Maui is one of the leading honeymoon destinations in the world for a reason: Between the sultry, idyllic weather, and gorgeous, pristine beaches, it’s a veritable playground for lovers.

And while it may be tempting to spend the bulk of your time relishing each other’s company on the sand—or in the privacy of your hotel room—chances are you’ll also be eager to engage in some unforgettable Hawaiian activities.

honeymoon in Maui

With that in mind, here are 10 top things to do on Maui after tying the proverbial knot:

line‘Ulalena + Dinner at Japengo (Ulalena is currently canceled)

Few things set the tone for a memorable honeymoon like indulging in an authentic Hawaiian show, followed by a feast teeming with aphrodisiacs.

‘Ulalena—a magnificent performance held in the heart of historic Lahaina—is one of the most highly lauded programs in all of Hawaii. Praised by National Geographic as a “spectacular theatrical sensation” and a “beautiful depiction of Hawaii’s history,” ‘Ulalena takes attendees deep into Hawaii’s complicated soul through exquisite music, dancing, live instrumentals, and storytelling. It is the “wow” the San Francisco Chronicle calls it—and then some.

Ulalena

Post-performance, head a bit farther west to Japengo. Tucked into the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, this luxe spot—which won the ‘Aipono Best Restaurant of the Year Award in 2016—features contemporary Asian fusion with distinctly Hawaiian flavors.

Soy-lacquered pork belly with Kauai shrimp and roasted tomato risotto is offered besides platters of fabulously-fresh sashimi—and all of it is served in a chic venue with views of the starlit water. This place is sexy and satisfying—so much so you may want to make rezzies before walking down the aisle.

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Stand Up Paddling + Healthy Eats + Island Art Party

It’s widely known that couples who learn together often build unbreakable bonds. What better way to test that theory than on top of a stand-up paddleboard in Hawaiian waters?

stand up surf and art

Book a private lesson with a Stand-Up Paddle Boarding School—choose an outfit that provides friendly, encouraging lessons, whether you’re a novice or a pro. Morning lessons begin in breathtaking Makena, a peaceful piece of paradise that takes paddlers through Turtle Town and across glossy-blue waters.

Once you’ve mastered the art of the oar, cruise into Central Kihei, where Fork & Salad offers ocean-goers an outstanding number of fresh selections, like kale Caesars with fried parm chips and roasted kabocha squash with strawberries, almonds, and quinoa. Fuel up for more fun with a lemon cayenne health shot—it goes down fast and provides tons of energy.

Which you’ll need—at least in terms of artistic prowess. Island Art Party will give you and your significant other the chance to get creative: Enthusiastic instructors give you a lesson on using oils to create vivid Maui keepsakes. With champagne, free popcorn, and sparkling vibes, this is a terrific alternative to the bar hops you may have known in singlehood.

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La Provence + Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm + Wine Tasting

Escape the sunshine for a spell and head to cooler climes. Kula—a bucolic town that calls to mind California’s wine country—is one of the serenest places on the island, inviting a certain closeness that’s ideal for honeymooners.

Start your day off right with breakfast at La Provence, a French-inspired eatery known for its stellar crepes. Pair yours, whether savory or sweet, with a foamy latte, and dine outside to soak up the views below (and what lies ahead!)

Alii lavender

Keep the intimacy intact with a guided walking tour of Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm, an orchard of purple that’s as aromatic and unique as it sounds. Here, the lovely gardens grow more than 45 varieties of lavender, and the entire farm is dedicated to cultivating local flora and fauna. Gather supplies for a romantic bath at their gift shop, and split a lavender scone—they’re as light and airy as the farm itself.

Follow your step into tranquility with a visit to MauiWine—a wonderful winery nestled onto the slopes of Haleakala. Wine enthusiasts can grab flights of local vinos, imbibe in the scenery, and tour the house where the last king of Hawaii once gambled.

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Molokini Snorkeling + Island Libations + Dancing

Situated off the southwest coast of marvelous Maui sits Molokini—a horseshoe of a volcanic crater in the middle of the ocean that attracts masses of dazzling sea life.

Reserve a spot on Redline Rafting to get there in style. These customized rafts propel guests into the Pacific and include breakfast or lunch, snorkeling gear and instructions, and lessons in history, culture, and geology.

