Lucky you. She enjoys coconut cream in her cocktails. Choosing between Fiji and the Cook Islands can feel impossible: both offer the tropical trifecta of swaying palm trees, aquamarine water and idyllic beaches. As a frequent visitor with my family to both nations, I appreciate all their many charms.
But when push comes to shove and the time off gets locked in, Fiji stands out in almost every way. From its tourism infrastructure to its cultural experiences, opportunities for exploration and diversity of activities , Fiji surpasses the Cooks.
Fiji is big, with islands composing its archipelago. High-end resorts often even offer personal nannies β and even at the less expensive end of the spectrum , resort operators provide excellent facilities for families without compromising on quality.
Stray beyond your hotel grounds, though, and Fiji offers plenty of thrills: you can try white-water rafting, bike through the jungle or dive beneath ice-cold waterfalls. Unique experiences like jet-boat safaris, river tubing in the highlands and the innovative Ecotrax β cycling paths along repurposed sugarcane railways β have set Fiji apart as an adventure destination. Fiji also rates as a surfing destination: in , the World Surf League will host the World Championship at Cloudbreak , Fiji's best known reef break although beginners can find their goofy feet at Natadola Beach on the Coral Coast.
Craig Tansley was born and bred in Rarotonga before moving to Australia β but every year spends time in his homeland, where his father lived for over 50 years and his once uncle served as prime minister. The bottom line: no one spends much time just in their resort in the Cook Islands. In Fiji, some visitors never leave theirs. If you prefer to dine or drink with only other tourists, stick to Fiji. I like the fact that in Rarotonga sunrises and sunsets over the water are only 20 minutes apart.
