The Whitsundays, French Polynesia and Fiji are all fantastic options for winter holidays. Photos / Tourism & Events Queensland; Four Seasons Bora Bora; Tourism Fiji
Jessica Wynne Lockhart is a Christchurch-based Canadian travel writer, Lonely Planet’s Destination Editor for Oceania, and the commissioning editor of the book Experience South Pacific.
Ever since my first trip to Vanuatu 20 years ago, I’ve been drawn to the South Pacific for its incredible history, rich culture – and let’s be honest – its beaches.
Over the past three years, I’ve made it my mission to travel as widely as possible across the region. I’ve flown to remote communities in the Torres Strait Islands, snorkelled nearly the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, and island-hopped in Micronesia, and more. Here is my ranking of the best South Pacific islands I’ve visited so far.
A classic Australian holiday destination
Australia is home to countless island holiday destinations, including Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. But no spot is perhaps more appealing than Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, including Hamilton, Daydream and Hayman islands.
These spots offer exactly what warmth-deprived Kiwis are looking for in a beach holiday: swim-up bars, golf, white sandy shores, and crystalline blue waters. And they just got even better with the addition of the Ngaro Track, a 32km multi-day journey on Whitsunday Island.
How long does it take to get there? Proserpine Airport is a 90-minute flight from Brisbane. From Airlie Beach, you’ll need to boat or fly to your island destination.
What is there to do? Soaking in the sun is the main objective, with boat trips to surrounding beauty spots, including Whitehaven Beach, filling your days.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? While the Whitsundays sit within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the hard corals immediately surrounding the resorts were hit hard by bleaching and 2017’s Cyclone Debbie. Align your expectations accordingly.
What’s it going to cost? It’s possible to nab a package (including flights) to Hayman Island for around NZ$3000 per person.
Off the beaten path, yet easy to access
Of all the spots I’ve travelled in the past few years, the Solomon Islands is probably the destination that excites me most. It has some of the clearest water I’ve seen, coupled with one of the most biodiverse marine environments. But what I loved most was a reminder of the way travel used to be. A slow pace provided an opportunity to interact with local people, leading to memorable and unplanned experiences, like swimming in a waterfall heated by geothermal activity or chatting with kids in a traditional village.
It’s a style of travel that won’t appeal to everyone. Accommodation can fall on the more rustic side of the equation, and things don’t always go to plan. Rest assured that it’s safe, well-connected thanks to Starlink, and relatively easy to get around (although some flexibility is a must, as domestic flights can be prone to cancellations and delays).
How long does it take to get there? It’s a bit of a schlep compared to some other spots on this list. Honiara is just over a three-hour flight from Brisbane, then you’ll need to connect to a domestic destination such as Gizo.
What is there to do? You could happily spend your week lazing in an overwater bungalow in the Western Province, but I’d recommend visiting at least two islands, with birdwatching, hiking, surfing and diving all on the agenda.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? The Solomons are renowned for diving, including to the wreckage of countless submerged World War II planes and ships. The snorkelling is just as exceptional.
What’s it going to cost? Flights aren’t cheap, typically costing between $1000 to $1400, although you’ll find that accommodation is more affordable ($100 to $460 a night, depending on the season and style).
Best for immersive and vibrant cultural experiences
Resorts on the islands of Efate or Espiritu Santo make holidaying easy, with organised excursions and facilities that cater well to multi-generational families. But don’t leave Vanuatu without experiencing its rich kastom (customs). This island nation is one of the few places in the South Pacific where traditional culture feels like less of a show for tourists and more like a living practice.
Book a visit to the island of Tanna, where villagers live at the foot of an active volcano or, if you arrive between April and June, head to Pentecost to watch the land diving (naghol). The predecessor to bungee jumping, the yam harvest ritual sees men and boys diving off a towering platform with vines tied to their ankles.
How long does it take to get there? Port Vila is just over a three-hour flight from Auckland.
What is there to do? Between diving blue holes and climbing volcanoes, you’re unlikely to get bored. Of course, crashing out beside the ocean is also an option.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? The wreck of SS President Coolidge off Espiritu Santo is considered to be one of the world’s best. Keep an eye out for dugong.
What’s it going to cost? A holiday to Vanuatu won’t break the bank. You can currently find fly-and-stay packages for around NZ$2000 per person on Efate, but it’s worth shelling out for side quests to Tanna or Santo.
Best for families looking to flop and drop
I’m never going to be mad about travelling to a place where palm trees wave in the breeze and cocktails are at the ready. Unfortunately, a daily kava ceremony alone doesn’t save Fiji’s resorts from “any island syndrome”. As in, you could be on any tropical island. It’s entirely possible to spend a week sequestered at a resort in Fiji without genuinely interacting with locals.
However, if this was a ranking of the best spots for families looking to recharge and reconnect, it would top my list. Fiji’s kids’ clubs and nanny services are next-level. And honestly, if the goal is to just turn your brain off for a week? That’s okay, too.
How long does it take to get there? Nadi is a three-hour direct flight from Auckland.
What is there to do? The more intrepid can island-hop to surf, visit traditional villages or hike to mountaintops. But the reality is that most people are going to have a Groundhog Day-like vacation wandering between the pool, the ocean and the buffet – not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? Fiji is renowned as the soft coral capital of the world, an experience rounded out with the opportunity to see bigger marine species, including bull sharks and manta rays.
