Hawaii is a travel destination that is regularly visited by couples. Each of the islands is home to gorgeous scenery and beautiful beaches, providing the perfect setting for romantic getaways in a tropical paradise.
The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of eight large islands, only seven of which are inhabited, which means that once you've chosen to visit Hawaii, you need to decide exactly where you want to stay on your vacation. Choosing the most romantic Hawaiian island can be a difficult task, as it really depends on what you and your partner are looking for and the kinds of experiences you want to celebrate your connection with.
All of the Hawaiian islands are home to classic romantic resorts, idyllic coastline and stunning sunsets, but each destination also has a unique offering that sets it apart from the rest. If you’re trying to decide on the best romantic island in Hawaii, we’ve made a list of our top choices and the reasons why you should visit each one.
Kauai
We’re not just being biased with the first item on our list of the most romantic islands to visit in Hawaii; Kauai is truly one of the best places to stay for couples.
The northernmost location in the archipelago, Kauai is a true paradise that offers some of the best scenery in all of Hawaii. The island’s rainy climate means that there is an abundance of greenery everywhere you go, interrupted only by ancient mountains and beautiful stretches of coastline, providing a very idyllic backdrop to your vacation.
Speaking of beaches, Kauai is undoubtedly the place to go if your idea of a romantic holiday is spending time by the sea. The island has the biggest range of beaches out of all the islands, with the added bonus that they are also the least populated, offering plenty of romantic tranquility.
Kauai is also one of the best Hawaiian islands for couples that enjoy hiking, as there is a great range of trails all around the island. You can make the most of the incredible scenery as you explore with your partner and enjoy having various parts of the island almost entirely to yourself.
If you do decide to visit Kauai on a romantic trip, Pure Kauai has a range of options that can make your Hawaiian getaway even more special. We offer a range of amazing, bespoke vacation packages and can put together almost anything for a truly romantic evening at one of our properties, including private chefs, a couples massage, or even rose petals scattered around the bedroom.
Perhaps you’re planning on visiting Hawaii to orchestrate an extra special proposal to your partner. Pure Kauai can give guests access to private waterfalls for an unforgettable romantic ambience, or our concierge can recommend the best places on the Napali coast to pop the question, which is one of the most popular places on Kauai for couples to get engaged.
Visit Kauai if: You’re looking for unspoiled scenery and wonderful peace and quiet on your romantic vacation, or if you want to make the most of Pure Kauai’s exclusive travel packages.
Oʻahu
Oʻahu is one of the best places to visit in Hawaii for couples that are looking for a destination with a truly varied offering. As the most populated island in the archipelago, Oʻahu certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the range of things to see and do.
If your idea of romance centers around luxury then Oʻahu is a great option, as there are plenty of glamorous hotels and resorts to choose from across the island. Opt for an all-inclusive vacation and enjoy unbeatable Hawaiian hospitality, whether you’re lounging by the pool, visiting a spa or making the most of the bars and restaurants onsite.
Oʻahu is home to Honolulu, Hawaii's largest city, so if you and your partner are looking for nightlife then you’ll find plenty of great bars and nightclubs here. The city is also packed with different cultural attractions, so you can spend some time exploring museums and galleries, and maybe even fit in a bit of shopping!
Outside of Honolulu, another of the most romantic places to stay in Oʻahu is Waikiki Beach, which is a trendy neighborhood particularly popular with surfers. If you’re the kind of couple that want to hit the beach every day and then hold hands over co*cktails every evening, this is definitely the place to stay, with fantastic sunsets almost every night providing a beautiful backdrop to your trip away together.
While Oʻahu is probably the most commercialized destination on this list of the most romantic Hawaiian islands, it does also feature some stunning natural attractions. You’ll find the circular volcanic tuff cone known as Diamond Head on the southeast coast of the island, Puʻu Ualakaʻa State Park and its incredible mountains just outside of Honolulu, and the very popular Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.
The majority of flights from the US and international locations land in Oʻahu, so this is a great option for couples who want to stay somewhere well connected to other destinations.
Visit Oʻahu if: You’re looking for a developed vacation destination with a massive range of activities to choose from to keep you busy on your romantic break.
Maui
When most people think of Hawaii, they think of golden beaches, gently swaying palm trees and perhaps a volcano or two rising up in the distance. If you’ve got that very same image in your head reading this, you’re thinking of Maui.
Maui is one of the central Hawaiian islands and was formed by two volcanoes joining together, making it a destination with some seriously impressive topography. If you’re looking for a classic romantic beach vacation then this is one of the best places to visit, as you’ve got gorgeous coastal scenery and over 30 miles of sandy stretches to enjoy.
