After all the planning for your big day, getting your honeymoon right can come with a lot of pressure. It’s your first big trip after saying ‘I do’, so you’ll want your honeymoon to be all about creating memories that will last you a lifetime.
If you’re researching tropical locations for a honeymoon, then – as the name suggests – you’ll be looking in the tropics. But where are they exactly? According to the National Geographic Society the tropics are regions of the earth that lie roughly in the middle of the globe between the latitude lines of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The tropics include the Equator and parts of North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia – so somewhere hot and sunny.
To decide on the best tropical honeymoon destinations as a couple you’ll need to decide on your likes and dislikes, your bucket list activities, your similarities and ultimately what you want from your honeymoon. Are you looking for a cultural hit, a splash of adventure or pure barefoot beach bliss?
From infinity pools and overwater villas to personal butlers and intimate dinners on private beaches, we take a look at some of the top tropical honeymoon destinations
FIJI
With more than 330 islands in its archipelago, it’s no surprise that Fiji has become synonymous with tropical honeymoon destinations. Fiji boasts stretches of white-sand beaches, remote and intimate five-star resorts and the world-renowned warmth of Fijian hospitality, all of which make it a favorite spot for sun-soaked tropical escapes.
From intimate picnics on private beaches to candle-lit dinners on a floating pontoon, a tropical honeymoon in Fiji will see couples showered in luxury. At this top tropical honeymoon destination you can indulge in romantic spa treatments for couples and Polynesian-style massages. At the intimate, 500-acre Turtle Island Fiji, the spa overlooks the famous Blue Lagoon, the location of the 1980s Hollywood film starring Brooke Shields.
Turtle Island Fiji is also home to sea turtles – as its name might suggest – including green, hawksbill and leatherback and the stunning Honeymoon Beach, which is an obvious favorite with newlyweds. A picture-perfect arc of white sand, rocky headlands and lots of privacy, it’s easy to see why couples think Turtle Island is one of the best tropical honeymoon destinations.
And after all that wedding preparation, who doesn’t need to be taken care of? Upon arrival at Turtle Island Fiji, guests are met with hugs from the friendly Fijian team and they’re assigned their very own Bure Mama. Imagine having a dedicated, personal concierge to fulfil your every desire? She’ll book spa treatments for you, organize activities and help you decide where you want to go for dinner – at a nearby cliff point or at the end of a jetty?
THE MALDIVES
With more than a thousand coral islands, dolphin safaris and desert-island picnics, it’s easy to see why the Maldives is a hit with honeymoon couples.
Newlyweds can look forward to the exclusive villas and suites with private butlers, romantic plunge pools and tailor-made spa treatments. They can also enjoy a full moon dinner, where the moon illuminates the sand below and reflects back onto the shimmering water.
For cultural immersion activities, couples will love Sri Lanka’s tea plantation tours over the rolling hills and leopard safaris in Yala National Park.
Head to the Maldives in October and you’ll be able to spot whale sharks and manta rays, which makes for a fun excursion.
SEYCHELLES
Known as ‘the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’ for its cascading waterfalls and secluded natural pools, a honeymoon in the Seychelles strikes the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
The Seychelles has to be one of the top tropical honeymoon destinations with 115 islands dotted across the Indian Ocean, 500 miles from Madagascar and 900 miles from Africa’s mainland.
Here you can enjoy private yoga classes, jungle hikes and private beach dinners as well as scuba diving lessons and helicopter trips. Head to Port Launay Waterfalls, Grand Anse Mahe Waterfalls and Vallee de Mai Waterfalls to experience the top three cascading waterfalls in the Seychelles.
Couples will enjoy guided walks to the highest point of La Digue and the views over miles of glistening water, as well as refreshing soaks in secluded lagoons.
The largest island is Mahé which is known for its white-sand beaches and granite peaks including the Morne Seychellois. The most famous beach in Seychelles is Anse Lazio, on Praslin Island, where its turquoise water, palm trees and imposing boulder formations will be a hard-to-beat backdrop for photos. Praslin Island is also home to the UNESCO-listed Vallee de Mai nature reserve.
