Romantic Getaway on Hawaii Big Island: 10 Unforgettable Experiences for Couples

Hawaii’s Big Island is the ideal paradise for a couple’s getaway. For visitors wanting to mix romance and repose with adrenaline and adventure, the island boasts a diverse landscape offering unique opportunities to reconnect with your beloved in an exquisite setting.

Whether it’s strolling hand-in-hand along a glittery green sand beach, nighttime swimming with massive manta rays or watching the sunset aboard a helicopter or catamaran, there are countless, incredibly romantic places to visit and activities to enjoy with your partner. Read on to discover some romantic ideas for a couple’s escape or honeymoon on Hawaii Big Island.

1. Big Island’s secluded beaches

Soaking up the tropical sun on remote beaches

Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget

Couples looking for a romantic day on secluded Big Island beach should visit Waialea Bay, also known as Beach 69, located on the gorgeous Kohala Coast. This rugged and charming golden-sand beach is lined with ancient kiawe trees which divide the sand semi-private, all-day shady spots. The tide pools and rock formations are teeming with sea life, so bring along your snorkeling gear.

For an adventurous day with stunning scenery, enjoy a 5-mile roundtrip hike to Green Sand Beach situated inside the remains of an eroded volcanic crater, near the southern tip of the island. The beach’s magical and peculiar green sand is due to fragmented olivine crystals. Arrive early and you might have this remote beach all to yourselves.

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2. Pololu Valley Lookout

Panoramic views and hikes to black sand beaches

Good for: Couples, Photo, Adventure

Drive to Pololu Valley Lookout for spectacular views of Big Island’s dramatic northeastern Kohala coastline. The viewpoint lies at the end of Highway 270 in North Kohala. From here, you can see the blue ocean crashing into jagged rocks and enjoy inspiring vistas of the impressive, verdant sea cliffs.

Couples wanting a touch of adventure can take a short (25-minute) but steep hike past rows of ironwood trees down to a black-sand beach on the valley floor. The unspoiled shoreline and powerful waves will leave you awe. Inside tip for early-bird couples: the lookout is a superb spot to watch the sunrise. Arrive early for a chance of snagging a coveted parking space.

Location: 52-5100 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, HI 96755, USA

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3. Waipio Valley

For an extraordinary Hawaiian adventure

Good for: Couples, Photo, Adventure

Waipio Valley was once the permanent home for Hawaiian royalty and is a breathtaking setting on the northeastern coast of the island. With untamed beauty of 2,000-ft cliffs, sublime beaches, wild horses, and spellbinding waterfalls and swimming holes, it’s perfect for a romantic excursion.

From the Waipio Valley lookout point, couples can hike down through the valley to reach a secluded black-sand beach. The 6-mile roundtrip includes several vertical feet and isn’t for the faint of heart, but the trek does promise majestic vistas of this sacred place. Bring your binoculars to spot some Hawaiian hawks along the hike.

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4. Liliuokalani Park and Gardens

Picnics in a tranquil Japanese garden with ocean views

Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget

Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo is a beautiful Japanese-inspired park featuring rock gardens, pagodas, stone lanterns, arching bridges over koi ponds, and even a traditional teahouse. Couples can pack a picnic and stroll through the peaceful 34-acre garden before finding a spot to spread a blanket on the vast lawn.

Enjoy panoramic views of Hilo Bay from the edge of the garden or use the picturesque backdrop of bridges, ponds and sculptures to take memorable photos. Admission to the garden is free. For a more solitary experience, plan a visit during the week because the garden is popular with local folk on weekends.

Location: 189 Lihiwai St #151, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Open: Daily from 5.45 am to 7.30 pm

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5. Oceanside spa treatments

Traditional Hawaiian massages and exotic facials

Good for: Couples, Luxury

Hawaii’s Big Island is home to some of the best spas in the world. Treatments here are unique since they incorporate local ingredients, tropical fragrances, and even lava rocks. Couples wanting to escape their everyday routine and replenish their soul amid a backdrop of Hawaii’s stunning natural beauty can book a rejuvenating outdoor spa treatment at the ultra-luxurious Fairmont Orchid’s “Spa Without Walls”.

