Few places are better for slowing down than the islands of the South Pacific.
Think impossibly clear lagoons, palm-fringed beaches, volcanic mountains rising from the sea, colourful coral reefs, warm waters and that wonderful feeling that life has suddenly become a little less hurried.
The Pacific works particularly well as an addition to a longer Australia or New Zealand holiday. After exploring cities, mountains, wildlife and landscapes, a few days, or longer, on a tropical island can be the perfect way to finish.
We’ve experienced Fiji ourselves, as well as visiting Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia by cruise. We’ve sailed across lagoons, swum with nursing sharks and experienced the extraordinary scenery that makes this part of the world so special.
For us, the appeal isn’t simply lying on a beach. It’s being out on the water, exploring the lagoons, experiencing island life and having those moments where you realise just how beautiful your surroundings are.
Our own Pacific experience has included Fiji and French Polynesia, travelling through Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.
We’ve explored the islands from the water, sailed through the incredible lagoons and even had the unforgettable experience of swimming with nursing sharks. They were throwing fish heads into the water as we swam to bring them to the area. Wow.
French Polynesia is particularly memorable for its combination of turquoise water, dramatic volcanic peaks and tiny islands surrounded by reef.
We’ve experienced these islands by cruise, which gave us a wonderful introduction to the region, but we’d also recommend staying on an island for longer if you have the time.
There is a very different feeling when you aren’t simply arriving for the day but have several days to slow down, explore and enjoy the rhythm of island life.
The Pacific is the perfect antidote to a busy holiday.
After travelling through Australia or New Zealand, where you may have been driving, hiking, sightseeing and exploring, the islands give you permission to slow down.
But you don’t have to spend your whole holiday beside the pool.
You can snorkel, dive, sail, kayak, explore the lagoons, hike into the hills, discover local culture or simply find a quiet stretch of beach.
And every island has its own personality.
Fiji offers a wonderfully welcoming island culture and a huge choice of resorts and experiences.
Tahiti is the natural gateway to French Polynesia, with mountains, waterfalls, markets and a distinctly Polynesian character.
Moorea combines spectacular mountains with beautiful lagoons and a more relaxed feel.
Bora Bora is perhaps the picture most people have in their heads when they imagine the South Pacific, incredible turquoise water, coral reefs and iconic overwater accommodation.
For us, this is essential.
We’ve sailed the lagoons ourselves, and the water is such an important part of the Pacific experience.
Depending on where you stay, you can sail, snorkel, kayak, dive, cruise or simply take a boat out to explore the reef.
The warm, clear waters make the Pacific fantastic for underwater experiences.
Coral reefs, tropical fish, rays, turtles and larger marine life can all be encountered depending on where you travel.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are some unforgettable wildlife experiences.
We’ve even swum with nursing sharks.
One of the best ways to experience French Polynesia is to combine islands rather than spending the entire holiday in one resort.
A few nights on Tahiti followed by Moorea and Bora Bora gives you a taste of three very different experiences.
It also means the holiday feels like a journey rather than simply a week on a beach.
Of course, sometimes you really do just want a beautiful beach.
The Pacific does this rather well.
The trick is balancing relaxation with enough activities to make the most of the destination without turning your island escape into another busy itinerary.
The islands aren’t simply beautiful scenery.
Polynesian culture, food, music, dance and traditions are an important part of the experience, and we’d encourage you to look beyond the resort and experience something of local life.
Polynesian food varies by island, but common ingredients include seafood, taro, breadfruit, sweet potato, and coconut. Popular dishes include:
Earth-oven cooking—known by names such as imu, umu, and hāngī—is a shared tradition across parts of Polynesia.