RTW fare and the Pacific Islands - surf

Hi,

I´m trying to make the best itinerary to reach auckland departing from Rio with an oneworld RTW ticket. I´m planning to stay one week in Easter Island and then continue to Papeete (staying there another week) and then to Auckland. But I think I read somewhere that Fiji and Rotorua are very special and beautiful places and it´s worth to visit those places. What do you think? I must say that I´m travelling with my wife, we are 30 years old, desiring to stay somewhere with some privacy but not in condition to pay more than 80 USD per night. We will be in Auckland in april 2008. I like to surf and I´m planning to take 2 or 3 surfboards with me.

Rotorua is a city in the middle of the north island of New Zealand. Did you perhaps mean "Rarotonga"?
If so---it's an extra fare from Tahiti to Rarotonga, on air Tahiti. There is very little surfing on Rarotonga, as the waves mostly break right on the barrier reef. Aside from little surf, it's a nice place to visit. Check out www.ck for more info.

There will no longer be flights from RAR to Fiji after the end of this month. You'd have to go there from NZ.

Sorry for the Rotorua x Rarotonga mistake...
The website of Rarotonga is really helpful.
But, if you´d have to choose, would you prefer visiting Fiji or Rarotonga? That´s a question I must consider specially if there´s no flights from Tahiti to Rarotonga in April. I already saw that some people travel to the island to get married there. Why? Is it a romantic place?
Thanks.

There are flights from Tahiti to Rarotonga, but it's an extra fare.

Rarotonga vs Fiji? Everyone that has visite both will have different opinions. For a vacation I'd pick Rarotonga. Better beaches on the main island than on the main island of Fiji. Rarotonga is also tiny compared to Fiji, only 20 miles around, so easier to get to everywhere. People are friendly in both places. Prices may be a little higher in the Cooks at the low end, but about the same at the middle and higher levels.

For a romantic place, check out details for Sokala Villas, or Takitumu Villas, both on Rarotonga.

Rotorua is also definitely worth visiting, especially as you'll be in Auckland. But as Raro says - no surf there.

BTW , being ignorant of all things surfing - why do you need 3 surfboards - must play hell with travel limits and collection at airports.

Raro,
Thanks for your help. I´m writing down your tips.

Mandja,
I´m not an expert surfer either, but besides the different heights of the waves a man can find around the world (what means that boards in different sizes are needed) it would be very frustrating to be in Easter Island, for example, and have your unique surfboard broken by a powerful wave, wouldn´t it?

Skallig---I did read of people surfboarding on---well, off!---Easter Island, but I didn't see any when I was there. If you are going to EI, consider the Hotel Taura'a. It's a nice place, maybe ten rooms, on the edge of town. But the reason I suggest it is that it is run by an Australian and his local wife. Bill knows everything about EI, as he was in charge of locations for the "Rapa Nui" movie. He can probably tell you the best surf spots, or introduce you to local surfers. [And as he is Australian, he does speak a version of English! :) ]

There is a nice beach on the north coast, I forget it's name, but it's on all the maps. It's a local park, and it seems to have a nice break coming right into the beach.

PS--No surfing YET at rotorua---but you might catch a "wave" in one of those boiling mudpools at the thermal reserve! I guess one would have to devise a wet suit for extremely hot water, rather than for very cold water! And forget the wax.......

Sorry again for the Rotorua x Rarotonga mistake, hehehe! Mixing Rotorua and Rarotonga for a NZ must be something like mixing the Rain Forest with Rio de Janeiro for a brazilian... The both things sound absurd. But the mistake was useful anyway: now I know that in Rotorua exists an interesting thermal reserve! We must learn from our mistake, hehehehe!! Thanks for the informations!

Hi, I agree with Raro on the tip for accomodation on Easter Island.... we stayed there too and loved it... Hotel Tauraa

I did see some locals surfing near the harbour by the football pitch... that sounds like a very vague description but you'll know it when you see it! It seemed very rocky there though and you'd need to have your wits about you!

I guess it's an OK spot to surf, in the tiny harbor there (EI), but the winds seem to whip up pretty quickly!

DecDub---do you go to that beach at the N end of the island?

For surf info, search the Easter Island/Sth Americas TT branch. There was a guy writing about his experiences a few months ago and was very specific about locations etc. Sorry, I can't remember his name. Re surf on Rarotonga. Yes, there is surf and it can be awesome, but is very inconsistent compared to Fiji. My family are all surfers and we live on Rarotonga, but have also surfed throughout Fiji and Tahiti (with a trip to Rapa Nui planned for next year - thus the checking on the other branch recently ;-)) If you have limited time and had to choose between the Cooks and Fiji (purely from a surfing perspective), I would advise heading to Fiji. There are so many more surf options. Consider Kadavu, if you have the time. I think, given the places you are travelling to, that three boards is minimum. Make sure you have extra leggies and fin screws etc. All surf gear is expensive in the Pacific, if it is available. If you aren't used to surfing on reef, maybe consider a pair of booties as well. The vana (sea urchins) still go through them, but they can protect your feet when you have to walk out over reef to get to some breaks. Best wishes. I hope you have a fantastic trip.