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Tahiti vs. Fiji vs. New Zealand

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I'd like advice on the pros and cons of travel to each of these places.
9 years ago, May 12th 2014 No: 1 Msg: #181520  
I'm at the beginning stages of planning a big trip for this winter. We're trying to decide between Tahiti, Fiji and New Zealand. We have about two weeks to use and it would be in January/February 2015. If you had to choose between the three of these places to spend two weeks...which would you choose and why? Reply to this

9 years ago, May 12th 2014 No: 2 Msg: #181536  
Was lucky enough to have been few times to each of them, except only once to Fiji.

The answer is all depending on what you want to do, and what is your budget.

Fiji has a mix of "package" hotels for Aussies...but also great remote diving and even some top notch private islands...

Tahiti...well, Papeete island hasn't much to offer...Moore is decent price wise...Bora Bora is stunning...and will hurt your wallet.

NZ has the most amazing people on earth...amazing wines, great rafting....but trying to compare Bora Bora and the South Island....is similar to compare viewing polar bears to whalesharks...

Depending on where you are flying from, you could make also a mix between NZ and Tahiti, or NZ and Fiji... Reply to this

9 years ago, May 14th 2014 No: 3 Msg: #181574  
Hello Anastasia,

Glad to hear you are planning another trip. Two entirely different kinds of trips.

My personal opinion is that I would go to either Fiji or Tahiti instead of New Zealand. I would not go to New Zealand unless I had at least 4 weeks. It is a long and probably expensive flight from the U.S. and there is so much to see and to do. I've been to New Zealand twice and have stayed 4 weeks each time and I can tell you that I didn't feel like I had enough time on either trip.

Do you scuba dive or want to learn? Great diving in that part of the world.

Fiji: We loved our time on Matamanoa Island
Amazing beaches, great place to relax. They have island hopping so you can go to the other islands.
The history of the islands is fascinating and the culture, the dances, the people are so friendly.

I'm sure you will get plenty of opinions.


Reply to this

9 years ago, May 14th 2014 No: 4 Msg: #181591  
Ok...so here's what I ended up doing and I'm not saying this was the best decision.

I purchased a ticket into Auckland and return flight from Fiji. I have about 14 days to divide somehow between the two.

Now what would you do? Reply to this

9 years ago, May 14th 2014 No: 5 Msg: #181592  
South Island....I tried one day to circle it in 9 days....that' a a little crazy....so keep it to one area, or maximum too....I love the wine, but Malborough is not the most beautiful area...

Around Queenstown, there is so much to do...ad don't forget the Milford Sound, and you could stop by the Galciers...

In Fiji...I love Taveuni, have a look at Dolphins Bay Resort...amazing little place...and still pretty cheap. Not much into Nadi or Suva...the aim is to reach the outters islands as fast as possible...

With 14 days, I would fly in Nadi or Suva from AKL...and go straight to Tavenui and do 4-5 days there...and this is it. And keep everything else for the South Island of NZ flying in either Queenstown or Christchurch. You could also try to fly in Nelson and do a one way rental all the way to Queenstown. Reply to this

9 years ago, May 15th 2014 No: 6 Msg: #181598  
You won't like my answer.

I would pay the fee and change the ticket and only go to Fiji Islands.

If you don't want to do that I would stay on the North Island for most of the time (10 days) and relax in Fiji or 4 days. Reply to this

9 years ago, May 16th 2014 No: 7 Msg: #181631  
B Posts: 11.5K
I'm tending to agree with MJ here - 14 days is hardly enough for either North or South Island, let alone try and split it between NZ and Fiji.

But if you do still come to Auckland, would be great to meet up with you :-)

Suggestions for Auckland;
Waitakere Ranges

Tiritirimatangi Island

Cornwall Park

Side trips from Auckland;
Coromandel Penninsula

Bay of islands
Reply to this

9 years ago, May 16th 2014 No: 8 Msg: #181646  
My draw would be between Fiji and Tahiti (French Polynesia) if I was traveling to that part of the world for an idyllic vacation or honeymoon. Otherwise, would win it because there are a lot more opportunities for fun things to do than in Fiji and Tahiti . I know Fiji is far less expensive than Tahiti, but Tahiti has it hands down for beauty and scenery.

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9 years ago, May 16th 2014 No: 9 Msg: #181647  
My draw would be between Fiji and Tahiti (French Polynesia) if I was traveling to that part of the world for an idyllic vacation or honeymoon. Otherwise, New Zealand would win it because there are a lot more opportunities for fun things to do than in Fiji and Tahiti . I know Fiji is far less expensive than Tahiti, but Tahiti has it hands down for beauty and scenery.

Reply to this

9 years ago, May 17th 2014 No: 10 Msg: #181710  
To see the prettiest parts of NZ (and go zorbing) should I fly into Auckland or Christchurch? Reply to this

9 years ago, May 17th 2014 No: 11 Msg: #181711  
There are amazing things to see on both islands. My favorite is the south island but don't discount the north.

Reply to this

9 years ago, May 18th 2014 No: 12 Msg: #181717  
B Posts: 11.5K
In response to: Msg #181710

Zorbing is in Rotorua, so Auckland. Prettiest parts, most people would say the South Island. Reply to this

9 years ago, May 29th 2014 No: 13 Msg: #182117  
Glad to see that you are decisive! We did one week on each island, so you should be able to do a week on either the North or South Island and then a week in Fiji. I liked both islands as each has much to offer...the South with its scenery around Queenstown with its wide selection of expensive extreme sports, Milford Sound, and the West Coast. But I liked the area around Rotorua/Hobbittown, Tongariro National Park (Mt Doom), and then the north around Paihia/Russell, which are easy drives from Auckland. The north is more mellow, and your kids may enjoy the Lord of the Rings sites more.

Go with Peter's recommendations about Fiji. or just read a number of blogs about the various islands. You could also read "Getting Stoned with Savages" by J. Maarten Troost for a very humorous first hand account of life in Fiji. Reply to this

9 years ago, May 29th 2014 No: 14 Msg: #182118  
In response to: Msg #181631 And take Jo up on her offer to meet her. Our time with Jo was a highlight of our trip there. Reply to this

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