is impeccable service and staff. 

What I especially loved about our visit was all the amenities and help from the smiling and friendly staff. I asked for a body pillow, and they got me the perfect one within 15 minutes. Room service in general was fast and accurate. And the spa treatments were amazing. We had a great couples massage. 

Another unforgettable thing at this resort is the food (that comes with an oceanside sunset!). There are multiple amazing restaurants and everything is well-prepared and super fresh. Ferraro’s is perfect for special occasions and dining in a romantic setting on the beach at sunset. Another great choice is Chef Wolfgang Puck’s, AAA Four Diamond restaurant – Spago. It’s an awesome combination of California and Hawaiian cuisine. 

Another highlight was the serenity pool with a swim-up bar. The cocktails were delicious and it was very convenient. I found the entire experience very romantic and the grounds are immaculate.

2. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali

Address: 200 Nohea Kai Drive, Lahaina,HI  96761-1985

It’s hard to beat the location and view this resort offers. The resort is set on 40 acres on Ka’anapali Beach. Simply put, it’s magical! It also offers all the amenities you could imagine with great activities and well-organized events including outdoor yoga and fitness classes, cultural classes, the Marilyn Monroe Spa, and one of my favorites, the astrophotography workshop. 

I mostly enjoyed the oceanfront two-seater daybeds and cabanas with stunning views, sandy beaches, and cocktails. They also have the option poolside. My second favorite part was the Drums of the Pacific Luau, which is the best on the island. It’s outdoors at sunset with traditional song and dance, an authentic imu ceremony, and a delicious dinner. There is even an exciting Samoan fire-knife dance at the end of the show. 

We had an oceanfront 1 king bedroom and it was impeccable. The sunset from our glass balcony was breathtaking. Not to mention room service which went above and beyond to accommodate us. The rooms are very private, quiet, and clean, and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. 

They have many incredible restaurants we loved visiting. For a romantic evening, I highly recommend Japengo which is right on the water and the resort’s waterfalls. They serve mouthwatering steak and seafood or hand-rolled selections from the Sushi Lounge. Everything is incredibly tasty, but you do need to make reservations ahead of time. 

Another good option inside the resort is the Son’z Steakhouse. They serve the best steak in Hawaii with USDA prime cuts, including Tomahawk and Porterhouse. The wine card here is also vast with choices from around the world. Overall, everything you need for a perfect evening. 

3. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

Address: 1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Kapalua, HI 96761

This 5-star resort has an incredible and vast space filled with tropical palm trees, perfectly manicured lawns, tropical swimming pools, and an open ocean view. The rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable and the views are pure paradise. I loved this resort because it gave me the feeling of being tucked away. It’s an isolated paradise setting with a close sandy beach. Overall I would describe the resort as secluded and luxurious. 

I really enjoyed all the activities the resort offers including zip lining for over two miles across the gulches on the West Maui Mountains, ATV (Off-Road Adventures), and wellness classes. I enjoyed some personal time at pilates and aquacise classes, and as a couples activity, we did the Kapalua fitness hike.

Other activities I highly recommend (and enjoyed during our stay) are the rejuvenating massage using warm volcanic stones, a divine pedicure, and even playing some golf. 

The food here is also amazing! I enjoyed delicious buttery and fresh sushi masterfully prepared at the Alaloa Lounge. And Olu poolside has the best lunch options. We ate there several times and I loved the banana bread and fruit plate, fresh catch tacos, and chicken wings. They have nice options for wine by the glass. 

Maui Honeymoons have the best beaches and sunsets:

What better way to finish an evening than watching the sunset and sitting under the stars? Maui has legendary sunsets and some of the most stunning fiery skies in the world. Luckily you can enjoy them for free from many of the Island’s beaches. Here are my favorites: 

1. Keawakapu Beach

This beach is located in South Maui, between Kihei and Wailea, and is about a mile long. It’s great for water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and trying boogie boarding. We spent some time sunbathing and brought food for the sunset. (it didn’t disappoint!) 

The evening was peaceful and warm. Best of all it wasn’t crowded so we had plenty of privacy. The sunset had all the fiery and vibrant colors of a postcard. I even took some stunning pictures. We were told that in winter months you can even see whales here. 

2. Hanakao’o Beach Park

This is a great spot for walking, having a BBQ, and enjoying some shade. They have all the necessary facilities, so it was easy to spend time just relaxing and eating. Parking was easy, and there is a bathroom facility with an outdoor shower. Not to mention it’s right off the Honoapiilani Highway, so it’s easy to find.

