South Pacific Islands map & highlights
A far flung sprawl of tropical perfection, the islands of the South Pacific may be tiny specks on the map, but they’re a massive draw for anyone seeking a slice of paradise, whether that comes in the form of a well-trodden hotspot or a road-less-travelled escape. You may even be able to bypass roads all together; many islands don’t have any, so seaplane or boat is the only way to get to and around their blissful shores. Several South Pacific Islands are barely a blip on the tourism radar, so travelling with a holiday company that has solid experience putting together South Pacific itineraries with expert local guides and a responsible ethos is definitely the way to go.
1.
Bora Bora
2. Kiribati
3. Micronesia
4. New Caledonia
5. Solomon Islands
6. Taveuni Island, Fiji
7. Upolu, Samoa
8. Vava’u Islands, Tonga
9. Wallis & Futuna
10. Yasawa Islands, Fiji
2. Kiribati
3. Micronesia
4. New Caledonia
5. Solomon Islands
6. Taveuni Island, Fiji
7. Upolu, Samoa
8. Vava’u Islands, Tonga
9. Wallis & Futuna
10. Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Bora Bora
1. Bora Bora
Swathed in a kaleidoscope of tropical colour and surrounded by tiny idyllic islets and sparkling coral lagoons, Bora Bora is the perfect place to relax on snow white sands or snorkel over crystal clear shallows. Tourism and Bora Bora inevitably stroll arm in arm with stilted, over-water bungalows and towering tropical backdrops tempting honeymooners the world over.
Kiribati
2. Kiribati
Made up of 33 isles strewn over a massive chunk of the South Pacific Ocean, remote Kiribati is well worth the trek, and nature lovers will be in their element here. Fishing and bird watching are excellent, and divers will see everything from sharks to manta rays to World War II relics in the brilliant blue seas.
Micronesia
3. Micronesia
Strung between Hawaii and the Philippines and made up of over 600 islands, Micronesia has all the requisite tropical beauty you could wish for. It’s also incredibly culturally diverse, with eight major indigenous languages spoken here and a strong English and Japanese influence, due to the country’s colonial past.
New Caledonia
4. New Caledonia
A dazzling archipelago known for its incredible beaches, massive lagoon and impressive barrier reef, New Caledonia attracts intrepid divers from across the globe. A French overseas territory, it’s also home to a surprising number of gourmet restaurants and chic boutiques, if you tire of typical desert island living.
Solomon Islands
5. Solomon Islands
This nation of hundreds of islands is rich in history both recent and modern. During World War II, the British had a base on Honiara and the intense fighting that took place here is remembered with a memorial on the largest island, Guadalcanal. Today, the Solomons are a hotspot for marine and birdlife, and tiny Zodiac boats provide a closer look at the coastal life of even the smallest islands.
Taveuni Island, Fiji
6. Taveuni Island, Fiji
As Fiji’s third largest island, Taveuni offers far more than simple seclusion and white sand loveliness (they have black sand here). This is an inhabited, fertile and lesser visited volcanic landscape that supports an assortment of indigenous animals and exciting activities; with kayaking to Nacawa River Falls, the Lavena Coastal Walk and cycling in Bouma National Heritage Park all excellent alternatives to days at the beach.
Upolu, Samoa
7. Upolu, Samoa
Robert Louis Stevenson was so taken with Upolu that he chose to spend the last years of his life on this stunning Samoan island. Home to the capital city and most of the country’s population, its rugged beauty includes offshore lagoons, soaring coastal cliffs, deep caves and a deep green tangle of rainforest at its heart.
Vava’u Islands, Tonga
8. Vava’u Islands, Tonga
The idyllic islands of Vava'u, Tonga, present an incredible opportunity to swim with South Pacific Humpback whales, who migrate here from Antarctica every winter. These hilly islands are also one of the South Pacific's best yachting destinations, and home to idyllic waterways and the famous sheltered Port of Refuge.
Wallis & Futuna
9. Wallis & Futuna
Little-known and little visited, these teeny, dreamy volcanic islands sit at the heart of the Polynesia/Melanesia region, around 230 km away from each other, and equally far away in cultural terms. Though both are under French governorship, Wallis shares its ancestry with Tonga, while Futuna’s roots lie in Samoa.
Yasawa Islands, Fiji
10. Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Due to their location to the northeast of Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago, the Yasawa Islands require a little more effort to get to but can still be reached on a seven-night small ship cruise, no problem. The seclusion and sense of escape that you’ll experience upon arrival is just magical and it’s still easy to see why Nanuya Levu was chosen as the set for the 1980s desert island romance, the Blue Lagoon.
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Travel times in the South Pacific Islands
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times in the South Pacific Islands.
Suva, Fiji – Apia, Samoa: 5hrs 40 mins flight
Suva, Fiji – Honiara, Solomon Islands: 5hrs 50 mins flight
Suva, Fiji – Vava’u, Tonga: 3 hours 55 mins flight
Noumea, New Caledonia – Papeete, Tahiti: 5hrs 20 minutes flight
More South Pacific Islands articles
Hey relax, we’ve done all the research for you, just read on to find out the best time to visit.
Scattered across the world’s biggest ocean, these islands have mythical status.
Find out why this volcanic island nation is such a tempting prospect for sunseekers and adventure hunters.
Discover how to make the most of your time on the beaches of Bora Bora.
Tonga draws adventurous travellers from across the globe in search of pristine beaches.
Discover the uninhabited atolls and reef islands that make these holidays so tempting.
There are few places in the world that are as remote as Micronesia – and few as beautiful.
Discover Upolu and Savai'i, from Mauga Silisili to the bustling capital of Apia.
These islands still feel authentic, and you can holiday away from resorts and beach clubs.
Espiritu Santo is best visited with a copy of Michener's ‘Tales of the South Pacific’ .
Advice from our experts on everything from where to stay, to local culture, and hiking.
Coral bleaching, pollution, and cruise ships all major issues in the South Pacific.
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