We are planning our honeymoon to the Hawaiin Islands. We have already been to Maui and loved it. We are torn between the BIg Island and Kauai. Can anyone offer suggestions?

I used to live in Hawaii (Big Island & Oahu) and these are my 2 favorite islands. I know this isn't the answer you were looking for but I would say you can't go wrong either way. Kauai is the probably the most beautiful of all the islands and the Big Island offers the most diversity. Enjoy!

What kind of activities or sites are you looking for?

We usually rent a car so we can explore the island. We like to also find secluded beaches - I think we saw almost everyone of them in Maui. Since it is our honeymoon I think we will also want some relaxation time built in - the beach, happy hour, snorkel. I love the lushness of the islands and it sounds like the Big Island isn't as lush but has more to see and Kauai is more lush but may have to expect more inclement weather. Any advise would be helpful

Kauai-without a doubt.

Once in a lifetime stay: Princeville Resort, after all, it IS your honeymoon.
The location is this side of heaven. You will never forget this visit.

If you like visiting a lot of beaches and covering a lot of the island, be prepared to do a lot of driving on the Big Island. It has that nickname for a reason.

One way to eliminate some driving around the island is to spend one or two nights by the volcano or Hilo and the rest on the west coast. Of course, the downside here is that Hilo is very rainy and the hotels aren't as nice.

We found very good restaurants on both islands, but the shopping is a little better on Kauai.

Kauai is my pick for you , and i agree Princeville is the spot. It is just small enough to enjoy without riding all day to get from one spot to the next.The hikes are the best the islands have to offer, just one area kee beach is good for 2- 1/2 trips, it boasts 3 hiking trails, and the best snorkleing you can find for free. One way to look at a nice resort verses a moderate resort. At a nice resort you can pick the lowest cost room , or at a moderate resort you can pick the higher priced room. So hey pick princeville or any other higher end hotel and ask for an upgrade, it is your honeymoon tell them on arrival. nick

If you have time (~10 days), I would split the trip. Otherwise it depends if you want more relaxation or activity. For the former, Big Island, the latter Kauai. Not that you can't have either in either place, but we found the BI more relaxing and Kauai with more to do.

I hate to disagree with Glink but I think most will agree there is a lot and I mean a lot more to do on the Big Island. I also do not believe that 5 or 6 days is long enough for the BI.

Thanks for all your input. We will have 12 days in the islands but we are saving the last 3 for Lanai. We were there two years ago and have always wanted to return. It is a great place to just unwind at the end of a trip. That gives us 9 days on another island. My finance does not like to hop around so I had two plans: 5-6 nights in a condo in Poipu area and then the remainder at the Princeville resort OR 5-6 night at the Four Seasons or Kona Village and then drive over to Hilo for a couple days and fly to Lanai via Honololu for the last three days. We love sunsets and dining at different restaurants plus we are looking for the island that will be the most romantic. Does it rain more in the Poipu area than what we might expect on BI? Does this help with any suggestions?

Gotta be Kauai!!!

I would definitely recommend Kauai. We were there for out honeymoon and ended up going back the next year!! Kauai has a ton of secluded beaches where you may be the only one there! I recommend getting the "Ultimate Kauai Guidebook". It gives you all the secluded places to check out and gives great directions to beaches and waterfalls. We have stayed on the south shore in Poipu at the Hyatt which was beautiful, but I prefer the location of the NOrth Shore. It is more lush and green. We stayed next door to the Princeville Hotel at Hanalei BAy Resort. the Princeville was beautiful (alot of marble, etc. )but I didn't get the tropical feel that I got at Hanalei Bay Resort or the Hyatt. YOu will have fun!! The island is easy to get around.