The South Pacific confounds even the savviest map buffs with its splatter of dots spread across the world's biggest ocean. What you can't tell from a map, or even most tourist brochures is that these palm-laden pinpricks are as diverse as the region is vast. While the postcards might look similar, Fiji and Tahiti are not interchangeable or even much alike when it comes to landscapes and culture.

As you move east across the Pacific from the Solomon Islands to Easter Island, the flora and fauna becomes less diverse. Islands to the east like New Caledonia and Fiji have land snakes and fruit bats, French Polynesia and Easter Island don't. Underwater you'll find more soft corals in the plankton-rich waters to the west but better visibility in the greater reaches of open water to the east.

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. The colonial history of the islands has resulted in a modern-day patchwork of English- and French-speaking island groups (plus Spanish in the far eastern Easter Island).

Still confused? Here's the low-down on the main regions and their highlights.

Man paddling canoe on Raratonga coast.
The Rarotonga coast was made for hanging out all day ©Pete Seaward/Lonely Planet

Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Best for beaches and hospitality
Languages: English (official), Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan)

The Cook Islands mix Polynesian blue water and hospitality with New Zealand (who administer the islands) savoir faire. On the lush, main isle of Rarotonga beach bum all day then experience an 'Island Night' Polynesian feast (pork cooked in an earthen oven, taro root and more) and a local dance performance.

Hop a plane to Aitutuaki atoll, with its low-lying coral islets curling around one of the world's most fantastic lagoons. When not diving, snorkelling or swimming in blue water, check out the atoll's ancient stone temples called marae.

Young woman walking on suspension bridge over Wainibau stream, Lavena Coastal Walk, Taveuni Island, Fiji. Taveuni is the third largest island in Fiji.
Fiji is brimming with jungle adventures: hiking, waterfalls, rafting and mud baths, to name a few © Don Mammoser / Shutterstock

Fiji

Best for: friendly vibes and backpacker adventures
Languages: English, iTaukei, Fiji Hindi

Fiji receives nearly the same amount of visitors (about 630,000 annually) as the rest of the South Pacific combined but it still feels wild and exotic. Scents of Indian curries waft from city roti shops while in villages Melanesian families invite you in for a bit of 'grog' (kava, a slightly narcotic locally made beverage). Diving is another popular activity here and underwater you'll find seascapes of soft corals so dense they look like purple and white forests.

Viti Levu, the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands have the best beaches and most resorts. It's also easy to get off-the-beaten-path on islands like the lush, dive havens of Taveuni and Vanua Levu or the near-roadless traditional escape of Kadavu.

Hammock at beach on Moorea island in French Polynesia
Overwater bungalows are dotted across shorelines in French Polynesia © shalamov / Getty Images

Tahiti & French Polynesia

Best for: luxury resorts and surfing
Languages: French, Polynesian

With over 115 islands spanning five archipelagos, French Polynesia has it all from the legendary, luxe Bora Bora and its over-the-water-bungalows to uncountable forgotten islands perfect for Crusoe-wannabes looking for a basic beach bungalow. Wherever you go, you'll be kissed with a touch of French style.

Dive with plentiful reef sharks and manta rays in the Tuamotu Atolls; ogle the world's fastest hip shaking at a Tahitian dance performance during the July Heiva Festival; hike to waterfalls and mountain ridges on Tahiti, Moorea, the Marquesas Islands and more; or watch professional surfers brave cavernous tubes at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

Tourists watching Mt Yasur volcano. Tanna, Vanuatu
You'll need to pick your day to hike to the top of the still active Mt Yasur volcano on Tanna Island, Vanuatu © Whitworth Images / Getty Images

Vanuatu

Best for: volcanoes and hiking
Languages: (more than 100) Bislama (creole), English, French, others

If you want rumbling volcanoes, kava bars, shipwrecks to dive on and wild jungles to trek but still want your roads paved and your cheese French, Vanuatu is the place for you.

The main Island of Efate is home to the endearingly dusty capitol of Port Vila but the real action lies on the outer islands. Tanna is dominated by fiery and climbable Mt Yasur. Espiritu Santo has upscale resorts and a tough trek to the massive Millennium Cave filled with waterfalls and bats. Dive and snorkel WWII wrecks to coral gardens.

