Hawaii doesn’t ask you to fall in love—it simply reminds you how. With its wild coastlines and slow sunsets, tangled jasmine and ukulele songs echoing into night, it creates the kind of atmosphere where romance doesn’t feel like a performance—it just *is*. I came here not looking for sparks, but still found myself holding my breath during quiet glances, long walks, and unexpected moments of wonder. From starry luaus to shared plates under lantern light, Hawaii turned even the simplest experiences into something we’ll carry with us for years to come.
Best Romantic Things to Do in Hawaii
Swimming with the wild on a Wild Side Specialty Tour
Wild Side Specialty Tours wasn’t just another boat trip—it was a trust fall into nature’s arms. We left from the Wai‘anae coast early in the morning, the sun barely above the water, casting gold over a sea that stretched endlessly west. The crew was warm, funny, deeply respectful of the ocean. As we suited up and slid into the water, the world above disappeared. A pod of dolphins glided past us—so close I could hear their chatter. I reached for my partner’s hand and thought, “This is what intimacy feels like when nothing else exists.”
We saw green sea turtles, flying fish, and a massive manta ray that moved like slow lightning. But the real magic was the quiet—the weightless, heart-thudding silence of two people suspended together in something ancient and alive. Back on the boat, we dried off in the sun, sipping ginger tea and holding onto each other like we weren’t quite ready to return to the surface world.
Afterward, we drove back toward Honolulu and stopped at Moku Kitchen for lunch. We shared the ahi poke tacos and a chilled pineapple-coconut mocktail. It was vibrant and fresh, the kind of meal that lets you sit close and stay awhile.
Where We Stayed: That night, we stayed at the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head, a quiet retreat with ocean views and no crowds. From our balcony, we watched the sky melt into coral as the ocean whispered back everything we’d felt that morning.
Wild Side Specialty Tours At a Glance
- Location: Wai‘anae Boat Harbor, O‘ahu
- Vibe: Intimate, adventurous, respectful
- Highlights: Swimming with dolphins, sea turtles, personalized marine experiences
- Best Time to Go: Morning tours for calm water and active wildlife
- Cost: Around $225 per person for small group tour
- Tip: Book early—they keep groups small for a reason, and it’s worth every minute
Letting time drift away on Hawaii’s beaches
There’s a kind of romance that doesn’t need words—just warm sand, slow waves, and someone’s hand resting gently in yours. Relaxing on the beaches in Hawaii wasn’t a plan—it was a state of being. We laid out our towels under a swaying palm on Lanikai Beach, the water so clear it looked painted. Around us, children giggled, waves whispered ashore, and the wind played with the edges of our sun hats. At one point, as we sat with our feet buried in the sand, I looked at him and thought, "We don’t have to say anything—this silence is already full."
We swam slowly, floated side by side, let the salt cling to our skin. In the late afternoon, we moved to the shade and shared a mango we’d picked up from a roadside stand. It was sticky, sweet, and perfect. The world felt paused. We didn’t need to see anything else. The beach was enough.
When the sun began to sink, we wrapped up in a light sarong and made our way to Hau Tree for dinner, just steps from the shore in Waikiki. We split the seared kampachi and truffled udon noodles, dining under softly glowing lanterns with the sound of waves still in our ears. Every bite felt like an extension of the afternoon—smooth, generous, quietly sensual.
Where We Stayed: We booked a room at the Kaimana Beach Hotel, right along the edge of Kapi?olani Park. It had that beachy, barefoot-luxury vibe where every sunrise came with salt air and softness.
Relaxing on the Beaches At a Glance
- Locations: Lanikai Beach (O‘ahu), Hanalei Bay (Kaua‘i), Hapuna Beach (Big Island), and countless hidden coves
- Vibe: Serene, barefoot, timeless
- Highlights: Swimming, lounging, watching the sky change with someone beside you
- Best Time to Go: Early morning for stillness or late afternoon for golden-hour glow
- Cost: Free—romance doesn’t charge for sand and sunset
- Tip: Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a lightweight pareo, and snacks you can eat with your fingers
Falling in love with creativity at The ARTS at Marks Garage
The ARTS at Marks Garage in Honolulu wasn’t flashy—but it sparked something. Tucked into the Chinatown Arts District, it felt like a corner of the city carved out for experimentation and heart. We wandered in on a whim, not quite knowing what to expect, and were immediately pulled into a space full of color, spoken word, mixed media, and motion. At one point, watching a pop-up dance performance unfold in front of us, I leaned over and whispered, "This is what it feels like to stumble into someone else’s dream."
Local artists hung their pieces from floor to ceiling, and in the back gallery, a poet read verses layered with vulnerability. The space blurred lines—between artist and audience, between performance and intimacy. We browsed handcrafted jewelry, held hands during a short film screening, and left with a screen-printed postcard that felt like a keepsake from a version of Hawaii most visitors don’t get to see.
After the gallery, we walked two blocks to The Pig and the Lady—a wildly inventive Vietnamese fusion spot buzzing with creative energy. We shared the pho French dip and a mango mochi dessert. The flavors were bold and unafraid, and as we clinked glasses, it felt like we’d matched the art with something equally expressive on the plate.
Where We Stayed: We returned to our room at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, where vintage meets indie in the best possible way. The art-forward aesthetic there made our evening feel like it never really ended.
