Why April Works for a Honeymoon
April is a month of transitions, which are kind to travelers. In many regions it is shoulder season: the weather is very good, but demand has not yet peaked. Hawaii, Bali and the Mediterranean all tend to be calmer and better value in April than in July or August.
It is also a beautiful month to look at. Gardens on Lake Como fill with azaleas and camellias. Wildflowers carpet the Smokies and Big Sur, while Kyoto's cherry blossoms often linger into early April. On the Caribbean side, the dry season holds through the month. Antigua's sailing season reaches its glamorous finale.
The main dates to watch are Easter and spring break, which shift each year and can push up demand in Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Outside those weeks, April often feels refreshingly relaxed.
Our Top Picks for April
Praslin & La Digue and the Seychelles Private Islands are our April headliners. The transition between the trade-wind seasons usually brings the calmest seas and best visibility of the year, ideal for snorkeling and smooth helicopter transfers. Raffles Seychelles sits above a calm bay on Praslin's north coast, while North Island and Six Senses Zil Pasyon offer true private-island seclusion among the granite boulders.
Maui and Lānaʻi are in their sweet spot. Whale season is winding down, though late sightings are possible. The weather is typically sunny on the leeward coasts and crowds ease after spring break. On Maui, Hotel Wailea is a kid-free hillside retreat, while Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and Montage Kapalua Bay offer beachfront luxury. Across the channel, Four Seasons Resort Lanai overlooks Hulopoʻe Bay, while Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is a wellness-focused kid-free escape in the cool uplands.
Ubud is a lovely April choice as Bali's drier months begin and the rice terraces are still vividly green. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Capella Ubud and Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve all overlook the jungle and river valleys.
Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast wake up in April. Garden lovers will adore Villa d'Este and Passalacqua as the azaleas bloom; evenings can be cool, so plan long lunches outdoors. On the Amalfi Coast, hotels reopen for the season around this time, including Le Sirenuse in Positano and Caruso, A Belmond Hotel in Ravello. The sea is still cool, but the hiking is superb.
The Great Smoky Mountains are at their spring best, with wildflowers, waterfalls and flowering dogwoods. Blackberry Farm, a working estate in the Tennessee foothills, is our pick for a food-focused mountain honeymoon.
Finally, Antigua's Southwest Coast closes out its dry season in style. Hermitage Bay is a kid-free all-inclusive retreat, while Curtain Bluff offers two beaches on its own promontory.
Weather & Crowds
The Seychelles and Maldives are hot, humid and generally calm in April. Hawaii's coastal temperatures typically sit in the upper 70s to mid 80s Fahrenheit. Bali becomes drier as the month goes on, though showers are still possible.
In Italy, April days are usually mild and pleasant, with cool mornings and evenings; it is not yet beach weather, though heated pools help. The Smokies can swing between warm afternoons and chilly nights.
Crowds are generally moderate. Easter and spring break weeks are the exception in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. Italy can be busy over Easter and the Liberation Day holiday on April 25.
Where to Avoid (or Go Anyway)
Northern Tanzania enters its long rains around April and May. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar can be muddy, humid and showery. Some lodges close or reduce service. The scenery is lush and rates drop, but for a first safari we would wait for June.
Newfoundland is also in its low season, though April is not without interest. Fogo Island Inn typically opens around April 1; iceberg season, roughly late spring into early summer, can bring bergs drifting past the island. Weather is cold and unpredictable, so this is best for adventurous couples.
Northern Thailand can still be hazy from seasonal burning, so focus on the beaches if you are visiting Thailand this month.
Festivals & Seasonal Moments
- Songkran, the Thai New Year, takes place around April 13 to 15, with water fights in the streets and temple ceremonies.
- Antigua Sailing Week, one of the Caribbean's premier regattas, typically runs around late April or early May.
- Kyoto's cherry blossoms often peak in early April, with Hakone's higher valleys blooming a little later.
- The Smokies' spring wildflower season peaks around April. The long-running Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Gatlinburg usually takes place in late April.
- Big Sur's hillsides turn green and wildflowers bloom along Highway 1.
- Easter falls in March or April, bringing processions and celebrations to Italy and Mexico.
Booking Tips
Because April is a sweet spot in so many destinations, popular properties book up early. The Seychelles' private islands and small Italian hotels have limited rooms, so reserve four to eight months ahead.
If you are planning an Italy trip, check each hotel's opening date; some seasonal properties open in late March, others in mid to late April. In Bali and Hawaii, ask about shoulder-season offers such as complimentary nights or resort credits.
Finally, compare dates around Easter, which moves each year. Shifting your trip by a week can make a noticeable difference to both flight prices and crowds.