South Pacific Islands/Oz
 

I am in the very early stages of honeymoon planning and wondering if anyone can let me know which of the S. Pacific islands are most ideal for a romantic week. We of course have been told Bora Bora..does anything else compare? We are flying from NYC by the way. Also, is it crazy to try to make it to Australia since we are in the S. Pacific and have a few weeks? Do any airlines offer this?

I should add that we're thinking of going late Sept/early Oct.

The South Pacific is too far for just one week. Takes two days to get there (plus you lose one on the date line), and more to get to the resorts, like NYC-NAN (Nadi in Fidji) is 40 hours, plus boat and/or flight to resort, or NYC-PPT (Papeete) 20 hours plus the trip to Bora Bora. Ditto in reverse - you will be spending most of your honeymoon week jetlagged and on planes and in airport lobbies.

Go to the Bahamas, VI, or somewhere else in your hemisphere, relax, and enjoy.

But when the time comes and you have at least two weeks, consider this: Lots compare, Bora Bora is not *the* greatest (although possibly the most expensive). The Samoas, resorts off Fiji, many islands off the Australian East Coast, Bali, places in the Marianas, on and on are great targets.

When you get ready to go to the South Pacific, get some travel videos and DVDs, read up on the huge region, define your likes and dislikes: Do you want an Americanized homogenized resort that looks like it could be off the Florida Coast or Hawaii or anywhere like that, or do you want something with more of a local flavor?

Watching those videos and DVDs will give you a sense of what it is like, so get on Netflix and check your local library.

Sure you can fly to Australia, it might actually be your best bet, but not if you only have a week.

we have 2 wks, and can probably add a few days to that..

Look into the Cook Islands. Aitutaki is every bit as beautiful as Bora Bora, and much more laid-back. On the down side, it is even farther from NYC than French Polynesia. Still, that would be my choice if I ever go on another honeymoon (not likely!)

returned from 18 days in South Pacific - stayed on Rarotonga, Aitutaki and in Westrn Samoa. Accomodations and dining were outstanding, people were friendly and English speaking in first 2 locations. Our dollar went farther in these places than they would have in French Poly. Accomodations were intimate, perfect for HM. Check out Etu Moana on Aitutaki and Rarotonga Beach Bungalows for Rarotonga. Great Surf Adventure camp in W.Samoa - but a bit roughing it for your special occasion.

WallyKringen is a little overboard on his travel times. JFK-NAN is only 25 hours, and though you also lose a day going you gain that day back on the return trip. JFK-PPT is only 13 hours (non-stop) or 17 hours via LAX.

When we went to Bora Bora we went for just a week. 6 nights on Bora Bora and 1 night in Tahiti. We were coming from Chicago and 1 week was fine.

If your looking for a great honeymoon for ALOT less than Bora Bora, check out Bali.

Never been to Tahiti - but Aitutaki was sublime. Not that I was on HM just passing through.

Well, of course, it's not the sort of place you "pass through". At the time I was travelling Sydney - NZ - Fiji - Cooks - LA - London with Air New Zealand.

The schedule may have changed but I seem to remember there were only two ANZ flights a week fiji-cooks-Lax. And I don't know if you can fly lax-cooks-auckland without breaking the journey in Fiji.

If you can, and if you can make it 3 weeks, or close enough - then maybe you could spend a week or a little less in Aitutaki, and then fly on to Auckland and visit NZ - or do the extra 4 hours and come on over to Sydney.

But it's a long long way. Sort of depends on whether you want an adventure after your romantic week.

What attracts you to Australia?

Maybe you should just make it Australia and spend your RW in the Whitsundays at one of the resorts there. Or yes there is Bali.

If you decide to include Oz you might be better with a RTW flight back to New York.

I wouldn't do it for 3 weeks - I'd want 6 minimum.

But am trying to think of places closer to New York that would be good in Sept/Oct. It may be completely the wrong time of year - but have you thought about the Maldives; Malaysia: the Seychelles (with a safari in East Africa)?

