Best time to avoid crowds?
 

when is the best time to go to avoid crowds, yet still have excellent weather? Which islands to go to?

I think that you will get more helpful responses if you were a bit more clear in where you wanted to go.

The best time to avoid crowds is when there's no one around. Due to the lack of people at that time, you will see whether the weather is clear or whether it's not. <BR>

Wasn't it Yogi Berra who observed that "nobody goes there any more because it's so crowded"?

Bebe, you gave an incomplete answer! You should have also told Mr. English that the best island to visit is the one that he'll enjoy the most :^)

It is my experience that deserted islands have the fewest crowds. <BR>

Paul, you're assuming that Mr. English likes to enjoy himself. We don't know that. Perhaps he believes in self- denial, in which case he'll be happiest someplace where he'll be miserable.

Gosh! You people who responded are pretty cruel. Are you sick of winter or just in a bad mood at all times?! Okay, so B. English wasn't too specific. Maybe he or she is new to this site. He probably won't be here for long based on these nasty replies. Hope you won't be scared off, English, just be more specific. This is really a great site. You just got some nasties replying. We're not all that way!

Thank you 'Nice person'. I thought since I was in the forum for Hawaii, it was rather obvious.

Glad to see you've hung in there. As you'll see, although Fodor's requires you to pick a state when posting, the forums covers all of them, so you need to specify (ideally in the heading rather than the message). There's been talk of creating a separate Hawaii forum, but it hasn't happened yet. <BR>Kumbayah to all

Try Molokai -- my girlfriend went there last month. She said they are starting to gear up for tourism but so far, the place is very rural and laid-back. Her little daughter and her mother were disappointed because "there isn't anything to DO, not like Waikiki", but that may be exactly what you want.

Try Molokai -- my girlfriend went there last month. She said they are starting to gear up for tourism but so far, the place is very rural and laid-back. Her little daughter and her mother were disappointed because "there isn't anything to DO, not like Waikiki", but that may be exactly what you want.

Try Molokai -- my girlfriend went there last month. She said they are starting to gear up for tourism but so far, the place is very rural and laid-back. Her little daughter and her mother were disappointed because "there isn't anything to DO, not like Waikiki", but that may be exactly what you want.

Gee, I thought EVERYBODY on this web site (except Christina) had a sense of humor. Shows you how wrong I was. Just don't get your knickers in a twist, learn how this web site works (and doesn't work some times), and join in on the fun! Right? Hawaii, last time I looked, was part of the United States although it does not have its separate designation. We have many talents among the folks who play here...but mind-reading is not one of those talents. So...bring along your sense of humor, everybody, and jump into the surf!!! Better yet, come to Arizona: it's 70 degrees here today...with visibility unlimited.

Great answers. I am still LOL (tht stands for laughing out loud, not little old lady, BTW--altho I am getting close to the latter) Hey--is that the REAL Bebe Rebozo from the Nixon years? But seriously..Hawaii is WONDERFUL. Unfortunately, I have always had to go at the most crowded times, eg school vacations. But "crowded "is relative. Jones Beach on Long Island on a summer Sunday--nowTHAT's crowded. I never found Waikiki beach to be blanket-to-blanket crowded. The Kaanapali /Lahaina area of Mauai was far more crowded when I was there. Last summer, the north shore of Kauai was very quiet. The weather in August is very hot, but there is lovely weather in Hawaii year round. Whenever or wherever you go in Hawaii , I can almost guarantee you will love it

Great answers. I am still LOL (tht stands for laughing out loud, not little old lady, BTW--altho I am getting close to the latter) Hey--is that the REAL Bebe Rebozo from the Nixon years? But seriously..Hawaii is WONDERFUL. Unfortunately, I have always had to go at the most crowded times, eg school vacations. But "crowded "is relative. Jones Beach on Long Island on a summer Sunday--nowTHAT's crowded. I never found Waikiki beach to be blanket-to-blanket crowded. The Kaanapali /Lahaina area of Maui was far more crowded when I was there. Last summer, the north shore of Kauai was very quiet. The weather in August is hot, but there is lovely weather in Hawaii year round. Even the humidity is usually relieved by breezes. Whenever or wherever you go in Hawaii , I can almost guarantee you will love it

OOOPS sorry about the repeat in answers. Just proves what everyone has been writing-you never know WHAT this web site or its program will do. Al, I hadn't heard the Yogi Berra quote, but you know what they say about Oakland, California, my town: "There is no there , there" Now that Jerry Brown is our mayor, we are hoping to get over our inferiority complex. Incidentally--who is Christina? <BR>

Becky, Christina haunts the Europe forum offering sour advice like, "If you don't know the difference between the Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis, maybe you ought to stay home." <BR> <BR>B., my vote is the eastern shore of Maui, which offers deserted beaches, (usually) nice weather, and wonderful people. <BR>

I think the first answers to this posting are delightful and funny! <BR>

Cristina disappeared from the Europe site for a long time. She recently resurfaced and appears to be on good behavior. Who knows, maybe she's the writer behind "nicerthanyou."

