Actual travleis, most people going from LA to Tahiti fly there direct, not via Hawaii (although we did). A direct flight from LAX to Papeete is (I believe) about 8 - 8 1/2 hours. It's still admittedly quite a bit longer than the 4 1/2 hours or so that it probably takes to get from LAX to Honolulu. It's not the full 2800 extra miles however a flight from LAX to Honolulu then to Papeete would be.

In any event, the extra travel time is well worth it (in my opinion) - providing of course that you can afford to stay there.

Ken

Yes...that's how we got to Tahiti....nonstop from Los Angeles....which was about 8 hours.

I'm holding a SanFran-Honolulu itinerary right now but can't tell how long of a flight it is due to time changes. But I figure its got to be at least 6 hours?????

I love the Caribbean and the Bahamas. While Hawaii is beautiful, it just doesn't compare to the Caribbean beaches and water. There are certain islands laden with crime, but many that are not---where the people are very friendly, it's totally safe, and there are no high rises. You could try the out islands of the Bahamas - Elbow Cay, Guana Cay or Green Turtle Cay (Abaco) - or how about St Vincent and the Grenadines? We were married at Young Island Resort in St Vincent and I can't recommend it enough. Then there's Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda, BVI. If you avoid the heavily populated, totally touristy islands like Jamaica, or Nassau, and go to a smaller island, you will love it.

Been to both Bahamas (Paradise Island) and to Hawaii, Kauai and Oahu.

Yes the water is warmer, not what I consider significantly, in the Bahamas but otherwise the beauty of looking towards the ocean and behind you while sitting on the beach is much better in the Hawaiian Islands. Love the seascape and the mountains with the changes in climate from one section to another. Rainforest here, desert there, semiarid over there.. truly spectacular.

TiffanyLynn,
I don't think I've come across anything more beautiful than where I spent my honeymoon, which was Bermuda. Somehow though, I think that anywhere reasonably beautiful you end up for your honeymoon is bound to be wonderful, romantic, and stress free after all those months of planning,etc.

My point is, go with what your instincts tell you. None of the above places will disappoint you.

Regarding some of the comments comparing Hawaii and the Caribbean, you can find rain forests, mountains, arid desert areas, beautiful tropical flowers and plants, plus the palm trees [that symbolize tropical beauty for me, at least] I also enjoyed Aruba, and the beaches in Australia were beautiful, and the coastline of New Zealand was breathtaking. However, my advice would be to do what is most comfortable within the time frame you are working with. Your honeymoon is one time you want to relax and it would be hard to be disappointed, given the occasion you're celebrating.

I hope 4khansen is not generalizing the entire Caribbean from an isolated visit to Paradise Island (which was named Hog Island until late in the 20th century). PI is one of the more unappealing places in the Caribbean.

If you want to see the best the Caribbean has to offer for warm, turquoise water and powdery white sand, you need to visit Turks/Caicos, Anguilla, Eleuthera, St. John or a host of others.