jjj

We're planning to honeymoon in Hawaii next September and are trying to decide on which island to visit. I've heard that Oahu is so "busy" that it doesn't even seem like you're in Hawaii. We'd like to see some of the landscape and scenery but also want a variety of "outside activities........snorkeling, shopping, sight-seeing, etc. Which island can give you the best of both worlds?

xxx

Oahu is lovely. There are so many places to visit. Pearl Harbor(go very early), the North Shore, as these were our favorite places. Do a text search and you'll find many more ideas. I would recommend that you don't need many nights there. We stayed 4,and looking back we could've just stayed 2. Enjoy!

a

If you are an outdoorsy person then go to Maui. You can have a great time there and indulge all of your interests. Shopping will be a bit limited but, anyway, Hawaii is more expensive than the mainland so it is not really attractive to shop there.

Nina2

What you really mean is that Honolulu is crowded and overrated...not the whole of Oahu.
Other parts of Oahu are just as beautiful and unspoiled as most of Maui.
Don't bother with Honolulu.
It's the Las Vegas of Hawaii.

a

Actually I like HNL but it is not the place that I'd choose for a honeymoon.

hens4th

My humble opinion: no, Oahu is NOT overrated. It's a georgous island, with an amazing array of sightseeing and activity possibilities. We spent 10 days there in '01, and it wasn't long enough to see all we would have liked to. Oahu indeed has the best of both worlds: world-class culture and shopping and restaurants; but there's a whole other beautiful, calm, and friendly island outside of "busy" Honolulu/Wakiki.

Haleiwa and the north shore (where we stayed) is pretty, and also "funky" and casual and fun; the windward shore is awesomely beautiful; and all over are more amazing beaches than you can imagine, an infinite variety of virtually-deserted beaches! We one day took a "snorkeling/sightseeing" catamaran cruise out of Haleiwa, and there was only 1 other couple on the boat! - it felt like having our own personal charter trip. But we also enjoyed (we're from a very small town) day-tripping to Honolulu, and seeing the city and Wakiki Beach and Chinatown and the Aloha Tower complex, etc.

We got the same advice as you did before we went: don't go to Oahu, it's just a big city with a beach, etc. I'm so very glad we ignored the advice.....

rrr

All I can say about Waikakai (sp?) is Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!!!! I spent my honeymoon there several years ago. Hated it. Way too crowded. Just a big city. If you insist on Oahu, stay somewhere else.

jjj

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions. I guess you just have to get out and drive to see the "real Hawaii". You've definitely made me look forward to the trip!

islandgirl

Just flew home from Oahu this morning...
it was wonderful!
We stayed 2 nights at the Aston Waikiki Beachside Hotel and 6 nights at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows on the North Shore.
I wouldn't have changed a thing!
Waikiki was great, (ignore the yuk, yuk comments) I think it depends on how well prepared you are, and how spontaneous you can be. Also, you need to be able to appreciate city living.
We enjoyed a VIP oceanfront suite at Waikiki, the perfect spot, very centrally located - people watching was fun. The beach activity across from the hotel was delightful.
We walked to the International Market, and to Dukes for sunset, and a couple of good breakfast spots, Keoni's was nice. We took the bus to Chinatown, and enjoyed the various shops, especially the flower shops where they made the leis... my husband bought me my favorite and I wore it that night to a lovely dinner at the top of the Ilikai Hotel - what a view and great dinner!
From there we were off to the north shore, taking the scenic route up the windward coast. It was breathtaking.
We stopped for shrimp... and flowers... and photos etc... it was a lovely ride.
Ke Iki beach bungalows were beyond my expectations... a perfect spot if you like loud surf and privacy. We stayed
in the "honeymoon suite" ... simple, clean, and perfect... it was hard to leave the lanai.
We drove our jeep out to Kaena point... fun! and spent quite a few mornings and afternoons watching the Triple Crown of Surfing, mainly the Rip Curl event at Sunset Beach. Unbelievable!
We grilled and ate on our lanai almost every night... much better view than any restaurant.
Oahu was splendid... can't wait to go back...
by the way, we've been to the BI, Maui, and Kauai, and loved each one in a special way, but we really love the versatility of Oahu.
Happy planning!

