Advice on choosing the most ideal destination

Hello, I've seen other posts on the same topic, but none to answer my specific wants.

My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to the South Pacific in the next couple of years. I had had my mind fairly set on the Cook Islands, but after reading some of the posts here, I'm starting to wonder whether they are the right choice of destination for us, after all. There is certainly a fair amount of information on all the islands in the Pacific, but that only confuses me all the more. If someone could help me with choosing the right destination for us, I would be very grateful.

The most important things for us are:

Beautiful and varied scenery (beaches (with the clear, clear sea), jungle, mountains)
Places to hike
Peace & quiet

We're not at all bothered about nightlife and restaurants - just doing our own thing and enjoying the beautiful island/s.
Accommodation doesn't have to be anything too fancy; perhaps the lower end of mid-range (if that makes any sense!)
We'll most likely be staying for 2 weeks.

And lastly, I'd hoped to spend no more than 23,000 NZD (including return airfare from London/Northern Europe for 2 adults).

Thanks in advance.

There's nothing like hearing from someone who has "been there" to get the real story about a place you might want to visit. Most of the regulars on this forum contribute because they like to help others. And most of the people that contribute have been to the places they say they have and they offer their opinions in good faith.

But like everyone else they have their own ideas about what makes a place a good destination. Each has their own set of filters and prejudices that color what they say about the places they visit. Then there is the human trait of validation that drives all of us to a certain degree. We all want to think that our "best SP destination" is "THE best SP destination" and we want others to share our view.

That being said... MY best SP destination is the Cook Islands. Rarotonga is a classic SP destination with the most tourists and tourist-related things in the country. Aitutaki, the second-most visited island, is beautiful and has a nice mixture of accommodation, places to recreate and eat. Touring the island on a scooter or bike you'll get glimpses of the island up close and a chance to mingle with the locals. Tourism is a major business on these two islands.

The rest of the southern group are our favorites because they give us the opportunity to enjoy a microcosm of South Pacific beauty, geology, culture, people and history unfettered with the trappings of the larger tourist destinations. The people of the Cook Islands are among the friendliest I have met anywhere in the world. It is an unrehearsed spontaneous immersive experience you will not soon forget.

You'll find relatively few people who have spent much time in these places. But of those who have, most are planning to return.

Edited by: H2ooh

Are you serious about $23,000 or was that a misprint?

Well, I was being serious with $23,000 NZD. Why, is it not enough? I have seen similar prices elsewhere, but really I am quite clueless at the moment!...

Since you should be able to get return air fares from Eurpoe to Australia for 2 people for $5000, and returns from Australia to an island for $1500, you will have plenty to spend. Most people on this forum are used to a much smaller budget for a 2 week stay in the islands.
If I had your budget, I would be spending a few days here on an island off Guadalcanal, in Solomon Islands. Various parts of Solomon Islands will fulfill all our requests.

I perhaps have been looking at the most expensive flights, then! I am only at the beginning of my 'researching', so don't know much at the moment. But thanks for your help - that has pleased me to hear!
That island does look beautiful, by the way, and the Solomon Islands do seem to fulfill my requests. Ahh, so much choices!....

The Cook Islands will definitely provide what you are looking for at reasonable costs. Visiting Aitutaki is a must for the beautiful beaches - there is not a lot of hiking but swimming, snorkeling and kayaking could be a good substitute. I can also recommend Tahiti, in particular the islands of Huahine and Raitea - very quiet but beautiful with hiking opportunities. Another good choice would be Fiji, in particular the outer islands which have the beautiful beaches and hiking possibilities. It would be possible to get to Tahiti from London via Los Angeles (Air France or Tahiti Nui). There is a weekly flight from Tahiti to The Cook Islands, as far as I know, with Air Tahiti. Fiji can also be reached from LA with ANZ, Quantas, Air Pacific or American Airlines. Good luck with your planning.

My vote is for Solomon Islands as well, but as H2ooh says, we all have our own preferences, and SI is definitely Ozzie and my number one place.

