Polynesia is home to some of the most idyllic locations on earth. Of these, the South Pacific islands stand out as some of the veritable pearls of the region. Here is our guide to the best islands in the South Pacific.
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Music is an integral part of the Rarotonga lifestyle
Rarotonga is the quintessential South Pacific island. Firstly, no building is allowed to be taller than a coconut tree (by law), and there are more pigs and chickens in peak hour traffic than cars on most days. But it’s not dead sleepy either – there’s a great mix of cafes, bars and restaurants which create a vibrant social scene in the shadow of sky-high mountains and cool lagoons. It’s the people of Rarotonga that are its best quality, however – they are some of the friendliest, most charismatic locals in the Pacific.
Santo, Vanuatu
Espiritu Santo, better known as Santo, is one of Vanuatu’s pearls
Many tourists on quick breaks don’t venture further than Vanuatu‘s main island, Efate, which in all fairness, is a beautiful location. For a more authentic Vanuatu experience however, hop on a short (less than one hour) flight to the serene island of Santo. Draped in dense jungles that roll down mountain slopes to sandy white beaches below, Santo feels like the final frontier. Here, you will find locals who live entirely off the land and sea and iridescent blue waterholes spread throughout the many stretches of untouched forest, giving the place an appearance that would not be out of place in the film, Avatar. And while Santo may feel primitive at times, its five-star eco-resort options are anything but.
Find a flight to Espiritu Santo
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Aitutaki, Cook Islands – as pristine a location in Polynesia as any
While Bora Bora hogs the world’s attention for its iconic lagoon – Aitutaki’s gigantic triangular lagoon is just as impressive – minus the plethora of five-star resorts. In fact, all the land in Aitutaki’s pristine, stunning lagoon is owned by local families. There’s no development at all here – instead you’ll have to take day tours out to isolated islands, or sail across the waters.
Inhabited by just 1,400 locals, the townships are so carefully mowed and maintained they look like Smurf World. There are also a couple of iconic South Seas watering holes here where you can sip ice-cold cocktails with your feet dangling in a lagoon (be sure to check out Aitutaki restaurant and bar) However, don’t expect too much nightlife – Aitutaki is one sleepy abode.
Ghizo Island, Solomon Islands
Ghizo island is the centrepiece of The Solomon’s Western provinces ©Jessica Douglas
Life is still wild and basic in The Solomons. Despite their proximity to Australia, few Australian tourists actually venture here, flying directly overhead on their way to Fiji or Vanuatu. The civil strife that plagued the country a decade ago surely deterred would-be travellers, but those days are long gone. Today, Ghizo Island has all the best elements of the South Pacific, and more. It is also the hub for the Western Provinces – The Solomons’ most picturesque region. You’ll find some of the best surf spots in the Pacific here – along with a world-class diving environment, with visibility beyond 20 metres. The area is littered with sunken ships and planes from WWII, so dive in and explore at will.
The Yasawa Islands, Fiji
The Yasawas – the ultimate location to detach yourself from the chores of everyday life
While they’re an island group rather than a single island, The Yasawas must be included as it is these very islands that epitomise the Fiji you see in tourist brochures. Fiji’s main island, Vitu Levu, has flashes of brilliance but it is also home to plenty of eyesores (such as Nadi). However, The Yasawas, just south-west of where you’ll land in Nadi are a paradise by comparison – think pristine blue ocean and unending stretches of long, white beaches. Shut off from land-based tourism until 1986, the locals of The Yasawas live in tiny villages right beside the beach. Accommodation options here range from private five-star islands to simple backpacker spots.
Moorea, French Polynesia
Go for a swim in the placid waters around Moorea
While Tahiti itself is plagued by stop-start peak hour traffic jams and one of the less picturesque cities in the Pacific (Papeete), all it takes is a 40-minute ferry ride to how you probably imagined Tahiti would be, in your wildest fantasies. Moorea epitomises Polynesian perfection, where stunning mountains kiss the skies and drop straight into picturesque lagoons thousands of feet below them. Life here is simple and unaffected by tourism. You may recognise Moorea from its appearance in films such as Mutiny on the Bounty. Be prepared for everything from some of French Polynesia’s best surfing locations to the best golf course in Polynesia and swimming opportunities with dolphins and sting rays.
Savaii, Samoa
Savaii Island, Samoa, where time has stood still
The Polynesia of old can be found in its truest form in Samoa. While other island groups in Polynesia have embraced the Western ways of New Zealand, France and the US, life still goes on as it always has in Samoa. Paramount chiefs rule the country, locals still live in wall-less huts called fales, and everything stops on Sundays for Samoa feasts. Savaii is a mere hour away by ferry from the main island of Upola. Prepare yourself for an island on which time runs so slowly, it practically stops. Choose from world-class diving spots, tip-top surfing locations and inland hiking whilst you’re here. Other attractions including turtle rehabilitation centres, some of the Pacific’s best waterfalls and blow-holes in the fringing reef. Does it sound idyllic? It is.
Mare, New Caledonia
Mare – a pretty, often overlooked, island not too far off from New Caledonia
It’s hard to believe New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands are so close to Australia. Sheltered within the world’s second largest barrier reef, Mare is the Loyalty Island the world overlooked. While cruise boats travel next door to Lifou and further south to the Isle of Pines, Mare has just a few basic accommodation options. And yet it’s one of the prettiest islands in the region. A raised coral atoll, Mare is home to some of the South Pacific’s best beaches. This magical island is fringed by stunning lagoons backed by sharp, pitted limestone cliffs. Mare’s landscape is a sight to behold – across the entire island, fossilised coral rock is honeycombed with grottos and pools of iridescent fresh water that is much cooler than the temperature of the lagoon. Like the Ghizo islands, Mare is also one of the world’s best diving regions.
Niue
Find peace at Avaiki Cave, Niue Island
It’s one of the smallest countries on Earth and its tourism industry is practically non-existent. Could it be the last true paradise left? A mere 260 square kilometres in size, it is indeed tiny. Local etiquette dictates that if someone else is on the beach, you should keep moving, because no-one likes a crowd here. Fear not though – Niue is full of sandy coves so you’ll easily find a splendid beach that you well and truly can have for yourself. Venture out into the open ocean and you’ll find yourself taking a dip with dolphins and whales. If you prefer human company however, there are just over a thousand friendly locals here – who you’ll probably be on a first-name basis with by the time you leave.
Tanna, Vanuatu
Tanna’s volcanic landscape is a sight to behold
Tanna is yet another island in Vanuatu which you’d scarcely believe is just an hour’s flying time from the capital, Port Vila. Tanna is one of the world’s most mysterious islands. Consider this for starters: cargo cults still live in huts in the forest as they always have, some of whom worship Prince Philip (yes, Prince Philip – after he passed through in 1974)! Tanna is also home to one of the world’s most accessible live volcanoes. Take a day tour past locals who’ll wave heartily, on your way to Mt. Yasur, where you can walk right to the edge of this active volcano and peer inside the crater as lava the size of small cars blasts into the air.
