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South Pacific Ocean Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025
Our 6 most popular South Pacific Ocean trips. Compare tour itineraries from 7 tour companies. 6 reviews. 5/5 avg rating.
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Top South Pacific Ocean Attractions & Experiences
Top South Pacific Ocean Experiences
- Following the footsteps of Tom Hanks in Castaway on one of Fiji’s tropical islands
- Getting your passport stamped at One Foot Island in the magnificent Aitutaki Lagoon in the Cook Islands
- Swimming with giant humpback whales in Tonga
- Witnessing the awesome forces of nature on the rim of Mount Yasur: the ‘world’s most accessible active volcano’ in Tanna Island, Vanuatu
- Learning about ‘The Samoan Way’ while catching a thrilling Polynesian fire and dance show in Apia
- Island hopping in French Polynesia’s 67 dreamy inhabited islands and atolls, loaded with pristine tropical beaches, world class snorkeling & diving, thrilling hikes and … where your tropical dreams come true
- Shopping for tropical fruit, gardenia scented oils and vanilla in Tahiti’s Papeete Market
- Seriously going off the beaten track in the distant Marquesas Islands
South Pacific Ocean Tours & Travel Guide
South Pacific Ocean Attractions & Landmarks Guide
The Pacific Ocean covers a massive one third of our planet. Its warm waters south of the equator are dotted with over 7,000 tropical islands and atolls rising from the depths, only 500 of which host human life. Just about as far as one can travel in shorts and t-shirt, these breathtaking islands make for the ideal tropical getaway.
Those who look further than the palm fringed white sand beaches, will discover exotically diverse cultures, incredibly rich marine life and thrilling activities bringing you to memorable spots overlooking aqua blue lagoons that will vividly live in your mind for eternity.
The islands of the South Pacific were colonized in multiple waves of migrations. The western islands in the Melanesia region such as Fiji and Vanuatu (with the exception of New Zealand), were settled by marine pioneers from Papua New Guinea, while the western islands were discovered by the ancient Polynesians who likely originated from Southeast Asia. The first European contact began the Western world’s fascination with these remote islands, with Christian missionaries following the first explorers and the world’s superpowers following those.
These days, air travel and cruise ships allow curious visitors a comfortable way to explore the islands. Here are a few highlights, going from west to east:
Vanuatu
Eighty three islands extending from north to south in a pattern resembling the letter ‘Y’ make up this developing country that’s home to some of the friendliest folks in the Pacific. Its vibrant capital Port Vila on Efate Island serves as the nation’s primary international gateway and a great place to start your visit. Vanuatu’s most popular outer islands are well connected to the capital. On Pentecost Island, bungee jumping is believed to have originated and visitors can still witness the daredevil act of men flying off wooden towers with nothing but strings of vines attached to their legs. In Espiritu Santo Island, hundreds of natural blue holes and pristine beaches await visitors, while its reefs are littered with WWII relics. Down south in Tanna Island, things get really wild and different. When you’re not hiking up to the crater of Mount Yasur to be awed at the nightly lava eruptions, you’ll visit the village of the Yakel Tribe, who still retain their traditional way of life deep in the jungle.
Fiji
With a whopping 300 islands to choose from, Fiji is the most developed South Pacific destination in terms of tourism, catering to backpackers, luxury travelers and everything in between. Its capital city is Suva on the large Viti Levu Island, but it is Nadi that serves as the nation’s tourist gateway. The large island is fantastic for hiking and inland safari tours, while the nearby Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands are quite easy to get to. Visitors to Fiji often combine a mix of pure relaxation with scuba diving or snorkeling excursions, but whatever your mix might be - you’ll surely attend a local kava ceremony, an experience not to be missed.
Samoa
A proud independent nation since 1962, Samoa boasts the most authentic dose of Polynesian culture in the heart of the South Pacific. Visitors to Samoa will sense the traditional forces that still run the show around here, known as Fa’a Samoa - ‘The Samoan Way’. Upolu Island is your main gateway, with the country’s charming capital city Apia, the out of this world To Sua Ocean Trench, waterfalls the size of modern skyscrapers and miles upon miles of beautiful beaches. Over in Savaii Island it’s a different story. The large island defines the meaning of ‘island time’. Shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, it’s the perfect place for a road trip and a whole lot of relaxation.
The Cook Islands
Named in honor of Captain James Cook, the Cook Islands are in a state of ‘free association’ with New Zealand. Its northern group of islands are rarely visited by tourists or even locals, so it’s the southern group where you’ll spend most of your time. Rarotonga is the main island, a compact tropical island loaded with charm.
Visitors can spend their days at the beach, underwater or up in the mountains, while at night it’s time for the traditional ‘island night’ shows, showcasing Polynesian culture in a display that wouldn’t shame a Broadway production. Aitutaki is a home to one of the most impressive lagoons in the South Pacific, best explored on a lagoon tour from the main island, while Atiu Island is perfect for nature lovers - scattered with limestone caves that can be yours for the entire day.
Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga has somehow managed to avoid any colonial rule, leading to a present day state of charming simplicity. Slowly getting on the tourist map, 176 islands await visitors who seek to get off the beaten track. The Vava'u Group in the country’s north is home to stereotypical tropical beaches and it is here that you can hit the waters during humpback whale season and witness these magnificent giants from up close.
French Polynesia
Commonly known as the ‘islands of Tahiti’, this French Overseas Territory consists of 118 islands and atolls spread across a distance of the South Pacific Ocean roughly equal in size to the entire European continent. Famous for over the top luxury overwater bungalow, French Polynesia surprisingly caters to the entire spectrum of travelers. With flights easily linking most of its inhabited islands, visitors can choose from lazing to the beach, to swimming with sharks to embarking on thrilling hikes and plenty more.
Home to Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea, the Society Islands group consists of high volcanic islands surrounded by a protective coral reef. The Tuamotus Archipelago is the largest chain of coral atolls in the world, essentially donut shaped flat islands that offer some of the best scuba diving in the world. Further north, the Marquesas Islands are like nothing you’ve seen before, with seriously rugged nature and a unique culture that has mysteriously developed in complete isolation for centuries until the first contact with Europeans.
South Pacific Ocean Reviews & Ratings
The Willamette valley ride was a perfect blend of beautiful scenery, great road maps and excellent Pinot Noir
My friend and I signed up for the self guided tour in Oregon. The Willamette valley ride was a perfect blend of beautiful scenery, great road maps and excellent Pino...
Lifecycle did a great job arranging our trip
Lifecycle did a great job arranging our trip. Adam was particularly delightful in making it a wonderful experience. I will mention that the drivers in Oregon were pa...
At first I was quite sceptical about such a tour, but it was absolutely SUPERB!
My wife and I and our close friends met in Oregon to take a fully guided, week-long tour of the Wine Country (Willamette Valley, Hood River, etc) with LifeCycle. Tri...
my wife and I had a fantastic time riding through the wine country of the Willamette Valley, around Mt. Hood
This was our first time in Oregon, and my wife and I had a fantastic time riding through the wine country of the Willamette Valley, around Mt. Hood, and back along t...
Amazing and wonderful cycling tour in Oregon
Amazing and wonderful cycling tour in Oregon with Lifecycle Adventures. Our guide, Josh, made our trip rating excellent with his very personal attention to our desir...
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