Honeymoon couples who love their wildlife will also appreciate the huge variety to be found in the Seychelles, including endangered black parrots and blue pigeons – also known as the Seychelles blue fruit dove – and wild tortoises on the remote Aldabra Atoll.
FRENCH POLYNESIA
If there’s one destination that’s perfected the art of romance, it’s French Polynesia and her 118 islands. With beautiful blue lagoons and silky beaches, there’s plenty of space for honeymoon couples to enjoy a bit of privacy.
Couples can while away their honeymoon hours snorkeling with manta rays, finding beautiful black pearls and relaxing in hill-top spas. Don’t just stay in one spot when you can island hop between the top tropical honeymoon destinations of Bora Bora, Raiatea and Moorea and spend the night in some of the region’s most exclusive properties. There are also Michelin-starred restaurants where you can treat yourself with local lobster, fresh fish and wine.
THE CARIBBEAN
When it comes to tropical honeymoon destinations, the Caribbean is undoubtedly a top scorer. With its pale-blue sea, shell-pink sand and angelfish swimming around your toes it’s easy to see why honeymoon couples are drawn towards the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is peppered with unspoilt, private islands that offer honeymooners a luxury escape. For top tropical honeymoon destinations, choose from coral cays in Belize, castaway bays in Barbados and all-inclusive resorts in Turks and Caicos.
You’ll be able to sink into plunge pools, snorkel your way around secluded bays and enjoy sumptuous, fresh cuisine – think fresh lobster, Callaloo and ackee and saltfish. Choose from private yacht charters, snorkelling and diving and plenty of opportunities for Reggae music and rum.
INDONESIA
It’s romantic, remote and home to an innumerable number of islands – all of which make Indonesia a top contender for the best tropical honeymoon destinations.
Indonesia and its archipelago of 18,000 islands are home to coral reefs and pristine beaches as well as jungle-clad temples, orangutans and leopards. From Bali to Sumba you can go scuba diving among sunken Buddha statues, explore emerald-green rice paddies on cycling tours and relax for the night at beach villas. You’ll also enjoy the freshly-caught seafood, delicious Indonesian cuisine and the shot of adrenaline you’ll get after your volcano hikes and white-water rafting.
You can island hop from the orangutan-inhabited rainforests of Indonesian Borneo to the quieter side of Bali. On Java, Borobudur shows off the temples of Indonesia and at some point during your honeymoon cruise the rarely-seen Raja Ampat islands or Komodo National Park in search of the dragons.
Some of Indonesia’s beaches – particularly on Lombok – are some of the best there are, with Kuta and Banko also popular with surfers. There are also the car-free Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno) off Lombok’s west coast that offer honeymooners a slice of paradise with stunning beaches, reefs for diving and snorkeling and a sea turtle hatchery.
MAURITIUS
Sitting pretty in the Indian Ocean and due east of Madagascar, Mauritius is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs – so a top tropical honeymoon destination for honeymoon couples who want to soak up the sun and cool off in the sea.
As well as fabulous beaches and romantic sunsets, there are plenty of activities for honeymooners to enjoy in Mauritius. The mountainous interior of Mauritius is famous for rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife, like the flying fox.
Adventure seekers will love the hike to the Tamarind Falls – one of the most beautiful canyons on the island – or the chance to bathe in the sacred lake of Ganga Talao, also known as Grand Bassin, which is nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano.
In the capital of Port Louis, there are interesting sites to visit including the Champs de Mars horse track, the stately Creole mansion of Eureka plantation house and the 18th century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical gardens.
EXPLORE TURTLE ISLAND FIJI
If you’re looking for one of the best tropical honeymoon destinations around, you’ll want to take a closer look at Turtle Island Fiji. After your wedding, this tiny island will be just the tonic you need in order to relax and reflect on the memories of your big day. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and plenty of ‘bulas’ from the friendly team of Fijian staff and with just 14 private bures – traditional Fijian villas – you’ll feel as if you’ve got the island to yourselves.
Soak up the sun on one of the island’s 12 private white-sand beaches, snorkel the shore-based reef or enjoy romantic dinners on your own jetty. What are you waiting for? Get in touch today to start making memories.
