Once the endless appointments, checklists and wedding-day elation have vanished, a perfectly rejuvenating honeymoon befitting your personalities and vision should be your sweet reward. Luckily, honeymoon riches abound just an ocean hop away-in the Hawaiian Islands. Seattle's West Coast proximity to the Hawaiian Islands means you and your groom are just a six-hour flight away from one of the top tropical destinations for Northwest honeymooners. And there's never been an easier time for Seattle newlyweds to experience Hawaii's virtually year-round summer. Hawaiian Airlines offers two nonstop, daily flights from Seattle to Oahu and Maui. Alaska Airlines runs nonstops from Seattle to Oahu, Hawaii Island and Kauai.
The great thing about Hawaii is that it offers attractions and activities for all kinds of honeymooners, not just lazy-on-the-beach vacations. Many Seattle couples love nature, and there is plenty that will appeal to them. "With nearly 365 days of warm weather, beach bums, adventurists and honeymooners from all walks of life can find their perfect getaway in Hawaii. All the islands have unique charms," says Leimomi Hall, Hawaiian Airlines' North American sales representative. "You can easily do a two-island honeymoon."
"Historically, winter is high season for Pacific Northwest travelers," says Keoni Wagner, Hawaiian Airlines' public affairs vice president. That means aggressive pricing in January, February and March, but watch closely as great values appear throughout the year.
Choosing a Hawaiian Island For Your Honeymoon
Each of the six major islands has its own unique geography, activities and style. Oahu is Hawaii's most populated island, and some locals say it's the most appealing, with accessible beaches, panoramic cliffs and abundant cultural activities.
"Oahu offers a unique blend of urban experiences and island paradise-what we call 'town and country' experiences-something most islands do not offer," says Noelani Schilling Wheeler of the Oahu Visitors Bureau. Energetic Oahu is home to iconic Waikiki, the North Shore surfing mecca, cutting-edge cuisine (think Nobu and Morimoto), deluxe shopping and nightlife in Honolulu.
For a scenic getaway filled with exploration and discovery, head to Hawaii Island, locally called "the Big Island" since it's bigger than the five others combined. "The Big Island is different because it's home to Kilauea, perhaps the world's most active volcano," says Jessica Ferracane of the Big Island Visitors Bureau. "There is something undeniably sultry and evocative about being in the home of Pele, Hawaii's tempestuous volcano goddess."
This is also an island of day trips, whether you choose to explore Kona's historic coffee belt or swim with manta rays, visit sacred heiau (temples) or traverse the arresting Waipio Valley.
Clustered together for easy island hopping are Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Haleakala National Park dominates Maui; Mount Haleakala has an elevation of more than 10,000 feet. Investigate the volcano by foot or bike and seize many other adventures, from frolicking at the Tedeschi Winery to sunning on duney beaches to ziplining through trees and over pools, to enjoying a cool upcountry dinner.
The adjacent island Molokai is well off the beaten path, with one hotel and town, pristine valleys and waterfalls, organic farms and the breathtaking Kalaupapa National Historical Park, a former leper colony. "Molokai's hidden treasures are in the people and in the land," says Julie Bicoy of the Molokai Visitors Association.
On Lanai you'll feel like you have the former pineapple plantation island all to yourselves, with its two resorts, one small inn and postage-stamp-size town. Though hikes and horseback riding beckon, deluxe pampering and quiet landscapes steal the show.
The oldest island, Kauai, is dreamy and green, overflowing with imposing valleys, taro patches, crescent beaches and thundering waterfalls. "Kauai is known for incredible natural beauty, from the Na Pali Coast to Waimea Canyon, from kayaking the only navigable rivers in Hawaii to ziplining over treetops," says Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau. "With a slower pace than some of the other islands, Kauai is a place to rejuvenate."
Honeymoon Style
With so many options and ample accommodations-from luxury resorts to camping (advance permits required)-it's easy to choose your ideal honeymoon. Pick one of these honeymoon styles-or blend features that inspire your dreams-and run away together.
- Relaxing luxury Lanai, Oahu and the Big Island (Hawaii Island) are sure luxury bets. Try Four Seasons Lanai above sandy Manele Bay and indulge in after-hours spa services, his-and-her personalized
perfume blending and five-course interactive meals at Hulopoe Court's Chef's Table. On Oahu, secluded Kahala Hotel & Resort offers oceanside massages, swimming with dolphins in the resort's lagoon and premier cuisine at Hoku's. On the Big Island, try the five-diamond Four Seasons Hualalai for an exhilarating swim in the King's Pond pool/aquarium, custom Hawaiian apothecary treatments and romantic beach dining. And that's just for starters.
- Adventure high Need a postnuptial adrenaline rush? Molokai's 28-mile fringe reef is ripe for snorkeling, with ancient fishponds accessible by kayak. Try Maui's Piiholo Ranch and Skyline Adventures or Kauai's Princeville Ranch for ziplining, or Kayak Kauai to navigate the Waialua River. On the Big Island, try Lava Ocean adventures to see lava pour into the ocean and take a bicycle day tour of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, followed by a wine tasting at the Volcano Winery. On Oahu and the Big Island, Paradise Helicopters provides bird's-eye, doors-off views, while UFO Parasail lifts you above Maui seas.
- Natural wonders Hawaii is bursting with tropical wonders, on view in rain forest treks, agricultural touring and eight national parks. Hike up Diamond Head or Mount Kaala atop Oahu, climb to remote Hanakapiai Falls on Kauai's Na Pali Coast or wander through Maui's majestic Iao Valley. Delectable marvels await at Oahu's Kapiolani Community College Saturday farmers market and Molokai's Kumu Farms, with epicurean lunch tours at Maui's Alii Kula Lavender and O'o farms, and a gourmet buzz at Kona's coffee plantations-try Greenwell, Mountain Thunder or Uchida.
- Cultural immerson Most resorts offer commercial luaus, but you'll find authentic glimpses of Hawaii's past in royal palaces, cultural museums, sacred Hawaiian lands and heiaus, and small towns. On Molokai, take a guided historical Halawa Valley hike to Moaula Falls, which passes through Stone Age ruins, or ride a mule to Kalaupapa. On the Big Island, tour Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort's on-site heiau, absorb Kona's past on a Body Glove Historical Cruise, head to Anna Ranch (pictured right) for insight into Hawaii's ranching legacy or stroll the charming old towns of Hawi and Hilo.