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Examples include Borneo, the Pitcairn Islands and Taiwan (also known as Formosa). [5] A commonly applied biogeographic definition includes islands with oceanic geology that lie within Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia and the eastern Pacific (also known as the southeastern Pacific).
5 days ago · Pacific Islands, geographic region of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises three ethnogeographic groupings—Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia—but conventionally excludes Australia, the Indonesian, Philippine, and Japanese archipelagoes, and the Ryukyu, Bonin, Volcano, and Kuril island arcs beyond Japan.
- The South Pacific Islands - Melanesia, Polynesia & Micronesia
- Choosing A Destination in The South Pacific Islands
- Fiji Islands
- French Polynesia
- The Cook Islands
- Samoa
- New Caledonia
- Vanuatu
- The Kingdom of Tonga
- Solomon Islands
The South Pacific islands are scattered in a huge ocean larger than all the other oceans put together but its landmasses are tiny. The region comprises of around 30 island nations, some mere dots on the atlas. The largest island nation is Papua New Guinea (PNG) followed by New Zealand which are both quite considerable land-masses, but it's then fol...
Whilst there are numerous South Pacific islands to visit, only a handful of them offer mainstream tourism. Tuvalu, for example, has tourist arrivals numbering less than one hundred people a year.! Even the Solomon Islands, one of the larger group of islands in the South Pacific, has less than 10,000 tourist arrivals each year, and the majority of t...
Fiji is the number one hot spot in the South Pacific and received over 800,000 tourists a year pre Covid-19, but this is not even a tenth of what Hawaii receives! But Fiji has what most other places around the world don't have: literally hundreds of small tropical islands with stunning beach resorts and nothing ever feels crowded or face-paced. Vis...
French Polynesia is one of the best known destinations of the South Pacific, partly because of the alluring tale of Mutiny of the Bounty and the exotic paintings of Paul Gauguin. With its palm trees, crystal waters, volcanoes and lush forests, all your South Sea fantasies are made real. You can visit here on a cruise, but French Polynesia is best e...
The scattered Cook Islands have a small population, but you’ll be assured of a great welcome even at the international airport where a serenader welcomes each plane load of tourists and your hosts wait outside with a flower lei. This South Sea paradise is largely undeveloped, and its islands are peaceful sanctuaries where you can sunbathe, swim and...
Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, was a man who knew a lot about beautiful Pacific Islands – and it was Samoa that Stevenson chose to retire to. Lush, green Samoa is one of the Pacific’s most scenically varied destinations. These islands are a popular with discerning travellers, but also have excellent golf courses, and attract...
New Caledonia is a perfect blend of Gallic and Pacific. You can combine trips to the elegant shopping districts and fine dining restaurants with sunbathing on pristine white sands. Perfect for honeymooners – who can resist the combination of French romance on a beautiful island paradise – New Caledonia is also a prime destination to enjoy snorkelli...
Vanuatu’s colonial name was the New Hebrides – although what these sunny Pacific islands have to do with the original Scottish Hebrides is anyone’s guess. Vanuatu is a particularly popular short-haul destination for Kiwis, but families, couples and honeymooners of all nationalities will enjoy these wonderful islands. For those who want to get away ...
Proud, independent and religious Tonga has never been colonised by a European power. A unique island culture and one of the last few remaining absolute monarchies anywhere in the world, Tonga’s friendly people are unlike any other. There are many sights and activities related to Tongan culture, including sacred tombs, dancing displays and craft wor...
The Solomon Islands, with their ancient Melanesian culture, are a beautiful and otherworldly place to visit. Now relatively peaceful, the islands have a turbulent history of slaving, cannibalism, war and ethnic tension. But, you’d hardly guess this when canoeing on placid rivers which wind their way through verdant jungles, swimming with dolphins, ...
- This French Polynesian island is the perfect place to go if you're looking to reconnect with nature, dial up the romance and pamper yourself while on vacation.
- Tahiti's international airport and variety of big-city amenities (think: diverse restaurants, exciting cultural events and abundant five-star resorts) make it a natural choice for a South Pacific vacation.
- Head to one or more of Fiji's 333 islands if you appreciate cultural activities and attractions as much as you enjoy spending time outdoors.
- Newlyweds who want to see a lesser-known side of French Polynesia should consider honeymooning on Moorea. This smaller island features the same kind of striking natural wonders and romantic accommodations couples will find on Bora Bora, but with a more relaxed atmosphere and lower price tags.
- Donna Heiderstadt
- Polynesia. This easternmost South Pacific region, which includes Hawaii, counts idyllic Tahiti and mysterious Easter Island among its treasures. Its ocean-going settlers, originally from Southeast Asia, are renowned for their navigation, having survived arduous journeys in dugout canoes as early as 1500 B.C.
- French Polynesia (Tahiti) Comprised of 118 islands, the most celebrated of which is Bora Bora, Tahiti is an independent nation with ties to France. With well- developed tourism on a dozen islands, Tahiti has been luring travelers for five decades with overwater bungalows, French-influenced cuisine, and exotic culture.
- The Cook Islands. Lesser-known than neighboring Tahiti, these 15 islands, named for English explorer Captain James Cook and run as a self-governing nation with ties to New Zealand, are home to 19,000 people renowned for their drumming and dancing.
- Samoa. This group of nine islands was the first in the Pacific to gain independence from western occupation. Upolu is the main island and tourism hub, but life here is still governed by Fa'a Samoa (The Samoan Way), where family and elders are respected and its 362 villages are presided over by 18,000 matai (chiefs).
Feb 7, 2023 · The Solomon Islands. 6. Palau. 7. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. 8. Lord Howe Island, Australia. 9. Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. 10. Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile. Map of South Pacific - Most Beautiful Islands. 1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
Sep 22, 2021 · South Pacific islands are culturally and geographically divided into Polynesia (from the Greek meaning 'many islands') and Melanesia (meaning 'black islands'). Polynesian islands include Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island while Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands are Melanesian.
