If you’re a free bird who loves exploring the outdoors, you deserve an adventurous honeymoon destination in nature to kick off your married life in style. The best part? There’s no shortage of honeymoon destinations for nature lovers filled with mountains, rolling hills, and extensive white sand beaches to lush vegetation.
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Is the Great Outdoors a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
The outdoors is an excellent honeymoon destination for nature lovers. The serene environment away from the busy streets is a bonus to your romantic getaway. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to sightseeing breathtaking natural features.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Nature?
- Game drives: On an African safari, ensure you indulge in game drives, especially in Kenya, Botswana, or South Africa.
- Watersports: Some nature destinations like Maui, Raja Ampat, and African safaris feature stunning beaches and coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Hiking: Nature destinations offer scenic hiking trails, such as Peru’s Inca Machu Picchu trail.
- Sightseeing: Sightseeing in National Parks such as Haleakala Crater in Maui or the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
- Biking: Biking trails include the Haleakala trail.
- Hot air balloon rides: This is common in African safaris.
- Kayaking and Ziplining: Alaska has the best of both nature and adventure, not the forget—the northern lights.
Is a Honeymoon in Nature Expensive?
The cost of a honeymoon in nature depends on your preferred destination and the activities you indulge in. You may spend between $5000 to $17000 as a couple for a 7-day honeymoon.
How To Plan a Budget Honeymoon in Nature
- Indulge in free activities such as hiking, walking, and lounging on public beaches.
- Choose a close-to-home destination such as Patagonia Sedona, Maui, and Alaska to cut flight costs.
- Stay in less touristy towns and choose affordable Airbnb instead of luxury hotels.
- Plan early to get deals and maximize honeymoon packages.
- Visit during shoulder season to enjoy better deals on flights and accommodation.
- Save on food by eating from local cafeterias and making some meals.
7 Best Honeymoon Destinations for Nature Lovers
Patagonia
Located between Chile and Argentina, this is one of the most scenic grasslands. In addition to snow-capped mountains, you’ll enjoy scenic grasslands as you explore this vast gem on foot.
Other natural wonders in Patagonia include icy-blue glaciers and milky-turquoise lakes.
Visit Torres del Paine National Park to spot wildlife like pumas. You can also hike to experience the most beautiful landscape views. The most scenic Perito Moreno glacier to click perfect honeymoon pictures.
Enjoy world-class whitewater rafting in Chile’s mountains and Futaleufu region rivers.
Where to stay: Torees del Paine, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia
When to visit: The best season is between September and March since the weather is warm and dry, perfect for the outdoors.
How to arrive: There are no direct flights. However, layover flights include flying to Santiago or Buenos Aires and taking a connecting flight to Patagonia.
Raja Ampat Islands
If underwater nature is your kind of thing, the Raja Ampat archipelago is the best honeymoon destination for you and your new spouse.
Located in the Papua province of Indonesia, this enchanting archipelago comprises over 1500 islands. But only four of them are inhabited, including Waigeo, Misool, Batanta, and Salawati.
The extensive coral reefs of Kabui Passage, Arborek, and Yenbuba offer a world-class snorkeling experience. Scuba diving with the manta rays, gray reef sharks, and bluefin jacks is worthwhile. Kayaking along the magnificent coastline is a great add-on.
Tour the villages to indulge with the friendly locals dancing and enjoy the local cuisine. Explore the uninhabited islands such as Piyanemo.
Where to stay: Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, Misool
When to visit: October to April when there’s the best weather and plenty of manta rays.
How to arrive: Take a flight to Eastern cities such as Doha, Dubai, Tokyo, or Seol, where you’ll connect to Jakarta, Indonesia. From Jakarta, catch a flight to Sorong, from where you can take a flight to Waisai (Raja Ampat’s capital district) or a ferry through the port.
Galapagos
This fascinating archipelago is located off the Ecuadorian coast in the pacific ocean. A UNESCO world heritage site, it’s the best place to see some unique fauna and flora, including land iguanas, giant tortoises, penguins, and many endemic trees.
Watersports, snorkeling, diving, swimming, and lounging on the white sand beaches at Tortuga Bay are quite popular. Visit the Negra volcano for hiking and trekking.
Add sightseeing at Rancho Primicias and viewing the giant tortoises to your itinerary. Visiting La Loberia to see the sea lions, wild iguanas, and lava lizards is also a great part of your wildlife nature honeymoon.