Molokini

Back on (is)land, head out for some buzzy tropical drinks. Check out Beach Bums BBQ & Grill in Maʻalaea, where you and your new spouse can snag stools at the bar and dive into fruity mai tais and ice-cold margaritas. Looking for a sheik spot that calls for heels and a button-up? Wailea is your answer, where several great bars—Ko’s, Longhi’s, and Gannon’s, to name just a few—have Happy Hour specials and cozy, alluring moods. Try the Pod Thai at Monkeypod Kitchen: The mix of old Lahaina light rum, crème of coconut, Thai basil, and lemongrass is the perfect salve for a sunburn.

Then get your pulse soaring at Ambrosia Martini Lounge in nearby South Kihei. Loungey and sensuous, this intimate spot features great DJs and frequent special events.

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Road to Hana + Travaasa Hana Resort

Get bewitched on the Road to Hana—a 64-mile trip that takes visitors over 50 bridges and past waterfalls so striking there’s no need for hyperbole.

For an extraordinary excursion, leave your rental car parked at your home base and head to the wild side on a guided van tour. The experience will allow you and your partner to chill out and absorb the astounding beauties, while knowledgeable staff members can take you to the choicest spots for waterfall-jumping, swimming, and couples selfies.

Hana

And while Hana can certainly be “done” in a day, take advantage of your honeymoon by booking a night or two at Traavasa Hana, Maui, which is easily the rarest gem of a hotel on the island. Here, guests are offered experiential packages that range from culinary (complete with Art of the Cocktail classes) to cultural (think: bamboo pole fishing and bike trips to a Buddhist temple). Private cottages are also available, all of which overlook the heavenly Hana shores. And you can forget about distractions: There is neither cell reception nor televisions at this award-winning resort.

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Waiheʻe Ridge Hike + Ziplining + Maui Chef’s Table

Maui is home to several diverse climates that span from delightfully warm to lush and cool. Find the latter on the Waiheʻe Ridge Hike—a moderate, uphill climb in the central-west mountains of the island. Traversing verdant terrain and misty pockets of rainforest, the trek ends at an acme that offers spectacular views—and supreme privacy.

Grow closer post-hike on a side-by-side zipline tour that will take you over the Valley Isle’s prodigious bounty: The Maui Tropical Plantation, which goes down as one of the top visitor destinations on the island, grows everything from jack fruit to coffee. See it from above—and score new vistas of the glorious West Maui Mountains.

zipline and chefs table

But your day’s real adventure will begin as the sun starts to descend at the much-loved Maui Chef’s Table. Created by The Mill House’s award-winning Executive Chef, Jeff Scheer, this evening extravaganza of excellent food, outstanding drinks, and interactive engagement with culinary masters takes place on the plantation’s grounds, where Scheer and his hand-picked team of chefs assemble a meal comprised of fresh-picked ingredients and island-grown protein. The seven-course dinner changes with the season (and the chefs’ inspirations), but past menus have included shrimp-crusted Hamachi with cilantro pistou and lamb cappellacci with tomatoes and lemon preserve.

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Couples Massage + Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa

Ease sore muscles and sustain the sumptuous spirit with a lavish couples’ massage on one of Maui’s prettiest beaches.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui is the place to feel spoiled, where the opulent hotel leads down to a beach practically made for canoodling. Here, private massage cabanas are located so close to the water’s edge that you’ll be lulled into harmony by the waves (to say nothing of the relaxation and pleasure engendered by the spa’s masseuses).

massage

Bring your suit and hop into the ocean before showering up for a spellbinding night at the Grand Wailea. Kick off the evening with cocktails at the Molokini Lounge before meandering through the resort’s storied grounds to their award-winning restaurant, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Constructed of thatch roofs and floating on a lagoon abounding with tropical fish, this sleek eatery offers Surf and Turf with Kona lobster and seared scallops with truffles and petit pois. Save room for a liquid dessert: Their Espresso Tini features Godiva chocolate liqueur and Kahlua.

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Lanai Day Trip + Front Street + Lahaina Grill

Drenched in the sun and offering a whole new vibe entirely, the neighboring island of Lanai offers travelers the chance to see even more of the Hawaiian Islands.