joy

We just went on our honeymoon and we went to Kauai and Oahu.
Kauai is THE perfect honeymoon spot!
The entire island is gorgeous. There is some shopping, lots to see, good snorkeling and perfect weather! One of the highlights for us was the open door helicopter ride. That would be my main recommendation. Also, everyhwere you go, make sure to say your on your honeymoon and they will help you out. Most places are willing to bargain. Also, rent a convertible. It's so worth and you can bargain that down too! We went to the North Shore in Oahu which was nice, but it's only good for about one day!

islandgirl

I agree w/ Joy that Kauai is lovely,
but strongly disagree that 1 day on the north shore of Oahu is all there is to it. Balony!
Maybe that's all the time they had there, but the north shore of Oahu is to really to be savored and enjoyed.
We had 7 wonderful days there and never tired of the beaches and quaintness of the area... maybe she needed more time to experience there.... investigate and base your decision on what you're looking for.... if it were my honeymoon, I'd want privacy, romantic surroundings, and the leisure to do whatever, whenever.... don't get me wrong, I love Kauai, but north shore, Oahu is for lovers, not just 1 day!!!!

Sarah

This question is becoming a classic on this forum. I like Oahu but I like exploring the Asian culture on Oahu. I think there are many outdoor activities on all the islands. You come to Oahu to sample World Class cuisine, hit a couple of museums, attend some cultural festivals. There are wide open spaces here but if you are looking to be in complete solitude the outer islands are more the entree you are looking for.

I don't like island hopping I like to pick one island and stay for the duration of the two weeks I am usually visiting. You should think about what is important to you. For this reason I would hit the Big Island or Kauai.

bettyk

Each island has something different to offer and Oahu is no exception. Everybody should see Pearl Harbor, but just be sure you also drive around the island to see some of the awesome scenery. The worse thing people can do is spend all their time on Waikiki and say they have "been" to Hawaii.

Sarah

I also think the worse thing people can do is only explore Pearl Habor and skip native Hawaiian history. But it's hard to get what people anticipate: Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and the Dole Pineapple maze out of their heads.

aloha

One more vote for O'ahu as a destination, not just a place to change planes.

jjj

Thanks again for all your replies. It's definitely a tough decision. Sounds like Kauai is the place for the true romantic "Hawaiian experience". I had heard before that there was nothing to do there in the evening. It's so hard to make a good decision and then be pleased when you actually "see" the hotel and it's surroundings. If I choose Kauai, where is the best place to stay? Thanks again for all your help!!

Gloria

The Princeville up north and the Hyatt down south are the two best on the island.
They're very different and the weather and vegetation are very different from one to the other. Depends on what you want.

Melissa

You are looking for the best of both worlds, right? On Oahu you could do daytime activities such as the North Shore, Diamond Head, Waimea Bay and Waimea Falls Park, Ko Olina lagoons, Aiea Loop Trail, Contemporary Museum, Hanauma Bay, Bishop Museum/Iolani Palace, Lyon Arboretum, and more. At night you can take in fine dining & nightlife as well as tons of shopping. There is a lot of busy-ness on Oahu, but it has many beautiful things to see. You can sit back and relax all you want, but if you get bored you won't be trapped on an island that has nothing to do!

OahuSucks

Oahu has "major" freeways surrounding it.....what does that tell you? Even the N. Shore wasn't that great.

Sarah

JJJ I think if you go to Kauai the Hyatt is a wonderful place to ease your jet lag. Then I would rent a condo on the North Shore. 2-3 nights tops at the Hyatt then go to a condo on the north Shore. Hotels are confining for more than two nights I find. Remember early september is better than late September to skip on the rain. About the night life if you are exploring Kauai during the day, hiking, snorkeling, walking are you going to have energy for night life? I never do but I do like getting up early and enjoying the cool morning weather.