ireland6

Hello, we are trying to figure out where we want to go for our honeymoon. We are getting married in October so the places are limited. We are in our mid-twenties and like "adventure" tours (zip lining, etc). We also like water activites and outdoor activites. We like the beach, but arent what you would call "beach bums". My friend said there is alot to do in Oahu and the price isnt too high (we'd like to stay around $3,000 - $4,000 for both of us for a week). Any advice is appreiciated!!! So what do ya think? Thanks in advance

Barbara5353

I think Maui would be a better honeymoon destination. More of the activities you list, and a more romantic atmosphere.
Tourism is down to record lows in Maui; you should be able to find some excellent bargains.

Marginal

There is a great deal to do on Oahu, but after 4 nights on Waikiki, I was desperate to get out of there (noise, traffic, tiny crowded beach), and get away to a more serene place. In my case it was the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on The Big Island, but Maui would be a good choice, too.

sf7307

I, too, think you would prefer Maui as a honeymoon destination. Even though there is "development", it just has a more tropical feel to it. We were in Oahu in May, and although we didn't stay in Waikiki (we were west of Honolulu and the airport), we didn't like driving on freeways and seeing industrial areas, etc. on what should have been all palm trees and surf. That said, once you get away from Honolulu/Waikiki/etc., Oahu is lovely, so if you go to the North Shore or Kailua/Lanikai, etc., it's as tropical-gorgeous as it gets!

sf7307

OTOH, you should read the post entitled "Most Beautiful Beach in Hawaii". If you want to rent a place (rather than a hotel or condo in a resort area), Lanikai or Kailua, to the east, and the North Shore beach areas would certainly be wonderful.

wildblueyonder

We recently spent a week in Oahu. We stayed in Waikiki (on the western, quieter side in a condo) and we loved it (I was worried it would be too busy etc, but we didn't think it was) - though we hardly spent any time on Waikiki beach as as explored the island, which indeed does have beautiful roads, such as the Pali Highway, Tantalus Road - and coastal roads along the Windward and North Shore - you just park up and swim! I agree with sf7307, in that Kailua Beach is simply gorgeous (we much preferred it to Hapuna Beach, where we nearly got sand blasted to death!). I cannot speak for Maui, having only flown over it - but we also spent a week on BI, which we also loved - but we found the weather on Oahu to be more favourable - less windy and no vog.

suze

You should get some guidebooks from the library to look at the different islands. I LOVE Oahu and there is so much to see and do there (not just laying around on a beach, although personally I like that too). No shortage of all kinds of outdoor activities and adventures. And it does not have to be outrageously expensive. There's all kinds of great "cheap eats" without breaking the bank. I think you do want a rental car to make the most of it though.

kgh8m

Actually, I'd recommend the Big Island. We're in our low 30s and went to Oahu and the Big Island last December. (I've also been to Kauai and Maui as a teen.) Waikiki is a nice beach, but it is way too built up, unless you really want to be a in large city on a beach. Honolulu traffic is crazy, and while the North Shore is nice, I'm not sure I could do multiple days there.

The Big Island was much more relaxed and it had so many different types of things to do. Hiking, stargazing amidst some of the most expensive telescopes in the world on a mountain where its 30 degrees, volcanoes, snorkeling, scuba, ATVs, beaches, etc. I would recommend a look. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

suze

See everyone has their own favorite. This is truly an impossible question for someone else to choose for you. I do agree that Maui is "romantic" feeling, like of the Hawaii you see in movies.

Andrew

I've only ever been to Oahu and none of the other islands. I LOVED Oahu...but I really disliked Waikiki, which I found crowded and tacky and choked in traffic. Unfortunately, Waikiki is where all the hotels on the island are...

If I go back to Oahu, I'd try to find some sort of private rental at a condo or something, perhaps in Kailua (east side of the island - not as warm as Waikiki for sure). There's lots of beauty on Oahu, great beaches, even if - it may be true - Maui has more going for it for a typical honeymoon.

dusty56438

Are you from Ireland?

If so do you plan to rent a car while in Hawaii?

If you do not plan to rent a car, then Oahu is really your only choice. It is the only island that has public transportation good enough to get to most attractions.

If you plan to rent a car, then perhaps Maui as you mention zipline. Oahu does not have one, Maui does.

Oahu is the least expensive as there are more options for lodging & restaurants.

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

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

lewissh3

I just posted a report about our stay in Lanikai on Oahu. You can't get much better than Lanikai beach-wise, especially if you enjoy kayaking or windsailing. For activities, I think Maui and Oahu are pretty much neck and neck (we are not lay on the beach people either and are in our early 30s)and we found Oahu to be slightly less expensive than Maui. I also recommend the Big Island for the best snorkeling.

