Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Fiji or Samoa, February 08 Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
justinevw71 23:35 UTC 01 Aug 2007 | Hello I know this is a very subjective question, but I would be very grateful for any replies! Hubby & I are off on an RTW trip next year and our ticket (and timetable) gives us the option of flying in and out of either Fiji or Samoa. Which should we choose? We are looking to spend a max of 2 weeks in the area. We're not really beach people - we can happily spend a day or two chilling out but then we tend to get a bit restless so we like to go off and see a few things. Would Fiji or Samoa suit us better? And which of the 2 is it easier to travel to other places in the region from? Oh, and is February an ok time to be there regarding the weather? Many thanks in advance for any replies! |
islandboi321 04:52 UTC 02 Aug 2007 | I think 2 weeks is a good amount of time to spend exploring Samoa... especially acknowledging the the fact that you're not much for sand and surf. You may wish to rent a car... that way you could go when you want to go. There's lots to see in Samoa. Weather in February? It's going to be very hot and humid for sure. Some years I have been to Samoa and only experienced the obligatory daily afternoon/evening downpours and had sunshine most of the rest of the time or I have hunkered down to stretches of 4 or 5 days steady, drenching rain. It is also cyclone season. | 1
Laszlo 07:41 UTC 02 Aug 2007 | If you are not beach people, Fiji is definitely much the better bet. It has far more and bigger islands to explore, with a good network of roads on the main islands. It also has fairly good hiking trails and sizeable areas of pristine, protected rainforest - something sadly lacking in Samoa. Viti Levu and Taveuni are two good islands to check out, as well as Ovalau for historical stuff. Also, Fiji is the best connected country in the region, pretty much a hub for air travel. | 2
raro 07:50 UTC 02 Aug 2007 | I've been to Fiji several times, but not to Samoa. There is plenty to do and see in two weeks in Fiji, probably 30 to 40 islands you can visit, but really about a dozen main choices. Good infrastructure for getting around, although ferries can run late, or not at all, so try to take planes whenever possible. Not sure what you mean by "traveling to other areas in the region". Domestic travel is easy, to visit another country, like Tonga or Vanuatu, etc. will be very expensive, and not worth it for a total of two weeks. Yes, it will be hot and humid. Try to get a place with air-con if humidity will bother you. | 3
justinevw71 23:05 UTC 09 Aug 2007 | Thank you very much for your replies. Looks like we'll probably head for Fiji! | 4