Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Tahiti vs Vanuatu vs Fiji

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

hello peoples i have a question for you!
out of tahiti, vanuatu and fiji whats better? what has more to do? what has the most bueatifull beaches? whats cheaper? ........... whats the best option?

the thing is i simply cant make up my mind, i think im leaning towards the smaller places (tahiti/vanuatu) but im just not sure. any help would be much appreciated. thanks!

ps. i do like lazing around on beaches but i also love doing tours, having adventures and seeing places and all that jazz more. cooliez thanks in advance

I am wondering where you got the idea that Vanuatu and Tahiti compare in size? Check out the fast facts on Lonely Planet you can access through the FAQ at the top of the Branch - Vaanuatu is about 100 times bigger than French Polynesia.
In general, the Melanesian countries are far bigger, and have bigger main islands, than any of the Polynesian or Micronesian countries.

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Tahiti as an island may be small, but French Polynesia as a whole is HUGE.
It's also hugely expensive.

Vanuatu is not cheap either... but it's still my favourite.
It has some of the most beautiful beaches I've seen anywhere (see them in my profile) - but I haven't been to French Polynesia.

Since you want somewhere that's cheap, has beaches and tours, Fiji is certainly the best choice for you.
It's much cheaper than the other two, and has all sorts of activities on offer.

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Depends on what you are planning to do--the diving is great in the Fiji area, and it is not really as expensive as Tahiti to eat--but Fiji is kind of dirty. If you are not a cerified diver Fiji is a great place to do the course--my son and I where there in May 07, for two weeks--dove in a different location everyday--weather was perfect--very hot inland but nice on the boat.

Try it.

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