French Polynesia or Cook Islands?

hi,

We were thinking of taking two weeks off in September, and visting the south Pacific islands. We're tossed between Cook Islands (Roratorua and Aitukai) and French Polynesia (Moorea, Huanini, Maupiti, and Raitiea). Any recommendations? We love scenic beauty, beaches, nature walks, water sports, and just pretty much relaxing. We're not too much into crowds or touristy places (hence I left out Bora Bora and Tahiti). Any advice would be helpful! If Fr.Polynesia is recommended over Cook, should I stick with Society Island or venture into other ones?
Thanks

Personally, I prefer the scenic beauty of French Polynesia, especially Moorea. Huahine is very nice as well. Maupiti is small and untouristy and without hotels unless they have built one recently. Raiatea has no beaches. You are probably considering a resort on Tahaa, Raitea's sister island, sharing the same lagoon. You can easily do nature walks on Tahaa's almost deserted roads. (At least they used to be deserted. It's time to return to check things out. :-)

Bora-Bora is stunningly beautiful and certainly has a lot LESS tourists than Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Tahiti is not touristy at all, but it is rather densely populated along the ring road. Its mountaineous interior has almost no people and can be crossed with a jeep tour. You can also seriously hike up there. I wouldn't call that 'walks'.

If you want to visit all these islands, I would recommend a cruise. We did one with a small ship owned by a local company. It felt like a millionaire's private yacht because it was not fully booked.

However, the Cook Islands are more reasonably priced and the islanders all speak English.

I had by far the best and most leisurely nature walks on Niue - almost no tourists there. Niue is a different Pacific Island from the others mentioned. Very relaxing and laid back, lots of bush walks.

NukuHiva2 is right on the metal - couldn't agree more.

French Polynesia are without doubt the most dramatically beautiful group of islands in the South Pacific. The major downside is the expense, due to the French colonial system of Government.

Both Niue and the Cook Islands are governed in free association with New Zealand and use its dollar as their currency - both are cheaper as a result. For those willing to explore by themselves, Niue (a raised coral atoll) is one of the hidden gems of the South Pacific.

Do investigate the possibilities of the Southern Cook Islands: Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke & Mangaea. Easily accessed by (cheapish) plane from Rarotonga, there are some surprises in store here. How about a world class coffee plantation at sea level, trying bush beer made from oranges or spelunking in Mangaea's cave systems?

OP, there are answers posted to your question both times you asked so scroll down to find the second set of responses.

Let me first say that I LOVED Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Moorea and Bora Bora and heartily recommend all 4 islands.

However, if you are dismissing Bora Bora as being too touristy and crowded then you should elminate the other 3 (especially Rarotonga).

It has a town where you can see plenty of visitors, there are souvenir shops and the restuarants will be full at lunchtime. The buses will be full in the evening with tourists. Moorea has a few tourist districts (near where I would recommend that you stay as they happen to be in the nicest areas and have amenities such as shops and restaurants). I'm including Aitutaki because on One Foot Island (which is the incredibly beautiful motu off the main island and the star attraction) you will see a number of tour boats and probably will access the island via one. There is a "post office" there where you can buy T shirts and get your passport stamped. (Actually, that is the one thing that really bothered me. I don't mind touristy stuff in town or in the tourist district but not on the motu.)

The reality is that you can find beaches with practically no one on them on all four. You can see incredible scenery on all four.