Cook Islands or Fiji?

My wife and I will be heading down to Australia to visit friends in September and Air Zealand offers a free stopover, which gives us a choice between Fiji and the Cook Islands. I dive and both my wife and I like to snorkel. I sure we will be happy with the beaches and reefs in either place, but what about accomodations and costs? If you have been to both places I'd like to hear your comparison. We are not into big resorts but we are not backpackers either.
Richard

Hi riccardo,

In favour of Rarotonga island (entry point into the Cook Islands), a major feature for visitors is having very nice accommodation no further than 30/40 minutes drive from the airport. Arriving from USA and further afield, Air NZ times its Monday morning arrival into the island with most northern hemisphere visitors opting to checkin early so there'e no need to hang around waiting for further transportation except for the organised transfer services that the majority of accommodators pre-arrange to greet their guests outside the arrivals hall.

The Cook Islands currency is Kiwi dollars and I believe that the islands accommodation, food and activities prices are pretty good even compared to tourist hotspots in NZ. Rental cars cost approx $45+ per day - depending on age and size of vehicle. The local bus service is efficient and while a return ticket to Avarua is NZ$7.00, a 10 trip ticket is available for NZ$25. The island also has taxis and transfer services.

September is a lovely month to visit Rarotonga. The temps are pleasant, and the season early spring receives low precipitation. Tropical flowers are beginning to bloom, although the island is already colourful, clean and attractive. A big drawcard for Rarotonga is having an enfringing reefline right around the lagoon. Nearly all lagoon areas are swimmable, except for the few areas where reef passages are dangerous to those unfamiliar with our tidal flows. You can easily identify the spots not to swim or snorkel by the darker colour and turbulent waters. Being a diver I'm sure you will know about these locations. There is good diving around Rarotonga - one of the better operators is Dive Rarotonga located immediately in front of Crowne Beach resort in Arorangi, and which is also close to the Edgewater Resort. This sheltered western locality has a marine reserve alongside the two afore-mentioned accommodations. Additionally the marine reserves in Aroa (in front of the Rarotongan) and the Tikioki mr (front of Moana Sands Hotel & Rarotonga Beach Bungalows) has deeper water and is also excellent for kayaking and lagoon cruising. Both the Rarotongana and the Edgewater fall into the category of biggest resorts however.

Edited by: lagoon

I have been to both and I love snorkelling too, but don't dive anymore. Was a bit underwhelmed by the snorkelling off Rarotonga (sorry lagoon!), but the snorkelling in the lagoon off Aitutaki (an island 50 mins flight away from Raro) was better. You'll need a tour to get to the good parts though. It's paradise there! Accommodation could be in resorts but there are also cheaper options, like Matriki Beach Huts or Amuri Guest House, where I stayed in August 2010.

Having said that, for snorkelling and diving I think you'd like Fiji better, especially if you get off the main island Viti Levu from Nadi and head for the Yasawas; transfer there with the Yasawa Flyer. There are many islands to choose from. I particularly liked Blue Lagoon Resort; they have very good dorms and private bungalows, so a good mix of people. Have a look at tripadvisor for more info on the costs. Although it sounds very resorty, it's very informal too and easy to mingle as the great meals (compulsory meal package) are at large communal tables. Good food, beautiful beach, lots of activities to choose from (or not), a nice house reef and a dive center. Divers there told me they did a shark dive (feeding) they liked. It is a long way away from Viti Levu though and the last stop of the Yasawa Flyer before it returns to Nadi.
Another good one is Octopus Resort, similar set up, but closer to the main island. I also stayed at Manta Ray Resort, a bit more of a party place (wouldn't recommend the cramped and hot dorms there!), but good for a night or two to do the manta snorkelling.
I stayed at all three above mentioned places in September 2010, loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. Same goes for Aitutaki.

Have a great time where ever you're going, the Pacific is amazing!

If you can provide an approximate accommodation cost for your stopover in the Sth Pacific, I'd be more than happy to offer 3/4 recommendations on Rarotonga to help guide your enquiry further. If you plan to stay less than 5 days in the Cook Islands, to visit to Aitutaki island its probably more economical to do a day-tour only to this island (with Air Rarotonga - includes a lagoon cruise) so as to take advantage of potential discounted accommodation prices on Rarotonga.

As I mentioned above, the best snorkelling around Rarotonga is found within the established marine reserves immediately off the beaches where they are located.

