16 Wildly Unique Honeymoon Destinations That Take ‘Exotic’ to the Next Level
If you’re not one to walk the cobblestones of Paris or lounge over overwater bungalows and infinity pools, these unique honeymoon destinations take the idea of “exotic” somewhere more unexpected for the adventurous
You may have to travel further and you may not be finding 5 star resorts, but you will find adventure and experiences you couldn’t recreate anywhere else. If you want your honeymoon to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure instead of a polished postcard, these 16 places raise the bar.
1. Madagascar
More species live in Madagascar than almost anywhere else on Earth, and many exist nowhere else. You can track lemurs through rainforest trails, climb limestone spires in Tsingy de Bemaraha, and explore offshore islands by traditional pirogue. The Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset feels like something out of a surrealist dream.
Off-the-grid luxury lodges now exist near Nosy Be and on the mainland, making it possible to pair adventure with comfort. Snorkeling, rainforest hikes, and remote beaches are all on the daily agenda.
2. Oman
Oman is desert meets mountains meets coast, and you can sleep in all three in one week. Start in Muscat with its quiet beaches and bold mosques, then head into the Hajar Mountains for ridge hikes and ancient villages carved into stone. After that, it’s into the Wahiba Sands where you ride camels, dune bash in 4x4s, and stargaze from under canvas tents in the desert silence. Off the coast, there’s snorkeling around Daymaniyat Islands with turtles and reef sharks.
3. Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands look like a place invented for a fantasy film. You’ll hike cliffside trails with views straight down into the Atlantic, drive winding roads that vanish into fog, and cross bridges to islands that barely seem inhabited.
The waterfalls pour right into the sea. Kayaking the fjords? Definitely an option. And if you time it right, you might even catch puffin season. It’s cold, yes, but also wildly cozy if you stay in turf-roofed cabins and take long soaks after your treks.
4. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Located in a remote corner of West Papua, Raja Ampat is home to the most biodiverse marine life on the planet. If snorkeling next to fluorescent coral gardens sounds like your thing, this is it.
Overwater bungalows here don’t come with crowds and do come with private reefs. Most lodges are run sustainably with local partnerships, so your money supports preservation. If you want adventure underwater and off-grid privacy above it, this is it.
5. Patagonia, Chile/Argentina
Patagonia is where honeymoon meets epic. If you’d rather hike a glacier than sip a poolside cocktail (or maybe do both), this is the spot. Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Park offer views that stop you mid-step with blue ice, granite spires, endless sky.
Eco-lodges tucked into the wilderness give you fireside wine after long days exploring. The landscapes flip constantly from pampas to jagged peaks to turquoise lakes.
6. Socotra, Yemen
Socotra barely feels real with dragon blood trees, Martian landscapes, beaches with no one else on them. Socotra is almost entirely untouched by tourism. The few tours that operate here are tightly regulated, so you’ll feel like you’ve got the island to yourself.
This isn’t the place for infinity pools and spa menus, but for couples who want to camp on beaches with nothing but the sound of the surf and goat bells in the distance. Hikes lead you to swimming holes tucked into canyon walls and cliffs where you’ll feel like the last people alive.
7. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Want to honeymoon with sea lions and blue-footed boobies? The Galápagos makes it possible, and way more fun than it sounds on paper. These islands are a living biology textbook, but way more romantic than eighth-grade science ever was.
Cruises or island lodges give you access to protected nature with enough downtime for beach lounging. Most days involve some combo of snorkeling, wildlife sightings, and sunset wine with zero Wi-Fi. It’s ideal for couples who geek out together on nature.
8. Palau
Palau’s Rock Islands feel like floating jungle mountains, and the diving here is top-tier. Jellyfish Lake is still one of the weirdest, coolest places to swim (don’t worry, these jellyfish don’t sting). Adventure options go from scuba to paddleboarding to WWII wreck snorkeling.
The island’s isolation keeps it pristine, but you still get the pampering you’d want on a honeymoon.
9. Komodo Islands, Indonesia
Yes, the Komodo dragons are real, and yes, you’ll probably see them. But this chain of islands has way more to offer than its famous reptiles. Pink sand beaches, surreal dive sites, and quiet coves all make it feel wildly romantic without the heavy price tag of other “exotic” islands.
You’ll likely stay on a liveaboard boat, making each sunrise and sunset part of your room view. Hikes are short but steep and the payoffs are massive. It’s part safari, part island-hopping, and completely different from any beach honeymoon you’ve heard about.
10. Mauritius
Mauritius combines African, Indian, French, and Creole cultures all into one laid-back tropical escape. This island isn’t just pretty beaches, it’s also full of volcanic peaks, waterfalls, and jungle treks. You can hike Le Morne, zipline over rivers, and explore tea plantations in the hills.
Boutique resorts do romance well without trying too hard, often with private plunge pools and killer seafood.
11. Seychelles Outer Islands
Skip the main islands and head to the outer ring, where things slow down even more. You’ll need a private flight or boat to get there, and then it’s you, maybe a few other couples, and more turtles than humans.
Nature reserves like Alphonse Island offer diving that feels completely untouched. You can kayak through mangrove forests, cycle empty beaches, and snorkel with giant groupers. Nights are spent in total silence under pitch-black skies. This is possibly one of the most secluded honeymoon choices you can find in the world.
12. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Spice tours, coral reefs, and centuries-old stone buildings, Zanzibar isn’t just a beach getaway. After wandering Stone Town’s winding alleys, you can hop on a traditional dhow and sail out for snorkeling or a private sandbar picnic. You can also trek into the Jozani Forest to spot rare monkeys.
There are small resorts with major style, especially on the quieter northern and eastern coasts.
13. Cook Islands
Think of these as the unspoiled cousins to Bora Bora, but without the price tag. You can hike up to Te Rua Manga, swim in Muri Lagoon, or take a cultural tour with locals who actually still live on the islands year-round. Lagoon cruises come with snorkeling stops and fresh fish lunches.
You’ll find honeymoon-friendly resorts, but the real charm is how relaxed everything feels. Locals are warm, the food is fresh, and you’ll have beaches to yourself more often than not.
14. Tahiti & the Tuamotus
Skip the clichés and head deeper into French Polynesia. While Tahiti has the flights and some swanky resorts, the Tuamotu archipelago is where you’ll find quiet islands, coral atolls, and next-level snorkeling. You can drift dive in Fakarava Pass among hundreds of reef sharks or bike along coral islands where the population barely cracks triple digits.
Stay in an overwater bungalow or a thatched-roof guesthouse where fish swim under your floorboards.
15. Iceland
Where else can you go from glacier hiking to volcano soaking in the same trip? Iceland is made for couples who get bored fast. There’s lava fields, thermal rivers you can bathe in, ice caves to crawl through, and mossy canyons that look like CGI.
Rent a car, road trip the Ring Road, and spend your nights under the northern lights in a bubble hotel or remote cabin. There’s always something to do, even if it’s just soaking in a hot spring while snow falls on your face.
16. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Foggy hills, winding roads, and castles that look like they fell out of a novel, the Isle of Skye is wildly romantic. Hike to the Old Man of Storr, drive the Quiraing, or settle into a fireplace-lit inn after a day on the cliffs.
You won’t find palm trees or infinity pools here, but if you love dramatic landscapes with just a little effort, it’s endlessly rewarding.
Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.