A guide to the South Pacific islands
The South Pacific Islands consist of Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. They are known around the world for their beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. Thousands of holiday makers and travellers organise their travel insurance and flock to the Pacific Islands every year to take in their delights.
Fiji
Fiji is perhaps the best known of the South Pacific Islands. It is a favourite for those seeking out beach holidays and is visited by families and has become a favourite for backpackers. Fiji is famous for its diving opportunities, making it a must see destination for experienced divers or those who fancy giving it a go. Do remember that you will require specialised travel insurance if you wish to go scuba diving.
There are hundreds of different islands that make up Fiji, giving you plenty to explore when on holiday here. If you are looking for luxury, Fiji is home to many five star resorts that have their own secluded beaches. This makes it the perfect destination for getting away from it all. Fiji is a popular place to get married, with various wedding packages that can be tailored to your needs.
The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are also loved by tourists across the world. They are made up of 15 islands but tourism centres around the island of Rarotonga. This island has its own international airport, making it an easy destination to reach. The Cook Islands are known for their low level of crime and high degree of personal safety. This makes them a great option for those travellers with young children, although travel insurance remains important as with any trip overseas.
The Cook Islands are also among the friendliest of the South Pacific Islands and tourists have endless opportunities to mix with the locals and revel in the local culture. Although Scuba diving opportunities are still good, they do not rival those of other South Pacific Islands such as Fiji or Tahiti. Rarotonga is a volcanic island that is covered in tropical rainforests. The lifestyle is laid back which makes it an ideal holiday destination. If you want to visit the Cook Islands on honeymoon, Aitutaki, is an ideal destination. This island is a 45 minutes flight away from Rarotonga and is far less commercialised. Aitutaki has traditional entertainment such as island dances on offer and tourists can stay in idyllic island villages.
The Vanuatu Islands
The Vanuatu islands are not as well known internationally as many of the other islands. Whilst less appealing for a beach holiday, there is much on offer here. Vanuatu is the best of the South Pacific Islands for adventure holidays with activities ranging from scuba diving to kayaking. Clearly it is important that you check that your travel insurance will cover any of the more adventurous activities. The island is also an excellent option for those going on honeymoon, offering both relaxation and luxury in equal measure, perfect for those looking for that romantic break. However, the Vanuatu islands are significantly more expensive than many of their South Pacific neighbours and are thus less appealing to backpackers or those on a budget. The islands are easily reached from Australia and have plenty of accommodation available for the perfect break.
Tonga and Samoa
Both Tonga and Samoa are ideal destinations for backpackers. They are offer good value for money and both islands are relatively safe and crime is low, although decent travel insurance remains important. Scuba diving here is good and there are plenty of opportunities to take part in outdoor activities. Samoa is one of the best places to encounter traditional Polynesian lifestyles. The Samoa islands are compact, making it easy to get out and about and explore the islands in a short space of time.
Tonga is an island that is ideal for those wishing to escape from commercialisation. It has plenty of traditional pursuits on offer such as sailing and fishing. Vava's is one of the best sailing destinations in the world. Here you can watch humpback whales in their natural habitat. If you really want to get away from it all, try the island of Niuatoptapu. This has flawless beaches, traditional lifestyles and is almost completely isolated from the outside world. If you are travelling to these delightful islands make sure you have decent travel insurance. Although considered safe, the islands are relatively remote and so medical and repatriation costs may be relatively expensive.
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