South Pacific River Cruises 2024/2025

South Pacific Travel Guide

South Pacific Tours Things To Do

• 
  Fiji

  Among the South Pacific Islands, Fiji is visited more often than any of the other island groups. In fact, more tourists visit Fiji than the rest of all the South Pacific islands combined. Therefore, South Pacific tours of Fiji often feature all-inclusive packages and top-of-the-line resort accommodations.  The archipelago of more than 300 islands is known for its rugged landscapes, clear lagoons, palm-lined shores, and coral reefs. Viti Levu, in Fiji, is home to the capital of Suva, a port city that features British colonial architecture. Other attractions include the Victorian-period Thurston Gardens and the Fiji Museum.

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Fiji during its dry season, which takes place between May and October. The wet season, which stretches from November to April, can be sticky, hot, and humid.

   

  You Should Know

  The main travel hubs in Fiji are Mamanuca, Yasawa, and Nadi. Fiji's main island, Viti Levu, features national parks and sports, such as surfing. You can hop on a plane or boat and travel to the island, Vanua Levu, which is home to sugar plantations and dirt roads – a place that offers a more authentic depiction of Fijian life.

• 
  French Polynesia and Tahiti

  French Polynesia's archipelago is comprised of 118 islands, of which half are inhabited. The islands are clustered into five groups, scattered over the Pacific Ocean. Most French Polynesians live in Tahiti and the capital of Papeete. Moorea Island and Raiatea Island also have a good number of inhabitants. All three islands belong to the Society Islands group.

  Best Time To Visit

  Go during the dry season when the weather is pleasanter, or from May to October.

   

  You Should Know

  Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. The figure-eight shaped isle is separated into Tahiti Nui (the larger western isle) and Tahiti Iti (on the east). The island's black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and lagoons make it a desirable South Pacific tour spot. Captain James Cook explored Tahiti in the 1700s, and the island was a subject, often painted by Paul Gauguin, the famous French artist.

• 
  Tonga

  Tonga is home to 170 islands and lies to the southeast of Fiji and south of Samoa in the South Pacific. The islands are divided into four groups, some of which feature craggy volcanic terrains, coral reefs, or coral-made islets. The capital city of Nuku'alofa sits on the southernmost island group of Tongatapu.

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Tonga when it rains less and sunshine more, or from May to October.

   

  You Should Know

  One of the more popular activities to do on a South Pacific tour to Tonga is to swim with the humpback whales. The whales visit the clear waters of Tonga from July to October to breed and give birth to their young. The Eua Island in the Tongatapu Group is a haven for nature lovers and hikers, offering the best place to trek in Tonga. Eua National Park features several stunning lookout points.

• 
  Kiribati

  The least visited of the South Pacific Islands, Kiribati sees about 6,000 tourists annually. If all you want to do is soak up the sun, bird watch, or dive, or snorkel, Kribati will give you time to enjoy a "castaway" type of lifestyle.

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Kiribati during the dry season, or May to October, to enjoy the cooler outdoor temperatures and sunnier weather.

   

  You Should Know

  The attraction is famous for its fishing. It is also home to Kirimati – Christmas Island. Kiribati is often the ideal place to learn more about village customs and lore. Local guides lead South Pacific travelers on expeditions to traditional villages in North Tarawa where they can learn traditional island skills, such as coconut husking and weaving.

• 
  Micronesia

  You may never have heard of the islands of Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk, or Yap. Yet, they are four island groups that make up Micronesia, a place known for its beautiful beaches and first-class diving and snorkeling. Raised thatched huts overlook beaches lined with canoes, which feature interesting ruins and plenty of island history.

  Best Time To Visit

  Visiting Micronesia is best done when the climate is drier from May to October.

   

  You Should Know

  Most South Pacific tours to Micronesia begin with the country's most populous island. Pohnpei. Stops may include a pepper farm, the Kepirohi waterfall, and an eel farm. The village of Kapinga in Pohnpei is known for its original handicraft items, which often are on display.

• 
  Samoa

  Because most of Samoa is owned communally, much of the land remains unspoiled – not built up by large resorts, except for Upolu. Most tourist revenue, the government has ensured, will go toward the establishment of guesthouses, whose buildings will feature traditional Samoan architecture. Therefore, many of the best beaches in the country feature fales. Also common in other parts of Polynesia, fales represent low-budget accommodations next to the coast, built with a thatched room, a few posts, and constructed open-air, or without walls. They usually are oval or round in design.