The ARTS at Marks Garage At a Glance
- Location: 1159 Nu‘uanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817
- Vibe: Eclectic, intimate, urban-creative
- Highlights: Rotating art exhibits, live performances, community events
- Best Time to Visit: First Fridays for the full arts walk energy; otherwise, afternoon visits are quiet and reflective
- Cost: Free admission; donations welcome
- Tip: Check the calendar ahead of time—open mics, pop-up markets, and performance nights bring extra spark
Celebrating love and heritage at the Aloha Festivals
Aloha Festivals felt like stepping into the beating heart of Hawaiian culture—with music in the streets, flower leis draped over shoulders, and generations dancing beneath the stars. We timed our trip for the month-long celebration in September, and what we found wasn’t just a festival—it was a love letter to the islands. Standing along Kalakaua Avenue during the Floral Parade, holding hands with leis around our necks, I thought, "This isn’t just romance—it’s belonging."
We watched hula troupes glide down the street on floats covered in native flowers, each step telling a story. Later that evening, at a block party where the smell of grilled meat mingled with sweet ginger and citrus, we danced barefoot to live music under strung lights. There was something deeply connective about it all. We weren’t spectators—we were part of the rhythm, part of the night, part of something older than both of us.
That night we grabbed plates from a local food stall—kalua pork with taro rolls and chilled haupia—and sat on the curbside eating and smiling without saying much. It was joy made simple. And it lingered long after the music faded.
Where We Stayed: We stayed at the Moana Surfrider, where Victorian elegance meets Waikiki surf. From our balcony we could hear faint echoes of the festival’s final chords floating up from the street below.
Aloha Festivals At a Glance
- Location: O‘ahu (primarily Honolulu)
- Vibe: Joyful, cultural, full-hearted
- Highlights: Floral Parade, ho‘olaule‘a street party, hula performances, live music
- Best Time to Go: September (specific dates vary annually)
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- Tip: Wear a fresh lei, go early to grab a good spot, and plan to stay late—you’ll want to soak it all in
Drifting into golden hour on a Hawaiian sunset cruise
A sunset cruise in Hawaii isn’t just about the view—it’s about what the light does to everything around you. We boarded a catamaran just before dusk, leaving from Waikiki Beach as the sky began to blush. The ocean was calm. The breeze was gentle. We leaned into each other as the sails caught wind, and somewhere beyond Diamond Head, I thought, “There are moments when time slows for you. This is one of them.”
The sky melted from gold to coral to indigo as the boat rocked gently beneath our feet. We sipped sparkling wine and watched the light play on the water, hand in hand, letting the hush of the sea say everything. Couples murmured quietly. A ukulele played softly in the background. For an hour or two, it felt like the world existed only in warm colors and the space between us.
After we docked, we walked barefoot back to our hotel and stopped for dinner at House Without a Key, an open-air restaurant where we split grilled fresh catch and haupia cake. A hula dancer moved slowly across the lanai stage as we toasted to a night we didn’t want to end.
Where We Stayed: Halekulani Hotel—graceful, beachside, and aglow with the same light we’d just floated through.
Sunset Cruise At a Glance
- Location: Waikiki, Maui, or Kona (available across islands)
- Vibe: Serene, golden, quietly cinematic
- Highlights: Open ocean sailing, champagne, views of the islands bathed in sunset
- Best Time to Go: Arrive 30 minutes before boarding; plan around golden hour
- Cost: $85–$150 per person, depending on boat and inclusions
- Tip: Bring a light wrap and leave your shoes behind—you won’t need them
Sharing a story under the stars at a Hawaiian luau
A Hawaiian luau is more than a meal—it’s a gathering, a memory, a ceremony in moonlight. We arrived at Paradise Cove Luau just as the sky turned dusky blue, and the scent of plumeria and roasted pork drifted on the breeze. I slipped a flower behind my ear and looked over at him—tanned, smiling, holding two mai tais—and thought, “This is what celebration looks like when it feels earned.”
We watched traditional crafts, listened to conch shells and drums, and took part in the ceremonial unearthing of the kalua pig. The show was mesmerizing—swaying hula, fire dancers, chants that rolled like waves. And through it all, we sat close, sharing plates and glances and the feeling of being exactly where we were supposed to be.
After the final performance, we lingered beneath the palms, our toes in the sand, hearts full. No rush. No noise. Just the hum of music still echoing in our bones.
Where We Stayed: Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, just steps from the luau grounds. Romantic, refined, and designed for late-night balcony conversations under the stars.
Hawaiian Luau At a Glance
- Location: Paradise Cove, Old Lahaina Luau, Smith’s Family Luau, and others across islands
- Vibe: Celebratory, soulful, deeply cultural
- Highlights: Traditional hula, live music, fire dancing, local dishes
- Best Time to Go: Reserve well in advance—sunset spots go fast
- Cost: $125–$200 per person, includes buffet and entertainment
- Tip: Arrive early to enjoy the pre-show activities—and don’t be afraid to dance
Closing Thoughts
Hawaii doesn’t just set the stage for romance—it lives in it. From floating beside dolphins to dancing under firelit skies, every experience was steeped in connection—not just with each other, but with the land, the ocean, the rhythm of the islands. What we found wasn’t a list of attractions, but a mosaic of moments: soft, wild, sun-drenched, and soul-deep. And long after we left, Hawaii stayed with us—in the way we walked, the way we paused, and the way we held each other a little closer.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Swimming with the wild on a Wild Side Specialty Tour
- • Letting time drift away on Hawaii’s beaches
- • Falling in love with creativity at The ARTS at Marks Garage
- • Celebrating love and heritage at the Aloha Festivals
- • Drifting into golden hour on a Hawaiian sunset cruise
- • Sharing a story under the stars at a Hawaiian luau