Photo by Chelsea Higgins

This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime.

So you’ve decided you want to Honeymoon in Hawaii!  Fantastic! The Hawaiian Islands are filled with nature’s most beautiful hidden gems and are vast with culture and history. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of tours and activities you could do while honeymooning on the islands.  So, where do you start?

What to Do on Your Honeymoon in the Hawaiian Islands

First, you should probably decide on which island(s) you’ll be visiting!  To help you narrow it down, we’ve compiled a short & sweet list to hopefully help you with your decision.

Escape & Explore

If your goal is to adventure into total seclusion, you might consider one of the less inhabited islands like Kauai, population 65k (2008 census). Kauai, commonly referred to as the Garden Isle for its breathtaking beauty. Golf at the St. Regis Princeville, enjoy the view of the coast from the comfort of your kayak, or hike the majestic Nepali Coast (or view it from a helicopter ride). Just be sure to set aside a couple of days if your goal is to visit the secluded Kalalau beach.

Escape & Relax

Maybe taking off on a two-day hike isn’t quite up your alley.  For those looking for peace, quiet, and maybe an outdoor massage overlooking a waterfall, check out the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala coast on the Big Island.  Or experience one of three of Hawaii’s most critically acclaimed restaurants at the Four Seasons in Maui, before dipping off to one of the country’s most top- rated spas.

Experience the culture while you escape

Oahu is probably the most popular choice of vacation for many tourists, and for good reason!  On Oahu, you can eat THE best pineapple ice cream on the planet at the Dole Plantation, attend an authentic Luau at The Polynesian Cultural Center (make sure you try the Kalua pork!), tour the sunken USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, and so, so much more. There are more resorts and hotels, more attractions, more tours, as well as incredible nightlife in downtown Waikiki. A short drive away you can snorkel the reef at Hanama Bay, swim with dolphins at Sea Life Park, enjoy quiet beaches on the North Shore (my favorite spot is in the Bellows/ Waimanalo area), or peruse the charming town of Haleiwa.

For an even more comprehensive list as well as tips on being a responsible, eco-friendly tourist, please visit and support https://www.hawaiiecotourism.org/

Hawaii eco tourism will send you a personalized report for your trip based on the island, time of year you’re visiting, and the type activities you wish you do while you’re there!  It’s an amazing tool and will help guide you to being a helpful (rather than harmful) tourist of Hawaii.  Mahalo!

Finance your honeymoon with a Honeyfund honeymoon registry.

Bio: Chelsea Higgins is a destination wedding and elopement photographer based in Janesville, IA. She met her husband while living on the island of Oahu, eloped, and later moved to the Midwest to be closer to family. She photographed her first wedding in 2012 – and has been evolving and growing both her business and artistry ever since! Her style focuses on organic moments and film-inspired editing techniques. When she is not photographing down-to-earth couples, she can be found chasing her littles around the park, writing witty captions for the bogus stuff that comes out of their tiny mouths, working in the spa, updating her Netflix queue, or traveling to and from Iowa / Colorado to hang with her family.

For more information, check out her website.