Looking for a new island vacation spot. Here are the requirements: 1) Reasonably easy to get to from the US; 2) Not too expensive. I don't mind dropping some $ -- but not interested in a $5k trip per person -- I have lots of frequent flyer miles -- so I may be able to use those -- depending on where.; 3) Great snorkeling; 4) interesting culture that is not too commercialized. 5) Not GBR -- done that.

I just got back from Samoa and loved it there. It was inexpensive because the exchange is about 2.63 Talas to one US Dollar. Air New Zealand operations a non stop out of Los Angeles so it is easy to get to. The snorkeling is very good (maybe not as good as Fiji), very interesting culture, and tons of activities.

I'd vote for the Cook Islands. It is not super-easy to get too, and it is admittedly far away, but you can do it in one stop. On all your other points, the Cooks are a winner - there are plenty of good mid-range accommodations, there is some fine snorkeling, particularly on Aitutaki, and it it not very commercialized.

Good tips -- I will check into both!

Pamo, Samoa and the Cooks are both good choices - for me, Samoa would have the edge culturally and the Cooks for snorkelling. I'd love to go back to both, but if I had to prioritise the Cooks would win because the beach front villas and snorkelling at Palm Grove were superb and we had great fun getting around by scooter! Samoa is an exceptionally interesting cultural experience. What did you decide ?

Gaynor

Haven't decided yet. We are trying to figure out when our schedules will permit later this year. Is there any times of years you would avoid for either the Cooks or Samoa. Also -- in terms of Cooks -- can you snorkle from the beach -- or do you need to take a boat out?

The best snorkeling would be farther offshore by boat.

Hi Pamo

For snorkling at the Cooks, you can get right amongst the coral and the fish straight off the beach. The South Coast of the main Island Rarotonga is a good place to start. The beaches east of the Rarotongan beach resort through to Muri Lagoon are easily accessable.

If you go further out you come up against the reef that surrounds the island, beyond that it most definately is the deep blue sea, several thousdand feet deep in fact.

If you are on Aitutaki which is about 45 minutes by domestic flight north of Rarotonga, you will need to be on a boat trip to the far side of the lagoon (From where the hotels are based) to get to the best snorkling. We used Bishops for our boat trip out to one foot island at Aitutaki. Well worth the trip it was too.

Someone has already mentioned Palm Grove as a place to stay on Rarotonga. I would second that.

I have just been looking at Raro accommodation. We are hoping to do at least Raro (would love to add Aitutaki too) on an extended NZ trip this (northern) winter. I am looking for reasonable accommos (self catering) with decent swimming snorkelling off the beach. Is Muri the best bet or are there other places which are good too? There seem to be some fairly well priced rentals!
Cheers! Lin

Travellin -

Keep in mind that the US TV show Survivor is probably going to be filming on Aitutaki June through August and will be closing off the collection of beautiful motus (islets) in the SE corner of the lagoon. Official announcement has not been made yet, but is expected on Sunday (when I think this years' Survivor finale is broadcast).

On Rarotonga (which should be uneffected), there are great beaches with shore snorkeling from Muri Beach (in the SE corner of the island, all along the south shore and (to a lesser degree in my opinion) up the west side of the island. We mostly prefer the south shore (expecially near the Palm Grove) - though admittedly, Muri is the most scenic area.

Ken

Oh -- bummer on Survivor! Question on flights -- looks to me like you have to go through NZ or Australia to get there. Is that true?

You can fly from LAX to Raro (RAR) via Papeete (PPT), with a layover of less than 2 hrs. Last time we went on Air New Zealand and we left LAX at midnight, arrived PPT 6am, left at 7am for an arrival in RAR at 9am. If you have United frequent flyer miles, they partner w/ Air NZ.

Last time we stayed in a coastal bungalow (Aroko Bungalows) that was walking distance to Muri Beach. This area seems like a good place to stay, although Muri Beach can get crowded. There is some OK snorkeling off the beach, and a bit better if you take a boat out toward one of the offshore motus.

If you go all this way, you definitely should spend the xtra time and $$ to go to Aitutaki - it has to be one of the most beautiful islands in all the Pacific.

Pamo -

ALF is correct. There are 3 flights/week (Friday night, Sunday night, Wednesday night) thar Air New Zealand has LAX-PAP-RAR flights (these flights then go on to New Zealand). On some other nights (not sure which ones) to get to Rarotonga you would have to fly to New Zealand first, then in effect, catch the reverse of the first 3 flights I mentioned, to backtrack to RAR.

Ken

How about Titikaveka for swimming snorkelling location etc? I will check Palm Grove to see if it jives with the budget. We have always intended to stop in the Cooks on our way to NZ. Looks like we'll use a Circle Pacific fare. Most of the islands in FP are so expensive - we were hoping to make a few stops enroute but it looks like that might not happen given the prices. I hate to waste those miles and free stopovers though!
We won't be on the move until February so I'm sure they'll be finished filming stupid Survivor by then. That should bring in some tourists - better get booked in before the show airs!

Titikaveka has great snorkeling. In fact the single spot widely considered to be the very best on the island is in that area (opposite the Fruits of Rarotonga smoothie stand). In general, anywhere on the south shore is terrific.

Ken

Thanks! I'll check it out. My 'places to see before you die' book lists the lagoon at Aitutaki as one such place so we'll have to check it out too! Post-Survivor!

Aitutaki and Raro get my votes too. I like them a lot better than Bora Bora and Tahiti(both are too commercialized for me).

Aitutaki all the way! We spent a week on there in March and loved every minute of it. From your original post, Aitutaki sounds like it would be a perfect fit as for great snorkeling (right off the beach from our bungalow at Etu Moana), decent strength in the dollar, not too commercial, friendly people and interesting culture. We really loved it because you got the foreign experience (currency, culture, driving on the other side etc) yet everyone speaks English.

We did not spend any time on Raro (other than the last day before flying out in the evening) but from our limited experience, we loved spending the whole time on Aitutaki and would do it again in a heartbeat. Raro seemed a bit more touristy and crowded (still beautiful). We had an interesting time exploring the island but the pace just felt different.

been to turtle island, fiji. it's private and small and you pay for that, but we highly recommend it for a couple to enjoy each other and relax. the flights to fiji are long from LA. if you can afford 1st class - do it. beautiful waters, snorkeling, beaches and very friendly people