Instead, accommodation options are centred around boutique hotels. Vanuatu is also home to some of the most powerful kava in the Pacific — a natural and totally legal narcotic drink made from the ground root of the malok plant.
These 15 little islands that make up the Cook Islands offer a relaxed holiday feel on a smaller scale than many of the other Pacific Islands, and are great options for families. In fact, government legislation keeps this in check by requiring all buildings to be smaller than the tallest coconut palm tree.
That pretty much sums up the casual island vibes, where measurements are by palm trees, not rulers. Rarotonga is the largest of the islands, with a 32 kilometre road around the island linking up lagoons and beaches perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving or simply wandering barefoot along the white sandy stretches.
Ever heard of Niue? Probably not. The water gets deep very quickly — which means spinner dolphins dance just metres off the shore and the humpback whales can be spotted during the months of July to October. Tahiti is where French and Polynesian cultures fuse together with romance. From snorkelling in the turquoise lagoons and surfing the reef breaks to traditional Tahitian dance lessons and walking on fire, Tahiti offers a blend of the best of France and the best of the Pacific cultures.
For a truly romantic getaway, visit Bora Bora, home of the overwater bungalows. Some of the most beautiful islands in the world lie in this beguiling region, but each of these tropical beauties offers something different. Polynesian island chains like Samoa , the Cook Islands , and French Polynesia offer luminous aqua lagoons, fish-rich coral reefs, and dazzling beaches with silky-soft sands.
Melanesian island chains like Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia offer a similar brand of natural beauty, but with their own distinct cultures. Palau is a topographic wonderland above and below water, and cultural and archeological attractions are a top draw in destinations like enigmatic Easter Island.
From some of the best islands in Fiji to eco-friendly destinations in Australia, find your kind of paradise with our list of the best islands in the South Pacific. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Cloaked in green and encircling an impossibly radiant turquoise lagoon, Bora Bora is the beauty queen of the South Pacific.
Glimpsed from afar, the lush peaks of Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia jut from the sea, with arms outstretched as if to welcome you into their seductive embrace. Adventures here cover both land and sea. You can explore the lagoon and its tiny islets or motus on cruises, which often include the opportunity to snorkel with sharks and rays , and you can hike a web of trails up jungly hillsides to survey all the beauty.
Top it all off with mouthwatering French-inspired food and romantic resorts. Are you looking for the ultimate honeymoon escape? Bora Bora's sister island, Moorea deserves special mention and also boasts a beautiful lagoon, slices of white-sand beach, and plunging emerald peaks.
Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Tahiti. Aitutaki, The Cook Islands. Presiding over another of the most beautiful lagoons in the South Pacific, Aitutaki is an underrated jewel. Aitutaki is the second-most visited island in the chain and lies about a minute flight away from Rarotonga, the most popular island and location of the international airport.
At its most northern end, the island of Aitutaki hooks around one of the Cook Islands' top attractions : spectacular Aitutaki lagoon. Uninhabited motus islets dot the clear waters within kayak distance from some of the resorts, and schools of trevally and other tropical fish flit through the shallows. You can paddle out with a picnic and pretend you're Robinson Crusoe for the day. Best of all, the Cook Islands are among the cheapest Pacific islands to visit if you choose more modest accommodations.
Island in the Mamanucas. Dazzling beaches, serene blue seas, and plenty of sunshine make the Mamanucas among Fiji's best islands. Coral reefs shimmer in the clear waters around these 20 tropical beauties, and the famous Cloud Break , a world-class surf break, lies a short boat ride away. If you loved the scenery on the movie Cast Away and Survivor Fiji , both of which were filmed on islands in this chain, this is your place. Plus you can enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals, for which Fiji is famous.
Wondering where to stay? You can take your pick from plenty of resorts here, including luxury options like Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Tokoriki Island Resort.
Though you might be a short flight from home, you can feel totally isolated from the world… and your worries. Poi: This delicate and delicious side dish is considered to be the national dish of the Solomons. This narrow reef shelf, which drops off into the indigo depths, means dolphin and humpback whales are permanent residents in Niue and dramatically close at hand.
Niue is not for the faint-hearted. Some streets resemble a distant suburb of Paris and, as in France, good food and wine is easy to find. Cafes and bars are scattered along the beach and provide all kinds of French-Melanesian gourmet delights for you to enjoy while you bask in the beautiful beach views. It also has the second largest great barrier reef and the marine biodiversity is exceptional with more than 9, identified species! So, immerse yourself in the world of coral, caves, canyons and croissants, New Caledonia is a place impossible to forget.
Bulime snails from the Isles of Pines, are served simply with garlic and butter. A local delicacy you just have to try! There are as many distinct holiday packages for different travellers as there are sights and experiences in these islands! In the serene waters of the South Pacific lies a buzzing metropolis: Suva. It is….
When in Fiji… Learn a little Fijian! Tanna is dominated by fiery and climbable Mt Yasur. Espiritu Santo has upscale resorts and a tough trek to the massive Millennium Cave filled with waterfalls and bats.
Dive and snorkel WWII wrecks to coral gardens. The Samoan Islands are divided into two countries — Samoa, which is independent, and American Samoa , which - you guessed it — is an American territory. Both however remain very traditionally Polynesian. Although 'Upolu in Samoa has a few relatively upscale resorts, all the islands feel untouristy and much other accommodation is in the form of basic open beach huts called fale.
You'll find some of the South Pacific's best and most pristine beaches, lots of smiles, flower-filled villages and a pace of life that stands out as slow even in this region. There are few organized excursions but for independent types the opportunity for hiking, cultural connections, surfing and snorkelling are endless.
Best for: food and water sports Language: French, 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects. Beyond the diving, wind sports and sailing in the lagoon, the land supports a mix of Melanesian and French cultures that bring an elegant balance to hospitality, cuisine and accommodation ranging from beach bungalows to very posh resorts.
Best for: swimming with humpback whales Language: English, Tongan. The Kingdom of Tonga is a country of traditional values and strong Christianity backed by endless blue bays, sparkling beaches and ancient stone temples. The main island of Tongatapu is the seat of the monarchy but most visitors head quickly to the Vava'u Group.
Here you'll find one of the best places on Earth to swim with or watch humpback whales.
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