dream lagoon in the pacific

Hi,

we're going to Vanuatu (Espiritu Santo for diving,
Tanna for volcano), fiji (Taveuni for diving and hiking).
We have seven weeks in July/August 2008 in all.

We need to find a third destination. We're desperate to</strong>
find a beautiful lagoon, like those we only see on TV.</i>
Turquoise water is a must. I've only ever seen turquoise water
in Mexico, and I've already been to 69 countries!

We thought of going to French Polynesia, but it is so expensive!

Our priority is not the comfort, nor the food. I just want to
soak in a lagoon, preferably with good snorkeling.

Then we thought of Rarotonga.

Would you guys give us suggestions? Any thoughts of people who
actually has been to those lagoons are most welcome.

It can be another place.

Now, a question about flying with Air Vanuatu, Air Pacific and Air New Zealand:
do we need to book a lot in advance? Are there cheaper options?

Thank you in advance!

Rarotonga is a good choice, but for the ultimate lagoon experience in the Cook Islands is Aitutaki. That is not to downplay the beauty of Rarotonga, but a stop in each would be my suggestion.

Air fare choices are limited to Rarotonga and I don't know where you will be coming from, but Air New Zealand is likely your only choice. Visit their website, they have Internet specials and are currently offering Los Angeles roundtrips for less than $1000.00.

Sounds like you are planning a great trip!

Papa Mike
www.mikehollywood.com

I agree that Aitutaki is the place you want to go, you should do one of the boat tours too. We were amazed at the colors. Kept saying, "Oh my god look at that blue"

I agree with the above, Rarotonga is well worth the visit but Aitutaki is amazing for the lagoon this really is the Cooks answer to Bora Bora just lacks the hotels! of FP.

thank you for the replies!

Is Rarotonga's lagoon turquoise??

I ask, because Aitutaki will add another flight...

Another vote for Aitutaki!

And if you're lucky, you can get a lagoon-side bungalow that even has a dimmer switch for the lagoon. You'll be able to manually control the colour, temperature and clarity of it! ;)

Add another flight! Rarotonga lagoon is beautiful, but Aitutaki is spectacular. A little like comparing sunsets, but the comparison to Bora Bora is appropriate, but the island and lagoon are much more pristine on Aitutaki.

and to bing2bong, they took out the dimmer switches and gave flaslights to the fish.

Papa Mike

Both have turquoise lagoons, but Aitutaki is a little deeper, so it's a deeper blue in man places. Check out www.ck etc for photos.

But the main problem is that you can no longer fly from Fiji to the Cooks. You'll have to go back to NZ and do a RT from there to the Cooks, unless you are catching it on the way back to N. America or Europe.

Aitutaki - not to be missed!

thank you all for the replies!!

Terrible news about the flight issue!
And even worse news about the dimmer!

We're flying through Australia, coming from
Europe, where we currently live.

Do you guys suggest another place,
easier to get to than the Cook Islands,
where we can find the dreamed of lagoon??
(dimmer or not!)

Thank you again for the replies!

If you're interested in diving, see some of my
diving pictures
[http://www.geocities.com/dimagens]

You could take a look at Uepi Island Resort, in the Solomon Islands - it's situated on the edge of the spectacularly beauiful Marovo Lagoon - supposedly the longest lagoon in the southern hemisphere. The island wraps around the lagoon on one side, and then has a deep water channel to the solomon Sea on the other side. Snorkelling is great both in the lagoon, and even better in the channel.

The lagoon is usually brilliantly blue - except at sunset, when it sometimes turns blood red!

You can fly to Honiara from Brisbane and get to Uepi in the same day, the same coming back, which avoids costly overnighting. You can also fly to Honiara from Nadi & Vila as well.

PM me for more info

cheers

Look at www.uepi.com

Then there is always Australia's Lord Howe Island - the first island I fell in love with when I was 10 years old.
This is very easy to get to from the East Coast of Australia.

The other option is the Great Barrier Reef off the North Queensland Coast - but my vote is for Aitutaki - a colour that you just can't imagine is real until you are on a boat cruising across it!

Rob

While you're in Espirito Santo, get a permit to visit Champagne Beach. The most pristine beach I've ever been to. Turquoise? PM me I'll send a pic! Amazing.

sorry I've taken long to reply, but we were in Jordan (BEAUTIFUL!!!!!).

How do we get a permit to visit Champagne?? Is it complicated?

thank you all for the replies.

What about Tuvalu?? Lagoons??

Thanks!

Another vote for Uepi, Solomon Islands

Yes Champagne is pretty good, but the cruise ships stop there so if you are unlucky they will be there on the day you go, and there will be zillions of people. Otherewise it will be completely deserted.
We went there with Pierre from Oyster Island (where we stayed) and he organised the pass. Otherwise LP guidebook has details of how to get the pass.
BTW Oyster Island (next to Santo - they will collect you from wherever in Santo and take you there) was an interesting and character filled place to stay (with great food), but I found the foam beds and polyester blend sheets really hot and uncomfotable. Rooms are breeze cooled (no fan or a/c).
Tanna was great. Stayed at Friendly bungalows in the Crusoe Bungalow. Everything in the bungalow is made from natural and local materials. There is no electricity on most of Tana, so it is very quiet at night (apart from the volcano, which you can see flaring at night - if you are staying on the Friendly B side of the island and go for a wak up the road). The beach at Friendly B is no longer white sand but we loved the place. Will definately go back.
Apart from the main island, Efate, Vanuatu is quite ... undeveloped. You don't get much luxury, but loads of character, it's a very interesting place.
Aitutaki is a dream. It is the place for your turquoise lagoon. Going back there in May ourselves, as well as to the Society Islands.