crazygrl

First of all, I've never been to Hawaii. Have been to the Caribbean a lot, but not Hawaii.
I'm leaving for Molokai in a couple of weeks. I've been looking at the temps (air and sea), and frankly to me, it seems warm, but not at all what I would call hot like you feel in the Caribbean. Not complaining, just trying to pack efficiently so that I can get by with a carry on--no checked luggage. Not ruling out checked luggage, just trying for the carry on.

Air temps currently look to be in the 70s. Which is NOT sweaty weather that would require loads of sleeveless tops and shorts. Maybe even a fleece? People are laughing at me when I mention that, but 70s in the day, to me equals 60s at night. Is that right?

Also, I'm an avid snorkeler in the Caribbean and I'm going to several diff islands in Hawaii, but I get cold really quickly in cold water. I've gotten a long-sleeved rash guard for sun protection, but I'm thinking now I may use it more for chilly waters. Have any of you found that a rash guard can help keep you warm-ish? The water temps are around 76. YIPES??? We are doing a week long un-cruise which visits 3 islands I believe, and are staying an additional week on Oahu. So I think packing a wet suit would take up lots of space.

What do you all think? I find it really hard this time of the year (in Virginia currently miserable wet cold 40) to imagine what 70 feels like!

logandog

I always find the water just a little chilly in Maui. It takes a minute to get used to it but then it's fine.
I can see where a short wet suit might be comfy.

Dukey1

The temperature today in Bridegetown, Barbados is 77 degrees. Is that really a whole lot hotter than the temp on Molokai?

crazygrl

77 sounds PERFECT. So ok, I guess I'm just being a big baby. And will put away the fleece I'd packed. Maybe even burn it.

crazygrl

Logandog: Thanks. That's helpful to know that you CAN just get used to it and I think I'll do just that rather than packing something else. Just was wondering if it seemed so cold that you could NOT get used to it. And duh, I can always GET OUT of the water.

Inakauaidavidababy

Are you doing the adventure cruise that starts on Molokai? I would definitely wear a fleece or sweater or sweatshirt on the plane for cool breezes on open water.

suze

Hawaii is nothing like the Caribbean. Yes it's typically cooler there.

kureiff

crazygrl, I always wear a long sleeve rashguard to stay warm in the ocean in Hawaii. I get chilled easily, and I like having the rashguard to help me stay a bit warmer.

nanabee

Hawaii air temperature is always warm in my experience. It is rare that Hawaii is in the low 70's - it is more likely to be in the high 70's to low 80's. Hawaii is very tropical and warm year round.

As far as the water temperatures - my experience has been that it averages around the mid to high 70's. I am from southern California so that is warm to us. If you are used to warmer ocean water, then you can get light weight wet suits. Ask at your local dive or swim shop or check on line. The wet suit material comes in different thicknesses for you want to get one that is (I think) 1 to 1.5. (Not sure what the unit of measurement is).

I think I wouldn't bother to take a wet suit or even a top & bottom light weight one. I would rent one from a dive/surf shop on the island. They arent' that expensive and you don't have to worry about buying one for water conditions you're not sure about in advance.

suze

It's just not as HOT HOT like Mexico or the Caribbean, in my experience.

nanabee

I was in the Caribbean twice and both of the islands air temperatures were very hot and the water was around 80 F.
I've been to Puerto Vallarta and the water temps seem to be similar to Hawaii. But that could have just been a coincidence.

Patty

Hawaii also feels less humid than the Caribbean to me so even if the temperature is the same, the Caribbean feels warmer. The water is also usually warmer in the Caribbean.

lcuy

Hawaii has been extremely cold the last two weeks or so. We have an extra quilt on our bed and a little space heater running in the TV room. The dogs don't even get escorted out at night...It's just too chilly!

A week from now it may be totally different.

crazygrl

Ahhhhh....last two weeks are when I was checking the weather, so that explains a lot...good to know it's not been exactly "normal". Thanks lcuy!
Yes, doing the adventure cruise Molokai to BI. So have gotten the lightweight fleece back out.
It's helpful to know that I'll probably need a little more chilly weather stuff and that's it's generally cooler than Caribbean. Glad too I got a rash guard for sun AND warmth.
This has been very helpful in packing. Thanks to every single one of you for taking the time to answer what surely on the face of it probably seemed like silly questions.

ChiSue

Molokai is often overcast. In fact, when there is no little cloud over it, folks on Maui know high winds are on the way.

Something you need to know is that the surf break on all the islands is fierce! There's no Continental Shelf. Don't get into the ocean before watching people already in the water for ten to twenty minutes. Beware riptides. Always face the ocean when you are along the shore. If a whopper wave arrives, try to dive INTO it, not run away from it.

You probably already know about never snorkeling alone.

It hit 85 in South Maui before we left for home March 12. Look for *local* weather, not the US Weather. If you judged by that you would never go to Kauai because it is always raining somewhere there all the time -- but probably not where you would be.

nanabee

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nanabee

Good advice ChiSue. I might add don't swim alone either and regardless of how strong a swimmer one is always swim at guarded beaches.

As kids we grew up diving under waves to avoid getting slammed. I never had a name for this until I spoke to a friend who surfs. She is much younger than me (maybe in her late 20's or early 30's) and calls it 'Duck Diving.' It really made me laugh as it is a perfect description!

nanabee

opps, younger than I...

crazygrl

Thanks again everybody.