South Pacific Islands: Untouched Beauty Extraordinaire
The Pacific Islands are well-known for their untouched natural beauty, romantic beaches, vibrant culture and a world class diving experience. Basically, it doesn’t matter what you prefer, you’ll surely find a Pacific Island that will make your wildest wanderlust dreams come true. We are here today to tell you about the islands that offer the best blue horizons, lush vegetation and lively cities that you have to visit in order to fully experience these true heavens on earth. So, let’s jump right in.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a true gem of the South Pacific that has so much to offer. Thanks to its natural beauty, amazing culture and lively capital, this island is a must-visit for every cruise enthusiast. Since New Caledonia technically belongs to the French, you’ll experience a unique combination of a tropical atmosphere and cosmopolitan vibe. Its capital Noumea rests on the ocean. Since several bays extend along the city, you will easily find your piece of heaven on one of the many stunning beaches (Anse Vata Beach for instance). Noumea is home to about 100,000 people and it offers a variety of activities that just prove how diverse the place is.
Since it’s facing the sea and lined with gorgeous beaches and islands, you’ll always have a spot to relax with a great view rich in untouched nature. All year long, you can practice outdoor sports. You can try windsurfing and kitesurfing, but you can also play tennis or golf. When it comes to nightlife, there’s plenty of that too. Not only does Noumea have many bars and clubs, but it also has two casinos! You won’t get bored in New Caledonia, we can guarantee that.
Fiji
Since it is one of the world’s most attractive island destinations, there is no wonder that it’s part of numerous cruise itineraries. Fiji is a Melanesian country in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand and consists of an archipelago that includes around 900 islands. This tropical haven consists of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. These are its two main islands, but it also has around 900 smaller islands. And what does that mean to you? That means that you’ll easily find secluded and untouched beaches that you’ll be able to enjoy all by yourself. Suva (located in the south of Viti Levu) is Fiji’s capital and largest city. Natives claim that this is one of the most cosmopolitan centers of the Pacific, if not the most cosmopolitan center there. In Suva, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to almost everything.
Accommodation-wise, it has historic hotels boasting grand architecture, but it also has modern apartments. In fact, there are many such Historic Hotels throughout the world, which you might enjoy exploring. You may look at websites like historichotels.org to learn more about them. Also, don’t worry if you’re on a tight budget, Suva also offers affordable motels in order to suit all budgets. We highly recommend that you visit the Fiji Museum or parliament buildings if you want to get a taste of the local history. Explore the markets and we guarantee that you’ll be surprised with how much jewelry natives offer. If you’re big on shopping, Suva also has modern malls and chain stores. For all of you fitness lovers out there, you’ll easily find many treks and walking tours in and around the city. When you consider the fact that this phenomenal destination is featured in some quite affordable cruise deals in 2018, it would be a big mistake not to visit it.
Tahiti
This place is a true surfers’ paradise. Year after year, surfers flock to Tahiti because of its amazing waves and more than great weather conditions. What’s particularly popular with surfers is the village of Teahupo’o due to the fact that the Billabong Pro Surf Competition takes place there. May, June, July and August are the best months for surfing there. However, we won’t just focus on surfing; we’d also like to mention that this place is really popular for weddings and honeymoons. More and more couples visit Tahiti every year for their wedding and honeymoon. Some couples come to Tahiti in July so that they can attend the Heiva Festival which celebrates the culture of Tahiti. During the Heiva Festival you can see Tahitian crafts, folk dances and many other interesting performances.
Tahiti is also home to the Robert Wan Pearl Museum and Musee de Tahiti et des Iles so this cute island in French Polynesia isn’t a place where art lovers get bored. When it comes to accommodation, the most popular option is an overwater bungalow. You’ve probably seen one on the internet since they are really popular in French Polynesia. These idyllic ocean huts give you the privilege of jumping right into the water as soon as you leave and close the door behind you. On top of that, they are not as expensive as many believe they are. Last but not least, we have to mention La Plage de Maui. La Plage de Maui, or Maui’s Beach, takes its name from Hawaii. It’s one of the only white sand beaches on Tahiti Nui, lying on the island’s southern coast. The nearby lagoon is ideal for snorkeling and swimming and soaking up the tropical atmosphere. Don’t forget to grab a snack and a bottle of water at the beach’s snack bar to stay refreshed and energized during the day.
Vanuatu
It is really such a shame that this archipelago often passes unnoticed even though it is absolutely gorgeous. Vanuatu is simply put a perfect choice for a relaxing holiday. It consists of 83 islands and features breathtaking scenic landscapes of rugged beauty and secluded beaches. Vanuatu is not as crowded as other Pacific hotspots, which means that it is more affordable and quite popular for family vacations. Locals recognized the potential and took advantage of it by offering various kid-friendly activities that include jungle zip-lines, horse riding, snorkeling and others. If you’d like to take a closer look at the history of this place, make sure that you visit the National Museum of Vanuatu in Port Villa. See the great artifacts and a number of hands-on exhibitions which perfectly display the diverse cultures of Vanuatu.
Its capital Port Villa was also influenced by the French. There you can visit the local markets and interact with the locals or just kick back and relax in one of the city’s stylish waterfront cafes. But, we’d really like to point out that you absolutely have to visit Vanuatu’s Mystery Island. And we’ll show you why. This little secret gem of Vanuatu is reachable by cruise ship only so it’s still quite an exclusive experience. You must also try the Snorkel Safari! You get to discover and indulge in the underwater mysteries with your own guide. Of course, the waters are crystal clear and you can see some amazing coral formations along with its underwater residents. For a relaxing treatment, go to the Massage Hut. For only ten bucks, you’ll enjoy a traditional relaxing Vanuatu massage. There’s a thatched massage hut in the village or you can pick a spot under a palm tree by the sea!
Wanderlusts, we hope that you’re now aware of why you absolutely need to embark on a journey through the Pacific! These islands are something special, you can see the clash of many cultures there, the duel between the old and the new, the untouched nature mixed with the modern metropolitan lifestyle. So, what are you waiting for?
