It’s no secret that we LOVE our Hawaii elopements! Getting to share these islands we call home with couples looking to celebrate their love in a way that’s true to them has been a dream come true. As magical as an elopement in the tropical paradise of Hawaii is though, it’s understandably a bit of an undertaking when it comes to the planning. That’s why we offer full service elopement planning (which we’ll talk about later), as well as resources like this one to help couples plan their elopement! This article for instance is here to help with arguably the most challenging part of planning an elopement in Hawaii, choosing the location. As we’ll see it isn’t for lack of options. Here are 15 of our favorite places to elope in Hawaii!

15 of the Best Places to Elope in Hawaii

We’ll be taking a look at our favorite places to elope in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. There are of course a TON of other locations throughout the islands, both the ones on this list and those that aren’t. These are just our personal favorites, and if we listed all the locations found on each island we’d have an entire novel! Know that even if you don’t find a location on this list that speaks to you there’s still a good chance that you can find it on the islands. Some locations we like to keep to ourselves to recommend to our clients personally, so if you plan on booking with us we’d love to help you find the location that fits your exact vision!

Oahu

Makapuʻu Lookout and Beach

First on our list is the wonderful Makapuʻu Lookout which is on the east side of the island. Makapuʻu is first up on this list because it is easily one of our favorite locations throughout all of Hawaii for an elopement. The stunning cliffs provide views of the ocean and island coast that feel out of this world. With a phenomenal beach making up part of the park as well, it is an all around great space for an elopement. Check out Stephanie and Gilbert’s elopement for a closer look!

Waimanalo Beach

Just up the shore from Makapuʻu is another one of my favorite locations for a beachside elopement on Oahu, Waimanalo Beach! If you’ve read any of my past articles about how to elope in Hawaii then you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of sunrise elopements. They can be, and usually are, just as beautiful as sunsets here, but they come with the added bonus of being MUCH less popular. Waimanalo Beach is one of those spots that greatly benefits from this, as sunrises here are serene, gorgeous, and incredibly private! While not an elopement or a sunrise session, check out Victoria and Byron’s engagement to see more of this wonderful space.

Kualoa Regional Park

Further up the shore on the northeast side of the island is Kualoa Regional Park, the next spot on my list. This spot has it all, lovely beaches, gorgeous views of the ocean, and my favorite part, the incredible mountains of Kualoa Ranch. These stunning peaks are iconic pieces of Hawaii, which you’ll likely recognize either from my blog or from movies like Jurassic Park. This is easily one of the most distinctly beautiful locations to elope in Hawaii, and it’s hard to find a reason not to choose the space for your celebration!

Pounders Beach

Even further up on the north shores of Oahu is Pounders Beach, the next stop on my list! Pounders is another location that I especially adore for a sunrise elopement, though it really is beautiful any hour of the day. It’s an incredibly picturesque beach with some of the best views of Oahu’s coast that easily earn it a spot on my list.

Kaʻena Point

On the very west most point of Oahu is Kaʻena Point. This small, rocky point stretches out into the ocean to provide some truly unbelievable views for an elopement. It’s one of the locations where I actually recommend a sunset elopement over sunrise as they are just SO beautiful here. It’s the perfect mix of mountain views, the wide open ocean, and a remote setting that will leave you breathless.

Ko Olina

Finally on the southwestern side of the island is the Ko Olina area, another favorite of mine for those looking to elope here in Hawaii! Ko Olina features some of the best beaches and resorts you can find throughout the islands. This is an ideal option for couples looking to elope at a wonderful location that is practically outside the front door of your resort. It’s perfect for both sunrise and sunset elopements as well, making it an all around fantastic choice!

Maui 

Honolua Forest

One of the coolest spots in all of Hawaii to elope, the Honolua Forest offers an experience unlike anything we’ve seen so far. Known as the Honolua Bay Access Trail, this forest that’s covered in moss sets the scene for a magical elopement. This forest is one of the most distinct in all of Hawaii, and is perfect for an elopement experience that feels completely secluded from the outside world. Check out Cait and Will’s elopement as they spent part of their day in this one of a kind forest found on the north side of Maui!

