Which island in the sun?

I am now in Oz visiting friends, next stop will be New Zealand. However, I find the cold and wet depressing and am considering flying from NZ to an island in the sun. When I read the LP-guide on Fiji at home, it didn't appeal to me, but after reading posts here, it seems not so bad. But Cook islands may be another option. Can anyone advise me on which island would be best suited for me?
My preferences are:
- 25-30 degrees Celsius (I suppose they all have this)
- little or no rain
- picturesque towns and countryside
- friendly people
- good public transport (buses, boats, hire cycles)
- good food
- US$ 50 per night on accommodation

I'm not into diving or snorkelling as I wear very strong glasses.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

To be honest, if "little or no rain" is important to you, avoid the South Pacific altogether. It can rain a lot on any day of the year in almost all places.

As far as needing strong glasses, it is possible to get goggles with almost any prescription reasonably cheaply. Well worth it, as the underwater life is spectacular.

Samoa is nice for countryside and pretty little villages. It has some nice beaches to laze about on too. I liked Rarotonga for the ease with which you could get about and it has some good walks for variety.

Raro - I was thinking of going to Fiji or the Cook Islands in October next year for my honeymoon, and I wouldnt want it to rain during the duration... Is it wet session during that time of year?

s2004---
The "rainy-er" season, so to speak, is November to April. The "dry-er" sason is May to October. But it only varies from maybe 9 inches a month down to 5 inches a month. The most rain we had in the last few years was three straight days of tropical downpour in June 1999---which is supposed to be in the middle of the "dry-er" season!

I thinks it's naive to expect it not to rain for the duration of any vacation in the South Pacific that lasts three days or more. But it may only rain for an hour or two, then be clear the rest of the day.

The main weather change here is that it is much more humid in Dec-March or so than the rest of the year. So October is pretty nice in that regard. But if you want guarantees it won't rain, then don't honeymoon in the South Pacific, sorry to say.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll have to modify my expectations and expect some rain; I'd rather have rain in warm weather than the same amount of rain in cold weather.

Re goggles: my glasses are -15 dioptries, which is quite exceptional. I can't believe goggles that strong are available but if they are, that would be really great. Do you get them in shops or from optometrists or diving schools?

Try Manus or the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea - beautiful islands too!

My eyes were -14+, so I do understand. I got some in a dive shop, but they are also available on line, although I don't remember where. Do you wear contacts? I used to just put regular goggles on with my contacts. The underwater delights are so great that the fear of losing a contact pales. And although the goggles might not give you perfect vision, they are pretty good. (I have since had laser surgery, so I see 20/20- no more anything for me. )

I got optical goggles thru my optometrist. They were off the shelf and so not my EXACT prescription, but still very good.

#8 tell me bout your laser experience,- cost? worthwhile?.....painful?After effects?

Hi,

I have just (2days ago) returned from Samoa. I was there for two weeks and had no more than 2 hours of rain and that was during the night. The temperature was around 30degrees Celsius and it was gorgeous.
The people were friendly, the food good, enough to see and do. We hired a car but public transport is available although unreliable. There is also a tour company that runs buses around the island (Turtle Tours) check their website.
You should do it on US$50.oo easily. Make sure you have insect repellant if the mosquitoes like you - they are bad in some places.
Have fun!

Lundy Island

Samoa is a great relaxing, inexpensive place to vacation. Nice beaches at Lalomanu with budget fales. You can get around easily by bus.

This is my Island in the Sun- Fiji Island of course!
With the beautiful evenings and hot hot hot fantastic paradise inthe middle of the glorious sun!
i want to go there and cycle around the Island - my ambition
i am using my 10 year old Mayata Japanese bicylce to do it - it is doable !

Caribbean. well maybe you can afford it oh well... it's the best...see ya!

Thanks everybody. I've been away in the Outback for a while, I'm now in Wellington and looking into things. I'm certainly going to do the snorkelling, I had no idea it would be an option for me. Literally an eye-opener!