We are a couple who desire to spend 10 days In late March in the South Pacific. We prefer quite beaches, rental cottage, or camping,cultural experiences, archeology, and serious photography.
We know food and housing is expensive and EVEN have looked at a package for $4,692 to Moorea at the pearl resort (meals included) for 7 days thinking this might be a good deal to try to keep our minds open. Lord Balfor/Alf not sure how to get hold of your opinion except checking this website. You seem to have stayed at wonderful beach rentals on Raro.

Hi utahlover..
Air Tahiti Nui has a 2 for 1 special to Moorea from LAX..
airtahitinui.com

Hello Tahiti Tams. Yes I am aware of the Brendan(?) offer that prices out at 4,692 (the 2 for 1)from lax... but they will only let us stay 7 days. I was hoping to stay 10 days since it is quite far.

Both Raro or Moorea would be good choices. As you note, Moorea is more expensive. There is an assortment of cottage/bungalow places on Raro, ranging form mid-priced to expensive. We gravitate toward the lower end, and two times found nice small quiet coastal bungalows.

If I were given the choice, I'd go to Raro, but it really depends on what is important to you. Raro is a small island and is quite laid-back. You are not going to find much in the way of 5-star resorts, haute cuisine, or big-time nightlife.

It sounds like you would like the Cooks - camping is generally not going to work there. There are a couple of places to camp near Haaru on Moorea (although I heard one had been sold).

Moorea has better archaeology, with several marae that you can visit in the highland area near Belvedere. The Cook Islands Cultural Centre is much better than anything in French Poly, including a good dance performance and lunch.

Overall, Moorea has better beaches, but you can find good ones on Raro too - you just have to look harder to find them.

Both places are so photogenic you can't go wrong shooting photos. There is a really gnarly steep trail up to Te Rua Manga ('The Needle'), and I have some great close-up shots of these root systems exposed by erosion, clinging to the rocky trail. If you end up in Moore, Belevedere Lookout at dusk or dawn is a great place for mountain shots.

As usual, I agree with everything ALF has said.

Not sure exactly what you are asking for though. Are you lookin for specific recommendations for lodging. If so, how much (in either US or NZ dollars - just specify) are you wanting to spend?

Ken

PS - Heading out to Tucson this morning for 10 days so my replies from there may be a bit sparce.

Thank you for the responses! Yes we are looking for specific costal bungalow contacts for Raro. Price range? $100 US might be a dream. Can one ride bikes on Raro and do you know if you can rent bikes? What is the options for cooking on your own as far as buying supplies?
Thanks.

Alf...after spending too many hours on the internet I am almost really to just purchase the package deal to Moorea instead of trying to patch it all together and save a buck. This price seems like a good deal to me because of the room and the meals included. Would you know if it is?

Lax to Moorea 7 nights 4,692 US. 2 persons
Includes 7 nights at the Pearl Resort in a beach bungalow(not garden room)
includes flight to Moorea that same day and ferry back to Papeete.
Includes breakfast and dinners.(this seems like the attractive part)

I know this is a resort...but it actually seemed less pricey with the inclusions.

If I were pricing out such a trip, I would be thinking:

$1200 apiece for airfare = $2400

$300/night x 7 nights = $2100

$35 lunch/dinner x 2 x 7days = $490

Transfers = $60

You could possibly get the airfare and room for a little less than above, but I would still say that sounds like a good deal.

You can rent bikes and motorbikes on Raro. There's also a handy bus that will take you wherever you want to go (since most everything is on a single perimeter road).

Raro bungalow refs:

http://www.ck/aselfrar.htm

http://www.arokobungalows.com/

http://www.cook.islands-resorts.com/...m?Memberid=255

http://www.south-seas-adventures.com...ok-Islands.php

Utahlover,
We did Moorea in March of 04 and it was a package at the Pearl Resorts inclusive of Breakfast and Dinner (I think they call it half board??) The Moorea Pearl has 2 types of lodging, a hotel room style building or bungalows. I assume the price you're getting is the bungalow...but I would double check. We liked the Moorea Pearl but I don't recall much of a beach at the property. If I remember correctly, there's a beach in front of the beach bungalows but it was pretty small. But looking back at our pictures, Moorea certainly offered lots of photo opportunities (my husband is a shutterbug.)

Lastly, we used a travel service called travelexpertsusa.com (I sometimes see their listings on Travelzoo) and our package was for 7 nights from LAX was pretty reasonable. I couldn't find the Moorea Pearl pkg anymore on their site but you might want to give them a call.

Alf,Lord Balfor, and others,
I am still working on our options and this go around am looking at a beach cottage to rent fpr 7 nights from real estate companies on the internet on Raro and I was wondering what part of the island you would stay if you desired a quite laid back atmosphere with nice swimming. We are thinking of doing a split 7 nights Raro/5 nights Aitutaki. Have emails out to sites you recommended. I am finding cottages to rent for about NZ$1100 for a week. I am just unsure of where to secure a property. Muri or further west. Do not enjoy a big beach crowd and wondering if the cottages in the heart of muri were hectic. The hotel package from Costco was booked for late March early April. Thank you for your reply.