Pacific Paradises of Tahiti & Fiji -- on a Budget

As you lie on your local beach this summer, the furthest thing from your mind should be the fact that fall and winter will soon be on our doorstep. But what better time than now to start planning your next beach vacation to escape the coming cold. When things start cooling down, heat up with a getaway to one or more islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Tahiti is the quintessential Pacific paradise and easily accessible via non-stop flights from Los Angeles. Sadly, Air Tahiti Nui (tel. 877/824-4846; www.airtahitinui.com), the national carrier has just decided to suspend its non-stop flights from New York from the fall until spring next year due to escalating fuel prices and overheads. To me, this is reverse logic as you would think that most people would want to travel there during the U.S. winter, but it seems that most traffic to Tahiti is during the peak summer season. Flights will still run from Los Angeles but if New York is your preferred departure point, then you only have until October 17 to fly (although you will have to fly via Los Angeles to return if you leaver it that late).

If you can squeeze a trip to Tahiti in before the cut off date, you can snag a bargain with an airfare of $986 plus tax for round-trip flights from New York to Papeete, $1,156 to Moorea, $1,306 to Huahine or Raiatea and $1,416 to Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, or Fakarava. The only catch is that the maximum stay is six days and all tickets must be issued on or before August 31, 2008.

For a package vacation to Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui and Pacific Holidays (tel. 800/355-8025) has a Tahitian Fling deal priced from $1639 plus tax per person. It includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, round-trip airport transfers with flower or shell-lei greeting and five nights accommodations at the InterContinental Tahiti in a standard room. This price is valid in low season -- November 1 through December 10, 2008. For high season (until October 31, 2008) add $250 per person. Tahiti Bound (tel. 888/672-7476; www.tahitibound.com) offers the Tahiti Experience package priced from $1,799 per person. It features round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, five nights at the Sofitel Hotel in Tahiti in a superior mountain-view room, airport transfers, and hotel taxes. Travel must be completed by December 31, 2008 and the lowest prices are available after November 15, 2008. Upgrade to a lagoon view room for $100 per person or a superior suite for $500 per person. When booking, ask for special offer tnsofppt07. Happy Vacations (tel. 866/866-0750; www.happyvacations.com) currently has a six-night package with one free night and resort credit starting from $2,075 per person plus taxes of approximately $110. It includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, airport transfers, six nights' accommodations at Le Meridien Tahiti in a garden view room, one free night and $150 resort. Travel must be completed by December 12, 2008. Ask for special offer 2367053.

Further west in the Pacific lies the charming island nation of Fiji and another must-visit Pacific destination. There are more than 300 islands situated in crystal clear waters surrounded by coral reefs, with 100 or so inhabited. Many people tend to think of Fiji as purely a honeymoon destination and one that is too expensive for a regular vacation. In fact, Fiji is very affordable and only a ten hour non-stop flight away from Los Angeles. Air Pacific (tel. 800/227-4446; www.airpacific.com), the national carrier offers a selection of packaged vacations through their Air Pacific Holidays arm.

A seven-night getaway staying at the three-and-a-half-star Sonaisali Island Resort including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodations in a beach-front room, buffet breakfast daily, a free jungle cruise, in-pool scuba, and all non-motorized water sports is priced from $1,822 plus tax per person based on double occupancy. This rate is valid for travel from August 16, 2008 to March 31, 2009, excluding holidays. Or stay at the four-and-a-half-star Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa for seven nights including airfare from $1,913 per person when travelling between August 16 and November 30, 2008. Seven nights at the four-and-a-half-star Shangri La's Fijian Resort & Spa with airfare and daily breakfast is priced from $2,015 per person for the same travel period.

If you'd prefer to just fly to Fiji and island hop, staying at smaller bungalows, traditional bure and guest houses, airfares from Los Angeles in the fall are particularly inexpensive, even over Thanksgiving. A round-trip flight to Nadi on Air Pacific in November with the Bula Saver fare is priced from $890 plus taxes of $285. Children two to 11 years of age pay 75% of the adult fare and infants pay 10%.

There are several affordable smaller scale resorts located along the Coral Coast, a 50-mile stretch of white sand beaches and barrier reef lagoons located on the sheltered southern side of Viti Levu island, half way between Nadi and Suva. Bedarra Beach Inn (www.bedarrafiji.com) is a three-star property situated half way along the coast and close to the river town of Sigatoka, an area known for its deep river gorges, picturesque native villages, natural bays, and inlets. Standard double room rates until December 15, 2008 are $97 per night. Tubakula Beach Bungalows (tel. +679/650-0097) provide individual A-frame cottages right on the beach. With basic small kitchens and two bedrooms (one on a mezzanine level), they are ideal for families or friends traveling together. Bungalows start from $77 per night or $110 for beachfront. If you book for seven nights, a beachfront bungalow will cost $694. These rates are valid until December 22, 2008. For surfers or scuba divers on a budget, then Waidroka Bay Resort (www.waidroka.com) is a good option. Panoramic ocean-view rooms are priced at $117 per night including all taxes. Their Surfing Safari special offers a seven-night stay, all meals, and three local surfing trips for $671 per person. The Dive Adventure special is priced at $974 per person and features seven nights accommodations, all meals, eight dives (four with boat trips), airport pick-up and drop-off, plus a local boat adventure trip.

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Related Information:

• Trip Dates: Varies per provider
• Destinations: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa, Rangiroa, Manihi, Fakarava
• Trip Ideas: Beach & Water Sports
• Provider: Multiple Providers

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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