Tahiti and/or The Cooks

Hi, I am planning my first trip to the South Pacific and wonder if perhaps I am wasting time and resourses visiting both Tahiti and The Cooks. Would the experience be similar on both? Would I do better by concentrating on one or the other?. If this is the case should it be the Cooks or Tahiti? I will be in Oz and NZ prior to visiting the islands. I have also given thought to Hawaii but time is an issue. Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Happy Travels Jim

First find out whether there are convenient flights between the two groups.

Personally, I find the landscape of Tahiti, Moorea and their sister islands much more beautiful than the Cooks. On the other hand, they are more expensive than the Cooks. Rarotonga is also much smaller than Tahiti and it is further south, so it is cooler in July/August to the point where you might find it too cool.

If English is important to you, choose the Cooks.The bus system on Rarotonga (takes an hour to go around the island) is reliable. The same cannot be said of the buses on Tahiti (except close to Papeete), but the locals pick up stranded tourists at outlying bus stops. I thought that the people on both island groups are very friendly. Both groups also have great dances and drummers.

I have been to both countries several times. Both have their charm. I think Aitutaki in the CI is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Bora Bora while beautiful was so over built it had lost its charm. I kept thinking of Aitutaki. Th experience is different, in the climate is cooler in the Cooks and English is spoken there, French in French Polynesia. If this will be your only trip to the South Pacific go to both countries. Beware though, many travellers catch the Polynesian flu, for which the only treatment is going back.

I've spent very little time in Tahiti. I've spent a lot of time in the Caribean and Hawaii.

I been to the CI three times. I like the Cooks because they are not developed to the extent that most tropical destinations are, they speak English, the place is beautiful, uncrowded and accessible. But most of all the people are the friendliest of anywhere I've ever been.

I forgot to mention. There is a flight from Rarotonga to Tahiti, once a week I think. Check their web site for details.

The link for Air Rarotonga didn't show up in the message above; here it is:
http://airraro.co.ck

I forgot about the Polynesian flu since I have almost completely recovered from it - now that I have decorated my house with tapas, carvings, and pillows with Polynesian patterns. I also drive to work with drums and dance music from various islands. My husband is still badly stricken, so we need to go back. :-)

I agree with jmk.
We just came back from Bora Bora and although it is very beautiful we felt it all a bit FAKE. It left us cold. We are returning to the Cooks in 2009 (for the 5th time) to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversay.

For a first time visit, I'd pick the Cooks. As everyone speaks English it's a lot easier to meet people, which is part of the charm of the SPacific. Yes, Bora Bora is probably the most beautiful island in the world, but Aitutaki is a close second. Bora Bora is, as said, above, way over-developed.

You can do both, but it's a separately-paid ticket between the two, using that Air Rarotonga flight.

In my opinion, Bora Bora is beautiful but it's typically a " just married " or international tourist overcrowded destination. It look very nice on a postcard , but if you like to watch the fishes, most of the coral is dead.
For me , Moorea is a more beautiful island, more tahitian , a short distance from Tahiti by plane or boat , with nice beaches , beautiful landscapes , coral with fishes , and , to discover the beautiful Polynesian culture , an excellent polynesian dances performance almost every night at " Tiki village ", a reconstitued Tahitian village.

From Tahiti , you can easely reach Cook Islands at a very affordable price. ( approximatively 356 $ go and return from Papeete ) . For me Cook islands are quite boring , with a strong british " anglican " influence on people , not so funny as French influenced culture , more relax , of Tahitian people . It's completely different !

Therefore , why not to try to compare 2 very different cultures in just one trip ?

PS: I am from Switzerland , speaking better French that English.

Have a nice trip.
Louis.

this will depend on whether you like this particular region and its activities to offer.

the cooks and tahiti are NOT like Hawaii, were the polynesian culture had already disapeared a long time ago. the cooks/FP have been so far spared from the package tourism youll find common in the caribbean. or atleast very slowly.

you'll still find people giving you lei and polynesian necklace just from their hospitality and generousity. and there is more to FP than just BoraBora or Aitutaki. Go to the Tuamotus or off the beaten path FP or as far away from tourists, youll discover the polynesian culture much better.

The locals that we've met have always wondered why the tourists never interact and sort of maintain this separation with them. but when you open to them youll fid their culture rich and very generous.