Compare islands
Pick two or three. Flights from home, the weather month by month, money, entry and the catch, side by side.
| RarotongaCook Islands | Viti LevuFiji | |
|---|---|---|
| In a line | The easiest tropical island from NZ: under four hours from Auckland, NZ dollars, 90 days on arrival. Just don’t expect bargains. | For families, Fiji’s easiest resort trip from NZ: pick Denarau for short transfers or the Coral Coast for reef, and book July early. |
| Getting there | ||
| From Auckland | Direct flight, about 4 h | Direct flight, about 3 hQuickest |
| From Wellington | Via Auckland, about 6 h 30 min | Direct flight, about 3 h 45 minQuickest |
| From Christchurch | Via Auckland Nov–May, about 7 hDirect flight Jun–Oct, about 4 h 45 min | Direct flight, about 4 hQuickest |
| Time difference | 1 hour ahead of NZ, a day behindFrom 4 April 2027: 2 hours ahead, a day behind.From 26 September 2027: 1 hour ahead, a day behind. | 1 hour behind NZFrom 4 April 2027: same time as NZ.From 26 September 2027: 1 hour behind. |
| Weather | ||
| Best months | Best from May to November | Best from June to October |
| Month by month |
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| Sea temperature | 24–28 °CCoolest in August, warmest in March | 26–29 °CCoolest in August, warmest in February |
| Rain | 90–210 mm a monthDriest Oct, wettest Jan | 50–370 mm a monthDriest Jul, wettest Jan |
| Cyclones | About 1 storm in 2 seasonsCyclones within 200 km, mostly Jan–Mar | About 1 storm in 2 seasonsCyclones within 200 km, mostly Dec–Feb, Apr |
| Money and entry | ||
| Currency | NZ dollarsThe same money as at home. | NZ$1 ≈ FJ$1.26Fijian dollar. Mid-market rate on 13 October 2026. |
| Cost | About NZ prices | About NZ prices |
| Entry for NZ passports | No visa needed.NZ passport holders get a free 90-day visitor permit on arrival. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your departure, and you need proof of onward travel, accommodation details and enough money for your stay.Check with mfai.gov.ck | No visa needed.At the time of writing, NZ passport holders are visa-exempt and get a visitor permit on arrival for up to four months. Tourism Fiji lists a passport valid six months beyond your stay, a return or onward ticket and a Fiji address as the documents to carry.Check with immigration.gov.fj |
| Who it suits | ||
| Best for | Families, couples and beaches | Families, adventure and culture |
| The catch | Prices like home. The tourism board says eating out costs about the same as in New Zealand. Sundays are slow, and an NZ car licence does not cover a scooter. | The reef is a boat ride away. Nadi Bay and Denarau are built around pools, marinas and kids’ clubs, so snorkelling a reef means a boat trip or the Coral Coast. |
| Where to stay | ||
| Places to stay | See stays in Muri, on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)The Rarotonga guide | See stays in Denarau Island, on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)The Viti Levu guide |
- Excellent, 80 and up
- Good, 65–79
- Fair, 50–64
- Poor, under 50
- Best months
Conditions score out of 100, from weather-station normals (Meteostat) and NASA POWER, NOAA sea temperatures and IBTrACS cyclone tracks (1991–2020). Flight times are typical scheduled times from each airline; with a change we allow time to change planes. Exchange rates are mid-market. How we research
“See stays” links go to Booking.com. They are partner links: we may earn a commission, and it never changes our verdicts. How we make money