The Most Beautiful Islands for Your Honeymoon

This pink-sand paradise

is less than a three-hour flight from most East Coast cities. Fresh off hosting the 2017 America’s Cup for sailing, the island has been reinvigorated with new restaurants, hotels and marinas.

Location: About 650 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

When to go: Bermuda is in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean, so even the summer nights can get cool. September and October

are free of humidity, but the water still remains warm enough to swim.

Where to stay: A massive renovation of the Hamilton Princess has reimagined the legendary hotel, known as the Pink Palace, for modern times. The new look includes a chic beach club, an Exhale spa, a restaurant from chef Marcus Samuelsson and artwork from the likes of Banksy and Andy Warhol. 

What to do: Explore the island by scooter (visitors can’t rent cars). Get a glimpse

of Bermuda’s British past in the town of St. George, climb 185 steps to the top of

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, then head to Horseshoe Bay to unwind and catch the sunset.

Don’t miss: Bermuda’s ocean floor is the resting place for more than 300 shipwrecks. Dive Bermuda can accommodate both beginners and certified divers on underwater adventures. 

The sunniest island in Croatia, Hvar offers both buzzy beach parties and quiet coves. Often called the St. Tropez of the Dalmatian Coast, the island’s harbor is dotted with yachts, but there’s still historic charm to be found along the winding stone streets and

in family-run seafood restaurants.

Location: Situated between Brač, Vis and the Korčula Islands in the Adriatic Sea.

When to go: Skip July and August—ferries fill up and crowds cover the beaches. September and October are still warm enough for sunning and sailing and you won’t have to stress about dinner reservations. 

Where to stay: Little Green Bay is just three miles from Hvar Town, but it offers a calm escape from its party scene. Nestled

on a secluded bay, this restored farmhouse has just 15 rooms with rustic touches. A pebble beach has beanbags for lazing, and its private boat can whisk you away on an excursion. 

What to do: Take a short water taxi ride to Palmižana—a magical island surrounded by pine forests and aquamarine sea. Splurge on a cabana at Laganini, a boho-hip beach bar with delicious cocktails and an excellent seafood menu. 

Don’t miss: Walk up to the 16th-century Fortica Španjola at sunset to take in views

of the Adriatic Sea and the old town.

Cascading waterfalls, sacred valleys, lunarlike lava landscapes and a choice of black-, green- or white-sand beaches create

a tapestry of natural beauty, paired with rich cultural roots.

Location: The largest and most southeastern of the Hawaiian Islands, located in the north Pacific Ocean.

When to go: April to June and August to early November are the quieter months.

Where to stay: Set on the Kona-Kohala Coast, with a backdrop of white-sand beaches, the Four Seasons Hualalai is all about sense of place.

What to do: Snorkel with a spotted eagle ray in King’s Pond. This lava rock pool—one of seven pools at the Four Seasons—

is home to more than 4,000 colorful sea creatures.

Don’t miss: Take in the active Kilauea volcano from above on Paradise Helicopters’ Volcanoes & Waterfalls Extreme tour. 

In Maine, island time revolves around lobster rolls, beach cruiser rides and kicking back with craft brews. Plus, you get to start your honeymoon on

a boat—it’s the only way to reach Chebeague.

Location: The largest island in Casco Bay,

10 miles from Portland, Maine.

When to go: May can be chilly but is less

crowded than peak summer months, or catch New England’s fall foliage in September or October. 

Where to stay: Chebeague Island Inn

transports guests to simpler times. The 21 rooms

in this 1920s Greek Revival–style home are free of phones and TVs. Sunset cocktails on the front porch are a ritual. After dinner, get cozy around

the Great Room’s large stone fireplace, where you’ll find books and puzzles. 

What to do: Bike around the three-by-five-mile island. Stop to collect sea glass at Deer Point, and catch a sunset at the aptly named Sunset Beach.

Don’t miss: The inn’s restaurant is so fantastic that even residents of foodie hot spot Portland ferry over for a meal.

This teardrop-shaped island has been at the top of travel bucket lists thanks to its mix of spectacular beaches, monkey-filled jungles and ancient heritage. The south coast offers the perfect blend of beach, nature and culture and gives visitors insight into Sri Lanka’s past and present.

Location: Northeast of the Maldives, near India.

When to go: December through March is the driest time. June, July, October

and November can bring daily bursts of rain. 

Where to stay: The six stylish suites at KK Beach offer a refreshing (and affordable) alternative to

the many colonial-inspired stays on the south coast. The hotel is set on Habaraduwa, one of Sri Lanka’s prettiest beaches. Book a table

for its restaurant’s weekly seafood barbecue. 

What to do: Learn to prepare Sri Lankan street food, like a rice pancake stuffed with curry, during

a two-hour, hands-on

cooking class at Why House.

