Roratonga, Cook Islands

[Delphinus]

I would imagine the comparison to be a bit of an apples-vs-oranges thing ... although both are tropical islands Would think Maui is a lot cheaper, although I guess with the $USD thing maybe not so. It's definitely faster (usually direct flights available). Roratonga is further south so the reef diversity will be greater. Best description I ever heard that describes Pacific reefs is this: Papua New Guinea is "ground zero" with the largest biodiversity. As you get further away from ground zero that diversity falls off. Hawaii has nice reefs but is quite a way's north and the waters are cooler in comparison. As a result, only hardier corals such as Pocillipora's and smaller - no tridacnid clams, no anemones. Fantastic fish load though.

I doubt you'd regret either choice but I think that if Roratonga is seriously on the map of possibilities I'd just say go for it and go there. If it isn't possible for some reason then consider Hawaii. It's not like you'll hate it there.

[DanG]

Have you thought about cuba? I just booked a week for 2 in holguin at a 4 star all inclusive for $2600, there's tons of diving there.

[macky]

I have been to both Roratonga and Maui. The Cook Islands are far and less populated. Both are nice. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how laid back and quiet Maui is. To go to the Cooks you will spend a lot more money and will also spend a lot more time in an airplane. Good luck making a decision.

[macky]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I would imagine the comparison to be a bit of an apples-vs-oranges thing ... although both are tropical islands Would think Maui is a lot cheaper, although I guess with the $USD thing maybe not so. It's definitely faster (usually direct flights available). Roratonga is further south so the reef diversity will be greater. Best description I ever heard that describes Pacific reefs is this: Papua New Guinea is "ground zero" with the largest biodiversity. As you get further away from ground zero that diversity falls off. Hawaii has nice reefs but is quite a way's north and the waters are cooler in comparison. As a result, only hardier corals such as Pocillipora's and smaller - no tridacnid clams, no anemones. Fantastic fish load though.

I doubt you'd regret either choice but I think that if Roratonga is seriously on the map of possibilities I'd just say go for it and go there. If it isn't possible for some reason then consider Hawaii. It's not like you'll hate it there.

The ocean's largest biodiversity is located here. http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wh...gle/index.html
I spent 2 months diving in the Phillippines and it was by far the best diving I have ever experienced. My experience includes the Phillippines, Australia, Panama, Hawaii, Bahamas, the Cook Islands and Canada, eh.

[mark]

Originally Posted by macky

The ocean's largest biodiversity is located here. http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wh...gle/index.html
I spent 2 months diving in the Phillippines and it was by far the best diving I have ever experienced. My experience includes the Phillippines, Australia, Panama, Hawaii, Bahamas, the Cook Islands and Canada, eh.

Though not either place your asking about, having only snorkeled in the Philippines all I can say was it's amazing. Also found once there, rather cheap to stay.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by macky

The ocean's largest biodiversity is located here. http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wh...gle/index.html

Cool site, thanks. In the defense of my earlier analogy though, PNG is almost perfect centre of said triangle.

Anyhow I would love to one day see all of those places. Do you have any pictures of your dives you could post? Would love to see 'em..

[Pescador]

Palau was amazing, we would go back in a flash even with the long flight. Mandarin fish, giant clams, Jellyfish Lake, WWII wrecks.... it must be pretty close to the triangle

[Hairytank]

I went to Roratonga back in 1994 and the snorkeling was very good and the scuba diving was fantastic. There was an abundance and wide variety of interesting corals and marine life there. There was even an option to dive with hammer head sharks if you want as well, I opted out... The Cooks were very quiet back then, but still had everything you needed/wanted. We went to Australia after the Cook Islands and diving on the Great Barrier Reef but it was a big disappointment in comparison.

A couple of years back I did some snorkeling in Kauai and Honolulu and it was pretty good for fish, but Rarotonga had way better coral. I have not been to Maui though so can’t comment on that.

I guess it all depends on the type of vacation you want...

[workn2hard2day]

Thanks, for all the help. We are still trying to decide. I would love to go to Cuba, but my husband has a few friends that didn't have a great experience there.

[Delphinus]

IMHO, deciding between Cuba and Maui and Roratonga is like trying to decide between Chinese or Italian for dinner.

I guess the things you want to consider are what do you want to do on your vacation? Sit on a beach and sip on drinks with little umbrellas? Do you want to immerse yourself with culture? Do you want to go scuba diving? If so do you care about what you want to see? ... these are the sorts of things you'll need to weigh in on.

Cuba - cheap, warm, beaches, resort experience. Underwater - good snorkeling, decent reefs, Caribbean reefs (ie., no clams, no Nemo's in anemones. Lots of gorgonians though - Caribbean reefs are quite pretty in that aspect).

Hawaii - easy to get to, no language barrier, no need to stay at an all-inclusive resort (ie., I'd much rather just rent a condo myself, cook my own meals, and just do my own thing). TONNES to see and do outside of beaches. Ie., on Maui alone, the drive up to Hana is one of the most picturesque drives you can do on this planet. Hale'akala crater is out of this world. Good snorkeling and dive opportunities, but the reefs are not the same as what you'll find further south.

Roratonga- grass roofs huts on stilts over the water, South Pacific reefs to see. If I could do anything or go anywhere, I myself would go here out of the 3 options listed here. But bear in mind I would be spending as little time as possible outside of the water. To just have a "warm beach vacation" where the intent is just de-stress, chill out with a drink with an umbrella, then somewhere closer and cheaper will do. But to see Reefs (with a capital "R" ) then yeah, plan to go further south. I haven't seen too many reefs but I have seen the Great Barrier Reef and I have seen Hawaiian reefs and I have seen Carribean reefs and I have to say - once you have seen the south Pacific reefs, you'll know what I mean - they're in a whole different category.

That's my take anyhow. I hope I'm not making the choice more difficult..