The Best Long Haul Honeymoon Destinations for a Perfect Post-Wedd…

From action-packed adventure to ultimate relaxation on a secluded beach, we round up the best long haul honeymoon destinations.

Your honeymoon should be a trip of a lifetime. It’s your first holiday as a married couple and you’ll want to make it as special as possible and create memories to last a lifetime. We’ve selected some of our favourite long haul honeymoon destinations for you to choose from.

Planning your honeymoon

Before you start cashing in those Avios points or packing your 41342 new bikinis, the first thing to consider before booking your honeymoon is when you’ll be jetting off. The best long haul destinations can vary drastically depending on the time of year you get married. For example, if you’re thinking of visiting the Caribbean, you should keep in mind that the islands have a hurricane season late in our summer.

If you’re going away from January to March and fancy a bit of sunshine, the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners suggest that you try an exotic destination such as The Bahamas, Caribbean, Maldives, South Africa or Thailand. If you and your new husband love the snow, why not try skiing at Whistler in Canada or Vail in the USA for a winter break.

Best long haul honeymoon destinations

With months of pre-wedding planning, followed by a full day of doing the rounds with family and friends, for many newlyweds your honeymoon is the first chance to spend quality time together as a married couple.

It’s no surprise then, that many couples want to jet away as far as possible, revelling in their marital bliss for a little while longer. With that in mind, a long haul honeymoon is a popular choice. So we’ve picked out some of the top destinations for a little bit of honeymoon inspiration.

Luxury long haul honeymoon destinations

Azura Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Located in a Marine National Park in Mozambique, with deserted beaches of pure white sand that extend for miles, Azura Benguerra Island is a honeymoon haven boasting 20 luxury villas.

Renowned for award-winning luxury, Azura Retreats has introduced a series of new benefits in it’s Honeymoon Heaven package. These include 50 per cent off accommodation for one partner and an additional 50 per cent off all activities, spa treatments and Champagne when staying five nights or more, as well as a half price saving for an anniversary return in seven years.

Upgraded honeymoon experiences now also include a romantic outdoor baobab bath available from January at Azura Benguerra Island, complimentary signature BBQ lunch, candlelit dinner on their last evening and a honeymoon gift from Azura. You’ll also be greeted with a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival.

London to Mozambique flight time: Around 15 hours with a stop-over in South Africa.

Book your honeymoon at Azura Benguerra, Mozambique.

Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa, Tahiti

The Islands of Tahiti scream serenity. A perfect haven for newlyweds to relax, unwind and just enjoy each other’s company surrounded by crystal blue waters. Private island, Le Taha’a, is the ultimate hideaway destination in Tahiti. Overlooking the shores of Taha’a on one side and Bora Bora island on the other, it is home to 58 suites and villas each constructed using traditional Polynesian architecture.

The resorts spa is nestled in a beautiful exotic garden featuring bamboo trees with massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps all on offer. This resort is also perfect for thrill-seeking newlyweds. Mark the occasion with a deep-sea dive exploring all that the tropical underwater world has to offer. You can swim with manta rays and sharks, or hike around exploring the island before heading out on a romantic canoe with no one else around.

Flying from London to Le Taha’a Island, Tahiti: You’ll need to fly to the main island, and then travel to the resorts by boat or sea plane. Tahiti, in French Polynesia, is between Los Angeles and Sydney and so you will likely need to fly via these destinations.

Book your stay at Le Taha’a, Tahiti.

Grand Isle Resort, Bahamas

Nestled in the glorious Emerald Bay on the beautiful island of Great Exuma, Grand Isle Resort & Spa sits on a mile-long stretch of pristine beach. With a vast menu of spa treatments and luxury facilities to unwind after a hard days work swanning between the beach and the private pool, you’ll reach ultimate relaxation levels during your stay.

A perfect start to married life, you’ll have all the privacy you need in one of the spacious villas. And plenty of activities to keep you busy. As well as a golf course, the resort also offers a host of trips and excursions. We recommend a private boat tour exploring the many secret islands of the Bahamas and visiting the famous swimming pigs for that must-have instagram snap.

Flights from London to Exuma, Bahamas: It’s possible to fly direct from London to the main island of Nassau, however, you’ll then need to take a boat or a sea plane to the surrounding islands. You can also break up your journey and fly from London to Miami or New York. You can then take a short, commercial flight to Georgetown, Exuma.

Book your honeymoon at Grand Isle Resort & Spa, Bahamas. 

Discover more luxury honeymoons around the world.

Long haul honeymoon destinations for active couples

Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture, Japan

Japan might not be the obvious honeymoon destination but when it comes to variety and adventure tied with relaxation and serenity, it is the perfect place. Whilst Japan is known for its quirky traditions, beautiful temples, castles and cultural values, it is also home to sub-tropical climates, white-sand beaches and relaxing natural hot springs. Enjoy a few days in the futuristic capital of Tokyo soaking up the unique Japanese culture before travelling off the beaten track and into undiscovered territory. Located in the Nagano prefecture, Hoshinoya Karuizawa, a luxury eco-friendly resort bedded in the mountains. Enjoy the surrounding views, including the Shiraito Falls, Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary and Tombo-no-yu baths and the resorts private gardens provide a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

Browse more adventurous honeymoons for active couples.

South Lake Tahoe, California

South Lake Tahoe is a nature-lover’s paradise and a great adventure destination from which to start married life. Located on the shores of South Lake Tahoe, The Lodge at Edgewood is home to 154 luxury rooms and suites – ideal for honeymooners as each boast their own fireplace and private deck or terrace. The year-round lakefront heated pool and hot tub are the perfect place to unwind with views of the mesmerising waters of Lake Tahoe – one of the clearest lakes in the world at 99.7% purity.

Book your South Lake Tahoe honeymoon now.

Long haul honeymoon destinations for winter sun

Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, Maldives

Book your stay in the Maldives here.

LUX le Morne, Mauritius

If you imagine an island paradise, Lux Le Morne ticks every box. Set on a white beach surrounding a turquoise lagoon, together you can enjoy snorkeling, hiking and yoga, or if you’re really just looking to chill, lounge in the spa, by one of the resort’s five pools or grab a beanbag for a sunset movie screening on the beach. And with restaurants boasting everything from Creole to Thai cuisine, there’s no need to set foot outside the resort. The icing on the cake, however, has to be the local dolphins, which swim into the lagoon to play and feed – now that’s an experience you can’t put a price on.

Book your stay at Lux Le Morne, Mauritius here. 

Find more romantic destinations for a winter honeymoon. 

How long should your honeymoon be?

If you’re planning a long-haul honeymoon, it’s going to take you a bit longer to get there and you’re probably going to have to deal with some jet leg as you get to grips with the time difference. Remember, you’re on holiday, so don’t feel you have to race about from the word ‘go’. Take some time to relax in your new couple.

We wouldn’t recommend long-haul travel if you’re going away for less than five days or so – it may take too long to get over the jetlag, and you’ll be tired after the wedding in any case. Also, because long-haul flights are generally more expensive, you’ll be making more of an investment in your honeymoon, so it’s worth taking a bit more time over it.