I’ve been to all seven continents and visited 41 countries and counting and I can still easily say there’s nowhere on Earth quite like Hawaii. I’ve been photographing elopements here since 2017 and have visited every island in the chain for both personal and professional reasons! I’ve explored the local favorite spots, seen things from under the sea and high in the air, and discovered what’s unique and special about each spot.
My favorite island for elopements has to be Kauai’i. This is the least touristy island because it’s the most wild and nature filled, which makes it a stunning place to get married. Helicopter elopements are especially epic here and can access private waterfalls and the Nāpali Coast in the best way.
But if Kauai’i isn’t your speed, there are more to explore! Read on for more of my favorite spots in Hawaii that could round out any elopement.
(Or, if you want to search by activity or scenery, I’ve made an interactive map for nearly 600 elopement locations around the world! Click here to be taken to it and get to searching.)
Kaua’i, Hawaii
The perfect “adventure” island. Think amazing cliffside hikes overlooking the ocean, fog sweeping in and out of canyons, 150+ ft waterfalls, and all the lush greenery. If you’re looking for a helicopter elopement, this would be a perfect place for it! Plus, Jurassic Park was filmed here. Need I say more?
Best for: Canyon, Beach, Coast, Forest, Mountains, Waterfall
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Jeep/4×4, Boating, Surfing, Boating, Camping, Stargazing
Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauaʻi, Hawaii
On the island of Kaua’i sits Waimea Canyon State Park, overlooking the incredible, colorful canyon of the same name. Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, the trails in this area are genuinely unreal and often empty out in spots like the 800 ft. tall Waipo’o Falls. This also eventually turns into Kōke’e State Park, which makes for a great one-two punch for a full elopement day!
Best for: Canyon, Coast, Mountains, Waterfall
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Koke State Park, Kaua’i, Hawaii
Kōke’e State Park is in the northwestern corner of the island of Kaua’i and offers dramatic views of the Nāpali Coast from its two incredible lookouts. Situated on a plateau at 4,000 feet in elevation, this spot will give you insane vistas along with 45 miles of hiking trails connecting you to places like Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Valley. With nine different campgrounds and cabins surrounding the area, there are plenty of options for staying!
Best for: Canyon, Forest, Mountains, Waterfall
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Manawaiopuna Falls / Jurassic Falls, Kauaʻi, Hawaii
Film buffs, this one’s for you. Manawaiopuna Falls is perhaps most famous for being featured multiple times in the first Jurassic Park movie—and standing near it, you totally get why. This is on privately owned land and is only accessible via helicopter, which gives you not only a super fun elopement day activity but also a truly breathtaking waterfall to visit in one go! The falls is over 400 feet tall and cascades in two separate spots down a cliff surrounded by wild tropical greenery.
Best for: Waterfall, Forest, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter
Napali Coast, Kaua’i, Hawaii
The Nāpali Coast is a stunning 17-mile stretch of northern Kaua’i coastline filled with mountains, waterfalls, and sea caves. Access incredible, secluded beaches by hiking as there’s no car access here! You can also hike the Kalalau Trail to get to either of the two state parks that are located here. Turquoise waters and bright green cliffs make it hard to go wrong here!
Best for: Beach, Coast, Canyons, Waterfall, Forest, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping
Big Island, Hawaii
The island of Hawai’i is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands! Massive in size compared to the other islands, this is a spot that will take you from beaches, to lush rainforests, to the alpine tundra of Mauna Kea in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, there is truly something here for everybody. Whether your thing is campgrounds with stunning views or all-inclusive resorts where you can truly kick your feet up, there are options on the Big Island for you. Complete your day with super unique activities like black sand beaches, going night snorkeling with manta rays, taking a zipline over a waterfall, or touring a Kona coffee farm.
Best for: Canyon, Beach, Coast, Forest, Mountains, Waterfall
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Jeep/4×4, Boating, Surfing, Boating, Camping, Stargazing
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park houses two different volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, both of which are active. The summits of these volcanoes get up to just under 14,000 feet, taking you all the way from sea level on up in one go! There are even USGS live webcams of the volcanoes for you to scope out. The landscape here is truly otherworldly and provides you with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close and personal with an active volcano (in a safe way!). Cooled lava has formed tubes, trees, and craters while cinder cones have sprung up near vents. There are even lakes of lava within the park if you want to truly go from fire to ice in the same outing.