Wow, this is a great deal of good info! As far as budgets go, I am able to go $200-$300 night if meals are included. Right now I do not have an idea how long we would lay over because my wife is out-of-town and I need to discuss the whole itinerary with her. What is the approximate cost to fly to Aitutaki from Rarotonga?

I paid NZ$336 for a flight Rarotonga-Aitutaki-Rarotonga in August 2010. There are also combination tickets if you want to explore Atiu also (Raro-Aitutaki-Atiu-Raro), but I don't know how much that is.

As far as accommodation on Aitutaki goes: I stayed in budget places. Amuri Guesthouse was then NZ$40 a night for a single room (I think it was 60 for a double), shared (but very clean) facilities, no meals included, but use of kitchen and lovely and welcoming people that run it and can book tours for you. It's not on the beach though. With your budget (US$ I assume?) you can go a bit more upmarket and stay right on the beach. For Matriki Beach Huts (basic accommodation, snorkelling off the beach) check tripadvisor.

Air Rarotonga day trip to Aitutaki from Rarotonga is currently NZ$459 per person. Price includes airport transfers, return flights, island safari tour, lagoon cruise with lunch on One Foot Island and snorkelling stops.
Air-fares one way from Raro to Aitutaki are around NZ$264 fully flexible, the cheapest fares haven't as yet been released on the website.

S/c accommodation on Aitutaki for a stand alone bungalow is around NZ$150.00 per night/double. Properties in this category include Paradise Cove NZ$135 (continental breakfast included); Amuri Sands NZ$125 per night/double (no meals); Samade on the Beach Resort NZ$300 per night/double (breakfast included - full bar-restaurant on site); Inano Beach NZ$130 per night/double (no meals). Aitutaki Beach Villas - garden bungalow NZ$180 per night/double. All of these small, intimate places are within easy walking distance to licenced cafes. Samade has its own bar-restaurant set on a magnificent lagoon setting, Paradise Cove is next door to Puffy's licenced cafe. Aitutaki Beach Villas is practically next door to Tamanu Beach Resort with onsite licenced restaurant and weekly island night floorshow.

Rarotonga has a far great range of accommodation to meet all budgets. There are small properties which offer a similar tarrif to the ones I identified for Aitutaki including Cooks Oasis villas in Arorangi, located beachside of a good licenced restaurant/steakhouse, with five additional licenced cafes no further than 800 metres away from these villas. Steak dinners cost around NZ$30, fish meals NZ$25, burgers NZ$8.00, fries NZ$5.00. AI isn't a popular concept in the Cook Islands, because visitors much prefer to sample different cuisine on offer and there are many good dining spots all around the island. Also transport wise the island is very accessible - public bus or scooter/car hire etc.

To get the best package deal for an Aitutaki visit, I have found that both Jetsave Travel and Island Hopper Vacations (both domiciled on Rarotonga) can gain access to discounted flights with pre-negotiated accommodation prices. The budget accommodations that Lilau has given are also great places to stay, from my personal experiences also. Although Amuri Guest-house is not beachfront, I would return to stay again at this property in a heart-beat. My last visit to Aitutaki was in July last year, and since this guest-house was already fully booked my friends and I found a vacancy at Tom's Cottages which is beachfront, and the affordability and facilities suited us very well. There are several exceptionally affordable cheap eats in the Amuri locality. There are 2 dive operators on Aitutaki. www.aitutaki-accommodations.com

Edited by: lagoon

Correction: Samade on the Beach resort on Aitutaki - special offer is NZ$200 per night/double with breakfast - min 3 night stay or NZ$300 per night/double for less than 3 nights. Their licenced cafe does burgers etc for lunch and al la carte evening meals. Ive found their prices for drinks and food to be very affordable. There are 2 alternative dining spots within 5 minutes walk/boat trip away, and a wonderful cafe that does enormous breakfasts and good coffee at reasonable prices - Koru cafe is no more than 5 minutes north of Samade.

Let me just say that Rarotonga and the Pacific Resort were fantastic. Next time I plan to visit Aitutaki. The weather was not the best the first few days we were there, but Muri lagoon is wonderful regardless. Be sure to visit the Matutu brewery for a good local beer. The owners are really nice. We found the food to be good everywhere, with our favorite places being the resort restaurant, the Flame Tree, and Tamarind House.