Honeymoon in Hawaii: Exploring the Big Island’s Romantic Paradise
You’ve tied the knot and bought your plane tickets to Hawaii, and now your daydreams of tropical beaches and majestic volcanoes are about to come true on your Big Island honeymoon. Our Volcano Bed and Breakfast combines privacy and luxury, perfectly setting the scene for your island getaway. Wake up to lilting songs from tropical birds while enjoying the peaceful serenity of windows looking out onto massive ferns and gorgeous rainforest greenery, with special touches like a private jetted tub, a fireplace adding to the cozy ambiance, and an in-room breakfast to start your mornings together.
Every day during your Big Island honeymoon, you’ll have endless choices to fill your days, from exploring Volcanoes National Park minutes away and relaxing on secluded beaches nearby to awe-inspiring day trips to waterfalls and enjoying romantic meals overlooking the ocean in downtown Hilo.
Explore and Adventure – Volcanic Vistas and Waterfall Day Trips
The world’s most active volcano, Kilauea, is the mesmerizing backdrop to your stay in Volcano Village and the centerpiece (along with the neighboring volcano, Mauna Loa) of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. At over 500 square miles, the park extends from the shoreline to over 4,000 feet, with hundreds of miles of trails to explore together. Start with the Kilauea Iki Trail, one of our favorite hikes in the park and an excellent route for taking in the stunning variety of terrain on the flanks of Kilauea, including canopied rainforest sections (look out for rare tropical birds – always a treat to see in the wild) and crossing the vast floor of a volcanic caldera. For a more private outing when there are less crowds, plan to head into the park after dark (it’s open to visitors 24 hours a day), when you can look down onto the 3,000-foot-wide Halemaumau crater – in addition to being the best time and place to see lava when it’s actively flowing, you’ll also have the glowing stars above putting on their show. Then, head to the Nahuku Thurston lava tube with headlamps on, holding hands as you navigate the underground passageway and marvel at the volcanic geology.
For a different twist of tropical adventure, head out for a day trip to the several Big Island waterfalls within an hour’s drive of Volcano Village. The closest and most accessible is Rainbow Falls, cascading 80 feet right in the center of Hilo, where the Wailuku River flows through town towards Hilo Bay. Visiting in the morning can be particularly magical, as the light reflects off the spray and forms a rainbow, quite the picturesque background for snapping some newlywed photos. Akaka Falls is just 16 miles further north and ups the natural beauty even more, with a 400+ foot waterfall surrounded by dense rainforest and accessible via a short half-mile hike.
After active days of hiking amongst volcanoes and to waterfalls, wind down with a couples massage when you return to your Volcano Village room – our local massage therapists bring expertise from various massage styles and will usher you into a deep state of relaxation.
Eat and Indulge – Picnic in the Gardens, Dine on the Water, and Sip Volcanic Wines
With world-class seafood brought in right off the boats in the harbor and elegant dining with ocean views, the culinary scene in Hilo makes for memorable meals during your Big Island honeymoon.
Set aside an afternoon to spend the day at the prestigious Lili’uokalani Gardens, where you can take our Picnic Bag for Two (including sandwiches, snacks, wine, and tropical juices) and enjoy a meal in the sunshine while relaxing by the ornate Japanese-style gardens, beautiful koi ponds, and calm waters of Hilo Bay just feet away.
On a different evening, make reservations for dinner at Hilo Bay Cafe, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023 and continues to set a high bar for its quality of food and service. With magnificent views of the waves crashing on one side and the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano standing tall on the other, you won’t find a more romantic setting for a night out together. Start with delicious appetizers like crispy Brussels and bacon, followed by sushi plates or entrees like grilled rib eye and short ribs with caramelized onions. Celebrate with a bottle from their extensive wine list and finish by sharing molten lava chocolate cake.
If you’re a wine lover, plan a day to do a wine tasting together at Volcano Winery, which offers tastings from 10 am until 5 pm every day. Their vineyard is just a few miles from us, with rows of grapes flourishing in the rich volcanic soil. Try their one-of-a-kind macadamia-nut honey dessert wine and bring home a bottle of their signature Volcano Red, which pays tribute to the goddess of volcanoes, Pele, and makes for a decadent Big Island honeymoon souvenir.
Relax and Rejuvenate – Green Sand Coves, Black Sand Beaches, and Lounging Near Hardened Lava
Far from the crowded beaches near the resorts in Kona, you’ll find dreamy and secluded coves on the Hilo side of the island, all accessible in under an hour of driving. For a surreal beach day, head south from Volcano Village, passing through the scenic Ka’u landscape as you head towards the southern tip of the island (which also holds the distinction of being the southernmost point in the United States). From the parking area off South Point Road, hitch a ride from locals on their Jeeps or hike an hour along the pristine ocean bluffs to Papakolea Green Sand Beach. The protected cove is full of green sand crystals formed by the mineral olivine in lava, making for an otherworldly experience. It’s also far enough from any developed island areas that you’ll likely have the beach to yourselves.
For another equally breathtaking beach, drive an hour through the lush Puna countryside (where some of Kilauea’s most recent eruptions have had the most impact) to the volcanic black sand shores at Isaac Hale Beach Park. Along with seeing massive and still-fresh lava flows up close, you can soak in the warm volcanic thermal pools of ocean water, forming soothing and natural hot tubs.
After days in the sun and swimming in the ocean, unwind during the evening in your private rainforest suite, wearing comfy complimentary robes and slippers, enjoying movies in bed, and savoring moments together in paradise.
Stay with us and make your Big Island honeymoon one to remember!