Paradise lagoon on a shoestring

W're a couple and we seek an "paradise lagoon" on some atoll, and would plan to do it with the minimum budget?

What would be the place, and what would be the budget? Suggestions and figures please, because i have absolutely no idea (i've read LP's SPacific, though)..

I'm guessing Cook islands atolls are out of the question, and Tuvalu seems expensive, and i don't know enough Tokelau to say anything...

I'm situated in Australia, and i could take a flight from Brisbane (or Sydney, but preferably Brisbane)...

-J

You have to give us SOME idea of a daily budget... For some folks $25A a day is budget... for others $150A a day is budget. If your budget is nearer the former, you certainly won't be visiting any atoll/paradise lagoon places. In most cases, paradise atoll lagoon on limited budget is somewhat of an oxymoron.
Many of the coral atolls of the S.P. have little in the way of facilities for tourism... and if they do have some, it tends to be ridiculously top end.

Here's what you may get:

Don't rule out the Cooks just yet... Aitutaki is a paradise atoll, you won't be able to stay on the outer motus (those are the islets that surround the lagoon on atolls and are the subject of the white beach/swaying palms/calm blue water fantasy), but you can stay on the main island there for quite cheap... Be forwarned, these places are extremely basic but at least there are lots of services and places to eat etc. You will only be able to reach these 'fantasy' motus via a package tour unless you have a sea kayak. You cannot camp on any of the Cook islands if you are thinking of this. Flying from Rarotonga to Aitutaki is going to cost a bit. The Northern Cook islands, which are atolls, would be out of the question if you have the budget I presume you have.

Tonga may be good... Ha'apai islands are nice... again with a low budget you are going to be staying in some squalid places on Uoleva island for example but will have a gorgeous beach as per your fantasy. Getting to these islands from the main island of Tongatapu on an extreme budget means a very uncomfortable 10 hour ferry ride in cattle class. They are not really atolls, but more like coral islands but are none the less lovely. There are no restaurants, bars or anything here and the food at the budget places is less than inspiring...

Tokelau is very remote and from what I understand, has few facilities for visitors... You will have a gruelling 30 hour boat ride from Samoa.

Maybe ozziegiraffe will chime and give you some ideas about the Solomon islands... I know they have intrigued me.

Good luck!!

Edited by: Someone else who is searching for an tropical island paradise on the cheap.

Thanks for replying!

So you need 150 AUD minimum per day to get by on the islands?

Is there anything to me in Fiji?

We're not setting any limits to our budget - just would want to know what should i aim to - i can work, and i'm just wondering when i can stop working and start travelling; Of course i figure more money = easier travel, and we're fine when we get our food and a place to sleep, plus the occasional tour to somewhere.

People always tell how the Pacific isn't a bargain / budget paradise, yet they never pinpoint anything real figures, and i'm left wondering... Is it the 150 or more or less? In Tahiti and french polynesia i figure 150 AUD doesn't do much else than get you a permission to walk on the islands, but how about the others - how much money do you need? I know it's hard to answer this, and apparently 25 AUD per day isn't anything, but 150 AUD is the minimum? I know i can stretch to it if is the case, just means i have to leave later.

-J

Figure AUD100 as a decent minimum to stay in a backpakcer place on Aiutatki and eat some basic meals.
Islandboi's range and comments were right on. You have to figure in the airfare, at about NZ$350 RT to Aitutaki from Rarotonga.

There are also cheap place to stay in Fiji, but the atolls are often far from the main island thus it costs to get there and back. Same goes for Ha'apai in Tonga.

The other question is: what facilities must you have, and what can you do without?
I am talking about things like power and running water.
There are plenty of beautiful places in Solomon Islands which have beautiful environment, but many of the "budget" places have no power, or modern plumbing.
The places in Solomon Islands that do are either expensive, or not suitable for swimming etc.

Thanks for the answers, all of you!

{quote:title=ozziegiraffe wrote:}{quote}
The other question is: what facilities must you have, and what can you do without?
I am talking about things like power and running water.

We have travelled in Russia and Mongolia and can survive without power or running water without a problem. The only thing is that we'd like to get our videocamera + digicam batteries recharged every now and then (we have plenty, about a 1,5-two weeks supply if using many times daily)...

One thing about the Solomon islands; Isn't it the most malaria-infested area of the world? Because one thing is for sure, i wouldn't want that curse on me - suffering from it for the rest of my life sounds really bad, especially as i am prone to brain damage/death from fever - and what i've read, the intense high fever can come up suddenly at any time, anywhere..

And i didn't even know there are atolls in Fiji! :-D Where there? :-O

-J

There are parts of Solomon Islands, eg Reef Islands, and the Lau and Langa Langa Lagoons in Malaita where there are no mosquitoes. There appears ot be less malaria now than 10 or 15 years ago, too.