Best for: Canyon, Mountains, Desert, Coast, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Maunakea, Big Island, Hawaii
Maunakea tops out at just under 14,000 feet, making it the highest point in the Hawaiian Islands. This dormant volcano is highly sacred to native Hawaiians as a region for the gods, and visitors are discouraged from traveling beyond 9,200 feet out of respect and safety. It is also home to one of the largest observatories on Earth due to its high altitude, low light pollution, and ideal climate for viewing, making it a stargazing hub! Book a star viewing tour for the evening after you’re done exploring.
Best for: Desert, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
The Kohala Coast is the northern peninsula of the Big Island and is renowned for not only its ample amounts of sunlight and incredible beaches, but also its number of resorts. This area includes the Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area and the Lapakahi State Historical Park as well as important historical sites like one of the last heiau built in Hawai’i. This part of the island is also rich in great dining, water activities, and lava rocks giving way to vast green valleys. Pololū Valley boasts black sand beaches and hiking trails with incredible views.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Canyon, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Boating
Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii
Hilo is settled on Hilo Bay on the eastern side of the Big Island, and is home to the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, giving it more of an urban feel. This also means that it is not only super beautiful, it’s also largely accessible! Wailuku River State Park is home to easy to get to natural wonders, like Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Richardson Ocean Park provides a gateway to sea turtles and black sand beaches traversable for folks with disabilities. Many also snorkel in this area due to the calm and shallow waters!
Best for: Beach, Coast, Forest, Waterfall
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Boating, Snorkeling, Camping
Akaka Falls State Park, Big Island, Hawaii
If you’re wanting your elopement to feature an epic waterfall, ‘Akaka Falls State Park is worth looking into as it has two different waterfalls to choose from, Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls. The hike in is short but beautiful and follows a paved path (note: this path includes steps and isn’t wheelchair accessible). ‘Akaka Falls itself plummets nearly 450 feet down into a gorge surrounded with thick greenery. This is the kind of backdrop you will only ever find here.
Best for: Waterfall, Forest, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Kohala Forest Reserve, Big Island, Hawaii
Part of the Kohala Coast on the big island, the Kohala Forest Reserve is nature preserve filled with lush greenery just north of Waimea. Stop by the Pololū Valley Lookout or hike the Pololū Historic Trail to access rocky, black sand beaches. Lots of streams, waterfalls, and cliffs make this an idyllic place to spend a day.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Waterfall, Forest, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Wailuku River State Park, Big Island, Hawaii
Wailuku River State Park is most famous for being home to Rainbow Falls, Wai’oli Falls, and the Pe’epe’e Falls that feed into the Boiling Pots. This is super close to the city of Hilo! Plenty of legends surround this area, like that Maui’s mother, Hina, lived in the cave under Rainbow Falls. Picnic areas make this a great spot to visit in the morning and then have a bite to eat before continuing on with your journey. It’s also a great spot for those with accessibility needs. Swimming in the boiling pots and tubing in the river are also popular ways to enjoy all nature has to offer here.
Best for: Waterfall, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Oahu, Hawaii
The most populous of all of the islands, O’ahu provides an unmatched blend of urban and natural settings. Despite being home to the state capital of Honolulu, it also has its own set of mountains in the form of the Ko’olau Range, which form an impressive ridge just behind the city. Come here for white sands, turquoise waters, and trails that lead to waterfalls, all within easy reach of a major city. Many forest reserves and state parks set up around the island gives nature a safe haven while still being easily accessible from an international airport.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Mountains, City, Canyons, Waterfall, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Boating, Camping
Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park, Oahu, Hawaii
Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park is on the northern side of O’ahu and sports some incredibly preserved nature on a busy island. This is an awesome pick if you want to get an eyeful of mountain, surf, and trees all at the same time. Kahana Bay provides waterfront camping as well as great waters for snorkeling and kayaking. This park also boasts cultural opportunities to learn about Hawaiian history and practices from the people who have always lived on these islands. Hiking here is available, but light and easy going, making them well-suited for an elopement day trek if you aren’t looking for something strenuous. The crescent shaped beach here is sandy and wide and perfect for finding your own corner of.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Mountains, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Stargazing
Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
Renowned for its gathering of resorts on Hawai’i’s most populous island, O’ahu’s Waikīkī along the southern shore in Honolulu is a frequent attraction for visitors of the islands. With a rich nightlife and beautiful beaches, the history of hospitality and retreats in this part of the city goes back over a century. Surfing, snorkeling, dining, and cultural demonstrations at nearby hotels all fill out days in this iconic neighborhood.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Snorkeling, Surfing, Helicopter
Maui, Hawaii
Located between the Big Island and O’ahu, the island of Maui is a beloved gem in the Hawaiian Islands. While much of the west side of the island is still recovering after devastating fires in Lahaina, officials have encouraged respectful and appropriate tourism to the eastern side. Haleakalā National Park in the center of the island houses sunrises so good that you need a reservation for them and the summit of the shield volcano it is named after. Elsewhere on the island, you can find lava tubes, tidal pools, waterfalls, and a black sand beach in Waiʻānapanapa State Park.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Mountains, City, Canyons, Waterfall, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Jeep/4×4, Boating, Camping
Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii
Haleakalā National Park sits in the heart of the island of Maui. Here you can see the sunrise (a site so popular you’ll need a reservation), see the Milky Way from Haleakalā summit that sits just over 10,000 feet above sea level, explore the rainforest, or go waterfall spotting in the Kīpahulu District of the park. The park also does incredible conservation work for bird species native to the area, making this also a great pick if you love wildlife!