It's regrettable that some of the information you have already read has put you off the Cook Islands as your dream destination. If you have specific queries I'm sure that those of us who know and love the Cook Islands are only too happy to help clarify the situation.

Like H200h, I believe that Aitutaki island coupled with Atiu island would be near to your preferences.
Atiu has the unspoilt scenery, jungle, deserted coves and the clearest seawater Ive seen due to this island's isolation in the South Pacific.
Aitutaki is the island of dreams. Its remarkable lagoon is world class, and the daily cruises available will take people where they want to go for snorkelling, swimming, lunch stops, photo opportuinities, shade under a palm besides an idyllic lagoon. The mix of accommodation on Aitutaki is appealing. There is a place for every budget. Certainly the Pacific Resort is luxury at its best. But Ive also stayed in a cute little shack on a tranquil beach and slept soundly with the sounds of waves gently lapping onto the beachfront as the only noise in the background. I paid NZ$60 per night for the privilege. Yet the cost of the Pacific Resort at NZ$850 per night (American breakfst included) was equally great value for money.

Air New Zealand is the main airline into the Cook Islands from Los Angeles, Sydney, and Auckland. An RTW ticket would be cost -effective, with flights from UK/Europe arriving via Hong Kong into NZ, with daily connections to Rarotonga from there. Northbound, the flight through LAX with connections to Europe are available. For internal travel, Air Rarotonga provides a 2-island fare including Atiu, and Aitutaki. I also suggest spending a couple of nights at lest on Rarotonga to gain a sense of impression about the capital of the Cook Islands and to do some hiking across the interior cloud forest. As far as budget goes, I think you have more than ample to cover your air fares, accommodation and living costs. The key would be to eat fresh and local products where-ever possible (fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, locally baked breads, cheap eats with an occassional splurge in between. Bring light clothing, good walking shoes, a warm smile and lots of sunscreen.

@earthwanderer.... I'm curious, what did you read on this forum that put you off about the Cook Islands?

Thank you vey much for the help and advice, everyone. It is greatly appreciated. As has been said, it's all about personal preferences, and it looks as though so many of the islands have their own individual pros. So, I will just need to decide which island/s give the best mixture for my preferences.

Oh, I haven't been put off of the Cook Islands, they do still sound wonderful to me. Just that in other comparisons I have read about the different islands, the Cook Islands don't seem to come out on top for the hiking, (and some otherthings that I can't remember now!...) which probably is the main thing for me. Perhaps I sound too fussy! I just don't want to make the 'wrong' decision, since it will take a couple of years of saving before I even get the chance to go.
So again, thank you for all the advice, I will certainly be taking it all into consideration. :)

One of the nice things about walking around in any of the outer Cook Islands is that you don't have to worry about your safety.

My wife and I both enjoy exploring on scooters and walking. On Mitiaro and Mauke my wife often gets up before dawn and walks the 10 miles around the entire island alone. We never worry about our safety in the Cooks and we have never had a problem or concern with personal safety or theft. The perimeter walk around Mauke is almost entirely shaded with paths down to the beach every 100 meters or so. The walk around Mitiaro is less shaded but pleasant enough if you start early.

Mangaia offers some cross-country treks along some ancient pathways and established roads. There's an old path that goes from the interior to the ocean that they used to use to to take cattle to load on barges for export. It's all overgrown now and the old paved steps and paths look like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.

Mangaia, Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke all have caves to explore with local guides. Some have interesting and unique flora and fauna and you'll even find human remains from the old days in some of them. Your escort will probably know a lot about the verbal history of what you are seeing as well as some contemporary social norms and superstitions of the locals regarding the site.

I've not spent much time on Rarotonga but there are hiking opportunities there as well, both guided and unguided.

Cook Islanders take a lot of pride in their culture and their country. That becomes apparent when you tour the villages and see the well-kept homes and tended yards and gardens. They will respect you and are considerate of your privacy and space. They are also very friendly people will usually share conversation, food or about anything they have at the slightest sign of encouragement from you.