South Pacific Islands Travel Advice
Fiji Cultural tips
Linzi Bird, Fiji specialist at our supplier Audley Travel, shares her Fiji travel advice:
“Kava is a traditional Fijian welcome drink made from the roots of trees. Although it works a bit like an antiseptic, in as much as it will make your mouth go numb, it's a real honour to be involved in one of the village ceremonies that tend to take place about once a week.”
“Kava is a traditional Fijian welcome drink made from the roots of trees. Although it works a bit like an antiseptic, in as much as it will make your mouth go numb, it's a real honour to be involved in one of the village ceremonies that tend to take place about once a week.”
Kirsty Bamby, founder of our supplier Island Spirit:
“Fijians are extremely laid back and ‘Fiji Time’ is an actual thing: an island attitude that’s cool, relaxed and totally chilled out. The sort of feeling that if I’m going to be late then, why worry? It’s not going to affect world peace or anything dramatic like that. Time zones also change year on year as sometimes they don’t add on the daylight saving hours and sometimes they do!”
“Fijians are extremely laid back and ‘Fiji Time’ is an actual thing: an island attitude that’s cool, relaxed and totally chilled out. The sort of feeling that if I’m going to be late then, why worry? It’s not going to affect world peace or anything dramatic like that. Time zones also change year on year as sometimes they don’t add on the daylight saving hours and sometimes they do!”
Our South Pacific Islands Vacations
Pacific Islands tour
Discover some of the world's smallest nations
From
£15595 to £17595
27 days
ex flights
Melanesia cruise, history and wildlife cruise
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu expedition cruise
From
US $11195
17 days
ex flights
Fiji vacations, island hopping tour
Sample all the delights which these beautiful islands have to offer
From
US $10525
10 days
ex flights
Budget Tonga vacation, swim with humpback whales
Once in a lifetime chance to swim with humpback whales.
From
£2399
0 days
ex flights
Whales and wildlife tour in Tahiti
Swim with whales and wildlife in stunning Tahiti
From
US $5712
8 days
ex flights
French Polynesia cruise in the South Pacific
Sail this Polynesian paradise visiting at least 12 islands
From
£2688 to £4209
12 days
ex flights
French Polynesia activity tips
Powell Ettinger at our supplier, the Small Ship Cruise Collection:“Bora Bora and Rangiroa are excellent for snorkelling and diving with classic tropical island beaches adding to the natural attraction of life below the water.”
“The archaeological site on Hiva Oa has similar statues to those found on Easter Island and a guided tour around the village of Puamau is an excellent way to find out more about how and why tikis came to be on the island.”
Packing Tips
Cassia Jackson from our supplier Heritage Expeditions shares her packing tips for the South Pacific: “The climate in the South Pacific can range from temperate, to subtropical to tropical, so clothes that can ‘breathe’ and dry quickly are highly recommended. The ‘layer’ principle is the secret of staying comfortable here too. Be sure to pack a hat, preferably one that can be pulled down to protect your ears, forehead and neck. Remember the ‘slip-slop-slap’ principle. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Don’t forget to pack a light raincoat or poncho to keep dry during those tropical downpours. Your swimming costume is essential, and you may like to bring light cover ups (such as a rash vest) to wear when snorkelling.”Health & safety in the South Pacific
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Our top South Pacific Islands Vacation
Pacific Islands tour
Discover some of the world's smallest nations
From
£15595 to £17595
27 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 28 Sep
2024: 20 Jun, 26 Sep
2023: 28 Sep
2024: 20 Jun, 26 Sep
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South Pacific tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful South Pacific travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful South Pacific travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
Snorkelling amongst the beautiful Fijian corals and reef fish then hiking into remote, but welcoming, Highland Villages to experience traditional customs and rarely visited landscapes.![]()
- Malcolm Fisher
“Tonga is a backpacking destination. Be aware that taxi drivers may over charge if you don't check the fare with them first! Bring insect repellent and bite cream for when it doesn't work!” – Ben MacLennan
“If you are booking dormitory accommodation be aware that the top bunks are very confined. They are difficult to get in and out of (particularly if you are over 65) and only have a clearance of about 30 inches.” – William Bainbridge, on a French Polynesias Cruise
“If you are booking dormitory accommodation be aware that the top bunks are very confined. They are difficult to get in and out of (particularly if you are over 65) and only have a clearance of about 30 inches.” – William Bainbridge, on a French Polynesias Cruise
Fiji is an amazing destination, charming and beautiful. We enjoyed our Bure [wooden hut] in Fiji, the snorkelling, scuba diving well everything.![]()
- Subodha Bhatt
More about South Pacific Islands
When is the best time to swim with humpback whales? In which months are Fiji’s waters best for diving? And are all regions affected by cyclones? Research should be part and parcel of a traveling experience and we’ve done some of the hard work for you, so read on to find out the best time to visit the South Pacific.
Scattered across the world’s biggest ocean, the South Pacific Islands have acquired near mythical status for their natural beauty – especially their beaches.
The South Pacific is both vast and varied, so to help make sense of it all, we’ve picked some key highlights.
Find out why this volcanic island nation is such a tempting prospect as you read our Fiji travel guide.
Discover how to make the most of your time all the way from the beaches of Bora Bora to the volcanic monoliths of Ua Pou.
Tonga draws adventurous travelers from across the globe in search of pristine beaches and rich underwater life – in particular humpback whales.
Discover the uninhabited atolls and reef islands that make Kiribati vacations such a tempting prospect.
There are few places in the world that are as remote as Micronesia – and few that are as idyllically beautiful.
Our Samoa vacations take in the best sites of Upolu and Savai'i, from Mauga Silisili to the bustling capital of Apia.
Forget about swish resorts and beach clubs; the Solomon Islands move to a far more authentic beat.
A Vanuatu vacation follows in the wake of Captain Cook en-route to the Banks Islands and the volcanic wonders of Gaua, Vanua Lava and Mt Séré’ama.
There are no excuses not to travel responsibly in the South Pacific with climate change, coral bleaching, plastic pollution and cruise ships all major issues.
