Hi all,
I am desperate for an island holiday, not fussy on location just needs to be suitable for two adults and a one year old.
Would love your recommendations on where to travel to and how to get value for monry. Packages would be amazing as that is easier, or specific resort recommendations or accommodation deals would be great.
Thanks heaps
Didn't think much of Fiji (I only went to Main Island) Kinda dirty and run down. Dozens of people hanging around waiting to get to the offshore islands.
I've been Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Rarotonga. Vanuatu is my favourite. Mainly coz of the Mount Yasur active volcano. A real bucket list thing to climb and see an erupting live volcano.
You'd have to carry the little one for that - pram wouldn't work
Rarotonga for relaxation/laid back. But yeah once you've been right around the island (which takes 45mins on a hired car or scooter), you're left wondering OK cool now what am I gonna do for the rest of the week?
For costs. Samoa and Vanuatu perhaps a bit cheaper, Cook islands and Fiji mid. Tahiti? Yeah nah. Not on a budget.
Samoa definitely more expensive than Fiji (unless you're paying for a high end all inclusive resort)
In general, and depending on when you want to go, Fiji can be pretty cheap.
Resorts vary massively in prices - especially if you are willing to get on a shuttle for a 60 / 90 / 120 minute drive from the airport.
Outside of school holidays will usually be much cheaper too - sounds like you are currently free in that respect, so make the most of it. You won't understand the freedom you have with a baby / toddler, compared to having school-aged kids yet, but you'll look back in a few years, and realise how trivially easy it is to travel with only one (very young) child between two adults.
Perhaps walk into two or three travel agents and ask what they have that is good value / on sale. You could try calling or doing it electronically, but walking in seems to get much better deals as they have a much better chance of getting your booking, so they'll try harder for you.
I feel somewhat qualified to answer this one.
Went to Fiji last year with my then 15 month old and stayed at Plantation Island. First trip as an adult, probably went 3 times as a kid myself. Exactly as I remember it. Would go again.
Heading to Raro next week for a self catered week away with now 2.5 year old. Staying in a self catered buret so will be a different experience, can report back if you're interested. Raro coming out cheaper so far.
All self booked direct through airlines and booking.com when Shopback are having a decent cashback promotion (10% or so)
Agree with Fiji. Likuri island is nice and child friendly. My wife and I went with our 3 year old and 3 month old. Very lovely staff. All food included. It’s a taxi then boat from Nadi airport, and the resort will help you organise transfers.
Stuart Island is nice this time of year.
I use trip.com to book and sort a trip. Using this with shopback cashback has always worked in my favour. Bali can very cheap, I went to a resort outside of the usual main centers. All I did was relax, eat and read books. If you are feeling a little more adventurous but still want a relaxing experience, have you considered China? Sanya is very unknown to the west, its tropical and Hainan has some very good deals at times to get there from Auckland. It is a longer trip to get there vs Fiji or Raro but NZD goes along way in China and Sanya is just like Hawaii. If I had to choose over a Fiji trip or a Sanya holiday, I would always choose Sanya. I got flights for $850 return for two people, insane price! Wouldn't get that today, but they do put deals on quite often. Check out beat that flight, its been helpful to me in the past to sang a good flight deal. Enjoy you break wherever you choose!
Sanya looks interesting … what route/airline do you fly to get $850 return? How long does the flight take ?
Auckland direct, on Hainan. Check out beat my flight, they post on here often. Also use google flights and save a route you’re interested in. You will get great fares if you’re patient and flexible. Understand offers right now are not exactly great but China Southern are also a good at times with deals, you do have to go via Guangzhou sometimes to get to your final destination but can be pretty low cost and transfer is pretty painless.
That's a bit too vague to enable anyone to provide a meaningful answer.
What is your budget?
How long do you want to be away for?
What time of year?