Best for: Mountains, Desert, Waterfall, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Haleakalā National Park
Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Hāna, on the far eastern side of the island of Maui, is the home to famous Hāna Highway, a 52-mile stretch of road laden with turns, stunning vistas, bridges, and unreal glimpses into undeveloped Hawaiian beauty. (Psst – guided tours of this area make for a safe way for visitors to see this area and a great activity for your day!) Wai’ānapanapa State Park with its black sand beach and sea rock formations, seriously impressive waterfalls, volcanic formations like lava tubes, and thick rainforests make this a choice full of incredible natural sights.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Waterfall, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Jeep/4×4, Camping
Waiʻānapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii
Wai’ānapanapa State Park is located on the northwestern corner of Maui and is a great stop while doing the historic Road to Hana. Stop here for wide black sand beaches dramatically framed by bright green vegetation and big blue skies. This park also has sea caves ripe for exploring and dramatic dark rock cliffs that provide incredible vistas above it all. If you’re interested in staying the night here to be immersed in the beauty, you can rent a cabin from the park and stay close to the action! Whether you’re exploring a lava tube, hiking trail, or hala forest, this is a section of Maui that is genuinely pretty unreal.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Honolulu, Hawaii
As the capital city of the Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu is home to more than 300,000 people. World-class resorts, an international airport, the Pearl Harbor monuments, and iconic sites like Crescent Beach draw people from all over the world. If your vibe includes white sands and palm trees in the morning and fine dining and art museums in the evening, Honolulu may be a great pick for you.
Best for: Beach, Coast, City
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter, Kayaking, Surfing, Snorkeling, Hiking, Stargazing
Lānaʻi, Hawaii
For tranquility and untouched stretches of landscape that also give you the option for 5-star accommodations, you’re going to want to check out the island of Lāna’i. The pace here is slower and less busy than on other islands around and is accessible via a ferry from Maui. Visit Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods) in the center of the island to briefly feel off-world in a red painted rock garden, which lights up incredibly at sunrise and sunset with unreal colors. Fill the rest of your elopement with enjoyable activities that let you take in the scenery, like horseback riding, snorkeling, hiking, and lounging on the beaches. If you love animals, you can also visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary to spend part of your day playing with cats!
Best for: Beach, Coast, Forest, Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Stargazing
The Island of Molokaʻi, Hawaii
The island of Moloka’i is a small but stunning addition to the Hawaiian Islands and remains the home of many native Hawaiians. This spot is full of all of the unique sights and beautiful views that wilderness in Hawai’i has to offer! Take a guided hike through Hālawa Valley for a view of the entire island and get a dose of local history in the process. You can also visit one of the state’s largest white sand beaches, Papohaku Beach, known for its width and space for everyone to enjoy! Taste Moloka’i hot bread, visit the historic lighthouse, or gaze out over some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world to complete your trip.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Forest, Mountains, Waterfalls
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping, Stargazing
Hawaii is a paradise that anyone would be lucky to visit in their lifetime, much less elope there. Want to learn more about what’s possible for your elopement day? I built you an interactive map! You can search through nearly 600 locations with filters you choose based on activity, scenery, and season.
Worried about eloping here in a way that’s legal and respectful? I’ve got your back. I’m a permit pro and can help you with all of the permissions you need in order to do this right! Including pre-vetted vendor recommendations and Leave No Trace friendly photographer practices so that we can leave each place the way we found it.
Let’s talk about your dream elopement day. Click here to be taken to my contact form!
