Tahiti vs Fiji – Which Paradise Should You Visit?
With two tropical paradises in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, choosing which set of islands to visit can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we’ll be comparing Tahiti vs Fiji in great detail, and covering every aspect that might influence your trip. Both are secluded getaways that offer luxurious resorts, amazing beaches, and incredible seclusion, but which location is right for you? This is Going Locations’ in-depth Tahiti vs Fiji comparison, relax as we take a virtual trip to both places and find out which one is right for you!
Tahiti Overview
Let’s discuss our first destination: Tahiti. This island is one of 118 in French Polynesia and is often considered the main island in the area. The island is also by far the largest in the area spanning over 1,000 square kilometers or 400 square miles. The population of Tahiti stands at around 190,000 making it the most populated island in the region.
Tahiti is close to several other well-known islands including Moorea and Bora Bora. People visiting these other islands will have to transfer through Tahiti as this island has the only international airport in French Polynesia. I won’t be covering Bora Bora in this blog post as I covered it in detail when comparing it to the Maldives, click here if you’d like to see that. If you visit Tahiti, it’s a great idea to explore the other surrounding islands as they are too spectacular to see. For now, let’s turn our attention to Fiji.
Fiji Overview
There’s a lot of overlap when discussing Fiji as I covered this amazing island destination in another recent blog post. My feelings about this country haven’t changed, Fiji is a phenomenal destination with tons of resorts, beaches, and nature. The country consists of 330 islands in the South Pacific Ocean with the main island being named Viti Levu. The country sits just over 2,500 kilometers or 1,600 miles from the coast of Australia and just over 3,000 kilometers or 2,000 miles from Tahiti. Fiji’s population is just under one million with over half of that population situated on Fiji’s main island. Now that you know a bit about each island, let’s figure out how to get to them.
Getting to Tahiti and Fiji
Both islands on this list are relatively convenient to travel to, with both Tahiti and Fiji including international airports. Tahiti is closer for people traveling from North and South America while Fiji is more convenient for people journeying from Asia and Australia. Europe and Africa are so disconnected that either The Maldives, Seychelles, or Mauritius would be better alternatives. With that being said, let’s jump into our first location: Tahiti.
Tahiti
Tahiti comprises the only international airport in French Polynesia: Fa’a’ā International Airport. You can catch a direct flight here from Los Angeles, Auckland, and Tokyo. Once on the island, you can connect to all of the other nearby islands by plane or boat. Tahiti’s nearest island, Moorea, is just a short 30-minute ferry ride away. I highly recommend taking a day trip here as the island gives Bora Bora vibes without the need to travel to Bora Bora.
Fiji
As Fiji is not only just a set of islands but also an independent country, it’s a given that the island would comprise an international airport. Named Nadi International Airport, this airport will connect you directly to Singapore, Sydney, Los Angeles, and even Tahiti. So if you’re so convinced by this blog post that you want to visit both locations, that is technically possible. From Nadi International Airport, you can take direct flights to all the neighboring islands or step out onto the main island and enjoy what this country has to offer. Just like in Tahiti, boats and seaplanes connect to various islands making island hopping possible.
When is the Best Time to Visit
Both Tahiti and Fiji have extremely similar weather. Both islands have a rainy season and a dry season as all this greenery requires lots of rain. Both Fiji and Tahiti experience tons of rain from November to April while their dry season is from April through October. This is the main factor that should influence when your visit, as the rainy season looks drastically different from the dry season. On the flip side, everything is cheaper through the rainy season including flights, hotels, and experiences.
Temperature isn’t a big factor on these two islands as they are pretty near the equator. Both islands are in the southern hemisphere meaning that winters are from June through September and summers are from December to March. Fiji sees consistent highs around 85-90°F or 30-32°C while Tahiti gets a slightly cooler 80-85°F or 28-30°C. Both are year-round warm locations and fantastic getaways for people looking to escape the cold winter.
Where to Stay in Tahiti and Fiji
This is probably the first thing that comes to people’s minds when referring to Tahiti or Fiji. Resorts are the main attractions here and trust me when I say they don’t disappoint.
Tahiti
Located just south of Fa’a’ā, Te Moana Tahiti Resort is an all-around fantastic stay with a convenient location. The resort is backed onto the Pacific Ocean with mountain views right behind. Relax at the stunning infinity pool or take a walk on the Pacific Ocean as the resort has a pier-like centerpiece. Enjoy the two restaurants that the resort offers with American and European classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The resort includes 120 units derived between rooms and suites, the largest being 100 square meters or 1,000 square feet. Most units have balconies with an ocean view and a luxurious interior. The price for all of this is a bargain.
Price: $350-$750 per night in peak season and $250-$600 in off-peak season.
Located on the northern edge of Tahiti, the Hilton Hotel Tahiti offers a stay like no other. Enjoy the pool by the Pacific Ocean, the centerpiece of this resort. Dine at one of six restaurants and bars in the resort giving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find all sorts of cuisines including Japanese, Italian, and French. All rooms include an outdoor space with either a garden or an ocean view. The largest suite is almost 2,000 square feet or 200 square meters with a large balcony, ocean views, and a large living room.
