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Top 5 picks for your next Island Getaway |
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We are all currently dreaming of our next holiday destination and the question on everyone’s lips is “where will I go on my first trip”? We have been hearing of travel bubbles that may come into play for the islands, so we wanted to share some information on a few understated island destinations in the South Pacific. We all know and love Fiji, but while the postcards might look similar, Fiji and some of the islands are not interchangeable or even much alike when it comes to landscapes and culture.
As you move east across the Pacific from the Solomon Islands to Easter Island, the flora and fauna become less diverse. Underwater you'll find more soft corals in the plankton-rich waters to the west but better visibility in the greater reaches of open water to the east.
South Pacific islands are culturally and geographically divided into Polynesia (from the Greek meaning 'many islands') and Melanesia (meaning 'black islands'). Polynesian islands include Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island while Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands are Melanesian. The colonial history of the islands has resulted in a modern-day patchwork of English and French speaking island groups (plus Spanish in the far eastern Easter Island). |
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Cook Islands and Rarotonga |
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Best for: beaches, resorts, families, food, diving
Things to do: snorkelling, Lagoon Cruises, Aitutaki Day Tour, cycling, hiking on Rarotonga, cultural tours and museum visitsCommon Languages: English & Cook Islands MāoriThe Cook Islands mix Polynesian blue water and hospitality with New Zealand (who administer the islands) savoir faire. On the lush, main isle of Rarotonga, beach bum all day then experience an 'Island Night' Polynesian feast (pork cooked in an earthen oven, taro root, and more) and a local dance performance. Hop on a plane to Aitutaki atoll, with its low-lying coral islets curling around one of the world's most fantastic lagoons. When not diving, snorkelling or swimming in blue water, check out the atoll's ancient stone temples called marae.
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Best for: culture, volcanoes, backpackers, resorts, diving, family
Things to do: ziplining, diving, surfing, photography, cruising, fishing, art galleries, music festivals, and volunteeringCommon Languages: English & French
Vanuatu is quite unlike anywhere else on Earth. It’s like a 'greatest hits' of the world’s most spectacular experiences – all in one place. Stand on the rim of an active volcano and enjoy the fireworks. Venture into untouched rainforests and come face-to-face with ancient tribes. Or sail from island to island – there are 83 to hop between – and explore our lush tropical beaches before jumping in to snorkel on our spectacular reefs. Wherever you go, you’ll find the locals to be the happiest, most friendly bunch you’re ever likely to meet. And whatever you do, you can be back relaxing by the pool in time for dinner.
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Best for: beaches, culture, romantic getaways
Things to do: discover numerous waterfalls, long walks on white-sand beaches, diving, snorkelling, honeymoons, and destination weddingsCommon Languages: English & SamoanYou'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 organised excursions but for independent types the opportunity for hiking, cultural connections, surfing and snorkelling are endless. Immerse yourself in the rich, colourful culture, meet the warm locals, explore magical waterfalls and lush tropical forests, join an exciting adventure tour, or simply fill your holiday relaxing on pristine beaches and swimming in crystal clear water. However you choose to spend your time here, the uniqueness and authenticity of Samoa will capture your heart and your imagination. A trip to remember forever.Take a virtual journey → |
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Best for: beaches, culture, diving, food, wind sports
Things to do: golf, sailing, fishing, horse riding, hiking, mountain bikingCommon Language: French
New Caledonia's massive Grande Terre is the third largest island in the Pacific (after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand) and is home to the second-largest double-barrier coral reef in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef). 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. Outlying islands such as Île des Pins and Ouvéa offer more remote escapes with some of the Pacific's best beaches and heaps of delicious seafood.Take a virtual journey → |
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Best for: culture, diving, families, couples, resorts
Things to do: diving, golf, surfing, sailing, fishing, visit National Parks, bird watching, family-friendly adventures and adults-only activities for couplesCommon Languages: English & FijianFiji receives nearly the same amount of visitors (about 630,000 annually) as the rest of the South Pacific combined but it still feels wild and exotic. Scents of Indian curries waft from city roti shops while in villages Melanesian families invite you in for a bit of 'grog' (kava, a slightly narcotic beverage). Underwater you'll find seascapes of soft corals so dense they look like purple and white forests. Viti Levu, the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands have the best beaches and most resorts while it's easy to get off the beaten path on islands like the lush, dive havens of Taveuni and Vanua Levu or the near-roadless traditional escape of Kadavu.
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