Hawaii or Bermuda?
 

Can't decide which one to see? Which has the best beaches for swimming? What about scuba diving? What hotels to stay ?

That's a tough question. My wife and I love Hawaii - we are headed back for our 7th visit in Feb. Been to Bermuda once and it is nice. I prefer Hawaii. I did not dive in Bermuda but it is the top wreck diving in the world. I don't know about the health of the reefs and the fish life. Kona on the Big Island is great beautiful fish life and great underwater formations. Hawaiian beaches are world class. If you could tell me a little more about what your likes are, I could be more specific. Probably the only cost thst will be more is the airfare and the flight time. I live in NJ so it's 3 hours vs. 12 hours. But as I said it's worth it. You can spend anything from $100/day to $500/day. Each island is unique and has great but different qualities. We have been to them all and like Maui the best followed by Kauai and the Big Island tied for second. Oahu is not worth wasting unpacking. It's like NYC with a beach. I'm sure you will get lots of opinions with this message. Maui is the most developed of the outer islands, more crowded and more lively than Kauai or BI. Has some great restaurants, beaches, diving trips to Molokini and Lanai. Kauai is the Garden Isle, very laid back, some beautiful beaches on north shore, South Pacific was filmed there. The Big Island is spectacular with the active volcanos. The resorts on the Kohala Coast are out of this world. Some good restaurants. Not a great abundance of beaches but those at the resorts, Mauna Lani, are great. Lots of palm trees with hammocks for relaxing after a morning of diving. <BR>If you want more specific info e-mail me. <BR> <BR>Aloha, <BR>Bart

I guess it depends on where you live. I live only 2 1/2 hours by plane from Bermuda. I have been there 6 times and love it more and more. The beaches are gorgeous, the people are so nice, and the shopping and golf are terrific. I particularly love scooting around on the mopeds that tourists need to use, if not there are buses and cabs. I have never been to Hawaii, but really have no desire. The flight is too long, and I hear it is way expensive. But it also depends on what kind of vacation you want to have. I would guess that there is lots and lots of things to see in Hawaii, while in Bermuda there are touristy things, but you basically golf or lie on the beach. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

In my opinion, you should go to both of these places once. They are each unique and each will be a wonderful vacation site. After you have been to both, I think you will find that you will want to continue to return to the one that is closer to you geographically. From the east coast, I would not consider flying half-way around the world AGAIN (once...definitely!! I am so glad I have been!) to Hawaii. It's Bermuda for me, but only because it is so close.

<BR>All that Hawaii and Bermuda have in common is that they are beautiful, tiny specks in the ocean. I've been to both (though to Hawaii more often than Bermuda) and can't say enough good things about either one. <BR> <BR>That said, Bermuda and Hawaii are as different as pineapples and coconuts. Imagine what Disney would do to a Caribbean nation if it owned one, and you have Bermuda. It is a pleasure to walk or moped around the island; the vistas are glorious; the people are cheerful and friendly; the homes are tidy, and everything is trimmed in hibiscus and bougainvilla. It is one of the most colorful places on the face of the earth. Period. The down side is that Bermuda doesn't have a lot of swimmable beaches, and the beaches it has tend to be rocky. There is good snorkeling and scuba off of the west end of the island. If you choose Bermuda, choose one of the small, "cottage colony" hotels that offer the best blend of service, appointments, and surroundings. My very favorite is the Lantana Colony Club. Oh, there are definitely seasons in Bermuda... I wouldn't plan a trip between Thanksgiving and mid-March. <BR> <BR>Hawaii can be glorious or it can be, as someone said up above, New York with palm trees. Too much of Hawaii is being, or already has been, paved over, with condos planted where there was once poi or just jungle. As someone who has gone to Hawaii annually for 20 years, the most depressing part of Hawaii is that it is rapidly becoming just another state. When the drive to your hotel takes you past Pizza Huts and Starbucks; when you do your shopping at the King Kamehameha Mall; and when the residents are all transplanted from Ohio or Georgia; something important has been lost. <BR> <BR>There are parts of Hawaii that are still "Hawaiian." Hana, on Maui, is such a place (that's where we go). I am told, though I have not been there in many years, that the north shore of Kauai is still very much like the Hawaii that was. The area around Hilo certainly applies, as do self-contained, older resorts like Kona Village. There are superb beaches in Hawaii; those on the south and east shores are generally the most swimmable; those on the north shore are strictly for surfers and those without dependents. There isn't much diving -- Hawaii lacks coral reefs in any number; but the snorkeling is quite good in the protected coves. <BR> <BR>Does any of that help?

Thanks for the info = what about a tour to Hawaii? parents have done Tauck twice and loved it. Is the schedule too tight? <BR>Thought it might make looking for things easier- What is a goog time of year to visit Bermuda or Hawaii? definitely want to get in the water.. <BR>Can you recommend a hotel in Hawaii? Which islands to see?

Just returned from a week in Bermuda - I keep dreaming about it and wishing the vacation wasn't so short. We rented a house and dove every day. The scuba WONDERFUL! I suggest Blue Waters Divers. My whole family loved the dives - 12 year old son's first experience and the coral tunnels and canyons were spectacular as well. <BR> <BR>Hawaii was fun too. Bermuda seemed much older and quaint, Hawaii was more modern. You can rent a car in Hawaii but can't in Bermuda (we had a blast cruising around on scooters). <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy your vacation. <BR> <BR>Steve <BR>