Hawaii Honeymoon - Do's & Dont's

Following!!! 3 months to prepare...

Following too!

Following too! Lol. We're planning on just winging it (Oahu). BUT if you're looking for another place to do stuff on Oahu, there's a place called Kualoa Ranch on the opposite side of the island from Waikiki where you can do ATV tours, horseback riding, etc. I'm definitely going to check it out while we are there.

I don't have tips since we haven't gone on our honeymoon yet, but I did go to Hawaii when I was a kid. The luau was boring and the food was awful--FH and I haven't decided if we're going to one or not. We probably will since it feels like a must when you're in Hawaii, but overall my family found it to be highly disappointing.

Snorkeling was the BEST---we saw amazing aquatic life and sea turtles close up.

The drive up the volcano on Maui was terrifying and I would never do it again. I told FH I refuse to go this time

My favorite things we did on Oahu:

-Driving around in convertible, we went up to the North Shore.

-Lanikai Beach (where FH proposed) is the most beautiful beach I've ever been too. You can rent paddleboards and kayaks.

-Snorkeling Hanauma Bay. I heard Turtle Bay is great to snorkel as well.

-We hiked Diamond Head at sunrise but there were soooo many tourists. They brought them in by the bus loads. FH and I got crop dusted by the people walking in front of us.. ugh! We were there in mid-march which is considered busy season so maybe it won't be as bad when you're going!

If you're looking to relax, we bought floaties at one of the ABC stores for $10 and would float on the water and lay on the beach on them. We gave them to some kids the day before we left.

I love reminiscing if you can't tell!

ETA: Obviously not our honeymoon, a vacation we took this year.

We also went to Oahu and Maui for our honeymoon!

My favorite thing in Maui was wandering around Lahaina, which is this small town right on the coast--lots of cute little shops, galleries, and restaurants.

I'd also recommend the road to Hana in Maui--you can drive it yourself, but personally I'm glad we booked a tour. Beautiful scenery, but lots of curves in the road and it isn't very well marked. If you go all the way around there is also a stretch of road that some rental car companies will not let you drive on.

Like AMW we were disappointed in the luau we went to, but I also feel like you kind of have to go since it is Hawaii...

And make sure to book tickets in advance for Pearl Harbor, or get there early!

My uncle said his two favorite parts were going to see a volcano and going pineapple picking.

Pearl Harbor. For dinner in Oahu, go to Dukes!

In Maui- I recommend the road to Hana. Be ready to wake up and start super early because it is an all day thing. It took us about 15 hours. If you drive it yourself, buy one of the tour CDs, it explains each stop as they come. Sounds cheesey, but it helped us!

Also, the luau at the Marriott is pretty awesome. The show is great and the food is phenomenal.

Lahaina has good restaurants, I particularly liked Kimo's!

Edit to add- Lahaina also has a Bubba Gump restaurant... I know they are not uncommon so it's not unique to Hawaii but their food is pretty good in my opinion!

Following too! FH has been there and I have not, but he isn't much of a planner.

I honeymooned in Hawaii ages ago-- here are my tips:

DO: relax and enjoy yourselves. Turn the phones off.

DON'T constantly try and record your HM instead of actually enjoying it.

Oh, and I am quite a scaredy cat and found parasailing almost a snooze-fest. If you're looking for something advneturous, skip it.

I went 10 years ago this summer

I was 16 but this is what I remember doing and loving:

on Oahu we didn't do a whole lot other than hike Diamond head - wonderful views. Also did an island tour.

Maui - snorkling tour to Molokini (spelling?) and turtle bay. SO MANY SEA TURTLES!

Sunrise bike ride down Mt Haleakala (spelling again) it was AMAZING. However, not sure if its true or not, but I've heard they stopped bike rides down because too many people we going over the edges. Ekk

Drive road to Hana and stop at the 7 waterfalls (Can't remember if that's what it was call?) and any other stops along the way, black sand beaches. Make sure you block out a whole day for this trip!

I also scuba dived (dove?) for the first time in Maui and I can't wait to do it again on my HM next year where ever we decide to go!

Don't try to do it all! make sure you take time to relax with a cold drink in hand!

I didn't go for a honeymoon but definitely go snorkleing!

If you're into the less touristy route, go to Kauii(sp?). It's a smaller island, less busy but still tons to do. Went a few years ago and going again with FH and my family in December!

I've been to Maui three times in the past 5 years.

DO: Snorkel at Molokini. Get fresh fruit from one of those roadside stands. Eat shave ice.

DON'T: Road to Hana is overrated. It takes forever, it's touristy and crowded, and the road is pretty narrow in spots. Don't eat at chain restaurants.

So following!! We just booked our Hawaii honeymoon and I'm curious!!

@alyssa I believe you are referring to 7 sacred pools! BREATHTAKING! Ugh I loved the road to Hana. The narrow wind-y roads aren't horrible if you have patience while driving them. Remember you're in Hawaii so don't try to hurry!

So I have been to Oahu twice. Not for a honeymoon but I had family who lived there in the military. There's morimoto in Waikiki soo yummy $$$ but so worth it! Also one of my favorite things was ATV riding at kualoa ranch by where they filmed lost and Godzilla etc. it was so much fun. Beautiful views! I also went on a whale and dolphin tour also good. The north shore is just so fun to go to too very laid back! There are shrimp trucks on the way to the north shore you have to stop. Also I did a really cool hike where you can jump off into a water hole too that was really awesome maunawilli falls. Things you can only do in Hawaii!

Road to Hana. Rent a car (Jeep) and get a CD to give you the tour. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you can stop and swim in the waterfalls!

Totally following!