In the evening we took a nice walk and I found some fun black lava rocks. The shore is sandy, but there is also shade. We even saw some large green turtles lounging and swimming close to shore. The sunset with our meal was incredible. It was intertwined with shadows of sailboats and a purple and orange backdrop. 

3. Makena Cove Secret Beach

A tall black rock wall hides a stretch of beautiful secret beach south along Makena Road a quarter-mile past the Big Beach third entrance. This secret beach is a hidden treasure with some of the most beautiful views. In fact, it’s a top destination for wedding pictures. 

This small and hidden treasure doesn’t have any facilities, but we didn’t need them to enjoy our stunning sunset. The colors of the sunset perfectly intertwined with the turquoise waters and white sand. We grabbed food from a nearby vendor and a bottle of white wine. It was incredibly beautiful and romantic. A picture-perfect experience. 

Romantic restaurants in Maui:

No honeymoon is complete without the perfect candlelight dinner overlooking paradise. Maui has some of the most romantic, high-quality restaurants serving the freshest food prepared by some of the world’s top chefs. Along with that, the views are stunning, so you can enjoy a fiery sunset, oceanfront palm trees, and a beautiful star-filled night sky with your dinner. 

1. Spago (Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea)

Address: 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753

Spago, Master Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Hawaiian outpost has an elegant interior and a spacious covered terrace with a panoramic ocean view (as one would expect at a Four Seasons Resort). Each plate of food looks like a work of art and tastes even better. The portions are a good size, so you will leave stuffed (no micro portions here!).

We had a great table outside and even got to enjoy a sunset. All the food was delicious, but for me, the highlight was the Miso glazed Butterfish, Kona Maine lobster ceviche, and for dessert chocolate and banana gateau. They even suggested a perfect white wine pairing of Fantino and Barolo Chinato from Italy.

Service is well organized, systematic, and friendly. They know their menu and have quality suggestions. In case you have food restrictions they are perfectly accommodating. Overall, this is a perfect place for a romantic – date night – dinner. 

2. Son’z Steakhouse (Hyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa)

Address: 200 Nohea Kai Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761

Overlooking a tropical lagoon and ocean sunset Son’z Steakhouse has the best 100% USDA-certified Prime beef on the island. They serve amazing portions of stake including bone-in ribeye, New York strip, and tomahawk steaks which are dry-aged in-house. 

We had a perfectly secluded table outside for our dinner date. The lighting and ambiance were perfect and romantic. The view was impeccable. For our meal the highlights were the lobster ravioli with bell peppers and basil, lobster tail grilled and brushed with drawn butter, and 12 oz. New York Strip. We picked a great Merlot with our meal (thanks to our waiter) and everything was delicious and fresh. 

The staff was friendly all the way through and accommodating. Everyone was attentive without rushing us, including our waitress and the manager. They know their product and have an extensive wine list. 

3. Mama’s Fish House

Address: 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779

If you are lucky to get a reservation with this local legend, you will have a wonderful and authentic experience. Mama’s Fish House has an amazing location and serves traditional locally caught fish and seafood. They are great supporters of the local sustainable fishing community and serve their winnings within 24 hours. Making their menu incredibly fresh! 

Their Mahi-Mahi and Ahi in Mama’s Curry are to die for. We also loved the macadamia nut crab cakes and New Caledonia island Blue prawns with coconut and Tahitian vanilla. For drinks, I had several Pau Hana cocktails (Haiku guava, Tahitian lime, and gin – scented with ginger) – and they were made to perfection. They were strong but tasty and skilfully made.

The atmosphere is Hawaiian and authentic. Decorations are from the island and there is incredible artwork everywhere. Service is good. They are not at the level of some of the other restaurants mentioned, however, they are still friendly and helpful. They get a little slow because it’s a really popular location. They do however have impeccable knowledge of their food!

Best Honeymoon activities in Maui:

1. Haleakala Volcano – Most beautiful sunrise in the world

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Spectacular-Haleakala-Maui-Sunrise-Tour/d671-2360MAUI3

I highly recommend the Haleakala Maui Sunrise Tour w/ Breakfast. The tour lasts about 9 hours altogether and the organization is impeccable. It is operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours. 

The tour starts at 2:30 am and we were picked up right at our hotel. The ride was comfortable and our tour guide was funny despite the time of night. We made it quickly up to the world’s largest dormant volcano at over 10,000 feet high and stretching out over 30,000 acres. I brought warm clothing, blankets, and tea, so we settled in comfortably for the magic.

This is an awesome opportunity to see the true power of nature and experience the authentic side of Maui. The view from the top, well above the clouds is romantic, impressive, and filled with intertwined colors of magenta, purple, pink, yellow, and blue.