With the soothing sounds of waves crashing in the background, you and your partner will be treated to a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and an exfoliation of the back and feet. Up the romance factor and enjoy a bottle of bubbly after your massage.

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6. Big Island’s gorgeous waterfalls

Cascading falls surrounded by verdant and peaceful nature

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo

Hawaii Big Island boasts several impressive waterfalls. You can see two of the island’s most incredible waterfalls at Akaka Falls State Park. The 0.5-mile loop trail takes you through fantastic greenery to Akaka Falls which fiercely cascades into a deep gorge. Continue further along the path to the smaller yet beautiful Kahuna Falls.

Head to Rainbow Falls, just 5 minutes from Hilo’s historic downtown, in the early morning, and witness a rainbow in its waters. The picturesque spot with tropical vegetations makes it ideal for a romantic picnic. If you’re feeling adventurous, hike into the lush Waipio Valley to see the 1,400-ft Hi’ilawe Falls, one of tallest waterfalls in Hawaii, as it tumbles over rocky outcrops into the valley.

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7. A private helicopter tour

Admiring the Big Island’s remarkable scenery from the sky

Good for: Couples, Luxury, Photo

A private helicopter tour of Big Island is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that is best shared with your other half. From high above, you can discover the Big Island’s diverse landscape from an entirely different vantage point and see sights that are difficult to explore from the ground.

Tours last 1 to 2 hours and you can come face-to-face with dramatic sea cliffs, hover over fiery lava and secluded valleys and dart up to hidden waterfalls. You can enhance the magical experience and the quality of your photos and pick a tour with the “doors-off” option. Make sure the trip flies over the west coast to see the dazzling sunset.

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8. A romantic sunset cruise

Quality time on a comfortable catamaran

Good for: Couples, Photo, Luxury

A couple’s trip to Hawaii won’t be complete without a cruise to see the world-famous Kona sunset with your beloved by your side. During the unforgettable journey aboard a smooth-sailing catamaran, you can share a kiss or take photos of the fabulous Kona coastline as the golden orange sun sinks into the shimmering blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

If you’re lucky, you can watch dolphins racing alongside the boat. With a cocktail in hand, this is the perfect start to an evening in paradise. Check the service providers’ websites for dinner and drinks packages to elevate your cruise experience.

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9. Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea) Beach

For some of the best stargazing in the world

Good for: Couples, Photo

At Mauna Kea, you need only look up at night to see Hawaii’s other great natural attraction: a dazzling display of twinkling stars. Favorable atmospheric conditions and a lack of light pollution make the Big Island one of the top stargazing destinations on Earth, and the tip of its tallest mountain is the top spot to marvel at this heavenly display.

Stargazers can either jump on an organized tour to the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea or drive up themselves (you’ll need a 4x4 with a full tank). The Visitor Information Station offers a free stargazing session given by a group of knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers. Be sure to arrive in time to watch the sunset over the clouds.

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10. Night swimming, snorkeling, or diving

A magical nocturnal excursion

Good for: Couples, Adventure

For one of the most intriguing couple’s experiences, book a led night swimming, snorkeling, or diving excursion. You can spot exciting marine life such as colorful reef fish, dolphins, green sea turtles, and majestic manta rays. With a wingspan reaching up to 18 ft, swimming with manta rays at night in their natural habitat is a thrilling experience. You might even be lucky enough to observe humpback whales playing in water.

You’ll jump into the water with your snorkel guide and float while the witnessing the graceful nighttime ballet in the light below. If you’re a certified scuba diver, you can join a night dive and sit on the ocean floor and enjoy the action from below.

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11. An authentic Hawaiian Luau

A grand celebration of food, music, and culture

Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife

An evening spent at a traditional Hawaiian Luau is a must for any couple’s trip to the Big Island. As the sun sets into the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy energetic live music, watch fire dancers and hula performances and listen to ancient songs that tell stories of Hawaii’s culture.

You’ll dine on typical Hawaiian cuisines such as fresh pineapple, poi, poke, lomilomi salmon, and the famous kalua pig. Resorts on the Kohala coast and in Kona on the west coast organize most of the luau shows on the Big Island. For an especially stunning night out, book a beachside luau and watch the sunset while you dine in style.

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