Ironwoods Beach and Cliffs

Also on the north shore of Maui, and part of Cait and Will’s elopement, is the gorgeous Ironwoods Beach and Cliffs. This is one of my favorite spots for sunsets on the island, and features some of the most scenic cliffs on the island. The cliffs aren’t the only draw though, as there’s also a scenic beach and even some wonderful tidepools to enjoy. Yet another unique setting on the island of Maui, but we’re not done yet!

White Rock Beach

On the southwestern shore of the island is White Rock Beach, also known as Palauea Beach. This pristine beach is one of the less popular on the island, which makes it ideal for sunrise and sunset elopements alike. The beach itself is wonderful, and the views of the islands Lanai and Kaho‘olawe make it all the more appealing as an elopement location!

Po‘olenalena Beach

The beach just south of White Rock Beach is Po‘olenalena Beach, which happens to be another one of my favorites! This beach shares many of the same draws as White Rock, though it is considerably larger giving you much more space and a variety of backdrops to work with during your elopement!

Mākena Cove

Lastly for Maui we have Mākena Cove, a small beach on the southern coast of the island. This is one of the most romantic places on the island, and as such is pretty popular for sunset. While it is definitely doable to have a sunset elopement here, I strongly encourage a sunrise one instead as you’ll be able to get the space more or less all to yourselves to enjoy! 

For more tips on how to plan an elopement in Maui check out these 8 things to know, as well as my complete guide!

Kauai 

Shipwreck Beach

While no longer featuring the shipwreck that the beach is named after, Shipwreck Beach is still one of my favorite spots on Kauai for an elopement. A stunning white sand beach stretches out along the south shore of the island, leading to an enormous cliff that is also a key part of the space. This is another spot of mine that I LOVE for sunset elopement over sunrise, though it can get pretty busy here so be prepared for that!

Tunnels Beach

On the north shore of Kauai is Tunnels Beach, and this spot has some of THE best views of the mountains of Kauai. On the beaches west end you can see the towering lush green mountains in the distance, and it is legitimately breathtaking. It’s a wonderful beach on its own as well, and is wonderful for sunset and sunrise elopements alike.

Hanalei Bay

Also on the north shore is Hanalei Bay, a location that I’ve loved for documenting elopements, honeymoon sessions, engagements, and more! This is one of the busier beaches on the island, so I strongly encourage a sunrise session if you’re looking for additional privacy. Sunsets here are strikingly beautiful as well, so the choice is up to you! It’s a wonderful beach with views of Kauai’s lush greenery and the ocean all coming together in pristine beauty.

Waimea Canyon

For some I might have saved the best for last, and that’s because we get to look at Waimea Canyon! If beaches, cliffsides, and even remote forests aren’t your thing, maybe these jaw dropping canyons will do the trick! Found on the western side of Kauai, this is a truly remarkable place on Kauai that you have to see to believe. Check out this elopement to see this one of a kind location in detail!

Deciding Where to Elope

As you can see now, there are a TON of options throughout the islands of Hawaii that are perfect to elope at. It’s one of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make! Knowing this, it’s important that you and your partner discuss what you want your elopement to FEEL like. Don’t choose a beach simply because you feel like you should, find the look and feel that you and your partner both actually want for your day. I recently put out an article about some of my favorite non-traditional style elopements in Hawaii as well to give you further inspiration as to what’s all possible here on the islands!

Deciding Where to Stay

Another thing couples have to consider when planning to elope in Hawaii is choosing where to stay while they’re here. Luckily this is another area where Hawaii spoils couples with amazing options. There are some phenomenal resorts to choose from throughout the islands, which I recommend you check out this article as it covers 12 of our favorites. I also encourage you to choose a resort that is relatively close to your elopement location so that you can minimize travel time and maximize your enjoyment while here in Hawaii!

Further Planning and All-Inclusive Elopements

There is still a TON more planning that goes into an elopement here in Hawaii. Deciding when to elope, what else to include into your day, who will be there, travel arrangements, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone take all that planning off your plate? Here at Olson Productions we offer All-Inclusive Elopement packages where we plan all the details of your celebration here in Hawaii. Let us take care of all the planning and prep so that you can enjoy yourselves to the fullest while you’re here! Read more about our elopement packages here to see if it’s right for you, and if you’re ready to book with us be sure to send us an inquiry today!