Tahiti or Rarotonga honeymoon?

Hi

My fiance and I are looking to book a honeymoon for April 2008 and are trying to decide between Tahiti and Rarotonga. We would like the opportunity to snorkel as well as have a nice beach to lie on and go swimming at (ok if have to travel a short distance to go from one to other etc).

Can anyone provide any comparisons between the two, particularly regarding price, food, weather in April, how busy they are, level of accommodation, transport (if necessary) etc.?

Any recommendations for islands to stay at or accommodation or activities are also welcome. :)

Thanks

Rarotonga will be a lot less expensive for the same type of accommodation. Snorkeling is good on the SE and S part of the island, easy to get to. Easy to get around, only 20 miles around the whole island.

Weather will be comparable all year, a bit humid and a little rain into April, lets up in May to October.

Everyone on Rarotonga speaks English, not so many on Tahiti do.

Check www.ck for more general info, check www.tripadvisor.com for accommodation reviews.

LordBalfor wrote a wonderful comparison of Hawaii, French Polynesia and the Cooks here on eOpinions

I personally would choose French Polynesia. The Cooks are London and French Polynesia is Paris, both beautiful cities but Paris is Paris.

Do note that I am talking about the territory not just Tahiti island.

I've posted some Tahiti links in the FAQs.

LOL, SC!

That comparision about Paris and London sounds so spot on.

While I am yet to visit French Polynesia (much looking forward to it, whenever it'll be), I had to feel much the same way when landing in Melanesia's "Paris of the Pacific": Noumea.

Yes, it IS expensive, and yes, the city itself does feel more French than Melanesian, but that's why it's the PARIS of the South Pacific.
And some aspects of what that means, such as the cleanliness and the delicious food (REAL bread! REAL cheese! PATE instead of corned beef!) were a welcome break from the English-speaking neighbours, even if I eventually felt happy to land in friendlier and "more Melanesian" Vanuatu after a few weeks in NC.

I wish you had been there and could compare the place with Papetee or FP in general.

OP, I think Silvano's comparison is more figurative than literal. Papeete itself has about 50,000 people, or more. It's a CITY. Avarua, the main town of Rarotonga, has about 1,000 people! It is a little village, NOT a city, in case you are not familiar with it. All of Rarotonga has only 9,000 people, all of the Cooks total only 14,000.

But if you want a mini-France, Tahiti is one version. I have nothing against French Polynesia, but I would spend a minimal amount of time in Papeete if you do go there. The outer islands are much more similar to the laid-back lifestyle of the Cooks.

Just read Ken's (Lord Balfour) review on e-pinions. Pretty much agree with it. The OP might look at that, as Silvano suggested, and then come back for more specific Q's about either or both places. Have fun!

Before you go though, check out the currency - the NZ dollar is now 79 cents US. The US dollar is dropping against both Australia and New Zealand.

No, I certainly don't suggest honeymooning in Papeete. When I speak of French Polynesia I generally mean the outer islands. The population of Moorea is 14,000, Bora Bora 4500, Tikehau 400.

#3 - Now that you can get a 90 visa to FP you've got to go. I know you'd take a cargo boat out to islands that haven't seen a tourist in years. (And I can't wait to read the reports and see the pictures. ) NC is definately on my short list. Ahhh, yes, the fresh French bread and pate....

#7, I'd love to, but costs are definitely an issue - notably the costs of getting there in the first place.
And once I make it, first I'll probably prioritize the bigger, more mountanious (= more scenic/interesting, even if more visited) islands like the Societies, Marquesas, Australs over those forgotten, untouristed ones which I suspect would be in the remotest corners of Tuamotu - which I"d still try and reach if I like the feel of the place and have enough time and cash left.
Plus, to get the best out of the place, I should learn some French before going, I think...

Am I right thinking that the lack of direct flights is the main issue putting North Americans off NC - besides the factor that many may have never heard of it in the first place, of course?
Every visitor who is not from France, Japan, AU or NZ is considered a novelty in NC (especially outside Noumea), to such an extent that local French were often asking me with a genuine surprise how on Earth I ended up there!

New Caledonia is pretty far off the radar for US tourists. No real advertise or discount packages, and it's a lot of miles to travel! For those who want the French influence, the East Coasters can go to Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, and on the West Coast Tahiti is by far the main choice.

Most Yanks who hit NC are usually doing so on a RTW ticket, or are in Australia/NZ for a while and do it as a side trip.

#8 - Le Meridian on the Isle of Pines appears to be the only destination resort (one special enough to fly there for). Most Americans who go to French Polynesia stay in the resorts (if those resorts weren't there then most American tourists wouldn't be there). Those who venture into pensions do so on return trips. If we are going that far then why not go to Australia (I heard that it was the #1 American "dream" destination) or New Zealand.

Would you two get offended if I said that I didn't really miss those "resorts for Americans" in NC? ;-)

AU vs NC - huhh, that defies comparision.
Well, maybe it's like comparing Texas and Provance...

I never thought any Americans should go to NC for the French feel (not even to the Caribbean - you've got that closer, up North), just simply because it's so beautiful, safe - and why not?
But now I know why not.

I actually didn't meet a single RTW traveller in NC.
Those all seemed to be in Fiji (of the SP places I've been to).