My fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon for November 2009 for 10 days. Is Turtle Bay a really good resort or should we look into something else? We want a relaxing few days but we also want a place to explore, swim and hike. A little night life as well but nothing too overwhelming as we are in our mid and late 30's. We would also like to stay away from Maui. Any suggestions?

You will enjoy Turtle Bay, its very nice there. Expect some heavy surf in Nov. Lots of hiking, waterfalls and swimming nearby too. Maui is my favorite island, but if you want to stay away from it try Kauai.

I think Oahu is a great island choice to explore, swim, hike. I don't know Turtle Bay because I stay in Waikiki, but there is so much to see and do on Oahu. It's a beautiful island, very diverse.

I assume you know that Turtle Bay is about a long drive from Waikiki? I don't think there's any nightlife at all up there -- which may be fine, just wanted to be sure you knew it was not "in the thick of things".

If this were my itinerary (10 days on 1 island) I would split my time between Waikiki and Kailua or north shore. Turtle Bay is kind of secluded although I'm sure it is beautiful. Kailua State park is one of my favorites on the island. Our trips to Oahu have been between 10-12 days and we always split our time between Waikiki and Kailua. We start in Waikiki and then wind down in Kailua. Kailua has plenty of shops and good night life. It''s more residential feeling than touristy.

BTW, do you get the Food Channel? Rachel Ray recently did a show on Oahu and it was great -- a little about Waikiki (where they stayed) and a lot about other places on the island. We've always just stayed in Waikiki and taken a day trip around the island -- never stayed elsewhere, but now I plan to on my next trip.

We were thinking of splitting our time up between two islands but not sure which other one. Any ideas or suggestions would be great since I have never been and would love to hear any advice at all. Nothing is set in stone. Thanks for everyone's help so far!

pottsah, you said you wanted to stay away from Maui? Why? (It will help to know why in making other suggestions -- for example, if you said Maui seems too "busy and tourist-oriented", then we would obviously recommend you also stay away from Waikiki)

It is only for silly reasons that my fiancee took a trip there with his ex-fiancee. I don't want him to have to relive that trip and also want to go somewhere he has never been.

That's a great reason

I would recommend Oahu and Kauai (the latter is magnificently beautiful, with great vistas and hiking, lovely beaches, etc.). We go to Poipu, but others swear by the North Shore. Not much nightlife in Kauai, though -- it's pretty laid back and quiet/relaxing.

I've stayed at Turtle Bay. It's okay, some interesting stuff nearby. But I much prefer Kauai and the Big Island. Kauai for its beauty. We stay around Poipu also because it's sunnier. On the Big Island we stay on the Kona side, again for sunshine. I find Oahu and even Maui (Hana excepted) too touristy. You'd have to pay me to go back to Waikiki.

Split the time between Oahu & Kauai or Oahu & Big Island.

Turtle Bay is an hour away from Honolulu/Waikiki.

You might want to stay in Waikiki on Oahu & a resort on the other island you choose.

Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34812564