Hi, can anyone recommend whether to go to Cook Islands or Fiji in mid-may for 2 weeks. We want to do alot of swimming and snorkelling.

Went to Cooks in late March and loved it especially Aitutaki. Going to Figi in a few days...so I don't know how to compare yet. I hear the snorkling is better in Fiji.

The Cooks are very nice but we did like Fiji better in terms of culture and snorkling. The reef in Fiji was alive with color. We found the people so friendly in both countries.

For snorkeling, you can't beat Fiji. We spent a week at Yasawa Island Resort, and found the swimming, beach, and snorkeling outstanding. Then we went up north to Qamea Resort and it got even better. At Qamea, you can snorkel right off the beach, and the diversity of fish and coral is incredible.

Depends a little what you like ...

I found the Cook Islands more scenically beautiful, like the pacific paradise I'd always pictured. It was very laid back, with little tourist infrastructure and I loved this about it. Just quiet days on my bike, swimming, reading eating ....

Now Fiji - lots of great resorts set up for tourism. People very friendly and more "in your face" than the Cooks. Lots of activity and plenty to keep the kids entertained. Great water activities, but didn't strike me with its beauty so much ... others may beg to differ.

But the Cook Islands are my personal fave.

I love the South Pacific...have been to many Islands, but Aitutaki is just about as good as it gets. It can be a little expensive depending on how long you are staying. (I was in the Cooks for a month) It is the biggest most beautiful "swimming pool" in the world.