Comparison · Fiji vs Tahiti · Fiji / French Polynesia
Fiji vs Tahiti
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KhufuOsiris, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Fiji for island resorts, coral reefs and diving and lower day-to-day costs; choose Tahiti for black-sand beaches, poisson cru, free sights and a short break. Fiji is generally less expensive, and the two are about 3,505 km (2,178 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 3,505 km (2,178 mi)
- Less expensive
- Fiji
- Best time for Fiji
- May–October
- Best time for Tahiti
- May–October
Plan either trip
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Side by side
| Fiji | Tahiti | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Fiji | French Polynesia |
| Known for | Island resorts, Coral reefs and diving and Kava ceremonies | Black-sand beaches, Poisson cru and Teahupo'o surf |
| Best time to visit | May–October | May–October |
| Ideal stay | 10 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$180–350 | US$250–450 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | January, 31°C (88°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 28°C (82°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | Natadola Beach | Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) |
| Airports | NAN, SUV | PPT, MOZ |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Tahiti in January–March. Both are at their best in May–October.
| Month | Fiji | Tahiti | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days · best avoided | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days | Tahiti |
| February | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days · best avoided | 31°C (88°F), 15 rainy days | Tahiti |
| March | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days · best avoided | 31°C (88°F), 14 rainy days | Tahiti |
| April | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · shoulder season | 31°C (88°F), 11 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| May | 29°C (84°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| June | 28°C (82°F), 4 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 7 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| July | 28°C (82°F), 4 rainy days · best time | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| August | 28°C (82°F), 4 rainy days · best time | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| September | 29°C (84°F), 5 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| October | 30°C (86°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 9 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| November | 31°C (88°F), 9 rainy days · shoulder season | 30°C (86°F), 12 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| December | 31°C (88°F), 12 rainy days | 30°C (86°F), 15 rainy days | No clear pick |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Fiji for…
Island resorts, coral reefs and diving and lower day-to-day costs. Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, about three to four hours' flight north of Auckland and Sydney. Nearly every international visitor lands at Nadi on the west of the main island, Viti Levu, then heads to the resorts of…
Choose Tahiti for…
Black-sand beaches, poisson cru, free sights and a short break. Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, a figure-of-eight of two volcanic peninsulas joined at the Taravao isthmus. Most visitors pass through Papeete on the way to Moorea or Bora Bora, but the island itself rewards a few days: food trucks on the…
Top sights compared
| # | Fiji | Tahiti |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mamanuca island day cruise | Marché de Papeete |
| 2 | Blue Lagoon | Roulottes at Place Vaiete |
| 3 | Sawa-i-Lau Caves | Musée de Tahiti et des Îles |
| 4 | Monuriki | Point Venus |
| 5 | Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple | Teahupo'o |
Food compared
| Fiji | Tahiti |
|---|---|
| Kokoda | Poisson cru |
| Lovo | Chao men |
| Palusami | Ma'a Tahiti |
| Rourou | Po'e |
Which is cheaper?
Fiji is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about US$180–350 per person there, against US$250–450 in Tahiti (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Fiji on a budget.
Fiji or Tahiti from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Fiji | Tahiti | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | +17 h Jan, +16 h Jul | −5 h Jan, −6 h Jul |
| Time vs Los Angeles | +20 h Jan, +19 h Jul | −2 h Jan, −3 h Jul |
| From New York (JFK) | 7,980 mi (12,850 km) | 6,290 mi (10,120 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 5,530 mi (8,890 km) | 4,110 mi (6,610 km) |
| U.S. plugs | Adapter needed | Adapter needed |
From New York, Tahiti is about 1,690 miles (2,730 km) closer than Fiji in a straight line. Tahiti is also the smaller time change: 5 hours from New York in January, against 17 for Fiji.
Can you visit both?
They are about 3,505 km (2,178 mi) apart, so combining them means a flight. With 14 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Fiji or Tahiti cheaper?
Fiji is usually less expensive: about US$180–350 a day mid-range against US$250–450 (estimates).
+Is Fiji or Tahiti better for a first trip?
Pick Fiji for island resorts, coral reefs and diving and lower day-to-day costs, or Tahiti for black-sand beaches, poisson cru, free sights and a short break.
+How far is Fiji from Tahiti?
About 3,505 km (2,178 mi) in a straight line.