How does the USVI compare to Aruba in August in terms of weather, cost, snorkeling, and beach quality? How do they compare in terms of nightlife, food and the demographics who travel there? Which do you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance for your opinions

Aruba wins out on weather, nightlife, and food. August, if I'm not mistaken, is the start of hurricane season and Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt. USVI win on beaches and snorkeling especially St. John. The beaches in Aruba are still very nice but the snorkeling isn't anything special. One main thing for me which you didn't ask was about safety. Aruba wins that hands down. It is one of the safest islands that you can visit. I know St. Croix has a major crime problem which the island is trying to correct because they lost a great amount on tourism. Good luck with your choice.

I went to Aruba April 2004 , it was ok.I doubt that I would go back.The water is not good for snorkeling, because its not calm. The people are very friendly though. Drugs were a problem.
I have not been to USVI , but we are going to St John in June.I have read up on it and I think that the snorkeling will be alot better , because the bays have calm water. The nightlife in St John sounds good too.If you want not too much.

I went to Aruba in November/2004 and like "Christiegr", I doubt that I would return either. While Aruba might enjoy a slight edge in weather & food, and a larger edge in terms of nightlife, it doesn't come close to St. John for beaches & snorkeling (obviously for me, a high priority when selecting a vacation destination).

My fiance and I both went to Aruba in September 2004 for the first time. We absolutely loved it. If great food, nice people, safety, nightlife, weather, and a cool breeze always blowing are on the top of your list, you can't go wrong. We stayed at the Radisson. It was absolutely wonderful. I have never been to the USVI. Aruba's beaches don't compare to Cancun, where I have also been, but there are nice nonetheless. Good luck.

If you do chose Aruba,a great restaurant is Que'Pasa, it is in Oranjestad behind the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino on the right side of the road if you head east,the prices are more reasonable than other places and the food is great.A local referred it to us.The Flyin Fishbone is great for scenery, it is expensive but is right on the beach.We sat right by the ocean, it is really romantic.

yikes!!..You cant compare them.I have been to both and they arent in the same leaugue.Aruba is the most overrated place I have ever visited...The sea is NOT good for snorkeling , the beaches are ok , they do have some good restaurants but so do most cities in the states..The Virgin islands are stunning.I have been to a lot of places...I love the Vigin islands!

I agree with the last reply. They are both very different places.Have been to Aruba but not USVI yet, planning on it in June, to St.John.

Been to both; prefer the USVI but not by a huge margin.

VI have much better snorkeling, prettier scenery, island-hopping possibilities.

Aruba has lower chances of hurricanes (a factor in August), longer stretches of beach for walking, more nightlife.

Aruba has much better food, but will take you longer to heal in the pocketbook. The food in the USVI is just so-so. The USVI is closer and we had good weather in both places. Snorkeling is ultra good in the USVI. Both have good beaches. Both have nightlife, Aruba maybe more, but the drinks are better in the USVI. In the USVI, I think it's mostly Americans, in Aruba, it's 60% Americans or Canadians. The other 40% are from Holland, Venezuela or Columbia. I like both for different reasons. I think the USVI is more romantic, but the food in Aruba is really good.

I agree with Knowing about the food in Aruba.It was wonderful.