Rise early and head out on Expeditions, an economical ferry that will transport you and your spouse to the sunny shores of “The Pineapple Island.” Myriad adventures await on this largely untouched jewel of an isle, whether it’s horseback riding near the sea or taking a Jeep to Shipwreck Beach. Dining options are few and far between, but what is available is superb—from poolside Cobb salads and Bloody Marys at the Four Seasons Manele Bay to Japanese cuisine at Nobu. Bring a towel and dip into the water at Hulopoe Bay. The sand here is unbelievably white; the waves unfathomably clear.

lahaina

An afternoon voyage will deliver you back to Lahaina in the early evening—perfect timing for exploring the lively, oceanfront boulevard that is Front Street. Spend some time admiring the nuanced branches of one of the world’s oldest banyan trees, snap pics with parrots on you and your partner’s shoulders, and snag a table with splendid views at Lahaina Grill. This elegant eatery pairs gorgeous décor with equally gorgeous food, such as crab-and-scallop cakes with crème fraiche and lamb shanks coated with Kona coffee and cabernet. Indulge in tandem—treating yourselves is what honeymoons were made for.

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Haleakala Sunrise + Downhill Bicycle Tour + Willie K

Celebrate the sacredness of your new marriage 10,000-plus feet above sea level on Haleakala—the world’s largest dormant volcano and the most incredible place to view the sunrise. Bundle up and get close—temperatures here drop to that of an alpine desert.

sunrise at haleakala

Extend your excursion to the House of the Sun by renting bicycles from a top Maui bike tour company and cruising down the slopes. Stopping points are a-plenty, and the views are nothing short of amazing.

Back at the coast, skirt south to Makena, where La Perouse Bay offers hikes for tireless couples while Big Beach is the ultimate spot to admire panoramas of the outlying islands (to say nothing of each other). Then dust off the sand and head to a performance by one of the island’s top performers, Willie K. Mulligans on the Blue—a vibrant Irish bar situated atop the Wailea Golf Course—sets the stage for his matchless mix of ukulele tunes, charming covers, Irish ballads, and brilliant humor.

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Helicopter Tour + Sunset Dinner and Cocktail Cruise

Create memories rich enough to share with your grandchildren by seeing the best of Maui from the sea and sky.

Helicopter tours aboard Blue Hawaiian Helicopters supply stunning perspectives of Maui’s hidden appeal, whether it’s deep in the canyons of Puʻu Kukui or to hover above the thundering waterfalls of Hana. Feeling super adventurous? Cruise across the Pailolo Channel to the neighboring isle of Molokai, where skilled pilots take guests over the largest sea cliffs in the world—and the tallest waterfall in all of Hawaii.

helicopter rides and sunset

Post-flight, dress up (or down—this is Maui) and book a sunset dinner and cocktail cruise on one of many 65-foot Catamarans that glides guests across the glassy waters to watch the sun slide, green flash and all, beyond the horizon. Tropical cocktails are served with aloha warmth, dinner includes treats like Maui onion tartlets and baby back ribs with island BBQ sauce, and live music by local performers keeps the party vibe on point. (Lahaina Dinner Cruise Review) Then make a final Maui wish: That your marriage will be as lovely, adventurous, and blissful as this. 

Join the discussion 3 Comments

  • Nancy says:

    One of my favorite Maui trips was when my husband and I were on our honeymoon almost 29 years ago. My husband and I met and married after knowing each other only six weeks and I told him we had to to to Maui for the honeymoon. We spent the most magical week walking on the beach. The best part was the luau. I had never been to one. My husband passed away last year, but the trip to Maui will always be very special to me because it was with a very special person.

  • Amanda says:

    The smell of plumeria when I got off the airplane on the first day of my honeymoon!!!! I think about it every day….

  • Lauren says:

    My all time favorite Maui memory would have to be getting engaged at Mama’s Fish House last July. [:)] My fiance proposed on my birthday during a sunset dinner at Mama’s with both of our families present. It was perfect and of course I said yes! We are getting married at the Olowalu Plantation House on August 7th 2012! Maui will always be a huge part of our lives and we can’t wait to celebrate our big day there and stay for our honeymoon too!


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