Paradise calling: 8 Pacific Island adventures you’ll want to book now
Remote, beautiful and friendly, the islands of the Pacific, including Fiji, Tahiti and Papua New Guinea, are the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life. Go there to experience life as it was meant
1: The ultimate Fijian escape
Combine Fiji’s unique island culture with its remote and pristine wilderness for the ultimate tropical island getaway with Cox & King Travel.
You’ll visit the Biausevu tribe, participate in a traditional kava ceremony and walk through untouched rainforest before flying north to the garden island of Taveuni, known for its colourful tropical flowers. Here, you’ll visit the International Date Line in the Bouma National Heritage Park, then return to the Mamanuca Islands for three days of snorkelling, swimming and relaxation at the exclusive Tokoriki Island Resort.
Trip:Fiji Explorer
When: Flexible departures throughout 2017
How long: 11 days
How much: From £2,945 (exc. flights)
2: Experience the very best of French Polynesia
Experience the very best of French Polynesia on this 12-day luxury holiday to Moorea and Bora Bora with Audley.
Your first stop is Moorea, renowned for its spectacular coast and rugged volcanic interior. Here, locals will demonstrate their traditional carving and weaving techniques before inviting you to stay for a evening celebrations and a sumptuous feast. On Bora Bora, your over-the-water room awaits, guaranteeing unforgettable views from every window.
Should you be able to drag yourself away, a range of exciting activities are on offer, including snorkelling and deep sea fishing.
Who:Audley
When: Flexible departures throughout 2017
How long: 12 days
How much: £3,860 (exc. flights)
3: Dive amongst whales and remote coral reefs in Tonga
Enjoy close encounters with Tonga’s famous humpback whales on a 10-day adventure on the Nai’a liveaboard with Dive Worldwide.
You’ll set sail from the Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa, and head north to the maze of reefs and islands in the Ha’apai Group. It is here that the largest pods of whales are found and, except for the odd local fishing canoes, you will have these magnificent creatures to yourself.
There will be plenty of opportunities to dive as well, including night dives on coral reefs, an experience you will never forget.
Who: Dive Worldwide
When: Departures Jul-Sep 2017
How long: 10 days
How much: POA
4: Catch the Marquesas Islands ‘Freighter to Paradise’
Enjoy one of the most unique cruise experiences in the world as you join a ‘Freighter to Paradise’, delivering essential supplies to the remote Marquesas Islands with Discover the World.
The custom-built vessels Aranui III and Aranui V are among the few links between the islands and the outside world, and offer spacious Polynesian themed cabins and sweeping decks where you can read, relax or take in the views of pristine lagoons and soaring mountains.
Marvel at Nuku Hiva’s spectacular bay, dominated by towering cliffs and majestic waterfalls. Picnic on a perfect coral beach on Rangiroa, the world’s largest atoll in the world. Immerse yourself in a corner of the world very few get to visit.
When: Flexible departures throughout 2017
How long: 14 nights
How much: From £3,717 (exc. flights)
5: Discover a bird-watching paradise in the South Pacific
Join this 14-day expedition cruise to the remote and undiscovered islands of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands for a once-in-a-lifetime birdwatching adventure with Wildlife Worldwide.
Your journey will take you from the Sepik River to the isolated islands of Mussau and Bougainville, and on to the Solomons. Keep an eye out for the Manus Friarbird, Mussau Monarch and the Paradise Drongo, as well as species endemic to the Solomon Islands like the Roviana Rail and Solomon Sea Eagle.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to snorkel and kayak in the crystal clear Melanesian waters and encounter tribes whose lifestyle remains largely unchanged by the modern world.
When: Oct 2017
How long: 14 days
How much: £4,695 (exc. flights)
6: Enjoy the best of Fiji and Samoa
Discover two very different faces of the South Pacific on this 18-day adventure to Fiji and Samoa with Audley.
Starting in Fiji, you will head out to the Mamanuca Islands, an aquatic paradise that is ideal for snorkelling and diving or simply relaxing. From here you will fly directly to Samoa, where rugged volcanoes, waterfalls, tiny small settlements and hidden temples are ready to be explored. Two very different experiences, to be sure, but both guaranteed to help you slip quickly into the very relaxed pace of life in the South Pacific.
Who:Audley
When: Flexible departures
How long: 18 days
How much: From £5,365 (inc. flights)
7: Indulge yourself on a luxury sailing trip in Fiji
Discover Fiji’s unspoilt beaches, remote reefs and abundant marine life on this bespoke South Pacific sailing trip with Exsus.
Gliding atop turquoise waters on your luxury vessel, you’ll visit corners of the country very few tourists reach and enjoy a level of comfort that is hard to beat. The sunsets are spectacular, the drinks perfectly chilled, and the memories guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Who:Exsus Travel
When: Flexible dates throughout 2017
How long: 13 nights
How much: From £7,889 (inc. flights)
8: Discover the diverse islands of Vanuatu
With its traditional tribes, untouched beaches and WWII dive sites, Vanuatu is the South Pacific’s best-kept secret. You’ll encounter it all on this tailor-made, live aboard diving holiday with Dive Worldwide.
You’ll visit the archipelago’s most remote corners including Efate, Espiritu Santo and Tanna, famous for its penis gourds, cargo cult and active volcano, Mt Yasur. The diving here is world class, too.
It’s the wrecks that draw the divers to this region, from the Star of Russia near Port Vila to the famous President Coolidge, lying on the coast of Espiritu You’ll need at least 10 dives to start to get an understanding of its magnitude.
Trip:Tailormade Vanuatu
Who:Dive Worldwide
When: Flexible departures throughout 2017
How long: Flexible
How much: POA
Main image: Traditional ceremony, Tonga (Dreamstime)
