Is the Big Island of Hawai‘i Good for a Honeymoon?

The Big Island doesn’t get as much honeymoon press as Maui, which is precisely part of its appeal. For couples who want variety, adventure and enough shoulder-room to feel like you’ve arrived somewhere, this is the island.

Here’s how we help honeymooners plan — resorts, experiences, timing and a few under-the-radar romantic moves.

Where to stay

Kohala Coast luxury resorts

Four Seasons Hualālai — the grown-up, quiet, adults-leaning pick. Some of the best spa treatments in the state.
Fairmont Orchid — classic Kohala coast resort, strong for first-time honeymooners.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection — sleek, refreshed, stunning grounds.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel — old-school, on the best private crescent beach on the island.
Waikoloa — lower price point, lots of activity, good for couples who want a busier resort.

Boutique / under-the-radar

Volcano Village cottages — cool elevation, fireplaces, rainforest quiet. Best as a 2-night romantic escape paired with a resort week.
Hāwī / North Kohala farm stays — completely off the tourist map.
Holualoa coffee country B&Bs — above Kona with views down the coast.

Honeymoon-worthy experiences

Manta ray night snorkel — genuinely unforgettable, and couples love the shared awe.
Mauna Kea summit sunset + stargazing — one of the most cinematic hours you’ll ever spend together.
Helicopter tour over active Kīlauea and the Hāmākua coast.
Private beach picnic on the Kohala coast — hotels like Mauna Lani and Four Seasons arrange these.
Kona coffee farm private tasting — quiet, nerdy, romantic.
Sunset dinner cruise from Kailua Bay.
A private volcano day with a guide who can time dinner around the after-dark glow viewing.

Dining worth planning around

CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani — oceanfront, chef’s-tasting menus.
Meridia at Mauna Lani — modern Mediterranean, stunning.
Ulu Ocean Grill at Four Seasons Hualālai — understated luxury.
Merriman’s Waimea — the original farm-to-table restaurant in Hawai‘i.
Brown’s Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid — classic sunset spot.

How to split your time

Our favorite honeymoon layout: 5 nights on the Kohala coast (beach, pool, spa, couple of tours), then 2 nights in Volcano Village at the end to do the national park slowly — sunset glow viewing, morning coffee by the fire, then a calm drive back to Kona for departure.

Small things that matter

Book dinner reservations before you fly.
If you book the manta tour or Mauna Kea, leave a spare day — weather cancellations happen.
Sunset is the setting — plan one tour per day around it.
Tell your resort it’s your honeymoon; they’ll usually add a small touch at check-in.

Explore the Big Island with Ohana Tours

We do private, no-other-guests tours specifically for honeymooners — volcano-and-stars evenings, beach-hopping days with a picnic at a private cove, and photo-worthy experiences that aren’t on any package. Send us your dates and we’ll design around what you care about.

For honeymooners we usually suggest a private Big Island tour — just the two of you, a custom route, and all the photo stops you want. Prefer company? The Circle Island Tour caps at 14 guests, so it never feels like a bus.

Ready to plan your trip? Browse our Big Island experiences at ohanatours.com or reach out at aloha@ohanatours.com — we’ll build the itinerary around you.

Mahalo for reading — the Ohana Tours team