Christmas Destinations in the pacific

Hi

I am new to this forum but my boyfriend and I along with his brother and partner are all wanting to escape for christmas 2010. We have all decided on a beach/resort style holiday just to relax and drink and soak up the sunshine.

My boyfriend and I live in Brisbane and they live in Melbourne so wanted to keep the travelling to somewhere quite local (in global terms). We realise that christmas is an expensive time to travel anywhere so have a realistic budget but our biggest concern is the weather.

Places we are considering are:

Fiji
Vanuatu
Malaysia (langkawi or Perhentian islands - but hear they close down for the wet season)
Hayman/Hamilton Is
Cook Islands
Samoa

We realise it's the wet season and these islands are known to have cyclones/monsoons around christmas but can anyone tell us from experience whether it's still worth going to somewhere like this and if it rains - how often?

also which of our suggestions are the most worthwhile and best value for money. best diving/snorkeling. best beaches. best versatility etc etc.

Otherwise is the nsw coast worth the trip? None of us are that thrilled with sydney and obviously done parts of it like byron bay etc but jervis bay/lord howe island could be an option if people are impressed by it.

any thoughts or advice would be hugely appreciated.

My sister and family are in Fiji right now. They say that it is hot and steamy, but still really nice at the resort (Sofitel) - air con all over, great pool and they wont leave the resort. If thats your kind of holiday then no problem. Fiji CAN have troublesome cyclones - but not often. Last couple of years in Jan theyve also had floods in parts, but again , that alone shouldnt dissuade you from visiting.The other Pacific destinantions will be much the same, but then there are often stingers and cyclones this time of year in Qld.

Have you thought about the Solomon Islands? In particular, Uepi Island Resort. (www.uepi.com) A beautiful place, small and secluded. Brilliant diving and snorkelling right off the island. Great food - no...brilliant food.

Not the cheapest place, but the day rate includes all your meals.

Another plus, is that you can fly out of Brisbane at 9.30am, and be at Uepi by late afternoon the same day. And the same coming back, leave Uepi mid moring, and be back in Brisbane in time for dinner.

Re the weather, Uepi is out of the cyclone belt and Xmas can be beautiful weather there...we spent every Xmas there for many years. There may be a little more rain during the so called "wet" season, but not a great deal, and not enough to worry us. Actually, we're heading back again in a few days....

thanks for your ideas.

I haven't really looked into the solomon islands but will do now.

my boyfriend and I are big travellers and enjoy adventure and off the beaten track type holidays. His brother and partner however are not they want to just relax and drink by the pool/beach so we are trying to compromise and meet half way. so if there are lots of things to do as well as diving for us and relaxing alternatives for them then it may be a great option.

thanks a lot for your feedback

also one more question on solomon islands. in regards to flights and package deals do you recommend any particular airline or website that offers cheapish deals?

is it easy enough and quick enough to travel between the islands?

thanks again

Re Solomon islands, I spent a month there over Christmas, and had beautiful weather, but the day I left, it started to rain and they had floods. So in some ways it is similar to Australia at the same time of year. (It is currently hotter where I live in Australia than it was all the time I was in Solomon Islands.
There are 3 airlines flying to Solomon airlines currently. Pacific Blue has 2 flights a week, Solomon Airlines 3, and Our Airline 1. The first 2 can definitely be booked online. Look for specials.
If you are going to Western Province, you would need to check your on-going flights, but I recommend you plan to spend a couple of days at one end of your trip in Honiara anyhow.
Look at the website in my sig line, and also Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau. There are many places to visit, and more appearing all the time.
Travel between islands is by Solomon Airlines domestic flights, and there are also fast and slow boats. Conditions of travel are improving every year.

just another question - yes i know they kep coming! i have read that the domesitc flights in solomon islands can change all the time. what is the airline called and is this reliable information. i never use travel agents but dont want to be left high and dry at honiara airport! we're ok with having a few days in honiara but if they change the flight is it usually just by a few hours or could it be days?

also what are the best beaches/resorts/snorkel & dive sights - it seems to be a minefield with the amount of islands there are. im confusing myself the more i look into it!

There is only one airline flying domestically, and that is Solomon Airlines. Here is their website.
Most flights to tourist destinations are reasonably reliable, unless the weather changes. However, i once got stranded in Temotu (the remote Eastern province) for a week due to a change in schedule.
However, I have also known them to hold international flights at Honiara for an incoming passenger on a delayed domestic flight.
I would allow for a couple of days in Honiara at the end of your trip, in case ylour flight back is delayed.
And DO book Honiara accommodation in advance - it can get booked out easily.
Depending on budget, I can recommend Maravagi, in Central province (a couple of hours from Honiara by fast boat, so no flight problem). However, their food is expensive, and you have nowhere to cook your own.Tavanipupu, on Guadalcanal, is supposed to be wonderful, but way out of my price range.
However, I have never been to any of the resorts in Western province, as my interests are culture and people.
You will have to get advice on those from others.

Cooks will usually be full at Christmas, with returning CIers from NZ and Oz. Flights are also more expensive. I'd choose closer countries, as mentioned above.