Fiji or Madagascar?

I know it's kind of a dumb question, but where else can I ask it? I have 3 weeks in December and I've narrowed it down to Madagascar or Fiji. Anybody been to both? I'm interested in hiking, snorkeling, maybe bicycling, exposure to the culture, staying in budget accomodations. I think the answer is that they are both great places, but I just thought I would ask.

I've never been to Madagascar, but bear in mind that it is the rainy season (and possible cyclones) in Fiji and quite hot being the summer (around 30-35 degrees). On the bigger islands there is quite a lot of hiking, and snorkeling everywhere (but i don't know what the visibility would be like in the rain). As for exposure to culture, there are some islands that are more cultural and some party party. When i went to Naviti, we met a really nice Fijian guy how took us back to his room a few nights and had kava sessions, which was really fun.

I would decide for Madagascar, simply due to the fact that a country with an area of 600.000 sqkm has more to offer than a country with 20.000 sqkm. I love the South Pacific, but Fiji cannot compete with Madagascar in regard to the variety of natural scenery (you can find anything from desert-like landscape to rain forest) and biodiversity (85% of the flora, 39% of avian species, 91% of the reptiles, 99% of the amphibians and 100% of the lemures are endemic to Madagascar). Concerning culture, you can find more historical buildings than a handful of colonial houses in downtown Suva and a very traditional lifestile outside of the cities (I must confess that I haven't been to remote islands in Fiji, but elsewhere in the SP). There are some good beaches (go to Nosy Boraha = Sainte Marie, not to Nosy Bé), and for hiking and bicycling you have the fourth largest island in the world at your disposal.
What you'll not find to the same extent like in Fiji and everywhere in the SP, is the cordiality, hospitality, warm-heartedness and openness against foreigners, something that makes this region the most amiable in the world (for me).

I wouldn't worry that much about rain in fiji, it usually comes for a little while, then clears up for at least part of the day. And cyclones, well, they are actually pretty rare in Fiji, at least ones that might affect you. The main thing you'll notice is the humidity.

As you are Australian, I assume that Fiji would be easier/cheaper to get to.

yeah, if you are in Australia already, it's a lot cheaper to visit Fiji at that time. Fiji is really a beautiful, romantic place (for me, personally) :)

There are a range of accommodation providers there that can suit whatever budget you have, like the Tanoa Hotels.

I personally like the one hotel in Suva, Tanoa Plaza Hotel.

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