How to Choose Between Tahiti or Fiji?
Many people think that Fiji and Tahiti are the same. Some even think Fiji is an island in Tahiti or vice versa.
There are significant differences between Tahiti and Fiji :
There are significant differences between these two island paradises. Many people look at images and photographs of destinations such as Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Fiji and make their decision based on what they see. Read on to learn the differences between Tahiti and Fiji.
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The Basic Differences between Tahiti and Fiji:
Tahiti
Tahiti: Tahiti is comprised of 118 islands spread over five great archipelagos, however there are only a handful of islands that actually can receive tourists. The main ones being the Island of Tahiti, Moorea, Le Tahaa, Rangiroa, Huahine, Manihi, and Bora Bora. Bora Bora is the most famous of these islands.
Tahiti is full of majestic mountain peaks, turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. The official language in Tahiti is French. Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and a series of islands extending along basically a line.
Tahiti has over 20 resorts that offer over water bungalows – Fiji has less than 5.
Fiji
Fiji is located in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. English is spoken throughout Fiji. Fiji is one many island surrounded many small islands/ Fiji is made up of more than 330 islands and is surrounded by Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the west, Samoa and Tonga to the east and New Zealand to the south. Each island in Fiji has incredible landscape. The 2 main islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Although Fiji is very beautiful, Tahiti is more spectacular especially the island of Bora Bora.
Bora Bora is probably the most famous of the Tahiti Islands. The island lies just northwest of Tahiti, less than an hour away by plane from Papeete. Bora Bora is a romantic destination filled with overwater bungalows. Bora Bora is part of the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean. Visitors come for its tropical climate and stay in resorts and over-water bungalows. Many visit Bora Bora to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Bora Bora is a romantic destination for honeymoons, weddings and for those who just want to escape to tropical paradise.
There’s one airport, Bora Bora Airport. There is no public transport, so visitors get around by by rental car, bicycle or small, two-seater buggies. You can get around the main island in three hours. You will enjoy snorkeling, diving, canoeing and cruises.
Moorea Island is just northwest of Tahiti. Surrounded by a bright blue lagoon, Moorea is an island formed by volcanoes. Moorea has great snorkeling, hiking and amazing sunsets. You can get here by ferry or plane from Papeete, Tahiti. Moorea is a favorite destination for couples, families and locals.
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Getting There:
To get to either place, you will have to fly out of Los Angeles. Tahiti is an 8 hour nonstop flight from Los Angeles. Tahiti is about an 8 hour flight from Los Angeles. Tahiti is halfway between California and Australia.
Fiji is about a 10 1/2 hour flight from Los Angeles. Fiji is a 4 hour flight from Sydney, and 2 hours from New Zealand. Many couples stop in Sydney or New Zealand on their way to or from Fiji.
To get to Moorea, you fly directly there from Papeete, Tahiti. You can also take a ferry there from Tahiti. To travel to Bora Bora, you fly from Papeete, Tahiti.
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Are Fiji and Tahiti equally beautiful?
You’ll find stellar white sand beaches in both Fiji and Tahiti. Both have mountain ranges, valleys and lush green landscape. Both are absolutely stunning!
Accommodations
Fiji Resort Style: Private Islands and Romantic All Inclusive Hideaways
Photo courtesy of Fiji Coral Coast Goway
In Fiji there are very few big chain hotels. Fiji’s resorts are all bungalow (“Bures”) style hideaways geared for couples and romance. A typical Fijian island hideaway is on its “own” island and consists of anywhere from one to 50 or so bures. Each bure is free standing and beachfront, some are set back from the beach and even some yet may be “tree house” bures. The private island Fiji hideaways are usually owned by individuals from Australia or the US. Many of the Fiji island resorts offer meals and most activities to guests, alleviating the stress of economic decision making throughout the day.
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Tahiti Resort Style: Large Chain Hotels offer bungalow accommodations
Photo courtesy of Le Meridian Tahiti
Tahiti is more similar to Hawaii. Larger chain hotels such as Sheraton, Sofitel, Intercontinental, and Four Seasons dominate this island paradise. The rooms however are very different than Hawaiian resorts. The rooms in Tahiti are mostly bungalows. Free standing garden, beach and overwater bungalows. All resorts have restaurants, pool areas, spas, and concierge.
