Honeymoon in August to Maldives or Hawaii??!

IamBroke

Hi everyone

My fiance and I are still struggling to decide whether to visit the Maldives for our honeymoon or Hawaii.

It will be in the summer holidays - I am a teacher so no choice there.

Maldives is low season as can't guarantee the weather, but does work out cheaper than Hawaii.

Whereas Hawaii is more expensive but we thought we might have more to do.

We do want to snorkel, have beach time and drink cocktails but just fear the weather in Maldives could make us get cabin fever if there isn't anywhere else to go. Hawaii just looks like after our beach time we could have places to explore.

Can anyone who has been to Hawaii tell me if the beaches and snorkelling are just as good - we thought we could get the best of both worlds in Hawaii as we really wanted somewhere hot. But it is more expensive!!

I just didn't want to get to Hawaii and for it to be like a beach that could be anywhere in the world as I know the beaches in Maldives look stunning

Thank you!!

InsideInsurance

For beach, Hawaii is not as good as Maldives but the Maldives is only beach.

How about the islands in Indonesia like Bali? Its the idea time in August from memory, though the pricing would reflect this if my memory is correct.

glentoran99

never been to hawaii but the maldives is paradise id go back in a heartbeat

PompeyPete

#2. Bali is High Season in August. The roads on the south of the island in particular are manic.

A lot of the beaches in Bali aren't that good either, so if beaches are a priority you need to take good advice on which ones are quality.

IamBroke

We would really like great snorkeling and beaches with a mix of things to do. My fiance loves the water he has just come back from diving with sharks! But I am just not sure we could spend 14 days purely on a beach thats all.

Thank you everyone though - we will probably have to pick it out of a hat at this rate! haha

Icequeen99

IamBroke wrote: »

We would really like great snorkeling and beaches with a mix of things to do. My fiance loves the water he has just come back from diving with sharks! But I am just not sure we could spend 14 days purely on a beach thats all.

Thank you everyone though - we will probably have to pick it out of a hat at this rate! haha

I have been to both and Hawaii would win hands down.

Don't forget that Hawaii is more than just Oahu/Honolulu. A lot of people I have spoken to have visit Honolulu and stayed on Waikiki beach and then based their experience on that.

There are some beautiful beaches on the North Shore of Oahu as well as the other islands such as Maui.

I found the Maldives too much for 2 weeks. Not enough to do. With Hawaii there is so much to see and do especially if you split the time between a couple of the islands.

If you are prepared to do your research and explore the islands rather than stick to the tourist areas you will certainly not be disappointed with the snorkelling and beaches.

Edited to add: there are also ways of reducing the cost. For example, look into privately owned condos instead of hotels. Still excellent standards but much cheaper.

IQ

davetrousers

Icequeen99 wrote: »

I found the Maldives too much for 2 weeks. Not enough to do.

Surely too little then.

beluga

Hawaii is amazing! I haven't been to the Maldives so can't compare, but I found the snorkeling in Hawaii to be amazing. We did some boat trips and snorkeled with turtles and manta rays, as well as loads of fish. My DH dives and did some diving while we were there - some of the boats offer diving and snorkeling so you can do either. We also went kayaking and on a submarine, as well as load of non beach / water activities. It really depends on which island(s) you visit.
In realtion to cost, we found ways to reduce the price, including staying at condos (booking direct got us some great discounts), eating / drinking in the condo, looking for happy hours etc. If you have your own snorkel gear (or buy it out there) then you can spend days at the beach and see loads of marine life for free Take a picnic and you're good to go.

Either way, I'm sure you'll have a great time