Don’t miss: Wander the markets of Galle and explore Galle Fort, a UNESCO

World Heritage Site. 

The South Pacific archipelago of Fiji has beaches that are better than private. Lovers looking for a romantic tryst have countless deserted islands they can head to for a day of canoodling under palm trees and skinny dipping in the turquoise seas.

Location: In the Center of the South Pacific,

1,300 miles northeast of New Zealand.

When to go: Shoulder season, May to October, has low rainfall, low humidity and lower prices. Avoid wet season: November to April. 

Where to stay Royal Davui Island Resort floats amid the crystalline waters (and diving wonderland) of the Beqa Lagoon. The adults-only property has just 16 thatched-roof villas, each with its own private plunge pool and sun deck for some intimate one-on-one time. 

What to do: You’ll spend most of your days in

the water, on the beach or island-hopping to local villages and secret surf spots.

Don’t miss: Get dropped off by boat on your own tidal islet with champagne and a picnic.

The Galápagos is a bucket list destination for a reason. Where else can you follow in the footsteps of Darwin and view blue-footed boobies? 

Location: In the center of the archipelago.

When to go: December

to June brings tropical temperatures that can

exceed 100 degrees. July to November offers cooler temps. You’ll need a wet suit, but this is the best time

to snorkel with penguins and see the tortoise migration.

Where to stay: Centrally located on Santa Cruz island, eco-conscious Pikaia Lodge

is perched atop extinct volcanic craters, with ocean views from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Take the lodge’s yacht out (with a captain) and explore other islands.

What to do: Have the lodge pack a picnic lunch and go bike the untouched shoreline of Garrapatero Beach.

Don’t miss: Visit the resort’s tortoise reserve. Grab a bottle of wine at sunset and watch the gentle giants.

The Spice Island’s palm-fringed, powdery sand make it the ideal place to decompress postsafari (and postwedding). Zanzibar’s endangered red colobus monkeys are a true wildlife highlight, while traditional Swahili villages and the UNESCO-listed Stone Town deliver a dose of interesting culture.

Location: Part of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean—about 25 miles from the mainland.

When to go: Visit during the cool, dry months of spring,

from June to October. Kitesurfing conditions are best from July

to September and December to February.

Where to stay: White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa epitomizes barefoot indulgence. Palatial villas are set on 16,000-square-foot, seafront plots with private pools. Paje Beach is at your doorstep, and a rooftop champagne bar has a telescope for stargazing. 

What to do: Steady sideshore winds and flat lagoon water make Paje Beach a world-class kitesurfing destination. Learn to fly with Zanzibar Kite Paradise. 

Don’t miss: Dine at the Rock, a seafood-centric restaurant named for its location in the Indian Ocean.

Just a four-hour flight from the East Coast, the Azores, an archipelago of volcanic island just west of Portugal, deliver the natural wonders of Hawaii, New Zealand and Ireland at a fraction of the price. São Miguel is the most accessible island. 

Location: The largest and most populous island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. 

When to go: Spring and summer are prime whale viewing months, while fall brings waves

for surfers. November to March remains warm but is often rainy.

Where to stay: Furnas Lake Villas, a family-run collection of Japanese cedar bungalows with Scandi furnishings, is a tranquil base for exploring São Miguel’s ethereal crater lakes, exotic botanical gardens and boiling hot springs. 

What to do: Spot breaching fin whales and striped dolphins on a whale-watching cruise

with eco-pioneer Futurismo. 

Don’t miss: At Furnas Lake Villas, guests can learn to prepare the island’s signature dish, cozido. The Portuguese stew is buried in the volcanic ground and left to cook for five hours.

Indulge in pasta alla Norma, sip a glass (or two) of crisp Sicilia Bianco, then hike up a volcano to work up an appetite for your next meal. There are also 600 miles of coastline to bask in and Greek and Roman ruins to explore.

Location: South of the Italian

peninsula.

When to go: Early fall temps are often

still warm enough for the beach. In September and October, the countryside

is ablaze in fall colors. 

Where to stay: Casa Talía feels like a

hidden gem tucked on a hillside overlooking the baroque town of Modica. The owners,

two Milanese architects, lovingly restored

a cluster of abandoned cottages into a

10-room B & B decorated with earthy touches like bamboo ceilings and terra-cotta tiles. 

What to do: Visit some of the island’s top wineries, such as COS and Planeta, to

discover the region’s distinctive Nero d’Avola and Frappato varietals.

Don’t miss: Set within an old palace, Michelin-starred Accursio Ristorante brilliantly updates Sicilian classics in its tasting menus. 

Editor’s Note: Our hearts go out to those affected by the 2017 hurricane season, especially the Caribbean islands, which you’ll notice are absent from our coverage as we give them time to rebuild. Please visit TheKnot.com/honeymoons for more information.