Many couples opt to stay at a resort when they travel to enjoy a slice of luxury while they’re away, and Maui has a fantastic selection of these. Wailea Beach, Kahana and Kihei are all top-rated coastal destinations that offer plenty of accommodation that is close to the shore, perfect for couples that want to spend their break strolling along the sand, enjoying a leisurely swim and watching the sun set into the ocean night after night.
You and your partner can also enjoy exceptional snorkeling in Maui, with spots like Molokini Crater offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore the underwater habitats of Hawaii’s sea life. If you’re looking for more outdoor activities, the Haleakala National Park has plenty of impressive hiking trails around the famous Haleakala volcano.
Another great reason why Maui is one of the best Hawaiian islands for couples is that it is home to one of the archipelago’s best road trip routes. Known as the ‘Road to Hana’, the drive takes you from the north to the south of the island along over 50 miles of winding roads and almost 60 bridges, finishing in the town of Hana and providing an unforgettable experience for a romantic vacation.
Visit Maui if: You’re looking for classic beachfront scenery, plenty of hotels and holiday resorts, and want to stay on an island with the perfect blend of developed towns and more remote national parks.
The Big Island
‘The Big Island’ is how most people refer to Hawaii, which is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. This is definitely the best romantic island in Hawaii if you’re looking for action and adventure on your vacation, with a huge range of activities on offer for couples seeking new things to do together.
A standout feature of The Big Island is that it’s the only place in Hawaii that allows visitors to get close to active volcanoes and see lava. This might not have been the kind of heat you were envisaging for your romantic retreat, but an expedition up one of the peaks in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is sure to get your heart racing! We recommend Kīlauea, the youngest and most active volcano on the island, for some of the most exciting views of this area.
Alongside the volcanic landscapes, The Big Island also has areas of humid jungle heat, quiet, remote countryside and hot and sunny beaches. The scenery and climate can vary quite a bit on this Hawaiian island, which is great if you and your partners are trying to pack in as much as possible on your trip.
The Big Island also has several protected areas of the ocean that are perfect for boat trips. There’s nothing more romantic than sailing around the coast in the sunshine or even enjoying a boat ride at sunset, and this island is the ideal place to do just that.
Despite its large size, The Big Island rarely feels crowded, unless you’re staying at one of the most popular resorts or visiting right in the middle of the peak season. There are plenty of luxury accommodation options across the island if you and your partner want to treat yourselves on your romantic break, or you can enjoy exploring the quieter towns around Hawaii and make the most of having some areas almost entirely to yourself.
Visit The Big Island if: You’re looking for a Hawaiian island that doesn't feel too crowded, but you also want a huge range of activities and landscapes to enjoy on your vacation.
Lanai
Lanai is part of Maui county and only nine miles away from Maui itself. It’s the final destination on our list of the most romantic places to stay in Hawaii and is a tiny island that is ideal for those looking for solitude and tranquility when they travel with their partner.
A lot of honeymooners choose Lanai as a vacation destination because it’s so small and secluded, so the island is already geared towards couples. You can choose to stay at several different luxurious resorts, each offering everything from onsite spas to top-rated golf courses as well as stunning views of the island and its coastline.
Spending time on the beach is a fantastic way to enjoy your romantic break on Lanai, with plenty of options that will never be overly crowded. Hulopoʻe Beach in front of the Four Seasons Resort is one of the best-known spots, but places like Lopa Beach or Shipwreck Beach also offer gorgeous scenery and are great for sunbathing.
As the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii, there aren’t many attractions outside of organized tourist activities and large resorts. You can have a great time trying things like beach horseback riding, ATV driving and catamaran cruises around the island, but this is also the place where romance can be found by simply exploring on foot, soaking up the scenery and making the most of your time alone with your partner.
Visit Lanai if: You’re looking for a remote and romantic vacation destination to really enjoy spending quality time together.
Summary
As you can see, you’re not short of romantic things to do and places to visit, no matter where you travel in Hawaii. So which romantic Hawaiian vacation spot you choose will really come down to how you want to spend your time on your trip, how busy you want your destination to be, and the kind of scenery you want to enjoy while you’re there. There are certainly worse decisions to be made!
If you’re thinking of booking a romantic getaway to Kauai, Pure Kauai has a stunning range of accommodation options on the island as well as offering bespoke vacation packages to make your trip extra special. Browse our villas here, or get in touch and speak to the team about what we can offer our guests.
