The South Pacific Islands Travel Specialists

coral island in aitutaki lagoon

If you've ever fancied being marooned on an uninhabited island, swimming in a turquoise ocean or sitting on a secluded beach under the shade of a coconut tree with a cocktail in hand, then you should definitely take a holiday to the South Pacific islands. While the clear seas, blue skies, palm trees and friendly locals are all stereotypes, they are associated with the South Pacific islands because that's what you get! And there are no serious bugs, crime or political anxiety to worry about and few crowds or unscrupulous beer drinking lads to deal with – the South Seas really are a paradise for holiday-makers.

Explore our South Pacific Destinations:

South Pacific Islands Travel Guide

The South Pacific is particularly popular for family beach holidays, honeymoons and weddings. However, some islands are perfect for those seeking solitude and nature, others have family-orientated resorts, and others are perfect for senior travellers. The spectacular South Pacific islands are relatively immune from the commercial modern world and offer an exceptionally easy-going and laid back holiday ambience with few crowds. Tropical beach resorts, island hopping, exceptional coral reefs and of course year-round warm sunny weather are the main appeal for families and honeymooners. But adventure too awaits for those a little more curious.

Fiji is the most popular and most developed for tourism of the island destinations with over 150 beach resorts to choose from, many on small private islands. Come here for its beaches, kids clubs, day cruises and snorkelling. The Cook Islands is hugely popular amongst Kiwi's with a great holiday ambience on Rarotonga with self catering holiday bungalows and a good variety of restaurants around Rarotonga.

If your looking to experience adventure travel in the South Pacific Islands then the Melanesian islands of Vanuatu or the Solomon Islands are both highly recommended. Both have exceptionally diverse cultures, fascinating festivals and some of the friendliest people on earth. Vanuatu has several unique active volcanoes to explore whislt the Solomon islands has the best scuba diving in the South Pacific with many unchartered coral reefs and a huge array of world war II wrecks, although its tourist infrasture is a lot more limited than Vanuatu.

The Polynesian strongholds of Samoa and Tonga are very laid back - Tonga has fabulous whale watching and lots of small uninhabited coral islands whilst Samoa by contrast has impressive volcanic scenery and tropical rain forests to explore. The two French colonies of New Caledonia and Tahiti are both a lot more expensive destinations to visit and are famed for glorious overwater bungalows and fine dining making them popular destinations for honeymoons and weddings.

South Pacific Holidays Guide

Tourism in the South Pacific is quite distinct and falls mostly into the following categories: Package Holidays, especially amongst Australian and New Zealand visitors, for either families or groups such as weddings or hen parties, with Fiji and the Cook Islands the most popular holiday destinations, particularly in winter (May to September). Romance, especially amongst Europeans, with isolated boutique resorts alongside stunning secluded lagoons, with weddings and honeymoons a particular draw. Watersports, with exceptional scuba diving and snorkelling in all destinations (Solomon Islands and Fiji take the top spots), and world class surfing in Fiji and Tahiti as well as further north in Hawaii. Backpacking is the final major category lured by beautiful beaches, simple beach huts, lush tropical rainforest with waterfalls and year-round balmy weather. Backpackers visit mostly from Europe, usually enroute to Australia / NZ, and there's a slightly higher percentage of female travellers due to the safe travel environment throught the South Pacific islands.

In most locations across the South Pacific, you're never far from the ocean. Swimming, snorkelling, and fishing are always popular activities, but in some locations you can also surf, water-ski, jet-ski or try wind- or kite-surfing. Sport is also popular here – the most well-known is rugby, but some islands have their own internal games that are unique to their own culture. Speaking of culture, the people of the South Pacific are another highlight – if you get the chance, go to a dancing display, and see any of the other, more unusual activities practised by the indigenous populations, including singing to sharks and tower jumping.

The islands openly embrace tourism and make visitors instantly welcome with their warm smiles and greetings. There are few political or religious anxieties, low crime and free from most tropical diseases (there's some malaria in the Solomons). Probably the greatest hindrance is transportation, with island hopping a hit and miss affair with flights often delayed and boat and bus schedules erratic ... be prepaid for misinformation, a lack of urgency to do anything and go with the flow ...

South Pacific Travel Info
Fiji is the hub of air travel into the South Pacific islands. Most flights arrive from various Australian and New Zealand cities as well as Los Angeles. Therer are also flights connecting Fiji and Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Flights between the different island nations are infrequent, often with connections going through Australia or New Zealand.