Itinerary time suggestions

We are planning a trip to the Pacific (and Australia) next year and would like some suggestions on how much time we should spend in each country (except for Australia). For now we are thinking Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and PNG. We lintend to do some hiking, some diving and some cultural stuff and don't really have a time when we need to be back so would love some ideas on how much time would make sense to set aside for each place including travel time to each place. I estimate an average of about 3 weeks in each place may be good. Everything is on a shoestring so we may cut it down a little on the slightly more expensive places also perhaps we would be better of doing 2-3 weeks in one place and 3-4 in others. Any ideas? Would also appreciate suggestions on what air pass makes the most sense.

Thanks!

Great choices - this will really give you a taste of the diversity of the Pacific islands!

Note that the countries you have listed differ in size and accessibility quite a bit.

PNG is much bigger and more diverse than the others, and would require/deserve more time to explore. But then, it is expensive, too... Still, a month wouldn't be too long there!

The Solomons and Vanuatu are also very diverse both in cultures and scenery, and consist of many scattered islands. It would be easy to spend a month in each.

Fiji and Tonga also have many islands, but these are less diverse culturally (though still very diverse geographically) so you could just stick to 2-3 islands in 2-3 weeks in each.

Samoa only has 2 large islands and a few tiny ones nearby, so you could easily see it in 2 weeks or even less. Adding a visit to American Samoa would require extra time, of course.

If expenses are the main issue, spend longer in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa - probably the cheapest countries on your list, roughly in that order. Also, avoid resort islands and patronize "local places". The differences between a taro & chicken takeaway meal from a local market stall and a lobster dinner in a resort restaurant are obviously quite significant! ;-)

I am afraid there may no longer be any worthy air passes around - your cheapest bet may well be creating your itinerary using the cheapest individual return and one-way tickets.
It won't be cheap, and if your budget is really limited, may well force you to cut back on the number of countries visited. Start looking at fares with Air Pacific - it flies to every country on your list except to PNG.

The route from Fiji Vanuatu, then Solomon Islands then PNG is manageable.The other two countries are accessible from Fiji, but not the others. Check the Solomon Airlines website too, as schedules and codeshares have changed recently.

Hi guys,

This is very helpful. After a closer look at the expenses for some of these places we realize we may have to cut some out but it is impossible to decide which ones. Any ideas? We love some cultural stuff (we both really enjoy photography), hiking and diving/snorkeling. Maybe Samoa and Tonga are so similar we could cut one or PNG and the Solomon Islands? Not sure. Really want to do it all but money wise it may be pushing it.

Surely you can cut out Samoa, as Tonga is much more interesting.

Cutting out PNG would save you most cash, but as PNG is the most diverse and interesting country in the region, I wouldn't recommend skipping it unless you absolutely have to.
As PNG and Vanuatu are my favourite countries in the region, and Fiji is an almost unavoidable crossroads place, by default the Solomons would me my 2nd candidate for skipping, though it could be a stopover between Vanuatu and PNG anyway (unless you fly between those two via AU).

Great help Laszlo! Thanks a lot!