By Sarah Snyder
The Best Hawaii Honeymoon
With striking views, the warm sun and friendly hosts, it's no wonder that Hawaii is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations. The first step to the best Hawaii honeymoon is to pick your island ... or pick them all. While Hawaii's islands are much too diverse to be easily categorized, some islands will offer more scenic beauty, while others are hubs for arts and culture. In the case of The Big Island, who wouldn't enjoy watching volcanoes?
Natural Beauty -- Kaui, Lanai and Maui
The island of Kaui is known for its golden beaches and Waimea Canyon, "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific." There are many outdoor views to take in, especially if you take a boat ride to view the Napali Coast. Kauai is the oldest island and is on the northern top of the Hawaiian islands. Meanwhile, in true getaway fashion, there are no traffic lights in Lanai. Private, romantic and luxurious, golfing and off-road driving are just a couple of activities you will find there, as well as the rock formations of Keahiakawelo, which means "The Garden of the Gods." In Maui, go humpback riding, watch a sunrise and stroll through historic Lahaina at this incredibly scenic island. A long and winding road on the way to Hana is especially revered as a beautiful drive.
Arts and Culture -- Oahu and Molokai
Oahu is home of most of Hawaii's inhabitants, where you will find plenty of arts and culture while on your honeymoon. Perfect for surfing and the home of Pearl Harbor, there is no shortage of activities on this island. For complete relaxation, be sure to soak up the rays on Waikiki beach. Meanwhile, more than half of Molokai's residents have long ties to Hawaii, and this island is big on history and cultural preservation. The small town of Kainakakaki is definitely a must-see, as are the beautiful flowers of Halawa Valley. Also duck into Kalaupapa Settlement, where you will get an education on Father Damien, Belgium missionary to the island's lepers in the 19th century.
Hawaii's Big Island
From sandy beaches to snowy mountains, Hawaii's Big Island is incredibly diverse when it comes to climate zones, topography and vegetation. It's a great place to see rain forest, waterfalls and botanical gardens. Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing from the Kona Coast are also very popular activities at the Big Island. The most exciting feature of all is the Hawaii Volcano National Park, home of Kilauea, the world's most active volcano.
About the Author:
Sarah Snyder is a San Antonio-based freelancer with more than 10 years of journalism experience. Her work has appeared in Bloomberg, the "San Antonio Express-News" and the "Daily Texan." She received a Bachelor of Arts in news and public affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
Photo Credits:
hawaiian plumeria image by Jeannine Comeau from
Fotolia.com