We just can't seem to decide which islands to go to for our honeymoon. We were originally thinking of two islands, 5 nights each. But we can't narrow it down to two!

I'd love to go to Kauai, Maui, & the Big Island. Do you think 4 nights on each island (12 night honeymoon) would be relaxing or is that too much moving around? Has anybody ever done this?

For our honeymoon we stayed on Maui for 10 days, and did not run out of things to do. On our 2nd trip we hopped, Maui, Kauai & Big Island in 10 days and is was not nearly as relaxing, but I am glad we did it. And, 12 days would make it easier. On the Big Island we went to volcano, saw the black sand beach on our drive to Kona & went snorkelng there. I would consider only 3 days on the Big Island, 5 Maui & 4 Kauai.
Congratulations & have a wonderful honeymoon!

If you dont plan to return to hawaii, you should try to see all the islands. Each one is unique and have there own special beauty. Also, a lot of people like to see each island and decide upon their favorite for return visits. Congratulations and have fun.

How many islands you see would really depend on just how active you want to be.

If you like to hit lots of sights, go ahead and do 3 islands in 12 days. I would not try to fit more in than that. I would recommend Oahu, Maui and Kauai. Of course, if the volcano is erupting, go to the Big Island instead of Kauai.

Also, try to book your inter-island flights early in the day or late afternoon. If you travel with everyone else, midday, you will be wasting 2 entire days of your honeymoon taking those filghts. An early flight means you can be in your rental car by 10am and have the rest of the day free. I think the longest inter-island flight is less than an hour.

If you are flying into Maui and will be staying in the Kaanapali or Kapalua area consider flying into Kapalua instead of Kahului. It is very small and you can avoid the long lines and crowds for your car. Not to mention the 45 minute drive to Lahina from Kahului.

If you plan to relax I would still go for 12 days but spend 4 days on Oahu and the rest on Maui. Do Oahu first and get all that "must see everything" energy out of your system. Waikiki and the Arizona/Missouri days are a must but it is a good day trip to drive around the island. Be sure to see the Pali lookout on the way. The north shore is very green and feels like Kauai. If you like jungle type gardens Waimea Falls park is nice. On the way back stop at the Dole Pineapple Pavillion. They have a hedge maze and when you finish (or not, it is kind of long) you can have some excellent pineapple sorbet.

I would go for the 2 island option. Your honeymoon is the time to take it slow and enjoy each other. You can always take the busy vacation later.

Have a wonderful trip!

Two max. I'd vote Maui & Kauai

Last October my wife and I spent 4 days on the Big Island, 5 days on Kauai and 3 days on Maui. We loved the trip and enjoyed the variety that the different islands afforded us. We wish we had had more time on the Big Island but the rest was just about right.

I would analyze it this way:
1) Do you think you will be making subsequent trips to Hawaii? If not, see what you can this time while you have the chance.
2) How active do you want your trip to be? If you want to see a lot of stuff, hike, snorkel, experience the culture of Hawaii... then three islands in twelve days will be fine. If you just want to lay on the beach in a resort and relax, then one island will be as good as another so just pick a good resort and stay there.

I would suggest taking a Hawaiian cruise this way you can hit all the islands.

A typical cruise will only allow you one day (if that) on each island which is not enough time to see much.

I think 3 islands will be too much running around.

We definitely want Maui and do NOT want Oahu.

So the choice is either Kauai or the Big Island. How in the world am I supposed to choose?? I really want to go to both, but relaxing is more important than seeing 3 islands.

How should I choose?? We really like beaches & snorkeling. Not so much into hiking around.

It is a very tough choice. Both islands offer great resorts (so I hear... we stayed in B&Bs and cottages) and both have great snorkeling.

The Big Island has an active volcano and a 13,800 foot mountain that Kauai definitely doesn't have. If those don't interest you however, you should choose Kauai. Kauai is more lush and more beautiful and easier to navigate because it is smaller. Sounds to me like it fits your desires better.

Skip the Big Island. We went there for 3 days on our Honeymoon and wished we had spent hte additional time on Maui. We were not impressed at all with the Big Island except for Volcanoes National Park.

For our honeymoon in June, we did 5 nts on Maui and 5 nts on Kauai. To do it all over again, we would do 10 nts on either one island. If you do go to multiple islands I would recommend not changing islands on the weekend. We changed on Saturday and the Maui Airport was very crowded. Not to mention the crowds and the wait for a rental car on Kauai. I think that 4 nts on each would definetly not be relaxing.