OOOOOOkay, Mr English -- now that I know you were referring to Hawaii in this forum on the United States, I can give you some advice. <BR> <BR>The time period between Easter and Memorial Day is a low point in Hawaiian tourism, so crowds will be at a minimum. I hate to sound like a tourist official for that state, but the simple fact is that there is NEVER a time when there is NOT excellent weather. As long as you are ready for a 20 minute shower at any time (always followed by a beautiful rainbow), you're ready for the WORST of Hawaii weather. The wave swell on the beaches is higher during winter, but this is also the time of most crowds. <BR> <BR>As for best island, that depends on what you're looking for. For lush jungles, try Kauai or Maui. For cultural diversity as well as history, Oahu. For volcanoes, Big Island. All islands have friendly people and beautiful beaches, although Oahu's are the most crowded.

Neal, thanks you for explaining "Christina."I still want to know (in any realistic or creative answers) if that is THE Bebe Rebozo. The "There is no there, there" comment about Oakland ,California was made by Gertrude Stein. It's not true!! B. English, we all hope you are enjoying the "thread" of responses you started. You will love Hawaii. Aloha. <BR>

Hawaii has great weather all year round. If you want to avoid crowds, you're probably best staying away from Waikiki, especially during the typical high travel season, such as Spring Break. Which island to go to?....Pick any one...they're all beautiful!

I think I'm dead actually. <BR>

Sorry to break it to you, Bebe, but you've been gone nearly a year. Aloha <BR>

Yeah, well I thought so; this is just the kind of behavior that got me in trouble in the first place... <BR>

Will the real Bebe please stand up. And remember, I always kept my head above the crowds. (Don't tell me, the B. stands for Bad?) Christina is like a cop, never around when you really need her. Probably on vacation at a doughnut shop, or is that donut Neal? <BR>

<BR>I found the first few answers to be entertaining and witty and I too LOL! B. English, remember to those of us from the coast(west and east) we have several islands. Altho, I will agree "The Islands" in the US do refer to the Hawaiian Islands. Now to your question: avoid Waikiki and the obviously busy times and you'll be fine. Weather is always good, avoid summer.

Good ol' Bebe deserves a hand for starting such a fun thread. Here's another vote (not that Fodors ever listens) for establishing a separate site for Hawaii. and for Disney and Vegas, as well, while they're at it.

when nobody is around

Fran, Bebe, et al.: "Islands" has multiple meanings to Americans, depending upon locale. In Boston, if one is going "to the Islands," then it is automatically understood that one is headed for Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. To an Atlantan, "going to the islands for the weekend" means St. Simons Island and vicinity. To a Miamian, it means the Bahamas (Bebe, you ought to have known that, having died on Key Biscayne). And to a New Yorker, "the Island" is Long Island. <BR>

<BR>Neal, I thought I was making the same point. Altho being a native Cal girl I do think of the Hawaiian Island first. I will make this my project towmorrow and ask around. Results to come later.

To a New Yorker (I live in California, but I'll always be a New Yorker), the island could, I s'pose, be Staten Island. You know how it got its name, right? Henry Hudson was sailing by and asked one of his crew, "Is tat an island?" ( Sorry, couldn't resist, given the "serious" nature of the responses to Mr. or Ms. English's original question) <BR>

I beg to differ Rebecca... all the native New Yorkers that I know refer to Long Island as "the island" and call Staten Island by name (on the rare occasions that they ever mention it). As for the rest of you... most of us here in the Northeast (please correct me if I'm wrong) think of the Carribean in general when people say "the islands".

<BR>Ok, here's what I found: 1. Hawaii, 2. The Bahamas, 3. Virgin Isalands. All respondents live in Dallas.

Yikes, this is a tough forum! To answer your question, I went to Maui last year the week BEFORE the Christmas holiday (Dec.12-20). The island was empty and we had perfect weather. (May have been a fluke, though. It rained the entire week before we went.) We never had a problem getting a reservation for anything at anytime--the best restaurants, activities, etc. If you go at that time, it's probably better to go to Wailea. Much less chance of rain. Definitely avoid Kapalua at that time as it can be very overcast.

Hey English- <BR> <BR>History here; first of all, don't listen to that Paul Rabe character; I don't think he's ever even been there. I'll be on the Kohala coast in seventeen days, and I'll report back on my return, but it seems to me that you want to go immediately after any high season in order to get a break with the crowds and all. I was on Maui at Kaanapali in September and my wife and I practically had the place to ourselves, so just go when people are most likely locked up in work or school commitments.

Don't forget icy Greenland and greenly Iceland, and any anyone in the Northwest knows that "islands" means the Orcas. California -- Lido Isle or Catalina? Then, of course, there's that island Britain and the island of Scotland within Britain, and someday they'll give Ireland back to the Irish. But what about the Phillipines, aren't they out there somewhere? Take a lazy gondola trip down the Guadal Canal. So, where on this island earth do you want to go B. English? Have a sandwich, and think about it (pun definitively intended). <BR> <BR>"But for cryin' out loud, he just wanted to know a little about Hawaiiiiiiiii!!!" he said searching for a tempo. <BR>

In lite of the Hawaiian posts lately. <BR> <BR>