Hi all,

I am hoping that you guys can provide me with suggestions as to what to do for our honeymoon in late June early July. We only have a week and it will be our first trips to Hawaii. We are looking for a quiet and romantic setting with enough activities to keep us busy (some snorkeling, some hiking, some hanging out in the beach). Your comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Stephen

Hi PH,
I would definitely choose to stay on Kauai rather than Oahu if you are looking for quiet and romantic.
Kauai has to be one of the more picturesque of the Hawaiian islands with lush vegetation and beautiful scenery. I would recommend staying at the Princeville Resort on the North Shore. Very good hotel with spectacular views of Bali Hai, especially at sunset. You can get this view from most bay and oceanview rooms but if not, you can always enjoy the setting from the lounge area or lounge terrace and have a relaxing drink before dinner.
All of the activities you are looking for can be found on this island. I would also suggest a helicopter ride. It's a great way to view the wonderful terrain and offshore beauty found there. They also have a wonderful canyon to view and you can do some easy hiking in that area as well. You can do river kayaking or just hang out on the beach. Lots of things to keep you busy if you want.
Have stayed at this property 2 times and would definitely choose this hotel if visiting Kauai again.
Oahu has some nice accommodations as well but the island is not as beautiful, in my opinion, and Honolulu is a large and noisy city in comparison to any places on the other islands.
If you do choose to stay on Oahu, one hotel that is very good in all areas is the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel and it is far enough away from the buzz of downtown Honolulu.
With just one week to work with I think I would tend to spend it all on one island (Kauai). Saves you having to do any additional flights and packing etc.
Have a wonderful time on your honeymoon

Hey Stephen,

Just returned from my honeymoon of 5 days Maui and 6 days Kauai and when we were deciding on which islands to visit, our "looking for" list basically matched yours. And after doing a lot of research, both on this board and elsewhere, let me just say that we didn't even consider Oahu. Seemed to us to be too metropolitan for a honeymoon, at least our honeymoon.

Now after being there only a couple of weeks ago, I would probably recommend Kauai first and then Maui, but both were terrific. However, if you and your fiance are heavy into nightlife (bars, clubs, ....), Maui may be the better choice as Kauai is a little quieter. Personally, we didn't miss any of that stuff, as being from NY, that's exactly what we were looking to get away from for a couple of weeks.

Both islands have great snorkeling, great hiking opportunities (Kauai probably a little more so), and some great beaches (Maui maybe a little more so).

My biggest recommendation, though, is that if you do only have a week to spend, I would not recommend two islands. You wouldn't do either island justice and you'll lose most of one day travelling between the islands.

Spend one full week on either Kauai (my choice) or Maui and I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Have fun!

If you want quiet go to Kauai. Kauai is less commercial and more laid back. If you want activities and more things to do go to Oahu.

Have to agree with Doug. I would not try to split the time between 2 islands. We were there for 10 days - 3 days in Oahu, 7 in Kauai. Felt like one whole day was the transfer. I absolutely think Kauai was THE perfect place for us, and I will be presumptious and say it may be for you. That is where I would choose to go for my honeymoon. Congrats.

Thanks so far for the advice. I will definitely stick to one island. Hope to hear more.