Aerial of To-Sua Ocean Trench in the rainforest.
The incredible To-Sua Ocean Trench in the rainforest in Samoa © Martin Vlnas / Shutterstock

Samoa & American Samoa

Best for surfing and hiking
Languages: English, Samoan (Polynesian), Samoan/English

The Samoan Islands are divided into two countries – Samoa, which is independent, and American Samoa, which - you guessed it – is an American territory. Both however remain very traditionally Polynesian. Although 'Upolu in Samoa has a few relatively upscale resorts, all the islands feel untouristy and much other accommodation is in the form of basic open beach huts called fale.

You'll find some of the South Pacific's best and most pristine beaches, lots of smiles, flower-filled villages and a pace of life that stands out as slow even in this region. There are few organized excursions but for independent types the opportunity for hiking, cultural connections, surfing and snorkelling are endless.

Lagoon on Mare Island, New Caledonia. There are several people paddling in the clear water. Either side of the lagoon are hulking grey rocks topped with vibrant green plants and moss.
Family-friendly activities, like paddling in a lagoon on Mare Island, are plentiful in New Caledonia © Nenad Basic / Shutterstock

New Caledonia

Best for: food and water sports
Language: French, 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

New Caledonia's massive Grande Terre is the third largest island in the Pacific (after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand) and is home to the second largest double barrier coral reef in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef).

Beyond the diving, wind sports and sailing in the lagoon, the land supports a mix of Melanesian and French cultures that bring an elegant balance to hospitality, cuisine and accommodation ranging from beach bungalows to very posh resorts.

Outlying islands such as Île des Pins and Ouvéa offer more remote escapes with some of the Pacific's best beaches and heaps of delicious seafood.

A adult and baby humpack baby whale swim close to the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The image is taken from underwater, side on to the whales.
Head to Tonga for once-in-a-lifetime experiences like swimming with humpback whales © Chris Holman / Shutterstock

Tonga

Best for: swimming with humpback whales
Language: English, Tongan

The Kingdom of Tonga is a country of traditional values and strong Christianity backed by endless blue bays, sparkling beaches and ancient stone temples.

The main island of Tongatapu is the seat of the monarchy but most visitors head quickly to the Vava'u Group. Here you'll find one of the best places on Earth to swim with or watch humpback whales. Sailboats flock around the Vava'u's many sheltered blue bays while plenty of scarcely discovered surfing waves are tucked along the coasts.

Horses at Rano Raraku volcanic crater lake at Rano Raruku quarry.
As well as the legendary Moai statues, horseback treks are another must-do experience on Easter Island © Eric Lafforgue / Lonely Planet

Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Best for archaeology and wildlife
Language: Spanish

Few places on the planet are as intriguing Easter Island 164 square kilometer island so far east, it's technically a part of Chile. Giant, sober-faced stone statues called moai dominate the landscape here whether they are full-standing or still only partially carved from rock; their mystery is an even larger presence.

Tour the island on foot, bike or horseback, find small white beaches and enjoy the lively Polynesian culture mixed with South American spice. Tourism is on the rise but the island remains personable and dedicated to eco-travel.

Two Blacktip Reef Sharks, Carcharhinus melantopterus, swimming over shallow corals on the reef edge with the surface above.
Diving is one of the major draws to the Solomon Islands, as well as nearby Papua New Guinea © cbpix / Alamy Stock Photo

Solomon Islands

Best for: diving and eco-tourism
Language: English, Melanesian pidgin, English, 120 indigenous languages

Arguably one of the wildest destinations in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands host a traditional Melanesian culture and an ever-lingering WWII history. Guadalcanal, the capital island, is home to numerous historical war sites.

For relaxation head to the New Georgia Islands, particularly Marovo Lagoon for its fish-filled lagoon dotted with small islands. Beaches are few but the kayaking, diving and traditional culture make it a true adventure.

An aerial shot of the islands of Palau. The small lumpy islands are covered in dense greenery and surrounded by jewel-blue waters.
Want to get even further away from the crowd? There are plenty of islands you can only reach by sailing boat © howamo / Shutterstock

Remote South Pacific islands

Where to begin? Some places like Niue, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Wallis & Futuna have flight connections while others like Tokelau and Pitcairn Island can still only be reached by sea. If you're not booking that South Pacific adventure-of-a-lifetime this year, then what are you waiting for?

You might also like:
How to choose the best island for your Fiji vacation
Natural spoils: why Kiribati is a nature lover's paradise
Why Tanna Island in Vanuatu should be your next big adventure

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