Cooks vs. Fiji

If you had 14 days total to split between Fiji and Cooks (February 2008), how would you split the (too little) time and why? And yes, I definitely want to go both places!

Destinations in mind are:

Fiji: Yasawas, Mamanucas, Nadi and surroundings

Cooks: Rarotonga, Aitutaki

Right now I've got 8 days for Fiji and 6 days for Cooks in mind!

Your ideas and opinions are highly appreciated!

You will definitely be on the move the whole time! Personally, having seen your itinerary on another post, I think you are trying to do way too much in too little time - but that is just my opinion. It is doable and yes, probably an 8 day/6 day split is reasonable. You will see a lot of the Pacific, but you may not experience much of it. Keep in mind that weather conditions at that time of year may impact on flights (sometimes cancelled, often delayed) in the Cooks and elsewhere, so your planning needs to be flexible. Also, you are probably aware of this, but you lose a day travelling from Cooks to NZ and on to Fiji as you travel over the International Date Line. Many people forget this. Good luck with your plans.

Hi there!

Thanks for your inputs! Given my limited vacation days per year and the fact that the South Pacific is pretty much on the other side of the world from where I live, seeing it vs. experiencing is probably all I can hope for. I'm aware of the less than ideal weather conditions that may occur at that time of the year, as well as of the Date Line issue! Thanks again! :-)

I would never think of ever splitting 14 days between two different island groups, even if it was a once in a lifetime trip.

I've never been to Cook Islands so cannot judge the place nor compare it to Fiji. However, considering how much variation there is in Fiji, I am wondering what you figure on gaining by visiting two different island groups. What you lose is time and money, and lose the chance for some depth of experience. And, considering that you're only visiting the most touristed corner of Fiji, I wonder if your time and money might better be spent having a look at some of the other islands/regions on Fiji itself.

Perhaps the same argument can be made for staying just on the Cook islands.

Thanks! Well, I realize how much variation there's in Fiji! Losing time is not such an issue, as I have to get to Auckland anyway, so those two 3-hour flights to Fiji and back won't make a difference. Fortunately money is not such a big issue either!

Depth of experience vs. variety...Sure, I can see that side of the argument. I even dish it out myself occasionally. The thing is, I picked the Yasawas and the Mamanucas mainly because they are supposedly the driest region climate-wise at that time of the year (February). Also, as far as I've been told, tourist numbers are rather low then, at least compared to high season.

It's a tough call. I know myself. I am a pretty restless guy. Usually I have in mind to stay for a particular amount of time, but then decide to move on earlier while I am there. Well, either way, thanks for your inputs!

We were faced with similar decisions last year as we planned a once in a lifetime trip to the SP. We ended up visiting 5 island groups in 7 weeks with some internal flights/boat trips as well. Even with our limited time in each island group we were happy with our choice to see as much as we could. We can now look back and remember how beautiful the lagoon in Bora Bora was, what a great time we had with the Kia Orana trip in Aitutaki, sampling the snorkeling and culture at Octopus Resort in Fiji, looking down into the awesome volcano at Mt. Yaser in Vanuatu and swimming in the natural piscine on the Ile de Pins in New Caledonia. We all have our own reasons for traveling - if you want to split your time 6 days in the Cooks and 8 in Fiji, then go for it and enjoy!

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<hr>We all have our own reasons for traveling<hr></blockquote>
yes, so why ask?
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