Where to go for an unforgettable tropical honeymoon destination.
Looking for the dreamiest tropical honeymoon destinations? After months of wedding planning, it’s easy to see why the simplicity, serenity, and seclusion of a tropical escape are alluring to many newlyweds. What could be more romantic than just you, your sweetheart, and utter isolation from the rest of the world?
And don’t worry if the thought of spending a week or two on a remote island is giving you cabin fever. Many of these destinations offer a huge array of opportunities, experiences, and adventures. So, whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a beach bum, or a high roller, we’ve got you covered.
Celebrating your newly cemented relationship status deserves a bucket list honeymoon destination, and these tropical honeymoon destinations are up for the challenge. Ready to find your own island oasis?
Hawaii, USA
If you’re stuck between city and beach, adventure and relaxation, this diverse string of islands might just be for you. The lush archipelago attracts plenty of newlyweds thanks to its dramatic landscape of beautiful beaches, dormant volcanoes, and lush forests. Each island has its own inimitable charm, yet for many Honeymooners, Maui offers the perfect combination of everything the ‘Aloha State’ has to offer. For a taste of real Hawaii, drive the famous ‘Road to Hana’ coastline, marked by black sand beaches, rainforests, and waterfalls. While Oahu is the busiest of the Hawaiian Islands, you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Much of the excitement takes place on the world-famous Waikiki Beach, lined with high-rise hotels, glitzy shopping malls, and lively beach bars. Take a surfing lesson, hike Hawaii’s most recognizable landmark – Diamond Head Volcano – or simply sit back and enjoy a Mai Tai, or two. Affectionately known as the ‘Garden Island’, Kauai lures adventurous travelers with its craggy cliffs and wild landscapes. It’s significantly less populated than the three big islands – Oahu, Big Island, and Maui – offering honeymooners their own private paradise. Snorkel amid a rainbow of marine life, hike one of the scenic trails in Waimea Canyon, and sail the Na Pali Coastline at sunset. Honeymoon bliss!
Maldives, Indian Ocean
If it’s an uninterrupted natural beauty, romance, and relaxation you seek, the Maldives is the ultimate honeymoon hotspot. This string of idyllic coral islands, scattered across the Indian Ocean, is made up of 26 atolls composed of white sand bars and coral reefs and packed with a rainbow of marine life. The resorts – many of which occupy their own private island – often come complete with overwater villas and private pools. Besides offering unparalleled luxury, many resorts offer exclusive experiences including open-air cinemas, private picnics, romantic photoshoots, and private yacht cruises. Sure, it can be a little pricey, but this little slice of paradise is worth every penny. A few stand-out properties include the ultra-luxurious Soneva Fushi, where fun extras include an open-air cinema and treetop yoga, the remote Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru and the eco-friendly Six Senses Laamu, the epitome of barefoot luxury. For something more affordable, the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma and Kihaad Maldives Island Resort are both great options.
Seychelles, Africa
Like the Maldives, Seychelles – off the east coast of Africa – has all the ingredients for the perfect post-wedding escape. Expect ocean-edge dinners, lavish accommodations, luxury spas, and personalized service. But with fewer visitors, spread out over many islands, Seychelles, offers more exclusivity and natural beauty. As well as infinity pools and private butlers, this wild archipelago, made up of 115 granitic and coralline islands, is home to some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna. Here, you can dive with the plankton-eating whale shark, visit Cousine Island – a designated bird and turtle reserve – and explore the islands’ lush and mountainous interiors by foot or bicycle. Regular flights, ferries, speed boats, and helicopter transfers make it easy for honeymooners to island-hop. Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue are the three most populated islands and could be perfectly paired with private islands such as Denis, North, and Desroches. We think you should definitely aim to spend at least a couple of nights on La Digue, if you like a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere with some of the best beaches in the world.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali paints a romantic picture with its tropical beaches, jungle-draped volcanoes, rich green rice paddies and ancient-walled villages. Add to this, gorgeous resorts ranging from zen hideaways and wellness retreats to bougie boutique hotels and traditional homes, and a honeymoon to Bali can be just about anything you want it to be.
Nestled into the jungle-clad mountains, exuding a zen calm unlike anywhere else in the world, Ubud is considered the country’s cultural and culinary heart. Bali also has a rich assortment of beaches, from the striking black sands on the north and western shores to the palm-fringed coastline on the island’s south. Seminyak is one of the island’s most stylish beach resorts, home to fine dining, fashion boutiques, and exclusive beach clubs. Further south, Nusa Dua is a hotbed of five-star resorts and sprawling golf courses and is considered Bali’s high-end ‘all-inclusive’ beach resort. Thanks to the well-organized tourism complex, honeymooners can enjoy the convenience of shopping malls, superb facilities, and private beaches – all within a short walk from your hotel. Uluwatu, located on the dramatic Bukit peninsula is perhaps Bali’s most exclusive beach area and is perfect if you’re looking for a quiet retreat away from the busy beaches of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak.
Saint Lucia, The Caribbean
Impossibly picturesque, boasting volcanic landscapes, tranquil bays, and glorious sandy beaches – Saint Lucia is quite rightly heralded as one of the world’s most romantic destinations. To experience everything that this diverse island has to offer, split your stay and enjoy some time in the secluded south, marked by the dramatic twin pitons, along with a few days in the lively north. For something unique and boutique, stay at Ladera, a romantic retreat perched on a forested ridge and modeled on luxury treehouse living. If you can tear yourself away from your private pool, explore the world’s only drive-through volcano, Mount Soufriere. In the north, the luxury Cap Maison resort sits atop an ocean bluff affording beautiful views of the bay. Here, you can kayak, snorkel, or hop aboard the resort’s private yacht. As the sun sets, dine at Cliff at Cap, one of the hottest tables on the islands. Or, for a taste of Caribbean culture, head to Gros Islet’s Friday night ‘jump up’ party to feast on tasty Creole cuisine.