Happy planning, and all the best.

Greetings jubileefd:

First, congratulations and the very best of luck on your marriage.

My wife [of 48 years] and I were in the Cook islands [Rarotonga twice], American Samoa [twice], Tonga and Fiji [once each].

I would return to those islands except for Fiji.

My preference is in the order listed.

One morning [Cook islands] instead of brushing away snow as we are used to in Canada, Flamboyant petals were all over our car. A very nice treat.

The Cooks are very pleasant and childlike in their innocents. I have a beard and I told our hotel desk clerk that in Canada is is so cold that all men have beards to keep warm. Some of the women too! They are very good natured and joined in my fun.

Many good restaurants in the cook islands [Rarotonga]. The island is not large and takes about 45 minutes to drive all the way around on a good two lane road.

Cook island uses the New Zealand dollar at about $ NZ 1.2 to $ Can 1 so your US dollar will buy even more there. Cook island have a very good web site, check Google.

If you go to Rarotonga be sure to take in the market one morning.

Western Samoa has a grand hotel, Aggie Grey's. Aggie Grey was the inspiration for one character in the musical South Pacific. She built a hot dog stand during WWII which is now the finest hotel in the south Pacific.

Great dancing entertainment on both the Cook islands and Wetern Samoa.

Tonga was also friendly and very pleasant with well mannered people. There going to church is a treat and while i never go in Canada, in Tonga you will be treated to the most wonderful music if you do go. Go to the one that the King goes to. Best quire.

I was very disappointed with Fiji. The hotel did not honour their confirmed reservation. We took a cruise of several days to the outer islands and had our luggage entered with items stolen by the crew. We were cheated getting change at the airport coffee shop and generally two bitted all over as well as being hounded.

I am sure that you will have a great honeymoon at any one of the many south Pacific islands and I want to once again wish you the very best of luck for at least 48 years.

Woodie

Hi Jubilee, have just posted on the Lord Howe Island thread (http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34858010) and wonder if this might be something for you to check out, especially the honeymooners' delight Capella Lodge so aptly situated near Lover's Beach! LHI is under two hours flight from Sydney/Brisbane/Coffs Harbour, and would allow you to enjoy a very special island as well as the highlights of Sydney and/or Brisbane within your timeframe. Just Google the Capella Lodge as there are plenty of internet package-deal specials available thru travel agents which are better value than separate independent flight/accommodation bookings.

Capella is a bit 'rich' for us, but then we're doing LHI to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary, not our honeymoon. (Not up to Woodie's record of 48 yet - but counting. Wonder where Woodie plans to celebrate the magical 50th anniversary?

Good luck
Jackie

hi and congrats on your honeymoon. I honeymooned in french Polynesia for 2 weeks in 1997. It was very romantic and a long flight from NYC. We visited Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, and Tahiti. Moorea was our favorite. It was a very romantic honeymoon and we especially enjoyed the overwater bungalows.

Last year we spent about 2 weeks in the Cook Islands and Fiji (actually en route home from a long visit in Australia).. Air New Zealand offers stopovers but it really is a lot to pack in(in my opinion) for a 2 week holiday.

We liked Raratonga and Aitutaki but did not love the service or level of hotel (we stayed at the pacific resort in aitutaki and I found it just ok- there were problems with people taking each other's chaise lounges so there were times where you could not lay out on the beach). This is just my opinion- I know others will disagree. But, the snorkeling day trip in Aitutaki was very memorable and a highlight for us.

We also stayed at Vatulele resort in Fiji and we really enjoyed this. very romantic- with private dinners on an island and some nice activities. This may have been our favorite south pacific resort although the memories of our honeymoon in French Polynesia are of course wonderful-

I know people suggested Bali and it is great. The four seasons resort in Jimbaran and Sayan are both wonderful and romantic and superb value for the buck compared to the south pacific. Don't know your price range.

Anyway, this is just my 2 cents. Good luck with the planning. Would love to hear what you ultimately decide on. Either way, I am sure it will be wonderful.