Where to stay: Santa cruz, Floreana, San Cristobal
When to visit: June through December, when the weather’s cool and dry, best for the outdoors.
How to arrive: Catch a flight to Ecuador and proceed to Quito or Guayaquil in Galapagos.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco is a paradise for nature lovers with its hiking trails and adrenaline-filled nature tours. This bucket list destination is a must-visit for nature lovers.
Want to add some adventure to the trip? ATV nature tours in the south valley are your thing. Hike the Inca to Machu Picchu trail or take a train to the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins to explore the squares, fountains, and monuments.
Have a day in a spiritual wellness and relaxation spa for couples massages and facial treatments. Horseback riding along the Cusco Pisac road and enjoy panoramic views of the town and local farms.
Where to stay: San Blas, Plaza de Armas, Historical Center
When to visit: April to November, when the weather is warm and dry for the outdoors.
How to arrive: Catch a flight to Lima in Peru and proceed to Cusco by train (55 minutes) or a short flight.
African Safari
An African safari is the best option if you’re thinking of something exotic and magical. And the best thing is you have many options, including the Masai Mara in Kenya, Kruger national park in South Africa, or Chobe National Park/Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Game drive to see the big five (Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard, and Buffalo). Bird watching and canoeing in the Okavango Delta is a super fun activity.
Walk safaris with the swan people of Botswana or the Maasai in Kenya hand in hand. Wining and dining on exquisite cuisine in the bush are also well worth it.
Where to stay: Safari lodges, luxury resorts
When to visit: June to October for the best weather and the best time for wildlife viewing.
How to arrive: Get direct flights to Kenya or Johannesburg (South Africa) and proceed to Botswana.
Alaska
There’s no better close-to-home honeymoon destination in nature than Alaska. Located Northwest of Canada, this rugged and unspoiled state is perfect for outdoor lovers with its intimate sights like forests, rivers, mountains, and wildlife.
Explore picturesque Denali national park for wildlife such as wolves, bears, moose, and birds. It also has glacial rivers. Birdwatching (over 150 bird species), rafting, and hiking tours are great options.
Don’t miss the magical views of Denali Mountain. Visit Talkeetna near Denali Mountain for ziplining, boating, and strolling the charmingly beautiful streets. Experience natural wonders by exploring glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park.
Where to stay: Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Anchorage
When to visit: Summer months (May to September) have the best weather for hikes, walks, and sightseeing.
How to arrive: Fly to any of the three airports in Alaska.
Maui
Maui is one of the lush islands in Hawaii, with a blend of beautiful beaches and picture-perfect landscapes. This is one of those places you go whale watching in the morning and explore crater mountains in the afternoon for that perfect honeymoon.
Water sports are fantastic on beaches here. Visit the Haleakala National and hike the scenic Haleakala Crater trail (the highest place in Hawaii) for those picture-perfect sunrises. The trail is also excellent for biking.
Enjoy spectacular views on a road trip on the Hana highway through lush rainforests, waterfalls (twin falls), and golden sandy beaches. Hike the Pipiwai trail through the forest and bamboo jungle all the way to Waimoku Falls.
Head to Lahaina and see the famous banyan tree (the largest in the united states)
Where to stay: Lahaina, Napili, Kihei
When to visit: May, June, September, and October to enjoy fewer crowds and the best weather.
How to arrive: Catch a direct flight to Maui or fly into Honolulu and take a short flight to Maui.
What Types of Accommodations Are Available in Honeymoon Destinations for Nature Lovers?
These destinations offer various accommodation types—luxury lodges, beach resorts, and luxury hotels.
Some of the more unique types include cottages, romantic yurts, treehouses, hidden cabins, chalets, and tented camps, especially in national parks.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in Nature
Pack beach essentials, protective clothing (long sleeve shirts and pants), and comfortable shoes. Hiking gear, binoculars, sunglasses, and bug spray are good additions too. Other stuff depends on the weather and the destination you choose.
How to Stay Safe On an Outdoors Honeymoon
- Avoid restricted areas, including beaches and trails.
- Don’t get too close to the animals.
- Avoid deep waters if you don’t know how to swim.
- Don’t go too far off hiking and walking trails.
- Don’t roam outdoors at night, especially where there are animals.
- Avoid self-guided tours where there’s wildlife.
- Always carry your first aid kit.
- Don’t go hiking in the rain, especially in sloppy areas.
- Always follow the guide’s lead when sightseeing.