Destinations in the South Pacific

taonveg02:48 UTC15 Nov 2011

An exciting time has fallen upon us! My partner and I are researching holiday destinations for next year.

We’ve roughly come to this end: 3 weeks in New Zealand (I want to introduce him to the country I love) and 1 week in the South Pacific somewhere.

I am posting this topic to find a destination in the South Pacific – so many nations to choose from! It must fulfil several conditions:

Gay-friendly.
Not super-dooper expensive, i.e. Bora Bora will probably be out of the question.
Accessible from Auckland. We will probably tour the South Island of NZ, fly from Queenstown to Auckland, and use that as our exit point.
Provide the usual SP island experience, i.e. nice beaches, snorkelling, cocktails, etc.

Cheers!

peacockhater04:28 UTC15 Nov 2011

Since you've numbered your priorities, you may need to find another region---this area is super conservative...
since #2 is important, Francophone Pacific might not be viable either..

Hawaii? the NZ$ is stronger....

ozziegiraffe09:36 UTC15 Nov 2011

Homosexuality is illegal in a number of Pacific countries. However, the local custom is for men to share rooms with men, women with women unless the two people are married, so no-one is going to mind you sharing a room. In fact, it is normal for men to hold hands with men, and women with women, publicly, but not men with women. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

peter_n_margaret07:14 UTC17 Nov 2011

There are plenty of gay blokes in Fiji and many work in the hospitality industry.
Don't often see them with partners though.
I reckon you would be fine here, certainly fulfills the rest of your list.

Cheers,
Peter

lilau10:26 UTC26 Nov 2011

I'd recommend Fiji as well. Some of the resorts on the Yasawa Islands are run by Kiwi's and/or Ozzies, like Octopus Resort and Blue Lagoon Beach Resort. The majority of guests are from Europe, US, Australia and New Zealand, so no worries about being gay there (I may hope).
All the other requirements are there as well: not very expensive, nice beaches, snorkelling off the beach on the very nice house reefs, cocktails and loads of other activities to choose from.
Oh, how I wish I was there right now.....

Destinations in the South Pacific Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
taonveg02:48 UTC15 Nov 2011	An exciting time has fallen upon us! My partner and I are researching holiday destinations for next year. We’ve roughly come to this end: 3 weeks in New Zealand (I want to introduce him to the country I love) and 1 week in the South Pacific somewhere. I am posting this topic to find a destination in the South Pacific – so many nations to choose from! It must fulfil several conditions: Gay-friendly. Not super-dooper expensive, i.e. Bora Bora will probably be out of the question. Accessible from Auckland. We will probably tour the South Island of NZ, fly from Queenstown to Auckland, and use that as our exit point. Provide the usual SP island experience, i.e. nice beaches, snorkelling, cocktails, etc. Cheers!
peacockhater04:28 UTC15 Nov 2011	Since you've numbered your priorities, you may need to find another region---this area is super conservative... since #2 is important, Francophone Pacific might not be viable either.. Hawaii? the NZ$ is stronger....	1
ozziegiraffe09:36 UTC15 Nov 2011	Homosexuality is illegal in a number of Pacific countries. However, the local custom is for men to share rooms with men, women with women unless the two people are married, so no-one is going to mind you sharing a room. In fact, it is normal for men to hold hands with men, and women with women, publicly, but not men with women. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.	2
peter_n_margaret07:14 UTC17 Nov 2011	There are plenty of gay blokes in Fiji and many work in the hospitality industry. Don't often see them with partners though. I reckon you would be fine here, certainly fulfills the rest of your list. Cheers, Peter	3
lilau10:26 UTC26 Nov 2011	I'd recommend Fiji as well. Some of the resorts on the Yasawa Islands are run by Kiwi's and/or Ozzies, like Octopus Resort and Blue Lagoon Beach Resort. The majority of guests are from Europe, US, Australia and New Zealand, so no worries about being gay there (I may hope). All the other requirements are there as well: not very expensive, nice beaches, snorkelling off the beach on the very nice house reefs, cocktails and loads of other activities to choose from. Oh, how I wish I was there right now.....	4