Sleepy: Before I moved here, I scouted out Hawaii. I too had a friend living there, and I would highly recommend that you visit your friend and get all that local knowledge. You (and your friend) can come to the VI another time! (I obviously don't work for Tourism, eh?)

Hmmm.... Which Hawaiian island? Each has a different "flavor". Maybe describe the type of trip you are looking for. Relaxing? Shopping? Other? I've been to both, and each are great (depending on island and preference).

I would be going to Oahu. My friend's husband is in the Navy so she lives close to base and near Honolulu. If I were going to HI my trip would be drinking, swimming, snorkeling, exploring. If I went to STJ it would be exploring, snorkeling, swimming, drinking. lol Pretty much the same stuff but different priorities. And I know that going to Honolulu is the opposite of STJ as far as pace. That's why it's SO hard to choose.

I lived on Oahu for almost 2 years back in 1986 and hated every moment of it 🙁 Now live on STJ and love every moment of it 🙂 STJ is what I thought the island of Oahu would be like instead I found a concrete jungle complete with Stateside shopping malls (I admit I was very naive) - STJ has no fast food and not one traffic light 🙂

Pia

Can't speak directly for or against HI and I agree with East Ender about friends and local support. However, we met a couple from CA during our recent visit and when I asked them what made them come from CA to VI versus HI they both said HI can't hold a candle to STJ. The choice of beaches, quality of sand, snorkeling and people made STJ so much nicer.

I would definitely go for Oahu. It is a long trip for sure but if you have never seen it you must. Yeah Honolulu is a huge congested city but the island is incredible. Huge mountains, the north shore, the west side. There is so much to see and do Waikiki is a trip..
I live on the north shore for 5 years and have been here on STX for 4 years, last year I went back for 3 weeks and found myself screaming at the beauty of the mountains. When you go to the north shore you travel through several miles of Pineapple fields then you come to the crest of a hill and you see the town of Haleiwa and the pacific ocean, unforgettable. Hawaii has a place in my soul and I see myself going back some day. Don't miss this opportunity.

My choice would be St. John especially if you want to be surrouned with ocean and mountain views without chain stores and restaurants. Hawaii is beautiful but too commercialized for me. I've been to Hawaii twice and St. John 8 times and going back next year.

Everyone's answers have been VERY helpful! I'm still debating. LOL I REALLY want to go to STJ and am leaning towards it because I rather be in a more laid back area and not so congested. I live in Annapolis and I avoid DC and Baltimore at all costs. lol I keep thinking about it and wieghing my options and it keeps coming to STJ. So again thanks everyone!!

I've been to both and I would highly recommend STJ unless your priority is night life. The beaches and waters of Oahu can't hold a candle to those of STJ. We spent 3 days on Oahu and a week in Maui. Maui was much better with great water falls and scenery but the STJ beaches and water is still much better. If you have the option of going to STJ another time then by all means go visit your friend and enjoy Oahu. But if you really want the best go to STJ.

I can basically save and go to STJ whenever I want.My friend is only in Oahu for another year maybe. If I went to Oahu I'd be all about the nightlife and drinking, but if I went to STJ I'd be all about the exploring and beaches. But I'm not sure I want t go out and party in the city n my vacation. I do that on weekends here. I rather explore somewhere fun and interesting.

"My friend is only in Oahu for another year maybe"

To reiterate: Go see Oahu through your friend's eyes. You can always come to the Virgin Islands later.

Have been to both. Oahu is a beautiful island. I really didn't spend much time in Honolulu. We stayed in Waikiki. That was a fun place. The north shore of Oahu is just breathtaking. You can not compare the mountains of Oahu to St. John. Think LOST. I would go back to Hawaii in a minute, except the flight is soooo long. That being said, I spent a week in St. John this past April. My husband who thinks Hawaii is the most beautiful place in the world, thinks St. John is a very close second. We have already made our plans for a trip next spring. There are beautiful beaches on both. Either way you can not go wrong.

I Lived for a short time in St john and visited all the hawaiian islands more than a few times(live in cali)....as far as which one...its a no brainer! ST JOHN !! hands down....especially if you are comparing it with Oahu. My favorite hawaiin island is Kauai...and even that island , as gorgeous as it its...doesn't have the beaches that St John has...they are breathe taking/ white....they ARE ..what you see in the pics..PERIOD! Just an fyi...my sister just visited FiJi.......and she has been to st john as well..she told me that Fiji was beautiful..but st john still had the most beautiful beaches!

I have been to the Hawaiian Islands five times on photographic assignments and it is an ideal destination if you like surf, lush mountains, waterfalls and long scenic drives. St. John is ideal for water lovers. It simply posses some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. The only place that I have visited that has comparable beaches outside of the Caribbean is the Seychelles Islands off of East Africa.

Alain M Brin

I decided on st John. I rather explore and swim and snorkel there then in HI. I'm sure HI is amazing, but my friend and I would jsut be boozin' and boozin' and I don't think I would be able to do many of the things I would really want to do. If I go to STJ (alone) I will be able to to what I want and when I wan to. lol Plus all the research I've done STJ is all I can think about

OMG...Hawaii hands down!!!! Remember, the caribbean islands are very poor and have horrible roads, flooding, very few restaurants and very expensive!!! You would have so much more fun with the company of a friend. Many, many more things to see/do in Hawaii without all of the hecklers!!!!

Stephaniepetcare, can you please name the Caribbean island you are describing. I've only been to St. Thomas and St. John, but I have not experienced the horrible roads, flooding, and hecklers. I have always found many restaurants in all price ranges and have dined wonderfully on both low-budget visits and devil-may-care visits. Perhaps you are talking about a different island that I've not experienced.

Good choice, sleepylove!!