Overall Feel at a Fiji Resort Hideaway: You will feel very private, while surrounded by unspoiled paradise. The Fijian staffs are friendly, warm and very interactive with the guests. Often, the staff members (depending on the resort) check on guests often making sure all of their needs are met. Fijians are the friendliest people and you’ll learn the word “Bula” very quickly (it means hello in Fijian)
Overall Feel at a Tahiti Resort: Guests will enjoy the feel of a full service resort complete with work out rooms, internet rooms, variety of restaurants and bars. Most hotels in Tahiti have a concierge to help guests make restaurant reservations, set up snorkel trips, and more. Guests need to create their own itinerary in Tahiti. Staff operates more like that of a Hawaiian or Caribbean Hotel.
Things you CAN do on a Fiji Honeymoon that you cannot do in Tahiti:
- Private Picnics: You can be dropped off on your own remote beach for the day with a gourmet lunch and no interruptions- either for little or no charge, depending on what island you stay on in Fiji.
- Private Dinner on the beach, under the stars for no extra charge.
- Visit an authentic Fijian village and learn about the culture, meet the people
- Buy authentic handicrafts – dirt cheap. Its shop till you drop there with the US dollar being so strong in Fiji.
- Drink KAVA- everynight in Fiji no matter where you are staying you can participate in a traditional Fijian cultural ritual of Kava drinking.
- Dive the Somosomo Straits. Fiji is the soft coral capitol of the world; it is a world class diving destination.
- GET MARRIED LEGALLY- You can get married legally in Fiji with no waiting period. Fiji weddings are recognized in the USA as a legal wedding.
Fiji is a great choice for those seeking:
- A high level of seclusion and privacy-many of the resorts only allow 5-20 couples at a time, this makes a Fiji honeymoon one of the most private types of honeymoons out there.
- Connections with the local culture – visiting a Fijian village is one of the highlights of a Fiji Honeymoon vacation.
- World class diving- Most Fiji resorts have PADI instruction and a myriad of dive sites within minutes of the island.
- A great value honeymoon for the dollar (the best in the South Pacific)- a Fiji honeymoon is a lot more cost effective than a Tahiti Honeymoon because of the strength of the US Dollar in Fiji.
- A legally recognized wedding- You can get married on the beach in Fiji and its completely legal. There are no blood tests to take, and very little paperwork to do beforehand. Most resorts take care of all of the paperwork the day of arrival. You can get married the next day in Fiji.
- Pampering by hotel staff – The staff to guest ratio at Fiji resorts is much higher than that of Tahitian resorts. The result- staff who know you by your first name within the first couple of days of your visit. The staff are attentive to your needs much more so than that of a big chain resort.
- Exotic spa services and treatments – at a reasonable rate. Spa services in Fiji are less than 1/2 the price of Tahiti or Hawaii.
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- See Bora Bora…and much more – For most tourists, a stay on Bora Bora is essential, The “Pearl of the Pacific”.
- Make a short excursion to Moorea, Tahiti’s sister island – Moorea, 17 km from Pape’ete, is reachable by fast ferry in only 40 minutes. It is the most sparsely populated island (just 18,000 people) and things there are still unspoiled.
- Dive into a natural aquarium – Divers the world over recognize Tahiti and the islands for their diving sites and passes with more fish than anywhere else in the world.
- Spend a night in an overwater bungalow – They represent the ultimate level of indulgence: luxury in paradise. Let yourself be rocked to sleep by the water lapping against the stilts, watch fish dance through the glass pane in the floor, dive off your terrace into a natural aquarium and soak in the tropical essence.
- See a performance of Polynesian dance – Forbidden by missionaries, dancing is even more an integral part of Polynesian culture today. Girls and boys begin dancing as soon as they can walk. The annual Heivai Tahiti festivals in July, organized in Tahiti and on most islands, is a chance to see a performance by the most famed professional dance troupes and schools. Major hotels regularly organize Polynesian evenings with song and dance during happy hour or themed buffet dinners.
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