What’s it going to cost? Fiji isn’t an inexpensive destination, but readily available holiday packages and a range of islands and accommodation styles make budgeting and booking easy.
Made for more than just honeymoons
The islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Mo’orea and their overwater bungalows have long been synonymous with honeymooners, and for good reason. But that doesn’t mean you should write off French Polynesia if romance isn’t on the agenda.
On a recent island-hopping trip, I scrambled through seaside caves, sailed on a traditional outrigger canoe, snorkelled and ate a barbecue on a private motu (islet) and found a million other ways to spend my days, none of which involved gazing longingly into the eyes of my travel companion.
With all that being said, I don’t think you can visit French Polynesia without staying in an overwater bungalow – they were pioneered here, after all – making this one of the more expensive holiday destinations on this list.
How long does it take to get there? It takes just under five hours to reach Tahiti from Auckland.
What is there to do? It depends on which island you visit. In a week, you can easily visit two islands to maximise your time in the country. Hike in caves on Rurutu, dive at Fakarava, visit the marae Raʻiātea or explore Taha’a’s black pearl and vanilla farms.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? French Polynesia is considered one of the most ethical destinations in the world to snorkel with humpback whales, as well as one of the top places to dive with sharks.
What’s it going to cost? Inter-island flights are expensive, as is a stay in one of the luxurious overwater bungalows. If you’re looking for a more affordable holiday, staying in a pension (family-owned guesthouse) can help keep your budget in check.
The Western Pacific’s best snorkelling and diving
I know it doesn’t seem quite fair to place Palau, an interloper, so high on this list. After all, the Micronesian nation sits 800km north of the equator, meaning it isn’t technically in the South Pacific. But you can’t hold it responsible for its geographical misfortune.
Despite its size – the archipelago is shorter than the length of the North Island – there’s a surprising number of ways to fill your days, from visiting World War II sites to swimming among (mostly) harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake.
But where it excels is underwater. On a recent trip to Palau aboard the ultra-luxe Four Seasons Explorer, I saw a greater diversity and quality of coral than I’ve seen in any other destination throughout the region.
How long does it take to get there? It’s closer than you think; Koror is only a six-hour direct flight from Brisbane.
What is there to do? Stay on a liveaboard or base yourself in Koror and take day trips. Come for the diving, but don’t miss out on visiting a traditional village or having a spa day at the Milky Way.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? I rate this as the region’s top destination for snorkellers and divers alike. During manta mating season, upwards of 20 can be seen in a day.
What’s it going to cost? Expect to spend upwards of US$500 a day for a liveaboard.
Best road-trip destination
With its rolling green mountains and rich red soil, New Caledonia will subvert all your expectations of what a South Pacific destination should look or feel like. Sure, it’s possible to stay in an overwater bungalow or sail on a traditional outrigger canoe, but you can also watch whip-cracking competitions, ride horses through the countryside or enjoy a barbecue at a massive cattle ranch owned by one of the West Coast’s broussards (French cowboys). Throw indigenous Kanak and French culture into the mix, and this diverse destination makes for a memorable holiday.
How long does it take to get there? Noumea is a 2.5-hour flight from Auckland.
What is there to do? If you’re an active traveller, this is the destination for you. New Caledonia is renowned for its kiteboarding, horseback riding and mountain biking. Whatever you do, don’t just stay in Noumea. Make the most of it and plan a week-long road trip.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? It’s good – but not good enough to plan a dive-based holiday here.
What’s it going to cost? New Caledonia isn’t a budget destination, but staying at guesthouses outside the city – which offer both accommodation and meals – can cut the cost of your holiday. Flights typically range from $500 to more than $1000 for a return trip.
Home to the South Pacific’s most beautiful lagoon
Thanks to its cultural and economic ties, the Cook Islands is a Kiwi favourite for the obvious reasons: it feels a bit like home, except with a tropical twist. But the reason it takes the top spot isn’t for its similarities – it’s because every day here feels like a day distinctly spent in the Cook Islands. You’re not hidden away behind the high walls of a resort; you’re shopping, eating, partying and attending church (a popular activity even for secular visitors) alongside locals. You can have your relaxing beach vacation and a cultural experience, too.
One caveat: A trip to the Cook Islands shouldn’t end in Rarotonga. While the marine life in Aitutaki’s waters is underwhelming, there’s no question that the island has the most beautiful lagoon in the South Pacific.
How long does it take to get there? Rarotonga is a four-hour direct flight from Auckland.
What is there to do? Split your holiday between Aitutaki and Rarotonga, and there’s no way you’ll get bored.
Is the snorkelling and diving good? Divers are well catered for, but the snorkelling can be lacklustre compared to other South Pacific destinations. With that being said, don’t miss the turtles in Rarotonga’s Avaavaroa Passage, although this can be a very dangerous stretch of water, so go with a reputable tour operator with good reviews to ensure your safety.
What’s it going to cost? There’s something for everyone here, from self-catering and Airbnbs to more luxe beachside accommodation.
Jessica Wynne Lockhart is Lonely Planet’s Destination Editor for Oceania, and the commissioning editor of the book Experience South Pacific (RRP$36.99)