Which is the best pacific island for New Years?

Hi,

I was wondering which was the best island for New Years. My friends and I want to go for a week as a getaway, we will probably want to sit on the beach, drink and eat good food. As well as stay in a nice accommodation(not too expensive). I was looking at Vanuatu and Cook Islands but would love more suggestions. Are the French Polynesia countries too expensive at that time? We are on a medium budget.

Thanks

A budget amount would be a big help. A medium budget can mean anything from $75 to $400 dollars a day each.

Rarotonga may be a good fit for your budget and interests. Airfares purchased reasonably soon (now or over next couple months) will likely be reasonable. Look at Air NZ and Virgin Australia if flying from/through Oz or NZ. Budget accommodation would include backpackers hostels and s/c backpackers units. Medium accommodation would be a rental house or rental studio property, high end would be resort-style accommodation. Nearly all accommodation around Rarotonga is either beachfront or set a little way back from the beach (5 - 10 minutes walk to nearest shoreline).

Muri beach has lots going for it year round with its range of land and water-based adventures, but especially on NYE with its annual fireworks display based upon a motu so that people lining the beaches and decks of restaurants get a good view. Plenty of supermarkets, town and village stores to purchase food and beverages for self-catering and BBQs. Really good cafes and bars dotted around Rarotonga, as well as the nightclubs in town. A fun night out is to take one of the night-tours/pub buses to socialise with others in the group and having lots of humour provided by the drivers on NYE. With the occassion falling on a Monday this year, all the usual celebration services will be in peak operation.

Have fun planning and on holiday.