As a bonus on the way back, we stopped and had a delicious and diverse breakfast at Kula Lodge Restaurant. Its sit-down service and the portions are delicious, perfectly seasoned, and large. It was overall a great experience. 

2. Luau – an exciting authentic experience of Polynesian culture 

Address: 200 Nohea Kai Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761 (at the Hyatt Regency Maui)

Link: https://drumsofthepacificmaui.com/

Drums of the Pacific Luau is definitely my favorite Luau on the island. One of the reasons is that it’s held outside next to a lagoon and overlooking a sunset (as would be expected at a Hyatt). The other is the quality of the show, food, and overall service. Not to mention that the setting was romantic and the cocktails were great. 

Enjoy the sounds of the drums, chants, fire torches, and authentic dances that last about 3 hours. The ceremony includes live music, an authentic imu ceremony, a Polynesian-plated dinner, and an open bar. It’s one of the very few Luaus on the island with a 3-man fire knife dance (which added to the excitement). 

3. Snorkel and Scuba – Gest exotic stops for abundant marine life

Address: 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761 

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/West-Maui-Snorkeling-Adventure/d671-34338P1

Maui is famous for countless places to snorkel and enjoy hundreds of different tropical fish, eel, turtles, and more. My favorite snorkeling experience however was with the West Maui Half-Day Snorkel from Ka’anapali Beach. Asides from an excellent spot for snorkeling, the tour provides all the equipment needed, delicious breakfast and lunch onboard the boat, drinks (soft drinks, juice, water, coffee), parking, and a professional guide.

We snorkeled at multiple locations including Oluwalu, Mala Wharf, and Honolua Bay which were filled with fantastic marine life. We enjoyed seeing hundreds of tropical and colorful fish, coral, and even some large green turtles playing in the water. 

4. The Road to Hana – the Historic all-day trip into the jungle

Address: Pick-up and drop-off at specific Maui hotels available

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Maui-Hana-Coast-Day-Trip/d671-2360MAUI2

Adventurous couples looking for a well-organized all-day trip exploring majestic waterfalls, swimming holes, and stunning views will love this tour. The trip offers a lot of authentic and off-the-beaten-path sites that are picture-worthy. The tour provides impeccable knowledgeable guides who know the area like the palm of their hand. They provide great information, cultural background, and information on vegetation and wildlife.

The tour guide made a stop at Pua’a Ka’a State Park and let us have a nice swim at the waterfall (it was picture-perfect)! Other stops I really enjoyed included Wai’anapanapa State Park, Ho’okipa Beach Park, and a great stop at Hana Farms. Here we had a farm-to-table delicious meal and a spectacular view. 

The group is relatively small at about 40 people, and we did not feel overcrowded. Asides from taking lots of our own fun and exciting pictures, the trip is filmed (and we were the stars)! Back at the beach we watched the video and bought some professional pictures that made perfect souvenirs. 

Oahu is the second-best Island in Hawaii for the Best Honeymoon:

Oahu, much like Maui is a great choice for a honeymoon. Honolulu and Waikiki offer some of the best content for newly-in-love honeymooners. Head to Kapiolani Beach which spans several ocean-front miles or enjoy the spectacular Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (and snorkel with over 400 types of tropical fish, coral, and other marine life). 

This, second-best Hawaiian destination to leave your footprints in the sand is a hub of Hawaii. It offers spectacular resorts like the luxurious offers at Ko Olina which offer over 642 acres with sweeping ocean and mountain views and numerous natural and man-made lagoons, The Kahala Hotel and Resort in Honolulu, and the spectacular and private Ocean Villas at Turtle Bay. 

It also offers a lot of great adventure tours including those by boat and helicopter. There is a lot to see in an intimate and small group setting (also lots of private tour options). Oahu has amazing restaurants with perfect waterfront views including 53 By The Sea, Hau Tree, and my favorite Beachhouse at the Moana.                                                          

Conclusion on the Best Island for a Hawaiian Honeymoon

No need to waste your time still deciding on which Hawaiian island is best for your honeymoon. The answer is – Maui.

This paradise island offers the best-of-the-pest Hawaii has to offer including world-class resorts, top restaurants serving locally sourced and fresh ingredients, and endless white sand beaches to soak up the sun or take a swim.

The island is romance heaven because there are many small groups and private tours created just for you, and you get the chance to check out some stunning and exotic waterfalls, lush rainforests filled with wild and exotic plants, and more. 

Maui offers all the luxurious, romantic, and relaxing content, with fewer crowds and world-class service. So check out all my suggestions from above, and get started with your bookings now!

I guarantee a good time!

Last Updated on April 30, 2023 by Brigitte