  Best Time To Visit

  Samoa is best seen when the weather is less hot and humid, normally during the fall or spring.

   

  You Should Know

  Discover history and hike in Samoa. Much of the capital city of Samoa, Apia, looks the same as it did when Robert Louis Stevenson settled at the site in 1889. Visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum as well as the Moamoa Cathedral, which is one of the oldest churches in Samoa. Its beautiful stained-glass windows are well worth the visit. The best hiking in Samoa is located in O Le Pupu-Pue National Park, where trails wind through dense rainforest, heading to a lava tube, called Peapea Cave.

• 
  Solomon Islands

  Do you yearn to see a traditional island where resorts are few but natural vegetation is abundant? Then, you are in luck as the Solomon Islands must be added to your bucket list. Not only does the island group feature extinct volcanoes, its lagoons are ideal for activities, such as kayaking and seeing the natural sights.

  Best Time To Visit

  To avoid the wet season, visit the Solomon Islands from May to October. You can easily get caught in a downpour from November to April.

   

  You Should Know

  Although the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honaria, is fast-growing, most of the residents live in rural villages and survive by hunting, farming, or fishing. Both barter and the use of shell money as currency is still practiced on some of the country's islands.

• 
  Vanuatu

  Until 1980, Vanuatu was an Anglo-French colony. While the country displays lush, green tropical foliage, it also maintains paved roadways and a solid infrastructure on its main islands. Not only that, it produces its own coffee. The capital of Port Vila, located on the main island of Efate, is home to international restaurants, resorts, and harbors. South Pacific tours direct you away from the yachts and resorts so you can see more of the island's interior.

  Best Time To Visit

  Vanuatu can be visited any time, but the best time to go is May to October when you won't get caught in the downpours that happen during the wet season of November through April.

   

  You Should Know

  Vanuatu is made up of over 80 inhabited islands where hundreds of languages are spoken. In fact, some languages are only spoken in a single village. Therefore, most of the people have adapted to speaking Bislama, an English-based language, and the common tongue in Vanuatu. While on the island, you can participate in bird watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, and jungle trekking. Vanuatu is also home to the most accessible volcano in the world, Mount Yasur, which is located on Tanna Island, a short flight from the capital of Port Vila.

South Pacific Tour Packages

• May to October

  Dry Season (May to October): This period, known as the cooler and drier months, is generally considered the best time to visit most South Pacific islands. The weather is pleasant, with lower humidity and fewer rain showers, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and snorkeling. This is also the peak tourist season, so expect more crowds and higher prices.

• November to April

  Wet Season (November to April): Marked by warmer temperatures and higher humidity, this season sees more rainfall, which can be intense but usually brief. Some islands, particularly those in the cyclone belt, can experience tropical storms during this period. However, the wet season also brings lush landscapes and fewer tourists, offering a more tranquil experience.

South Pacific Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• What are South Pacific Tours?

  South Pacific tours typically last 7 days to 2 weeks, depending on your travel availability. Most of the trips include stays in interesting village settings or at island resorts. You may also stay in a guesthouse in a more remote location. Trip amenities include daily excursions and the prices for admissions to attractions. You will also be accompanied by an experienced, English-speaking guide.    

• What’s Included in a South Pacific Tour?

  Accommodations, airport transfers, some meals, and the costs associated with private or group travel are all part of a South Pacific tour package, which features daily excursions on its itinerary.  

• What’s the Best South Pacific Tour?

  While most tours feature travel to popular destinations, such as Fiji and Tahiti, you will find something to like about all the islands in the South Pacific. Therefore, the best South Pacific tour is the best trip for you – one that meets your travel preferences with respect to outdoor activities, historic sites, and cultural activities. It is also the best trip for what you can afford to spend. That is why you should consult with a travel representative to ensure you get the best South Pacific tour with respect to preferences and cost.  

• How Much Do South Pacific Tours Cost?

  To figure the cost for South Pacific tours, you need to base the pricing on how long you plan to travel, your trip itinerary, and the travel period. A South Pacific tour to Fiji that lasts about 10 days will begin at about $6,200, excluding the flights that allow you to do a little island hopping.