Best Places to Elope in Hawaii

THE BEST PLACES TO ELOPE ON MAUI, KAUAI, OAHU, AND THE BIG ISLAND

If you are hoping to elope in Hawaii, then I’m SO EXCITED for you! The islands of Hawaii have countless incredible locations for small destination weddings and intimate elopements.

Whether you’re looking for something

beachfront and remote,

adventurous and epic, 

mountaintop and intimate, 

there’s something for every bride in Hawaii!

As a destination wedding & elopement photographer, I’ve seen some of the best places to elope in Hawaii. I’m here to help you find ​your dream location to tie the knot!

Differences Between the Islands

First and foremost, you should know the differences between the islands. The most popular islands for weddings and elopements are Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island. Here’s a brief overview of each island;

• Maui is known as the adventure island with incredible hikes, the amazing Road to Hana, countless waterfalls and opportunities for exploring. Maui also has a few surf towns, resorts, great food and restaurants, and plenty to keep you busy.
• Kauai is known as the slower-paced, quieter island. Life here is a lot less busy, and the island is mostly residential so it feels less commercialized. Kauai is known for having the most lush, green landscapes of all the islands. Kauai also is home of the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
• The Big Island is (obviously) the largest of the islands and therefore has the most to offer as far as different landscapes, views, waterfalls, resorts, and beaches. 
• Finally, Oahu is the busiest island with the largest population. Oahu has the most city-life and night-life by far. However it also has countless beaches to choose from. Many movie films have been filmed here, including Jurassic Park and 50 First Dates, so you know the scenery is fantastic!

When you’re deciding which island to get married on, it comes down to what experience you and your partner (and potential guests) want to have.

If you want lots of diverse landscapes and adventures, consider Maui.

For something more intimate and relaxed, check out Kauai.

Or, if you prefer city life as well as natural beauty, consider Oahu.

​If you want a large island to spend lots of time exploring, consider the Big Island.

Now that you know the main differences between the islands, below are my favorite to get married on each Hawaiian island! 

Best Places to Elope in Maui, Hawaii

Maui offers incredible beaches, jungles, and volcanic views. Here are my top places to elope in Maui;

• Makena Cove is a gorgeous spot with lava rocks and teal waters. This beach doesn’t get too crowded, and it is the perfect spot for a quiet, intimate ceremony. Beach permit required.
• Palauea (a.k.a. White Rock) is great for a quieter elopement with a calm beach and clear waters (perfect if you want to snorkel after your vows!). Beach permit required.
• Haleakalā National Park is an extremely unique option. Haleakalā is a 10,000 foot tall volcano where visitors drive up every morning before dawn to watch the sunrise above the clouds (speaking from personal experience, it’s incredible!). But because of the fact that it is so high in elevation, the temperatures up there are very cold. Keep that in mind if you do consider it as an elopement location. You have to apply for a special permit to get married here, check out this website for more info.
• Iao Valley (pictured below) is a unique spot with lush green mountain views and a slow trickling waterfall. This is one of my favorite locations, for obvious reasons! Plus, it’s super easy to access. ​Must pay for parking.

Best Places to Elope in Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is amazing for intimate, relaxed weddings and elopements. Kauai also has some of my absolute favorite spots for ceremonies, here are a few of those:

• Hanalei Beach is an all-time favorite of mine. This sandy beach with bright blue water has an incredibly lush green mountain in the backdrop. There’s not many places you can get sand, waves, and mountains in the same view! Beach permit required.
• The Nā Pali coastline is another great option on Kauai. Nā Pali has massive green mountains and the Nā Pali hiking trail takes you all the way up through them. I’d recommend eloping either at the base of the mountains, for example at Ke’e Beach, or hiking a ways up the Nā Pali trail and eloping mountainside with incredible views.
• Waimea Canyon is an epic location for saying “I Do.” Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it is full of both red rocks and greenery, making it an incredibly unique place. This spot also has countless hikes, waterfalls, and several breathtaking locations overlooking the canyons to tie the knot. Waimea Canyon is sacred land and does require special permits for weddings.​

Best Places to Elope in Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu offers so many picture-perfect spots for elopements that it’s hard to just pick a few! If I had to narrow it down, these would be my favorites;

• Waimanalo Bay is a quiet beach with soft white sands and endless tide pools. This is a great spot for an intimate elopement with views of cliffs and Chinaman’s Hat island in the background. Beach permit required.
• Waimea Bay is a popular spot for locals to surf, picnic, and hangout on the weekends. It’s a stunning beach perfect for elopements, but it’s best on a weekday when it’s slightly less busy.
• Halona Beach Cove is truthfully one of my all time favorites. This hidden gem is a lesser known spot, and if you’re lucky you might truly have the place to yourselves. Park at the Halona Blowhole viewing area and hike down a short path to this hidden oasis, perfect for an intimate elopement.
• Makapu’u Lookout and Lighthouse Trail offers incredible views! If you aren’t too afraid of heights and you’re looking for something totally epic, definitely consider this location for your elopement.
• Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is a great spot if you don’t need the ocean and you just want an incredibly lush, jungle and mountain views. A permit is required.

Best Places to Elope on the Big Island, Hawaii

Due to how big this island really is, there are several spots here where you can sneak away from the crowds and find a truly intimate, private place so say “I Do”;

• Captain Cook Bay is a great location for adventurous couples with amazing sunsets, rocky beaches, and mountains in the background. You might even spot a pod of dolphins while you’re exchanging your vows!
• Puako is a place where you definitely won’t be bothered by onlookers. This remote beach is a bit trickier to get to, but wonderful for quiet elopements. 
• Pine Tree Beach has black lava rocks, sandy beach, and pine trees. It’s a little harder to find a quiet, intimate spot here due to how busy it gets, but it’s still a great option. Beach permit required.

Receptions & Accommodations

If you will be inviting guests to your elopement but you do not want to rent out an entire wedding venue, I highly recommend reserving an AirBnB. You can rent our a larger AirBnB and set up your own dinner reception there! This is a great, affordable way to continue the celebration after the ceremony. 

Permits to Elope in Hawaii

As I mentioned, many of these beaches and public locations on the islands require permits for weddings and elopements. Permits are fairly easy to obtain, just contact the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and inquire. Here is a link with more information on permits for Hawaii state property, and here is a link to the DNLR’s website so you can contact them directly for more information

Hawaii Marriage Laws

Applying for a marriage license in Hawaii is also fairly easy. Go to this website to learn more about the marriage laws and apply for your marriage license. 

​To legally get married in Hawaii, you also need an official ‘marriage performer’ that is approved by the state. To search for marriage performers by area, check out this website.

​Finally, just remember that you can always get a marriage license in your home state/city and complete it either before you leave for your Hawaiian elopement or after you return back home! 

I hope this article was so helpful for you! If you want more specific recommendations for your own Hawaii elopement, feel free to reach out! I’d love to help you plan the perfect day!