Which Pacific islands would you choose?

Hi,

First of all, I'd like to apologize if this question has been posted before, but I have not been able to find it.

We are in the early stages of planning the typical once-in-a-lifetime-trip to South Pacific. And the question is where to? We are a couple looking for spectacular beaches, sunsets, and hotels. But what would you recommend? Tahiti-Bora Bora? Fiji? Cook Islands? Others?

Thanks a lot.

Your question should be more specific.

We don't know what you like. Do you like going to churches or do you prefer diving, war history, cultural experiences, island getaways - etc.

There is so much in the pacific that if your question is too general, it just cannot be answered.

Try picking up a guidebook (Moon's South Pacific and LP's South Pacific are good ones)

-J

Sorry, you're right. I should have been more specific. Our interest is mainly island getaway and some diving.

I'll check the Moon Guide.

Thanks for the info.

Good diving in Solomon Islands and a good getaway place (not too many tourists, but then there's not a great deal of tourist infrastructure either). Vanuatu is a bit more up-scale; Port Vila that is.

Tahiti-Bora Bora is beautiful - the lagoon and scenery spectacular. The best beaches(and resorts) are out on the motus. I am not a diver but there is world class diving throughout Tahiti - the snorkeling we did was great. Fiji is a culturally diverse place. The best beaches are on the outer islands - there are some high end resort islands offering the SP dream. Again I have only read of the diving which is supposed to be excellent - the snorkeling we did was some of our best. The Cook Islands are charming, laid back and with friendly people. The best beaches are on Aitutaki which also has a fabulous lagoon. The snorkeling here was not as good as the other two and I really don't know about the diving. Hope this helps!

Fiji-all found-excellent tourist infrastructure that's easy to get away from (!)

Although I haven't been there myself, my impression is that if spectacular scenery and hotels are your priority, French Polynesia is hard to beat.

Diving is much better in Melanesia though, especially Papua New Guinea, with marine biodiversity decreasing the further you get from that country.