What to Do After Your Big Island Elopement: Celebrating, Dining, and Honeymooning on the Island

One of the best things about eloping on the Big Island is that your honeymoon starts the moment the ceremony ends. There is no reception to host, no timeline to follow, and no obligations pulling you in different directions. You are already in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the rest of the trip is yours to enjoy however you want.

We hear from couples all the time asking what to do after their ceremony, so here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate, eat, and explore the island once you have said your vows.

Celebrate With a Post-Ceremony Meal

After your ceremony and photos wrap up, you are going to be hungry and happy. One advantage of keeping your Big Island elopement cost contained in an all-inclusive package is that it frees up your budget for experiences like a sunset dinner on the waterfront. The Kona coast has a range of dining options that work well for a post-elopement celebration, from laid-back oceanfront spots to more upscale restaurants.

Huggo's in Kailua-Kona is built right on the waterfront, with an open-air lanai that sits just above the waves. It is a popular spot for fresh seafood and sunset dining, and it is close to several of our ceremony beaches. Jackie Rey's, also in Kailua-Kona, is a local favorite for seafood and steaks in a relaxed atmosphere, and they accept reservations. For couples staying along the Kohala Coast, CanoeHouse at the Mauna Lani resort is an oceanside restaurant known for locally sourced ingredients and a romantic setting.

If you are looking for something more casual after a morning or midday ceremony, Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill in Kailua-Kona serves excellent poke bowls and fresh catch. Kona Brewing Co. is another relaxed option with local craft beer and a laid-back patio.

We recommend making a dinner reservation before your trip, especially during peak season (October through April). Popular restaurants along the Kona and Kohala coasts fill up quickly.

Explore the Kona Coast

The west side of the Big Island, where most of our ceremonies take place, has plenty to fill the days surrounding your elopement.

Kealakekua Bay is one of the top snorkeling and kayaking spots on the island. The bay is a marine life conservation district with clear water, coral reefs, and a high chance of seeing tropical fish and spinner dolphins. Several local tour operators run morning snorkel cruises from the Kona coast.

The manta ray night snorkel off the Kona coast is one of the Big Island's most well-known experiences. Local tour companies take small groups out by boat after sunset to float above the water with lights that attract plankton, which in turn draws in giant manta rays. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a memorable way to spend an evening during your trip.

The Kona coffee belt runs along the slopes above Kailua-Kona, and many farms welcome visitors for tours and tastings. It is a relaxed way to spend a morning, learn about how Kona coffee is grown and processed, and bring home a bag or two as a souvenir.

Drive the Island

Couples who book a Big Island Adventure Elopement at a black sand beach or waterfall location are often already on the east side of the island, making a full island day trip an easy add-on. The Big Island is large enough that a full-island drive takes most of a day, and the variety of scenery along the way is hard to believe. From the dry lava fields of the Kona coast to the lush rainforests of the Hamakua Coast, and from the green pastures of Waimea to the volcanic landscapes around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you can experience nearly a dozen different climate zones without leaving the island.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the southeast side of the island is home to Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The park has drive-through crater overlooks, hiking trails through lava tubes, and, depending on volcanic activity, the chance to see active eruptions. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions before your visit.

The Hamakua Coast along the island's northeast side is known for dramatic sea cliffs, waterfalls, and the Waipio Valley overlook. The drive from Kona to Hilo along this route takes about two hours and passes through some of the greenest scenery on the island.

Wind Down on the Beach

Sometimes the best post-elopement plan is no plan at all. The Big Island has beaches on every side, and spending a quiet afternoon on the sand after your wedding is a perfectly valid way to celebrate.

If your ceremony was on the Kona or Kohala coast, you are already near some of the island's best swimming and lounging beaches. Hapuna Beach on the Kohala Coast is one of the largest white sand beaches on the island and a favorite for swimming. Kuki'o Beach, where many of our ceremonies take place, is equally beautiful for spending the afternoon after your vows.

Make It Your Own

There is no right way to spend the days after your elopement. Some couples book every activity the island has to offer. Others spend the entire trip on the beach with a book. The Big Island is big enough to support either approach, and everything in between.

What we love about the Big Island elopement conversation is that couples often realize how much room it leaves in their budget for the honeymoon itself. When your ceremony, Big Island photographer, officiant, leis, permits, and filing are bundled into one package, the money you save compared to a mainland wedding can go directly toward experiences, dining, and exploring the island together.

Kona Wedding Officiant is the Big Island's top-rated team for elopements and destination weddings, and while our job ends after your ceremony and photos are delivered, we love knowing that our couples go on to explore this island we call home.