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Hawaiian Honeymoon Encounters

By Isabelle Gullö

A tropical paradise blessed with stunning topography, fascinating culture and balmy weather year round, Hawaii promises infinite possibilities for exploration. From surfing and diving to hiking and mountain biking, you'll find all levels of adventure on tap for the fearless and faint-hearted alike. What's more, each destination in the South Pacific chain has its own personality and aloha spirit. So pick your favorite island, determine what type of couple you are-romantic, naturalist, intrepid-and we'll match you up with nothing short of an epic experience.

Big Island

Eleven different climate zones on Hawaii's biggest playground create an environment with anything from lush rainforests and dry desert landscapes to black-sand beaches and snow-capped mountaintops.

Satisfy the five senses with a Vanilla Experience Luncheon at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company. The two-hour encounter includes tastings of a variety of vanilla-infused gourmet dishes and a presentation by owner Jim Reddekopp about everything vanilla. The shop onsite sells dozens of vanilla products, from beans to teas to lotions (808.776.1771;hawaiianvanilla.com).

Take a guided trek with Hawaiian Walkways into Waipio Valley, where the gods and goddesses of romance are as legendary as the vistas. A historic trail leads through rainforests and fields, across foot bridges over streams and by waterfalls and pools (800.457.7759;hawaiianwalkways.com).

Get whisked away by Sunshine Helicopters(sunshinehelicopters.com) to explore the hidden tropical valleys of the Kohala mountains and Kilauea's imposing live volcanic landscape. You'll land by a waterfall, where KapohoKine Adventures throws you a traditional Hawaiian barbeque. A dip in the natural pool is not to be missed (866.965.9552;kapohokine.com).

Maui

Awarded "Best Pacific Island" by Conde Nast Traveler for 16 years, Maui caters to honeymooners of all tastes, fusing high-end resort living with pristine beach and volcanic landscapes and an incredibly rich history.

What better place to watch for marine life than Maui, Hawaii's whale-watching capital. Every year from mid-December through mid-May, the impressive humpback whales make their home in the surrounding waters (866.910.6284;whalewatchmaui.com).

Watch the sun rise from the majestic top of Haleakala volcano. The deeply sculpted, richly colored landscape will impress even the most jaded nature-lover. The summit takes on a new dimension of beauty as the sun makes its ascent-just be sure to bring sweaters and jackets (nps.gov/hale).

Whiz down Kapalua Resort's two-mile-long zipline course, one of the country's largest. Thanks to the resort's parallel-line system, honeymooners can zip side by side through the lush West Maui mountains. Sign up for one single zip trip or a combination of lines plus the Giant Swing: a breathtaking ride between two 60-foot-tall telephone poles (877.665.4386;kapalua.com/adventures).

Oahu

The largest and most visited of the Hawaiian isles, Oahu offers something for everyone, from cosmopolitan city life to gorgeous sandy beaches to historic attractions. And the island's wealth of outdoor activities will not disappoint.

Picnic on the grounds of the beautiful Contemporary Art Museum in Makiki, Hawaii's only museum devoted exclusively to modern art. An expansive rolling lawn dotted by sculptures slopes gently down the property, offering views of the towering Diamond Head in the distance(tcmhi.org).

Explore warm, crystal clear waters teeming with endangered sea turtles, dolphins, whales and many types of exotic tropical fish during a guided tour with Twogood Kayaks. Learn to surf the waves in your kayaks and then snorkel off breathtaking Kailua or Lanikai beaches (808.262.5656; twogoodkayaks.com).

Watch the sweeping beauty of Oahu unfold from a sailplane glider thousands of feet in the air. Ask, and the pilot may even bump up your ride with a few aerial acrobats (808.637.0207;honolulusoaring.com).

Lanai

Looking for the exclusive island experience? Then Lanai is your place. Here, within the island's 141 square miles, you'll find luxury and romance in simple, unspoiled surroundings.

Walk the sandy shores of Polihua beach, the longest white-sand beach on the island. Set on Lanai's northwestern end, this mile-and-a-half stretch of sand is reached by a four-mile jeep trail. The reward: You are likely to be the only humans playing in the sand and surf. Bring water and sunscreen.

Snorkel Hulopoe Bay, a marine preserve at the center of Lanai's beach activities. The white crescent beach is lined with dramatic lava outcroppings at each end. Parrotfish, turtles, rays and a wealth of other colorful marine life inhabit the bay, one of the easiest and gentlest snorkeling spots on the Island(visitlanai.net).

Visit Lanai Pines Sporting Clay & Archery Range for a clay "shoot-out" challenge. The course features 14 stations spread out in the bush, each providing a different hunting encounter. No prior experience needed(visitlanai.net).

Kauai

The Garden Isle has long been a favorite of nature-lovers and adventure-seekers alike. You'll find no shortage of cobalt surf, warm, white sand, tropical blooms and evergreen mountain tops-a most perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

Captain Andy's Na Pali sunset dinner cruise takes lovers up and down Kauai's spectacular coastline as the afternoon sun slowly sets across the sea(napali.com). Cap the four-hour excursion with a couples massage in an outdoor hale at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort's recently revamped Anara Spa(anaraspa.com).

Hike the North Shore's Hanakapi`ai Trail, which takes you on a journey along soaring ocean-side cliffs and in and out of thriving valleys. The path begins at Ke`e beach with a turnaround point at Hanakapi`ai beach (about 2.5 miles)-or follow the trail along Hanakapi`ai river to a waterfall that drops into a large, deep pool(hikemahaulepu.org).

Venture into Kauai's lush, tropical paradise on the back of ATVs. Expeditions take adventurous couples on roads less traveled through the stunning mountains of Kauai's southside(kauaiatv.com).

Molokai

The island without a single traffic light, Molokai moves at its own pace. Those who prefer off-the-beaten-track experiences over glitzy resort communities will treasure the untouched scenery, the friendly spirit of the locals and a seemingly endless offering of activities.

Romantic

Take the plunge into the sapphire waters off Papohaku beach. One of the largest and least populated beaches in the Pacific, Papohaku stretches for nearly three miles. Bring a towel, some lunch and plenty of sunscreen.

Dive along a 30-mile-long fringing reef on Molokai's south shore. Few visitors to Hawaii have the opportunity to explore this natural sanctuary, which teams with wildlife, including green sea turtles, rays, several types of sharks and colorful reef fish. In winter, you may even encounter whales playing in the clear blue water(molokaifishanddive.com).

With more terrain options than most states, Molokai is a mountain biker's haven. Here, you can ride from desert-like flatlands to the world's tallest sea cliffs, from awe-inspiring ocean-side trails to mystical upland forests-all in one day. Or try a night ride and encounter challenging descents and a range of natural wonders(molokai-hawaii.com).

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