Three weeks, two-three Pacific Islands - please help!

Hello fellow travelers,

My husband and I have a chance to visit Pacific Islands for the first time in November 2013 for three weeks. I've been reading a lot about various islands/flying options, but the more I do, the more uncertain I feel. Thus, which islands/countries would you choose if you had three weeks and wanted to see two-three places? The only important thing for us is not to spend too much time flying, so the two best options I've put together so far are the following:

OPTION 1: 6 days in Samoa, 9 days in Fiji, 5 days in Vanuatu
OPTION 2: 5 days in Tonga, 6 days in Samoa, 9 days in Fiji

From all what I've read I am pretty sure that Fiji is a must, but what about Samoa-Tonga-Vanuatu? Which one(s) to choose and which one(s) to leave out? Which other island would you consider if not those (please keep in mind the flying aspect)?

We would like to enjoy beaches, snorkeling and watersport, but we're equally interested in experiencing local cultures, hiking, walking, exploring around, good local food, etc. So ideally we're looking for a good combination of experiencing it all.

Thank you very much in advance!

Thank you for your reply tch7. Could you please tell me why you didn't like Samoa?

Fiji I loved.
American Samoa I loved.
Samoa I was happy to leave.

While I have not been to Tonga or Vanuatu personally, they don't seem to get the mixed reviews that Samoa does. With good local food being one of your criteria, that alone rules out Samoa. In any case, with three weeks I'd probably just limit it to two countries.

You'll burn a day getting into and a day getting out of each country. Even if you schedule a late afternoon departure it will have a negative impact on that day's activities (worrying about getting to the airport on time, etc.) For that reason you may want to consider cutting it to two destinations.

I'd choose one Micronesian and one Polynesian. That way you'll experience two distinct cultures and people. Virtually all of the SP islands provide beautiful scenery.

Since you can fly from Fiji non-stop to Tonga those two might work nicely.

Added info

I agree with the recommendation of focusing on two destinations and select one Melanesian and one Polynesian country then.

You can fly from Fiji to Samoa non-stop as well though, so these two would work the same nicely as Fiji and Tonga. And trust me that there is very nice local food in Samoa, i.e. Palusami and Oka.

Your choice might depend as well on the type of accommodation you prefer. Samoa has quite a few new mid-range resort options by now, i.e. the new Aga Reef Resort or the Savaiian Hotel, only to name two examples coming to my mind. The choice is much bigger now than a few years ago, where there was only either really expensive resort or rather basic beach fale accommodation (open huts with shared facilities).

My opinion of Samoa, Fiji, and American Samoa are summed up in this older post of mine:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2277586&messageID=20545640#20545640

I also think it best to combine at least one Melanesian country (meaning Vanuatu - Fiji is more Polynesian culturally) with a Polynesian one (eg Tonga or Samoa). Fiji is the unavoidable crossroads between them.

Of the 2 Polynesian ones, I am with tch7 - Samoa is my least favourite Pacific nation, while I quite liked Tonga. It must however be admitted than much more compact Samoa is better suited for a brief visit - Tonga´s best attractions are on its far-flung outer islands, though I did find the main island of Tongatapu interesting enough, too.

If you insist on visiting 3 countries, allow longer for either Tonga or Vanuatu than you would for Samoa or Fiji, as in the latter 2 you can see quite a lot just on their main island you land on, while in Vanuatu or Tonga you really should get to the outer islands.

Everyone will have a different impression of a place depending on the experience they have, people they meet and their own expectations.
I found Fiji very touristy and felt quite sad at the lack of pride and culture the local people displayed. I didnt like Venua Iti, (the main Island) I found Venua Levi was better but you either have to fly (expensive) or take a long boat trip to get there.i have visited once and would go back.
I found Tonga unfriendly and expensive, I have only been once to Nukulofa

I found American Samoa very expensive and small, Pago was depressing with all the American food outlets and the effect they have had on the local people.I have been twice and wouldnt bother going back.

My favourite is Samoa, I love Savaii, I find the people have pride in themselves and treat me with respect (unlike Fiji where young men offered me marriage and/or sex because they wanted to get away from their country)
The local food is simple but tasty, a lot of fresh fish and vegetables, with some influence from the chinese. Unfortunately some places try to copy european food - thinking thats what tourists want. Admittedly some places are not consistent in the service they offer but that is common in most of the pacific ,especially at cheaper places.
Samoa is a nice size to travel around and good value.
I have been 5 times and leave in two weeks for another holiday
If you are interested in staying there and want some help with an easy itinerary let me know your budget and I could suggest a few options- I normally stay at places in the 50-200 tala range-($25US - $100US approx)

There is good and bad about every place so its a matter of finding the Island that suits you, your expectations and budget.

