Which is best?
 

Fiji or New Caledonia - for a relaxing holiday. Want great diving, crystal waters, boutique style accommodation - willing to pay for a bit of luxury, good food and drink, NO kids, .. you get the picture! Going over Christmas and NY for 2 1/2 wks. Many thanks.

Absolooootly fiji. No question. Go for Yasawa Island Lodge (check it's not a kids allowed week) Vatulale (no kids) or one of the other smaller resorts (What about Marlin Bay on Beqa lagoon so the diving is brilliant- it's great and the food is fabulous - from Aus you need to book direct with them because most of their bookings ar US & they're not with any of the Aus travel companies). Check the www.bulafiji web site for details. New caledonia is not nearly as wonderful.

I 'second' Marlin Bay Resort on the tiny island of Beqa, Fiji. I've not been there since Sept. '98 but it was fabulous then. If the poster above has been recently, it's probably an excellent choice.

Look for a last minute reservation at Matangi Island http//www.matangi.com if you are a real diver. It is unlikely that you find anything but it is worth a try.

I agree that matangi is good. However if going over Xmas - jan I'd be staying in the south of Viti Levu (the main island) it is the rainy season and north - where matangi is - is even wetter. it usually rains at night - but it does effect the water clarity - so Yasawas (not such good diving) Mamanucas (ordinary diving) or Beqa lagoon (Marlin Bay), Kadavua are the best at that time of year.