Tonga or not Tonga...

Hi there!

I have about 4,5 weeks to spend in the South Pacific. I know it's not much, but it's all I got! This is what I have in mind, flying into the region from Chile, exiting via New Zealand:

5 days Easter Island
6 days Tahiti (Moorea and Bora Bora)
6 days Cooks (Rarotonga, Aitutaki)
7 days Fiji (Nadi, Yasawas)

That leaves me with another 4 days at my disposal. Question is, on my way back to Auckland, should I fly and spend that little time on Tonga, or skip it and rather spend more time on either one of the other island groups.

I'll be there in February 2008...not the ideal time for traveling the region climate-wise I know. I don't think that after coming back from this trip I'll have a chance to visit the South Pacific again any time soon. I know there are many answers to this question, but I would love to learn about your thoughts on this...

Thanks heaps!

You won't be able to fly direct from Cook Islands to Fiji after Oct 2007, as Air NZ is discontinuing this service. As yet, there have been no announcements of anyone else filling the void.

Personally, I wouldn't try to squash another country into your trip. Part of the beauty of the Pacific is the slow pace. You won't be able to experience this if you are running the whole time!

In addition, to go from Tahiti to Cooks would have to be a separate ticket for an extra charge.

Also, keep in mind when planning things that Air NZ and LAN Chile are not in the same carrier alliance.

Agree with the wise jeanie!

4 Days is DEFINATELY not enough time for Tonga. The main island where you would be arriving/leaving from is not all that exciting... You will want to go to the other island chains of Vavau and Haapai where the true Tonga lives and you will need substantially more time than this.

Thanks! The flight connections would not the issue. I've got that all figured out. Budget-wise an extra one or two flights are not a problem either.

(LanChile from Santiago to Easter Island, LanChile from Easter Island to Tahiti, AirRarotonga from Tahiti to Cooks, AirNZ from Cooks to Fiji via Auckland, AirPacific back to Auckland direct or via Tonga and then with AirNZ back to Auckland)

As far as the slow pace goes...! I can definitely see that side of the argument! Generally I'd consider myself a rather fast paced traveller though! The question's basically if Tongatapu is worth the trouble. (I read your excellent report islandboi321) The guidebook does point out quite a few interesting sights and activities there. Never having been, of course I don't have any idea how they compare to any of the places I will visit on the other island groups.

Anyway...I guess I'll skip it then. Too bad.

Why not visit another island in French Polynesia or the Cooks with the extra days?

With all that routing via AKL, you won't have four or five extra days, maybe one or two. I'd skip Tonga.

Your plans for Tahiti may also have to change, as the connections from Tahiti to RAR on Air Raro are pretty limited, either once or twice a week. So, you'll have to work around that limit. I'd add more time in FP, maybe on Moorea. You'll also need probably a day at the beginning and/or end of your FP segment in Papeete.

I have already taken all the time I will need for flights and routing into consideration. The 4 extra days would be net time on Tonga.

The connection from Tahiti to Rarotonga is once a week during that time of the year. I have done all my homework on these things.

Yes, the current schedule may show those flights for Tahiti/RAR, but as you are not traveling for several months from now, you should be aware that: A. flight schedules change often in the South Pacific, and B. that route is not flying to capacity, so they may eliminate it. But, assuming it is a go, I'd still skip Tonga and spend more time in the other places.

I've been in touch with Air Rarotonga. Their Sales Office informed me the schedule for February 2008 would be online and available for bookings at the end of this month. But either way, thanks for giving me the information about the route currently not flying to capacity. I have been wondering/worrying about that. I might opt for plan B, which is flying with Air Tahiti Nui all the way to Auckland, visit Fiji, and later backtrack to the Cooks with AirNZ. I guess those two airlines' flights are safer schedule-wise. By the way, Tonga is now officially off my list. Too bad, but it really seems the better option. I'll split the time between the Cooks and Fiji now. Thanks heaps!