Price: $400-$1,400 per night in peak season and $260-$1,100 in off-peak season.
You’ll be surprised to note that this island isn’t exactly located on the island of Tahiti but rather on the nearby island of Moorea. The two islands are connected by a short 30-minute boat ride which I highly recommend taking. The greenery and scenery are insane on this island with unbeatable ocean views. The Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea is the only hotel on this Tahiti list with villas on the water. Each features balconies with the Pacific Ocean right near your room. The resort also features two restaurants serving upscale food, a pool, and a spa.
Price: $700-$1,350 per night in peak season and $530-$1,000 in off-peak season.
Fiji
Hilton Fiji is located on the famous Denarau Island, a resort complex that some call the tourism center of Fiji. Hilton Fiji is located just minutes from Nadi International Airport, Fiji’s main airport. The Hilton is close to a stunning 18-hole golf course and also occupies an entire peninsula giving the 5-star resort 270-degree ocean views. The resort features four restaurants, a beach, and a spectacular pool that serves as the resort’s centerpiece. You have the option to get a private villa and even a private pool if you choose. Most have ocean views and a patio/balcony. All have spacious and luxurious interiors that are sure to give you a 5-star experience.
Price: $1,000-$3,500 in peak season (Price varies depending on which size room you chose) and $500-$2,500 in off-peak season.
As the prices get higher, so does the level of luxury. The Six Senses Fiji is sure to impress; the resort is located on Malolo Island, just a short speed boat or helicopter ride away from Nadi International Airport. There are tons of experiences to be had here. Activities include snorkeling, surfing, helicopter rides, connecting with the locals, and more. Going to the rooms, you can choose from one of the 24 private villas that this resort offers; talk about exclusivity.
The resort opened in 2018, meaning everything here is extremely new and fancy. Every villa features a private pool and patio. The smallest villa is over 1,000 square feet or 100 square meters. The villas can get as large as five bedrooms with a stunning outdoor space, and many villas have direct ocean views too. This resort is often fully booked; the minimum stay is five days if a room is available, so keep that in mind. In conclusion, this 5-star resort is guaranteed to provide a phenomenal time and shows the cutting edge of modern luxury.
Price: $1,300-$5,000 in peak season and $900-$3,500 in off-peak season (resort closed in February)
It just can’t get any fancier than this. Kokomo in Fiji is situated on a private island miles away from anything and anyone else. Just like Six Senses Fiji, Kokomo Fiji is also a newly opened resort; built in 2017. Activities are plentifull: you can bounce on an ocean trampoline, experience almost any water sport imaginable, taste Fijian cuisine, and much more. Each villa features ocean views, a private infinity pool, and an outdoor shower. The largest villa is over 6,000 sq ft or 570 sq m, with a massive deck, indoor and outdoor kitchen, five bedrooms, and two floors. Kokomo Fiji is the most luxurious resort in Fiji and the fanciest resort in this blog post; the price reflects that.
Price: $2,800-$16,000 in peak season and $2,100-$12,500 in off-peak season
What to do in Tahiti and Fiji
People visit Tahiti and Fiji for mainly the same reasons. Either people love luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches, or crazy water sports.
Tahiti
The nearby island of Moorea has many watersports including jet skiing, flyboarding, and boating. While on this island, you have to check out Belvedere Lookout for fantastic views of Mt Rotui. Getting to the main island of Tahiti, scuba diving is a popular activity with some of the resorts mentioned offering this. If you feel extremely adventurous, take the 6-hour hike up Mount ‘Orohena, you won’t regret it once you see the views.
Fiji
Fiji is known for its incredible watersports. Surfing, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, cruising, and so much more are all here in Fiji, these are experiences that you just can’t miss. All 3 of the resorts mentioned above have these activities included, so if you stay in any of them, make sure to take advantage of what they offer.
As Viti Levu is Fiji’s main island, it’s no wonder this place is a must-see. You’ll land on the island on your way to your resort, but we argue that this main island deserves a full day of exploring. A drive around the island takes around 8 hours but would hit all of the best parts of the island, including the capital city of Suva and the tourism center Nadi. Alternatively, you can hike in Koroyanitu National Park, try authentic Fijian food, or golf at Denarau Island.
Tahiti vs Fiji: Which Costs More?
A lot of this depends on how long your flight is and how much you want to spend on accommodations, but we generally find Fiji as a lower-cost option compared to Tahiti. This is due to how secluded Tahiti is which applies to almost all French Polynesian countries. Fiji has more islands, land area, and resorts bringing the cost down.
Tahiti vs Fiji, Which One Should You Visit?
As we’ve seen from this blog post, Tahiti and Fiji are both extremely similar places. The weather is the same, their landscapes are quite similar, and both are located in the same region. This means there’s no definitive answer to this question with both being excellent places to visit. If you find a resort that you love on one of these islands, go for it. If you find one location more convenient than the other due to where you live, then take advantage of that.
With that being said, I do have my preferences. I would choose Fiji over Tahiti due to the cost savings, wider selection of things to do, and English being a more common language. Let me know which one you prefer and if either is right for you.
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Thanks for the Information Going Locations! love this Mr. Panday.