Which Hawaiian Island is best for Elopements?

This guide on where to elope in Hawaii will help you decide which island is perfect for your tropical elopement! The 4 islands in this guide are Hawaii (“Big Island”), Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. The other 4 of Hawaii’s 8 major islands are Molokai, Lanai, Ni’ihau and Kaho ‘olawe. However, those islands are not well suited to tourist use. In this guide I’ll compare the islands to give you a big-picture view of what it’s like to elope in Hawaii. I’ll include info on beach elopements, what season to elope in Hawaii, and much more. Let’s dive in!

Visiting Hawaii

The islands of Hawaii are accessible by plane only. There is no ferry or boat between the islands with the exception of Maui to Lana’i. It’s not reasonable to fly to a “nearby” island and back again in the same day. So plan ahead and learn about each of the islands before you plan your elopement in Hawaii! Also – the Hawaiian islands were annexed from the Native Hawaiians about 125 years ago to become a US state. It is important to learn about the history of Hawaii before you visit, and I encourage you to start with this wikipedia article. More on respecting the Hawaiian islands and their people later!

Best Elopement Locations on Oahu

O’ahu is a good place to elope if you want to be in or near a major city. There isn’t anything on Oahu that can’t be found on the other islands, so it’s not my first choice when I’m recommending where to elope in Hawaii. The beaches are busy, the hikes are crowded, and the traffic is a lot. Only consider eloping on Oahu if you want a resort experience, or if you’ve got an in with a place to stay already. There are only 30 buildings in which Airbnb allows rentals on Oahu, further cramping your travel style.

Best Elopement Locations on Maui

Maui is well known as THE honeymoon spot. And for great reason! If you’ve got the good sense to plan your elopement like your honeymoon, then consider eloping on Maui. Beautiful beaches, resorts, and adventure await. Haleakala National park is home to a huge volcanic crater, but it is not active like the Big Island’s volcanoes. You can have your elopement ceremony on the rocky coastal cliffs, at the crater, or in the jungles and beaches elsewhere on this beautiful island. The famous Road to Hana has many local foodstands and waterfalls. Maui is perhaps the most expensive of the islands.

Best Elopement Locations on Kauai

Kauai is my favorite of the Hawaiian Islands. This is adventure land! The best hiking and stunning vistas are waiting for you. Scenic boat tours of the famous Na Pali coast, river tubing, kayaking to a waterfall, or just taking in the beaches is what makes this a great place to elope. Consider a helicopter tour to take you somewhere completely epic and take in the island from above. There is so much to see and explore, you’ll never want to leave. Kauai has less infrastructure than other islands, and a lot of it feels very remote. Plan in advance because rental cars and hotels fill up quickly.

This is my map of Kauai with all the best elopement locations:

Eloping on Hawaii – Big Island

Choose to elope on the big island of Hawaii if you want the excitement of a Volcano elopement! Since September of 2021, there has been an active eruption in the Kilauea crater in Volcanoes National Park. Seeing the lava from the lodge, or on a night hike, is a truly unforgettable experience. You should also consider the big island if you love & want to incorporate scuba diving (I am certified and do underwater photography too!). The rainforests on the east side of Hawaii, near Hilo, are quite secluded and have some incredible waterfalls as well. This is perhaps the most diverse and affordable island, but also has the longest drive times.

When should I elope in Hawaii?

Hawaii is tropical all year round! And there is no bad time to elope in Hawaii. From November to April is the wet season, and it’s still warm enough every day to feel like you’re on a blissful vacation. From May to October is the dry season which brings generally calmer waters and less rain. But, tropical storms come through in the dry season, and some areas of the rainforest receive rain almost daily year round. TIP: If you can, avoid planning your trip around other major holidays. It will be very busy and hard to get accommodations, rental cars and parking spots during Easter, Spring Break, & Christmas.

Hawaii Beach Elopement Rules

Eloping on the beach is one of the easiest place to elope on most islands. You don’t need to set up chairs or an arch when you’re eloping on the beach – let the ocean speak for itself. It’s also against the rules to do so. So, that works out! Getting your permit can be done through the Department of Land and Natural Resources of Hawaii website. These beach elopement permits are known as Wiki Permits, and are relatively easy to obtain. I’ve already got an account with the state of Hawaii’s website, so it’s even easier for me to sort out the necessary paperwork. Definitely consult a tide chart when you plan to get married on the beach so you can be accurate with your timing. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

What to do during your elopement in Hawaii

First of all, when you plan to elope in Hawaii, chances are you’re looking to soak up the experience by combining your elopement with a mini vacation. Or an all ouy splurge! As Hawaii is one of the most expensive places I’ve visited, you want to get a lot of bang for your buck. So don’t shorten your elopement into a few hours – this is SPECIAL! Choosing each other and having your ceremony makes up a short amount of time on your elopement day. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Choosing other activities in your day’s schedule will make your elopement unforgettable and personal. Here are some of the adventurous ideas you can include:

Tubing down the irrigation ditches (Kauai)
Snorkeling with Manta Rays (Big Island)
Shark Experience (Oahu)
Coffee & Chocolate Farm tour (Big Island)
Helicopter tour (Maui, Big Island and Kauai)
Ziplining (Maui and Big Island)
Catamaran tour of the Na Pali Coast (Kauai)
Mountain Bike ride down Haleakala (Maui)
Go to a Luau (Oahu and Maui)
Dinner Cruise (Maui and Kauai)
Snorkel at Molokini Atoll (Maui)

If these experiences don’t feel right for you, that’s ok! There are so many other things to do during your Hawaii elopement that are more low key. Try watching the sun set over the beach, making breakfast together in a treehouse, or take a surfing lesson. On Kauai’s north shore, you can have a fire on the beach as the sun sets, or camp on Anini beach. Go stargazing, read letters from each other or people who love you back home. Float in the sun and admire sea turtles. Go on a simple walk through the jungle. Book a whale watch from December to March. Use this guide for more ideas on what to do during your elopement.

Where to elope in Hawaii Locations Map:

This map is like a virtual tour of all the Hawaiian islands, with color photos I’ve taken of each place. So you can see all the great spots without leaving your living room. If you’re planning from afar, this is a visual key to picking out the elopement spot that works for you. Details like what seasons and time of day are best for each location are included. So this will help you plan your activities, accommodations, and your day’s itinerary. Lastly, it’s easy to have a great backup location picked out with this map in front of you. Having that Plan B in your back pocket will keep your planning stress-free!

Make me your Hawaiian Islands Elopement Photographer:

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