Knowing

I remember when we went to Oahu and got married. Growing up and hearing about Waikiki Beach, we were so excited. There are some nice things on Oahu, i.e. Diamond Head, the Iolani Place and Pearl Harbor. But Waikiki has an average of 5,000 visitors a day. The island is rapidly becoming too busy like an amusement park. We prefer Kauai.

annikany

Yes you would. Just remember there is more to see than Waikiki. I love Waikiki but the rest of the island is a must see as well.

suze

As long as you know what to expect, it's not a disappointment. Personally I *LOVE* Waikiki and because I often travel alone prefer to stay someplace with more going on, and where I don't need to rent a car. It reminds me a bit of beaches growing up in southern California. I don't go to Hawaii to be far removed. Point being, the trick is matching which island, and which part of the island, best suits your own desires and expectations.

carolyn

We were in Waikiki for 10 days in June and found the tourists were not nearly so many in number as in previous years. The economy seems to have made quite a difference, not only in visitors from the U.S. but from Japan as well.

HappyMom32

Hi Ireland

Congratulations on your upcoming honeymoon.

I have been to Maui, BI and Oahu. Oahu is by far my favourite.

Oahu has everything you want from very nice and deserted beaches (do your research on this first and you need a car) to night life to great food and everything is much cheaper than Maui.

Don't stay in Waikiki. A lot of people go to Oahu and stay only on Waikiki and take the tour buses to see very touristy places and are very disappointed. Waikiki gives Oahu the bad name.

Have an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii.

mrkindallas

I've been to Oahu, The Big Island and Maui. I'm a 32 year old female and have visited those three islands in the last 5-6 years. I love Oahu the most, but they all have their own unique qualities that appeal to me. I do think that Maui is nice, but, for me, it was too much of a honeymoon/older couple's destination and is my least favorite of the three. It was the more relaxing of the islands I've been to...and I can only sit on the beach for so long.

Both Maui and The Big Island require quite a bit of driving to get to different activities. To me, Oahu is more of a do-it-yourself activity type of place than either Maui or The Big Island (where a lot of the really nice hikes require that you sign up with an expensive tour guide). With a good guidebook for Oahu plus a specialized activity book or two (i.e., hiking or snorkeling), you'll find plenty to keep you active for a week and still want to do more. And you'll have spent less time driving around to do it all.

Like others, I don't care for Waikiki much and recommend renting a vacation home either near Kailua or Waimea if you choose Oahu. I think it is worth it to visit Honolulu/Waikiki, but I wouldn't want to spend too much of my vacation there.

If you prefer signing up for tours (which are very pricey in Hawaii), I would rate The Big Island over Maui.

Like others mentioned, go through a guidebook on each of them to see what is available on each. Some of the activities available on one are not available on another, so if you have your heart set on zip lining, I think your option is Maui (I think there are now two zip lines on Maui). If it's a chance to hike out to flowing lava, The Big Island. If you imagine Hawaii to have a large Japanese influence, that is found mainly on Oahu. If you want long stretches of white sand beaches, I think Maui. If you prefer smaller more private beaches, any island has them, but my favorite is Lanikai on Oahu.

Barbara5353

While I agree that the beach is lovely at Lanikai and neighboring Kailua, you should be aware that these are strictly residential areas. There are NO hotels or condos.The only rentals available would be converted garages, rooms in or attached to someone's house, expensive houses, and a few cottages on private property. I've stayed in a couple I liked, but is this what you want for a honeymoon? Many of them are illegal rentals as there are strict laws about rentals in residential areas. The only resort area on the North Shore of Oahu is Turtle Bay. I like it there, but don't think of it as a honeymoon destination. It is somewhat isolated, and often cloudy and windy.
Ziplines are available on both Maui and Kauai. Free hiking and snorkeling (from shore) is available on any of the islands. Personally, I find the driving easier on Kauai and Maui. Too many freeways & confusing exits on Oahu, unless you spend all your time on the windward or north side. Distances too great for me (and beaches too few) on Big Island.
Do you have Google Earth? It's a great way to zoom in on places you are considering staying. Also, does your budget include your airfare? That would make a big difference in what Fodor folks might recommend for lodging...and still allow you money for the activities you want.

ireland6

Thanks so so so much to everyone that posted. Haha, no I am not from Ireland . My budget does not include airfare. All this info was great but I am still unsure of where I want to go. We did plan on renting a car so its no problem to drive around and we have a GPS.