Best Island to Elope in Hawaii

Each island in Hawaii is unique and offers a different kind of experience.

So let me start by saying that there is really not a “best island” to elope in Hawaii. If you’re considering eloping in Hawaii, this post will help you narrow down the island you choose. If you’re still not sure which island will be the best fit, don’t worry! I will help you figure out the best island for the experience you’d like on your elopement day.

The first time that I visited Hawaii, I fell in love within minutes of arriving. The beauty of the islands is absolutely breathtaking, and there’s a peaceful energy here that is unlike anywhere else in the world.

This gorgeous and unique state is unlike anywhere else. While the state of Hawaii has eight main islands, the four most visited islands are Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. This post will give you a better understanding of each of these islands and help you narrow down the best island for your elopement day.

Kauai

The Garden Isle

Kauai is the least developed of the four main Hawaiian islands.
The size of Kauai is 552 square miles, with approximately 130 people per square mile.
Kauai has the least number of tourists with around 1.3 million visitors annually.
This island is very lush, and it can be easier to find a secluded spot here than some of the other islands.
One of the rainiest spots in the world is on Kauai (Mount Waialeale).
There are some incredibly unique places on Kauai, such as the Napali Coast (only accessible via a multi-day backpacking hike, helicopter, or boat ride), and Waimea Canyon (referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific).
Kauai has a laid-back feel and is a great island for those that love to hike, explore, and be outdoors.

Pros of eloping on Kauai:

Least visited annually, which leads to more privacy for your elopement
Dramatic and unique landscapes
Small island with laid-back feel

Cons of eloping on Kauai:

The rainiest of the islands (but I personally love photos in the rain!)
Only one main road around the island, traffic can become congested
If you’re looking for a luxury resort, the options are more limited on Kauai

Oahu

The Gathering Place

Oahu is the most populated of the Hawaiian islands, with nearly one million residents, and half of the tourists to Hawaii landing on this island during their trips.
The size of Oahu is 597 square miles, with approximately 1,600 people per square mile.
Oahu has the most number of tourists with around 4.7 million visitors annually.
Areas such as Honolulu and Waikiki are very busy with lots of nightlife and shopping, while the windward side and North Shore are much more laid back and less busy areas of the island.
Oahu is known for epic mountain ranges and unique coast lines throughout the island.
This island is a mix of both worlds, with the big city of Honolulu, and beach towns throughout the island.

Cons of eloping on Oahu:

The most populated of the islands, it can be harder to find private spots (but eloping at sunrise can help!)
Traffic can get congested during rush hour

Pros of eloping on Oahu:

This island has a little bit of everything
Endless hikes and beaches to explore
More accessible hikes than some of the other islands
The best nightlife in Hawaii

Maui

The Valley Isle

Maui is the second largest of the islands (after The Big Island), and it is much less busy than Oahu.
The size of Maui is 727 square miles, with approximately 200 people per square mile.
Maui has less tourists than Oahu, with around 2.4 million visitors annually.
This island has much more of a beach-town feel to it, and there is a wide variety of landscapes including waterfalls and a dormant volcano that reaches above the clouds.
The famous Road to Hana is on Maui, with incredible waterfalls, hikes, and beaches (including a black sand beach and a red sand beach!)
Haleakala National Park has an incredible volcano that is over 10,000 feet above sea level – so you can literally get married above the clouds!

Cons of eloping on Maui:

The most expensive accommodations, rental cars, and dining are usually on Maui
Traffic can become congested in certain areas of the island
Popular island to visit which can make finding a private spot more challenging

Pros of eloping on Maui:

A perfect mix of the islands, with amenities and a laid-back feel
Haleakala National Park and the Road to Hana are incredibly unique locations
You can take a ferry over to Lanai or Moloka’i
My personal favorite food trucks are on Maui

Hawai’i

The Big Island

The Big Island is large enough to fit all of the other Hawaiian islands inside of it!
The size of the Big Island is 4,028 square miles (and continuing to grow due to the active volcano on the island), with approximately 45 people per square mile.
This island has the second least number of tourists with around 1.6 million visitors annually.
This Big Island is very diverse, with one of the driest spots in all of Hawaii (Kona) and one of the rainiest (Hilo). You can find 11 of the 13 world climate zones on this one island!
There are several black sand beaches and a green sand beach on this island.
The most active volcano in the world (Kilauea) is on the Big Island, and the tallest volcano (Mauna Kea) is too!

Cons of eloping on the Big Island:

As the name implies, this is a BIG island, so it can take some time to drive around
Some of the best hikes are challenging and/or require a 4×4 vehicle to reach
There isn’t much open past 8 pm

Pros of eloping on the Big Island:

With only 45 people per square mile on this island, you can find more private locations
Some of the most unique landscapes are on the Big Island, including an active volcano and a green sand beach (one of the only in the world!)

More information about each of the Hawaiian islands can be found here.

There is no shortage of gorgeous locations for your Hawaii elopement! Despite what some may think, Hawaii has so much more than beaches. While there are many amazing beaches throughout the Hawaiian islands, there are also waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, unique coastlines, forests, and unbelievable views.

If you love hiking, consider a hike for your day! Some of the most amazing views on the islands require a bit of hiking, but I can promise you that the views are worth it.

I provide all of my couples with custom location scouting to help them find the perfect spot for their day, and you can check out some location ideas for your Hawaii elopement or intimate wedding here.

No matter where or how you choose to elope in Hawaii, I’m here to help guide you through the process. There are endless amounts of epic locations in the Hawaiian islands, and I would love to help you pick the perfect location and find a unique spot for the best day of your life!