When we say this will be a “quiet” honeymoon, we definitely don’t mean boring! Your time on any island of Hawaii is sure to be adventurous and full of beauty (and great food!), but Kauai is the smallest island and least commercially developed, therefore, a little quieter. This island is not considered a top destination for tourists, and doesn’t boast a large city like Honolulu on Oahu. We recommend visiting Kauai on your honeymoon largely for this reason – so that you can have a peaceful getaway walking to lazy, nearly empty beaches, bike around the coast without tons of traffic, and experience a lot of what the locals get to experience. Plus – our Rocky Mountain couples don’t have to leave the mountains at home on this beach vacation!
The Spirit of “Malama”
First and foremost – keep in mind that Hawaii is a really special place, and an island full of natural beauty that is sacred to its locals. If you’re planning a honeymoon on the islands, please be respectful to the deep-rooted culture and treat the island with care. “Malama” means “take care of” and is a really important concept in Hawaii. Practicing the spirit of “malama” looks like refraining from touching fragile plant life or coral, not taking anything natural from the island as a souvenir, and treating locals and other tourists with kindness during your time there. Honor Hawaii during your honeymoon, and we promise you’ll get the most out of this once in a lifetime trip.
Napali Coast
Say Aloha to The Garden Island
Now that you’re ready to experience the beauty of Hawaii with “malama”, you’re ready to see why Kauai is affectionately known as “The Garden Isle”. It’s green for a reason: 97% of the Kauai is composed of undeveloped mountain ranges and rainforests that get plenty of water. The island holds 19 named waterfalls and receives over 460 inches of rain fall a year. Enjoy the natural beauty during your romantic getaway to Kauai – it’s truly all around, so you won’t have to try too hard to find it.
Pro-Tip: visit during the dry season from April to October if you want to avoid the rain and soak up some island sunshine. However, we will say – the bursts of rain during the daytime in the rainy season make for a really green, lush island to gaze at. Plus, who doesn’t want an excuse to stay in bed a little longer to wait out the rain on their honeymoon! We don’t think there’s a bad time to visit Kauai.
1 Hanalei Bay is a 5 star resort that is featured on Condé Nast’s 2023 Traveler’s Hot List. The resort is an “oceanfront sanctuary” on Kauai’s protected North Shore with 7 restaurants and bars, a wellness spa, sustainable furniture & art pieces to embody “malama”, and some of the most breathtaking views on the Garden Island.
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu is located on the sunny South Shore of Kauai near world-famous beaches and next door to some of the best dining & shopping on the island. The resort features 3 pools, a celebrity chef grill, gourmet market, full service day spa, putting green, volleyball court, soccer field, complimentary morning yoga on the lawn. There are even s’mores on the lawn on certain nights – so cute!
Kauai is not known for being the most wallet-friendly honeymoon destination, but for a slightly more budget friendly option, the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach is a beautiful stay on the island. Located on the southern, “coconut coast” of the island, the hotel features ocean murals in each room, balcony views, multiple restaurants and bar service at the zero-edge pool facing the ocean, and bike rentals included during your stay which you can check out and ride up the coast along the water behind the resort!
Pro-Tip: No matter where you choose to stay on the island, remember – the island is small! Don’t count out trails, beaches, or restaurants you want to visit on opposite sides of the island. You can take a public bus from one tip of the island to the other in Kauai – and last time we visited it cost us a whole $2 to take this local transit. Plus, you get to see more natural beauty of the island during your ride.
As previously mentioned, the Napali Coast is the most famous part of this gorgeous island. It is a 16 mile coastline stretching from beach to beach, and the incredible natural beauty of the landforms and wildlife here is why a state park was created. The Napali Coast State Wilderness Park is known for its sea cliffs, narrow valleys, streams and cascading waterfalls. You can take a sunset boat tour, kayak the coast, snorkel, view the mountains from a helicopter, or simply take a long hike to see the sights the Napali Coast has to offer.
Swim at Poipu Beach
Located on the South Shore, Poipu Beach was actually named “America’s Best Beach” by The Travel Channel. The beach is a series of golden sand crescents where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, a natural ocean wading pool, boogie-boarding and surfing.
You simply can’t leave Kauai without experiencing a luau. Booking a luau made sound touristy, but it’s a chance for you to experience Hawaii tradition in one single night. Luaus give you the opportunity to taste tons of local dishes – like poi and kalua pig cooked in an earth oven and always feature an entertaining show of traditional Polynesian entertainment. Fire dancers and hula girls alike perform a show that is usually a story that reflects the “aloha spirit”. Your hotel may even host a traditional luau while you’re staying, but we also recommend booking the Luau Kalamaku on the Kilohana Plantation of Kauai during your visit. Not only will you get the food and the fun, but this popular luau is set on a 60-acre orchard/agricultural park with gorgeous flora and so many photo ops!
Wanting to island hop during your Hawaii honeymoon? Check out our Ultimate Guide to a Hawaii Honeymoon, for packing tips, dining and stays throughout the islands, more beauty to visit, and even more suggestions for our beloved Kauai. Aloha, Rocky Mountain Brides!
