Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# What places need most time? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
tellus112 10:06 UTC 12 Aug 2013 | Hi, I´m doing a trip to the South Pacific next summer. Unfortunately only 5 weeks. Will go to: Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon and Vanuati. But - in those 5 weeks, where should I spend most time? I am more into adventure and not so fond of touristic places. Your idea on this would be most welcome! Erik |
ozziegiraffe 10:11 UTC 13 Aug 2013 | If you really want to see much of each of these countries, you would need at least two weeks in each of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji, and a week each in Tonga and Samoa. Tonga and Samoa are smaller, and Polynesian, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are much larger and Melanesia. Fiji is a mix of the two. Internal transport options can be very limited in all of these countries. Have a look at the airlines that travel between these countries, for an idea of how often they do the trip. Fiji to Vanuatu and Solomon Isands, for example, is only once, or at most twice, a week. You might be better to limit your trip to one of the Polynesian countries and one Melanesian, with Fiji as a transit point, as most countries have airlinks to Fiji, but not necessarily to each other. Also, what are you interested in doing and seeing? This can help us advise you. And are you talking about the Northern Hemisphere summer? | 1
Laszlo 23:42 UTC 14 Aug 2013 | As above. With your initial plan, you would only have less than a week in each country (after reducting time spent traveling between them) and would probably end up seeing only the most visited/touristic places in each country. In Vanuatu, the Solomons and Tonga, the most interesting places to visit are in the outer islands, that require extra time to get to. Only in Fiji and Samoa could you see much good staff on the island you land on. In Tonga too, but apart from its sights, the main island there is far less scenic than the outer islands. | 2
tellus112 13:09 UTC 19 Aug 2013 | Hi, Many thanks for answers! I will go in "our summer" - that is July/August. Probably best for Southern Pacific... Time is somewhat limited, but your answers do help me - I have decieded to prolong this trip into 7 weeks. I´m not into the "all inclusive thing". Actually not much into swimming and diving. Top interest is to experience the way of life of people and to see beautiful nature. My idea right now is to put most time and experience in Melanesia (Vanuati and Solomons). One more question that I need to deal with in the short run: To what a degree do you have to book flights between those destinations (Fiji and other island countries) a long time in advance? Do I get good reductions if you act now? Book and pay now? Best regards Erik | 3
Laszlo 21:39 UTC 19 Aug 2013 | In my experience, if you connect through Fiji and thus mostly fly on Air Pacific, their flights are rarely full and their discounted fares pretty stable, so booking far in advance is not strictly necessary. Good decision on which countries to make your priority! | 4
tellus112 08:12 UTC 22 Aug 2013 | Thanks a lot! This trip will be fine... | 5
ozziegiraffe 11:44 UTC 25 Aug 2013 | Flights between countries are relatively easy to book, with relatively stable fares. Internal flights (if you need to use them) are another matter entirely. There are never special prices and you must book well in advance. Even then, because the planes are small, some passengers can get bumped, as they are likely to overbook. Also, the runways are usually grass, so planes can be cancelled or schedules altered with no warning. | 6