Hawaii or Bahamas?

Virgin Islands.

[quote="JoJmoto":1z43wmsg]So, we are thinking about going out of Country for a vacation (Just me and the wife) for the first time. We are not really "Beach People" but I really feel the need for some fishing and diving fun. (However the wife does not dive)

We dont have a ton of money for this but can swing enough to go to either. We do have a friend who lives in the Bahamas on one of the smaller islands that has offered us their rental home that is on the beach so, all we would have to pay is travel and food and whatever fun we wanted to do.

Has anyone been to either place or both places that can tell me what there is to do at these places and what kind of cash it would be needed for either? Yeah we dont get out much, if we aint working we are racing or working around the house so, we have no idea what these places have to offer. Thanks.[/quote:1z43wmsg]

I'd go to the Bahamas before Hawaii. Shorter flight, less expensive, nicer people, less Japanese, no Horn Dog...

I bet that the activities are around half in the Bahamas as what they are in Hawaii.

I've been to the Bahamas a few times, and if it was my choice I'd probably go back to the Bahamas than Hawaii.

From where you are, you'd blow two days just on travel/flights alone.
The Bahamian culture is incredibly laid back and it takes a day or so to get used to the "No problem, mon" attitude.
Being a former British Colony, it has a very "foreign" feel.
Not sure where your friend's place is, but I prefer Freeport over Nassau. I've never spent time on the little cays (pronounced "keys")
Nassau is good if you're staying at Atlantis Paradise Island (Really nice, $$$$$) or one of the larger hotels, otherwise it is very touristy and small.
Freeport is huge and you can get a nice place on Cable Beach cheaply. You rent a scooter and spend all day riding around and exploring.

Well, If you want to "go out of the country"...I would cross Hawaii of the list.

If you are going for diving, Bahamas is the place to go. I have dived in both Hawaii and the Caribbean water and the Caribbean is a much better dive. The water is warmer, clearer, and much more colorful. Hawaii is nice for all the American luxuries but I prefer the Caribbean over it.

FUBK!

[quote="Cygnus":1il7iz06]Virgin Islands.[/quote:1il7iz06]

Did my honeymoon at St.Thomas/St.John and I honestly didn't think there was a place like this on planet earth outside of the magazines. Ab-so-fucking-lootly incredible.
BUT - it aint cheap.

My vote is Bahamas due to cost if that's a concern. You'll love it. Beautiful and much less expensive than Hawaii.
If cost not a concern, I would pick Hawaii and island hop. That would take a Trump budget though.

St. Thomas is the nicest island in the Caribbean.

Ochos Rios, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, the DR, Antigua, and St. Lucia are absolute dumps.

Barbados is nice, St. Maarten is alright, Nassau is somewhat clean, Bermuda is decent.

Has anyone tried the Domincan Republic?

My ole lady and I are staying at the Excellence? there next month for a week. I don't anything about the place, other than it's next to Haiti, and she booked it. She's either hit or miss when she books vacations, so...

Nevermind, I'll take ZJ word, and plan on getting some shots before I go.

As long as you stay in the tourist areas it's fine. A vast majority of neighborhoods look like TJ. I'm sure all the resorts are nice, it's just the normal day-to-day areas that look like a warzone!

It's like Haiti, cruise lines lease peninsulas and call it their 'private island'.. That place is a war zone, but it's still beautiful.

Aruba is a great place too, can't wait to go back.

St Thomas is beautiful, love that place
St Maarten is also nice, but more "citified." Avoid the French side unless you want to be adventurous

Been to both more times than I can count.

Hawaii is a 'better' place to go, especially if you skip Oahu and Maui and do something like the big island, Kauai or Lanai. But huge bucks, comparatively speaking and a long-ass way. Lanai is, to me, one of the coolest places on the planet.

I've really never cared too much for the Bahamas. To me, a lot like Mexican resorts, but they speak english and have a casino or two. Tons of cruise boats in and out, all the time.

St. Thomas is way good, mahn. That'd get my vote based on your parameters. More than Bahamas, less than Hawaii. Also, Bermuda. Few more bucks, but a really interesting place. Don't know what the weather is like there now.

Divings better in the Carib. Golf, sailing, etc. The usual stuff. Swimming with the dolphins is cool. You can do that in either Freeport or the big island.

Before kids my wife and I liked to do Mexico, Bahamas, any beach resort area for a full week.
After kids, we now just drive to a local crick and spash along the rocky banks. True story.

I would not go back to Hawaii unless I could stay at least two weeks, to friggen far away, and is BIG bucks. I sat at the lobby bar waiting for my room, I had two Vodka and soda's, I gave the guy a 20 and got a dollar and some change back, I said hey I gave you a 20, his reply was yeah, they are 9.25 each!!!!!!!!!!!

Hawaii is tremendously expensive, the only time I zap up my per diem is on a Hawaii layover.

my favorite trip to Hawaii-

A few weeks ago there was an error in scheduling, they wanted me to deadhead back to Memphis. Since the trip was over 8 hours it was first class all the way, full fare on the company card. Nothing like scratching your balls for 8+ hours on the clock.

[quote="flarider":94r8emx0]I've been to the Bahamas a few times, and if it was my choice I'd probably go back to the Bahamas than Hawaii.

From where you are, you'd blow two days just on travel/flights alone.
The Bahamian culture is incredibly laid back and it takes a day or so to get used to the "No problem, mon" attitude.
Being a former British Colony, it has a very "foreign" feel.
Not sure where your friend's place is, but I prefer Freeport over Nassau. I've never spent time on the little cays (pronounced "keys")
Nassau is good if you're staying at Atlantis Paradise Island (Really nice, $$$$$) or one of the larger hotels, otherwise it is very touristy and small.
Freeport is huge and you can get a nice place on Cable Beach cheaply. You rent a scooter and spend all day riding around and exploring.[/quote:94r8emx0]

x2 hawaii is WAY TO FAR!

take a cruise if your budget is slim!

[quote="JoJmoto":a6p9lcb9]Here is the web page to our friends beach house. Not sure what there is to do in Spanish Wells or the surrounding area but sounds like this will prolly be better for us. Guess Hawaii is a little more $$$ and trouble then what the idea of it sounds like. Then I can save a few bucks to get the boy to Mini O's this year. Thanks everyone.



http://www.spanishwellsbahamas.com/oceandreamscottage/[/quote:a6p9lcb9]

That's an absolute no brainer. That place looks great.

Been to both-Hawaii if staying longer than a week. The flight to and fro just absolutely sucks even if 1st class. Bahamas is great. Drink plenty of Kalik. Best beer on planet.

There are neighborhoods in Hawaii that rival Haiti

Negril......

Brent26wood

ANYWHERE IN JAMAICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IREIE MON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been to both...Kauai kicks both islands asses. Kauai is by far one of the coolest places around.

Thanks again everyone. I guess you need a Pass Port to leave America no matter where you go now, right?

Hawaiians are weak people, you could take that island over with a bic lighter.

In case you're wondering, I just got a passport and it took 1 week to get, expidited. Was about $150 total.