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Sydney plus Over the Water Bungalow Or Great Barrier Reef?
Hi
I want to plan a 2 week vacation to the South Pacific.. It will be during the month of May. 3-4 days in Sydney. definitely as I love the city. I also love the ocean but I cannot decide weather to rent a Over the Water Bungalow in Aitutuki Cook Islands or Bora Bora Le Meridien Or just spend the time in Cairns at the Great Barrier Reef. Please advise. Thanks in advance. |
Hi
I just wanted to mention that I read a bad review of Le Meridien and a great review of the Pearl Resort near Bora Bora. I still need some advise weather to choose the bungalow or go to the reef. I am leaning toward the bungalow but I do snorkel too. The body of water in both places looks similar. I have snorkeled at a reef before in the Us Virgin Islands at Buck Island and Caneel Bay Thank you |
I can't help you with the comparison, but the Great Barrier Reef is a wonder of the world! The range of fish, coral and sea creatures is stunning. It's incredibly relaxing being absorbed into that underwater world, I love it.
If you can afford it, go to Lizard Island, by all accounts it's expensive but an incredible place to stay. Because it's a coral cay you can snorkel straight from the shore. |
Hey!
I completely agree to Susan. Great Barrier Reef is a great place to visit. You should at least go once there in your life time. You will like it and will enjoy it. |
Lizard Island isn't a coral cay, in the sense that Heron, Lady Elliot and even Green Island are, its a continental island with a mid shelf reef. Nevertheless it has marvellous snorkelling in its lagoon, and easy access(about an hour away by boat) to some of the best snorkelling and diving spots further out on the Great Barrier Reef. The resort is expensive, and day trip flights with snorkelling from Cairns are around $600, this includes a low level flight over rainforest and of course, part of the Great Barrier Reef. Google Daintree Air for details.
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I also recommend Lizard Island, even if it's just as a day trip. Amazing place. :)
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Another option which hasn't been mentioned here is ORPHEUS Island. We loved the place. Real barefoot luxury but not posh (like Hayman Island).
Of course Bora Bora is a kind of TO DO place but stated in the other thread the lagoon is very much overstated due to the huge cruise ships ankering in the lagoon. And too many OW bungalows now. The Meridien was definitely extremely nice when we stayed there in 2000 - but that might have changed. Check tripadvisor - but don't take the opinions too seriously ;-) All the PEARL resorts in French Polynesia are very decent resorts. All very relaxed! Maybe you have also a look at Fakarava. There is a love-aboard which takes you from Fakarava through some of the neighbouring lagoons on a one week trip. Great diving. Regarding staying in Q or FNQ there are lots of options available from Daitree river lodge to the Sheraton in Port Douglas which is big but excellent service and rooms! I would also recommend Port Douglas for a side trip if staying in that area. The Lori birds "meet" at the marina each and every evening around 17.30/18.00pm. Once when I participated in a workshop I got myself a car and drove up there from Cairns just to watch them. Sounds weird but worthwhile the effort. I would definitely choose one of the small island resorts in the reef instead of the big ones like Hamilton. You can easily spend 2 weeks changing islands without getting boared. Maybe you should just grab the chance of staying in OZ instead of flying further. Q and FNQ have so much to offer. Also great for self-drive. Happy planning! ((@)) |
Too quickly hit the send button....
If you are keen on snorkeling you might consider getting a diving certificate. You can do theory and the first 3 dives in your local pool and do the OW certification dive in the GBR. Also a wonderful souvenir... PADI dive shops in OZ do it as well as those in French Polynesia. ((@)) |
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Whoops, sorry misinformation from me, listen to Pat she is the knowledgeable local. I've been to Hereon, never been able to afford Lizard.
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Hi
As stated in my other post we have decide on 4-5 days in Sydney and 5 days in the Cook Islands. Thanks again everyone. I will give a report on my return. |
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