Thank you everyone for good insights and feedback! Considering now two islands instead of three and mixing together at least one Melanesian and one Polynesian island. I am afraid we're too far from Micronesia though.

budgetkiwi: It's indeed true that at the end everyone will have a different impression of a place, but I am still trying to weigh all our odds as well as possible before making the best guess :) Since we live in Europe it might be the only visit to the South Pacific in our lifetime...
Samoa is high on our list because a) it's accessible from Fiji & Auckland and b) it's small in size and it's quick/easy/cheap to travel between the two main islands (which is not the case with Tonga and Vanuatu) . I'd be very thankful if you could help me with a good itinerary for Samoa. We don't need to stay anywhere fancy, but perferrably clean, comfy and local. Would you recommend to stay mostly on Savaii or split our time staying on both islands? Any recommendations for hiking/walking/activities as well as food options are also very welcome.

Very thankful for all your help and feedback - please keep it coming :)
Anyone been to Cook Islands and would choose it over Tonga/Samoa/Vanuatu?

Travelchili wrote... Anyone been to Cook Islands and would choose it over Tonga/Samoa/Vanuatu?

The Cook Islands is my my hands-down favorite so far. My wife and I have been there seven times and would choose it over Fiji or Tahiti. The Cooks are more difficult/expensive to get to if you're doing multiple countries and as a result have fewer visitors. It's also hard to get good information on any islands other than Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Raro is much like any other SP destination. Aitutaki is beautiful and, to my knowledge, has just one resort owned and operated by non-native Cook Islanders. All of the rest of the lodging and hosts of the Southern Group are locals. We find that aspect of the Cooks refreshing when compared to how things operate in places like the Yasawas in Fiji.

In addition to the Cooks, we'll make our first trip to Tonga this year.

Just to qualify the above comments.... My wife and I prefer less touristy places and like to mingle with the locals. In the Cooks we spend 99% of our time in the outer islands of the Southern Group. It's not that we don't enjoy being pampered tourists occasionally, we just enjoy the smaller less developed islands more.

i prefer Savaii. I try and get a flight that arrives during the day and catch the last boat to Savaii - the 4pm (cost 12tala). The faleolo airpost is very close to the ferry to Savaii,but about 40mins from Apia.
After enjoying Savaii I often catch the Ferry back and grab a local bus into Apia (3 tala) then explore some of the capital and the south coast.
I mix my days between 3-4 days in a beacg fale and then a few days in a hotel with a pool.
I am there for 2 months from 20th June till 18th August and will stay in approx 20 places and mainly travel by bus- just hire a car to explore for a day or two on each island.
I have created a facebook page to so my friend and acquaintances that are thinking of planning a trip can get an idea of prices,conditions and what it is like - from my perspective at least. You are welcome to view or friend the page. its called Aba Samoa. I can answer any questions you have through that too.
You may find November a bit hot to do too much hiking etc

I agree with Laszlo - if this may be your one and only visit to the South Pacific, choose one Melanesian country (Vanuatu is the one you mention, you could also consider Solomon Islands or New Caledonia), and because these countries are larger, spend the longest time in this country. Use Fiji as a transit (possibly stay a night or two - it is a mix of Melanesian and Polynesian cultures) and choose between Tonga, Samoa or Cook Islands for a Polynesian country.

I will add my vote for Vanuatu. If you visit one of the outer islands, like Tanna, you can live close with these incredibly friendly, English speaking people who are living much as they have for hundreds of years. Still living without electricity, cooking over wood, living in palm leaf houses and eating only food grown in the garden.

Living in a remote village for a few days will let you see a world that is hard to believe still exists. And the people will be excited you came.

If you think this sort of adventure is for you, let me know and I'll send some more info from our visits.

Yes, we love our time in Vanuatu (and we have spent time in Fiji, Tonga, the Cooks, New Caladonia....we live and travel by sailboat)

Jim

@budgetkiwi:
I am also heading for the region in the next 3 months. Unfortunately I couldn't locate a fb page "Aba Samoa". Where can I find your information exactly?

I'm not on FB, so I cannot check it myself. But try Ava Samoa instead.

Not sure why it doesn't come up. If you give me your facebook name I can add you

I'd like to but private messages are deactivated so I can't send you my facebook name without making it public. What is the exact title of your page and maybe some keywords. "Aba Samoa" and "Ava Samoa" searches just deliver junk results

Edited by: indyj

its Aba Samoa, not sure why you cant see it, a few others have found it-but mainly new zealanders, maybe if you add the country (NZ) it will give more direction, otherwise you could try messaging me through TA, i am on the Samoa forum under amy'smum- they allow private messaging.