Kaua'i or Big Island in late March for snorkel/sights?

Hi everyone!

I%26#39;m spending 10-11 days on the islands at the end of March and was thinking of doing a split between Maui and either Kaua%26#39;i or Hawai%26#39;i. I%26#39;m a big snorkelling nut, but my mother is a big gardening person. I am leaning towards Kaua%26#39;i since it seems like we could do the island justice in just five days and pursue both our interests, but I%26#39;m afraid that it may be a bit rough for snorkelling given that it%26#39;s at the end of the winter season. What do you guys think?

-Martha

Kaua'i or Big Island in late March for snorkel/sights?

Well, of course, it%26#39;s hard to predict the weather. We had pretty good weather (some wind, some clouds, a little rain)at the end of March in %26#39;04 on Kauai, and for us beginner snorkelers Kauai was marvelous (I was seriously hooked right away). Poipu Beach was mostly sunny on our many visits there, and we had a great time at Salt Pond Beach too, as well as Lydgate Park. That being said, the end of our Hawaiin trip was spent on the Big Island, and we had the most spectacular snorkeling there, by far. We especially love the marine preserve at Kealakekua Bay/Captain Cook (the water clarity is amazing), and the Place of Refuge/Two Step is very interesting. Kahalu%26#39;u Beach near Kona has a large number of turtles who are close in to shore--that is a gravelly beach but a nice shallow snorkel spot, and has all the amenities there.

Kauai was a gorgeous place to visit, and everything is packed into a small land space. The Big Island has more variety, and more wide open spaces. I would gladly return to either island, even though one of my friends said she%26#39;s been to Kauai twice and it has rained like a monsoon both times--the only place we really saw it rain was in Hilo, and it didn%26#39;t affect our visit much at all. Have a fun and relaxing trip!