Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I meant water temps. I've heard quite a few people tell me they were surprised at how much cooler Hawaiian waters are compared to the Carib in winter. In the USVI, the water pretty much stays above 80F even in winter. Same for Puerto Rico. There is no way Hawaii has water that warm, and you can def tell the diff in water temps between 75F and 80F.
The winters of 2010 and 2011 were the coldest in Florida for decades. That is why the coco palms looked damaged. I've seen beautiful tall coco palms there that looked no diff to the pics of palm trees in Hawaii. This past winter in S. Florida had few cool outbreaks and after a few more years the trees will look just as heathly as they did in the past. Don't confuse lethal yellowing damaged palm trees with climate. That is a disease that has afflicted palm trees in Florida and makes them die off. It came from the Carib.
Coconut palms in Florida, even in the Keys, are NEVER as tall as they are in Hawaii, nor are they as healthy-looking.South Florida nights in wintertime get into the 40s and 50s for like two weeks every winter, and heck, sometimes the daytime temps are that low in South Florida. Hawaii remains in the 80s during the daytime during winter and in the 70s at night. Yes the water temps are not as hot as the Caribbean, but they are still warm. Who doesn't enjoy 75-78 degree water in the wintertime? Puerto Rico waters are only slightly warmer. Besides, the water just feels cleaner in Hawaii, due to the circulating Pacific.
Not to mention the 18+ up crowd. If they wanna drink and party MIA is a bad option. They often fly to Cancun but that's more expensive than for someone in LA (and especially SD) to fly to San Lucas.
If you're willing to fly out of TJ you can get a great package deal (we're talking RT flight, hotel for a week all for about ~300).
You can take a boat from SoFla to the Bahamas and get there in 4hrs. The flights from SoFla to areas in the West Indies/Caribbean are just as close as Coastal Mexico is to LA.
Coconut palms in Florida, even in the Keys, are NEVER as tall as they are in Hawaii, nor are they as healthy-looking.South Florida nights in wintertime get into the 40s and 50s for like two weeks every winter, and heck, sometimes the daytime temps are that low in South Florida. Hawaii remains in the 80s during the daytime during winter and in the 70s at night. Yes the water temps are not as hot as the Caribbean, but they are still warm. Who doesn't enjoy 75-78 degree water in the wintertime? Puerto Rico waters are only slightly warmer. Besides, the water just feels cleaner in Hawaii, due to the circulating Pacific.
You are correct about the Palms but not the water. To many of Hawaii beaches are dangerous for swimming due to big waves. The drop off from shallow to deep is rapid. We had know cold days this past winter. I'd say the weather in South Florida is almost on par with Hawaii most the year, with the exception of maybe 5 cool days in the mid 50s and of course more humidity. I will just say I've been to the beach on many febuary days.
You can take a boat from SoFla to the Bahamas and get there in 4hrs. The flights from SoFla to areas in the West Indies/Caribbean are just as close as Coastal Mexico is to LA.
They are building a new upscale small casino in Bimini, that's a 90-120 minute boat if that deepening on how fast your boat is. If done with others and a very reliable jet ski it is possible to take a jet ski there. Also there are some expensive 15-20min flights.
Florida has it together. They know how to manage the flow of tourist. Hawaii is a novice by comparison. Example try to rent a chair and umbrella in Hawaii. It is a chore now in Florida they are all lined up waiting for th sunbathers to arrive. Now in Hawaii you have to go find them then make sure they are picked up by 5 even though the sun does not go down till much later.
Had to laugh at all the sun bathers laying on towels in the sand ( myself included) staying in expensive first rate accommodations. If you would like a drink with alcohol in it to sit on the beach Not happening in Hawaii.
In Florida they will walk it out to your beach chair. It is over understanding that people are on vacation to enjoy themselves in Florida. THEN of course if you have never stepped your foot in the warmth of the gulf you will not under stand... But California, Hawaii, Cabo, etc. NO has the warm gulf stream feeding the warm of the beaches.
Hands down Florida for beaches .
Florida has it together. They know how to manage the flow of tourist. Hawaii is a novice by comparison. Example try to rent a chair and umbrella in Hawaii. It is a chore now in Florida they are all lined up waiting for th sunbathers to arrive. Now in Hawaii you have to go find them then make sure they are picked up by 5 even though the sun does not go down till much later.
Had to laugh at all the sun bathers laying on towels in the sand ( myself included) staying in expensive first rate accommodations. If you would like a drink with alcohol in it to sit on the beach Not happening in Hawaii.
In Florida they will walk it out to your beach chair. It is over understanding that people are on vacation to enjoy themselves in Florida. THEN of course if you have never stepped your foot in the warmth of the gulf you will not under stand... But California, Hawaii, Cabo, etc. NO has the warm gulf stream feeding the warm of the beaches.
Hands down Florida for beaches .
another excellent post from the Florida contingent!
I have visited Fla many times (up and down the state). I've been to Hawaii twice (Oahu and Maui). Hawaii by a landslide for me.
I LIKE Fla but as others have stated Hawaii's beaches are simply in a league of their own (simply breathtaking). And I say that as someone who would happily live in So. Fla.
When they give away exotic vacations on radio stations in Los Angeles they don't give away trips to Fla. They give away trips to Hawaii.
Notice how so many California residents brag up the beaches of Hawaii. I guess you would cause your beaches absolutely suck. I'd take Long Island beaches any day over CA. Wanna guess what our ocean temp is right now vs what the ocean is off LA? I'll give you a clue. Our ocean temp right now I don't think Santa Monica has ever reached. You have to fly to Hawaii to have a decent day at the beach. We have the entire east coast that blows away CA and that lousy, cold current running down your shoreline. What a bummer. Plus, your summer weather is god awful. Every day is cloudy till the afternoon. Yuk! So keep pushing Hawaii, that paradise you all love thousands of miles away. We have that in summer right on our doorstep.
Notice how so many California residents brag up the beaches of Hawaii. I guess you would cause your beaches absolutely suck. I'd take Long Island beaches any day over CA. Wanna guess what our ocean temp is right now vs what the ocean is off LA? I'll give you a clue. Our ocean temp right now I don't think Santa Monica has ever reached. You have to fly to Hawaii to have a decent day at the beach. We have the entire east coast that blows away CA and that lousy, cold current running down your shoreline. What a bummer. Plus, your summer weather is god awful. Every day is cloudy till the afternoon. Yuk! So keep pushing Hawaii, that paradise you all love thousands of miles away. We have that in summer right on our doorstep.
ummm this thead is about beaches HAWAII and FLORIDA. Not Ca or NY, so why are you bring them up?
Reading comprehension fail....
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
