which is better fiji or tonga?

I am wanting a holiday over dec/jan and am tossing up between fiji and tonga - which is better? And which is cheaper/more expensive? Also do I have to book accommodation/activities in advance?

"Better" kind of depends on how you define it. What are you looking for?

The main island of Fiji is ten times larger than Tonga's main island (or larger). Much more varied landscape. A few decent beaches on each main island, but none that great. For both you have to get to outer islands. Read the FAQ's and past posts to give you more of an idea on the places to go in each country.

Both are not that expensive compared to NZ. Lodging, as usual, is your main expense after airfare. There are way more places to consider in Fiji than on tongatapu, but there are a few in each range even on Tongatapu.

People are very friendly in both places. Soem local food is available in both, both have some OK restaurants. But fiji is so much more spread out, you have to pick an area or offshore island first. In Tonga, you have to choose which group, Tongatapu, or Haapai, or Vavau.

The flights to Tonga fill up pretty fast for that period, as there are a lot less of them, and Tongans in NZ and Austr. return home for Christmas/New Yrs and book maybe 90% of the seats available. So, I'd book your flight soon if you want to go to Tonga.

For Fiji, since the coup last yr things are a lot quieter than usual, and there are a lot more flights anyway, so you might get a bargain on both the flight and the accommodations. But some of the popular, small, places may already be full for Christmas/New Yrs, in particular in the Mamanucas and Yasawas (generally NW of Nadi).

You really should read FAQ #6 of this branch and repost questions.

Okay sorry new user how do i get to FAQ for this branch?

1. click on "branches" top left of screen
   2. find Branches > Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea and click on that branch
   3. Near top of page should be the first topic - FAQ
   
   OR
   
   Just click here.