If you are trying to decide where to go for your getaway after the wedding, a sunny island can be a solid choice, but which one to choose? The ideal island for your newlyweds' getaway depends on your budget and the time you have available. But whether you're just looking for sand and landscapes near you or adventure on distant shores, we have what you need with this list of the best honeymoon islands.
Aruba
This small island off the Venezuelan coast has a lot to offer day and night. The alabaster sand and sky blue waters of Palm Beach create the ideal setting for a honeymoon. You can also go to Arashi Beach for a little more privacy and a sublime snorkeling. Couples can go horseback riding while enjoying the unique landscape of the desert and sea at Rancho La Ponderosa. Excellent food is also easy to find. At Atardi's, you can dine while smelling the sand between your toes. And even if you risk losing a few dollars at the brilliant Stellaris Casino, the climate is much less risky. The average temperature all year round is 82 degrees Fahrenheit and Aruba has the sunniest days per year of all the Caribbean islands. In addition, its location places it south of the hurricane belt.
Bora Bora
If you and your lover want to have fun, a honeymoon in Bora Bora is an excellent choice. Mount Otemanu, shredded, rising to about 2,400 feet above sea level, is the centrepiece of this Polynesian island. The dormant volcano admires the lush jungle and is surrounded by a lagoon with multicoloured rays and fish. Whether you take pictures from afar or hike to the base, it's impressive. The bungalows on stilts, many of which have private swimming pools, are the island's favourite accommodations. A meal at Bloody Mary's, an island institution where staff can explain fresh fish presented in seven languages, is a must. You can enjoy a raw fish (raw tuna or mahi-mahi marinated with lime and coconut) sitting on a coconut stump at a wooden table. Fun fact: the famous lovebirds Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have eaten there more than once.
Bermuda
Located 700 km off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is renowned for its pink sandy beaches. Visitors here like to play golf and have a good cup of tea in the afternoon, the latter being a British territory. If walking through the flowered alleys, admiring the historic architecture and riding a moped built for two people (there is no rental car here) seems like a fun holiday idea to you, Bermuda may be your honeymoon destination. Astwood Cove is a small, pretty and secluded beach surrounded by cliffs, with a track that goes down to the sand. Don't be surprised if you are the only one (except for the colourful fish that drifts around your feet). After a day on the sand, head to the Waterlot restaurant for blueberry bourbon smash.
Santorini
Whitewashed houses on the hill, ancient vineyards, a sunset tinged with tangerine on the Aegean Sea in sapphire colours and fresh seafood for days - it seems incredible, doesn't it? Santorini consists of two inhabited islands and a handful of islets, the site of a massive volcano eruption. You can visit Akrotiri, the excavation site of a 3,500-year-old Minoan town covered with ashes (a bit like Pompeii, more famous). Santorini's fascinating geological history is to be thanked for its beaches of another world, red volcanic sand and black lava pebbles. Meanwhile, the village of Oia, full of picturesque taverns and family shops, is the ideal place to stroll around in the afternoon. Local musicians often perform in its main square, and the magnificent Greek Orthodox Church has an interesting history.
Maui
With spectacular scenery, high-end restaurants, opportunities to see whales and sea turtles and luxury hotels, Maui is probably the best Hawaiian island for newlyweds. Moreover, it is visibly less crowded than Oahu. Snorkelling at Molokini (a crescent-shaped volcanic crater) and in Kapalua Bay is exceptional. Driving on the famous Hana road, lined with waterfalls, black sand beaches and rainbow eucalyptus, is full of surprises. And even if you don't imagine yourself getting up and waking up before dawn for your honeymoon, taking a walk to see the sunrise in Haleakala National Park is worth it. Mama's Fish House, known for its superior mahi-mahi, is one of the most popular romantic dining places.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia has both beautiful mountains and beautiful beaches. At least (at least for the time being), the number of tourists is lower than on the other Caribbean islands. It is therefore a solid choice for couples looking for a tropical getaway without crowds. Relaxing on Sugar Beach and relaxing on a sunset cruise will prove irresistible, but you will also find many active activities. For example, a day spent hiking in the Pitons (the iconic volcanic arrows of Saint Lucia) and diving in the nearby mud baths is worth a detour. Segway tours, a zip line over the dense rainforest of Treetop Adventure Park and a romantic walk around the Morne Coubaril estate, an 18th century plantation, will also keep the couples busy.
Jamaica
For a relaxed (and relatively affordable) honeymoon, take a look at Jamaica, a Caribbean island island. Here you will find superb all-inclusive resorts, many with a romantic atmosphere, such as the Sandals and Couples properties. And after the stress of planning (and spending) a wedding, the economic aspects of an all-inclusive package can be appealing. If you want to get up from your deckchair and explore a little, day trips to Dunn's River Falls, Dolphin Cove and Ochos Rios can be easily arranged. An outing to Rick's Cafe in Negril is also worth considering; the cliff diving and sunset you enjoy during dinner are truly memorable.
Bali
New husbands dreaming of an exotic honeymoon could land in Bali, a relaxing and romantic island in the Indian Ocean. Pagodas and imposing temples, such as the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Water Temple, dot the landscape. Exotic bird watching excursions, snorkeling trips to coral reefs and swimming with dolphins are popular activities here. Kuta, one of Indonesia's most lively tourist destinations, is the ideal place to enjoy yourself after dark.
Puerto Rico
This American territory in the Caribbean has great advantages as a honeymoon destination: many flights from the continent (and a relatively short trip), no difference in language or language and no passport required. Puerto Rico is home to an attractive mix of lively nightlife, fascinating history (old San Juan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and natural wonders. These include the caves of the Rio Camuy Cave Park, the El Yunque National Forest and the Fajardo Bioluminescent Bay. Another reason to put Puerto Rico on your list: after the devastating cyclone of 2017, it would be good to support their tourism industry.
Maldives
Start your couple's life in style by leaving for the Maldives, an island nation of 26 atolls scattered in the Indian Ocean. A honeymoon in the Maldives is not easy or cheap (there are no direct flights from the United States), but if you have money and vacation days to spend, this destination will not disappoint you. Scuba diving opportunities are exceptional, especially at Fish Head and the Victory Wreck. Not surprisingly, exquisite seafood is high on the menus. The Maldives is also home to one of the world's smallest capitals - Malé - at an altitude of 3.5 km 2. The National Museum is the main attraction here, and many visitors enjoy strolling around the lively fishing dock area.