Caribbean, Bahamas, Or Hawaii in Jan?
 

I'm trying to plan my honeymoon, and will be travelling in mid January. Right now, we're trying to decide between the Caribbean, Bahamas or Hawaii.

Obviously the key factor is weather. We'd like to make sure the water is warm enough for enjoyable swimming, and that the air temperature is conducive to this as well. Oh, and minimal rain. =)

Anyone have any experience on any of these islands in mid January?

Thanks!

Quite a bit of variability across the places you've mentioned, esp in January.
The Bahamas are in the Atlantic Ocean and water is chilly in January (73-74 avg), and daytime high temps the lowest of the places on your list.
If you go south in the Caribbean you can find better averages. Aruba, for instance, averages a high of 85 in January, with warmer water temps (77-80).
Hawaii is warm enough to be very enjoyable in January. Honolulu averages a high air temp of 80. The water is cooler since it's in the deep Pacific Ocean, 74-75 degrees in January.

I hear rain can be a problem in Hawaii in Jan, though. Are we talking occasional showers, or Florida type deluges that last for days?

I think we're leaning towards the Bahamas right now, from what I've heard so far (here and other places).

Yes, Hawaii's rainiest period is Jan-Feb, and clouds/rain can linger.
You mentioned you wanted "water warm enough for enjoyable swimming". In the Bahamas you'll need a wetsuit unless you're used to swimming in the Pacific or northern US.

I have been to the Cayman Islands twice in January and the weather and water is perfect for swimming and all types of water activities. That is probably why the high (expensive) season is Jan - April, because the weather is ideal, warm and no rain.

If it were me, I would aim for the mid-to-southern Caribbean. Bahamas are likely to be too cold for sunning and swimming. Choose a more arid island like Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, etc to lessen the chances of rain.

We were in Abaco, Bahamas last February. We thought the weather was great; not too hot but very pleasant to lie on a chaise lounge on the beach. However, the water was too cold to swim.

We traveled to Hawaii in January, and it rained 8 out of 9 days there. Granted, it was just bad luck, as our freinds went the following week and had mostly sunshine.

We have never been to the Bahamas, but have heard more than onve that the water is chilly that time of year.

Most of the middle to southern caribbean islands should be ideal weather & water temps in January as that is their "high" season. You pay more that time of year as the weather odds are usually very favorable.

The Bahamas would be totally inappropriate in January for swimming or sunning. Do you have passports? Some places in the Caribbean are easier if you do. The USVI is further down and warmer. Passports are preferred, but as long as you have a birth certificate and photo ID you are ok. Hawaii might be rainy - more in Kauai. I don't care a lot for Oahu, but there is the Iolani Palace and Pearl Harbor if you want to sightsee. Otherwise, Maui might also be a better choice.

Great responses, thanks everyone. Being good at listening to advice, *grin*, it looks like we'll be heading to the Caribbean after all.

Thanks again.