If you do end up going to the South Pacific, Bora Bora is fantastic! Here was my tripadvisor writeup for the trip. Tripadvisor is the best, people in the forums will help you make the best decision. My rental: https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p330262
If i would ever go back to French Polynesia, this is where i want to go. Cost will be significantly lower than Bora Bora
Ticket to PPT (Tahiti) will cost 1200-1600 per person (use google flights to see what days are best). It's a one stop flight (LAX). If you go to Moorea, i think you can take a boat? which costs like 20-30 per person one way. If you go to Bora Bora you have to take a 60 min flight which will cost 300-400 pp RT. I don't know about other costs in Moorea, but in Bora Bora.... I stayed in a private OWB for 500$ per night. If you stay at a resort in a OWB you're looking at 1k per night. You could stay at a resort (not in a OWB) and it will be much cheaper. I have heard complaints about the cost of food at resorts but i cant comment. A meal at a restaurant on the island will probably cost 50$ per person (lunch/dinner) without alcohol. You can save a ton of money by eating in for breakfast and lunch and going out for dinner. Island is small, so even if you rent car, gas prices dont matter. I rented a sedan from a guy for 700$ a week. Activities/Tours will run you 100-150$ per person.
Haven't been to Moorea for 30+ years, so this might be just a wee bit out of date, but at that time there was a campground on Moorea which cost little to nothing. Of course you had to endure the campground being full of young women with bare breasts. That was difficult, but somehow I survived for a week or so. barfo
