My husband and I are trying to decide between a trip this summer to Fiji or Tahiti. We are in our late 30's and love the beach -- snorkeling, kayaking, etc. Does one of these locations have better beaches than the other? We would love to find a real white sand beach! <BR> <BR>We also like to hike/explore and shop. <BR> <BR>The location we are considering in Fiji is the Shangri-La Fijian resort on the Coral Coast; in Tahiti, probably Moorea (resort undecided). <BR> <BR>Any help/advice is very much appreciated!!

Beaches on the Coral Coast leave much to be desired, at low tide you are left with a mud flat. <BR>I'm a big Fiji fan but Fijian beaches aren't Punta Cana. <BR>Look into Kadavu or Taveuni instead the best snorkelling imaginable. <BR>For Tahiti well I'm no fan of the French so I'm not really qualified to answer, said to be rather pricey in anycase.

Hi, <BR> <BR>I never have been in Fiji, yes in French Polynesia. If you want lonely beaches don't go to Tahiti or Moorea, but you say you like hike/explore and shop!!!! shop ????? I don't understand you what you want buy, or what kind of shop do you mean. <BR> <BR>Better go to Bora Bora, huahine, rangiroa, fakarava, manihi, tetiaroa, etc...

A quick comparaison: <BR>Tahiti: 7 1/2 hr. -- Fiji: 11 flight <BR>Tahiti: lagoons yes -- Fiji: none <BR>Tahiti: overwater bungalows -- Fiji: none <BR>Tahiti: low population -- Fiji: high population + racial tensions <BR>Tahiti: friendly -- Fiji: very friendly <BR>Tahiti: Hi end $$$-- Fiji: Hi end $$$ (except a lot of cheap Indian food) <BR>Tahiti: most beautiful islands -- Fiji: ok looking islands <BR>Tahiti: good diving -- Fiji: excellent diving <BR>Tahiti: very romantic -- Fiji: not so romantic <BR> <BR>A good forum and info on Tahiti: www.tahitiexplorer.com <BR>A good info on Fiji: www.new-zealand.com/Fiji/

Mel, <BR>Where have you been in Fiji? My experience is beautiful islands, less populated (off-shore islands)than Tahiti, friendlier people by far, overwater bungalows are overrated & too crowded together on Moorea & Bora-Bora, better food & yes I am talking about high end resorts but the overwater bungalows + food & drink in Tahiti equals more $$ in the outcome. Both have beautiful scenery but Fiji ranks higher in my book. No racial tensions on the outer islands. I would not consider staying on the big island just as I would not recommend staying on Tahiti. Well all that said if you have never been to the South Pacific Michele you will love either place I'm sure. Good luck.

Dear Michele, <BR>I just got back from Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort - it was absolutely amazing!!! We went for our 10-yr. anniversary and it was everything I could have hoped. I have never been to Fiji, but my husband has, and he says the racial tensions are a real bummer. He was more impressed with Tahiti. If you go to Tahiti, you should stay either where we did at the Pearl Beach (it really was great, and I'd be happy to answer any questions thru email) or someplace else on Bora Bora. People we'd talked to that just arrived from Moorea said BB was much better. The Sheraton on Moorea is supposed to be good, but the water in BB is much more beautiful. We liked being on a motu b/c there was some pollution on the main island. Let me know if I can help. I'll live vicariously b/c I want to go back!!! Holly

Michele, <BR> <BR>We went to Fiji for our 10th anniversary - to Laucala and Matagi Islands, which are away from the crowds. It is the most beautiful place we have ever been! I would stay away from the main islands as they are crowded and go for one of the more distant islands. Taveuni is another lovely garden island with few people and beautiful lush flora and fauna. Diving is esp good off Tavenui.

We went to Moorea in January and we are going to the Shangri-La in Fiji in August. I thought snorkeling was great in Moorea, try the OW bungalows for a couple of nights, they were great. I did not think the people in Tahiti were all that friendly so I am looking forward to comparing to the Fijians. There was no shopping to speak of and what there was is expensive. Food was expensive also. We meet a lot of American people who we spent time with.

Michele, <BR> These replies are outrageous. If you ask any experienced traveler...Tahiti is beautiful with beautiful beaches and water. Fiji is magical... The islands are like gems. The resorts are very different than Tahiti...For instince there will be more people sitting around the pool in any resort in Tahiti than at the entire resort in Fiji. The beauty of any island is it's outer islands. I don't know what your budget is but the experience would be better in Fiji. I could suggest resorts if i knew your budget.I will email you. But understand if you want a memorable trip go to Fiji. But i think evertbody needs to see both.

Is a white sand beach better than a black sand beach? This is an interesting question. I think that you can find resorts just off of Viti Levu that have water sports in Fiji but Fiji is not a really good kayaking area. For that you might be better off in Alaska. Shopping is not to be found of merit in either Tahiti or Fiji although if you really know your stuff, black pearls for a few thousand dollars might be a bargain. There was a chap from New York in Fiji that did wonders in turning wooden bowls and making furniture and another firm that made furniture out of aged palm wood. Their rum has won a prize but it is 100 proof and not what I would drink. I really think you have better option for what you want hike/explore and shop in the Hawiian islands. Believe me, the possibilities there are almost unlimited other than the snorkeling is a little more limited.

Hi <BR> <BR>I am writing this a while after the last message but wanted to put up my opinion for any future readers... <BR> <BR>I have been to Fiji several times and am also planning a wedding and deciding between French Polynesia and Fiji. <BR> <BR>I have never been to FP but it seems that the resorts are definitley larger and more expensive. the reason Fiji has no Overwater Bungalows is because they are far more ecologically concerned - OW bungalows are detrimental to reefs etc so they havent been allowed in Fiji. I have also heard that the OWBs have very little privacy anyway. <BR> <BR>Tahiti does look beautiful, but I doubt that there is much in it beiween there and Fiji. I mean, they are both Paradise. <BR> <BR>I have never sensed any racial tension in Fiji and I was there during the recent trials of the coup leaders. <BR> <BR> <BR>I wouldnt bother staying at the Shangri-La, although i have stayed there once and it was lovely, because the island s are so easy to get to (Shangri la is about a 3 hour drive fromthe airporst anyway) and are so much more beautiful than the maniland. Try Tokoriki, Matamanoa, Vatulele, Turtle etc