South Pacific Travel Guide

Ttropical beaches, coral reefs, secluded lagoons and rainforests attract thousands of visitors to the South Pacific islands. Activities offered for visitors to the South Pacific islands include scuba diving and snorkelling, whale watching, kayaking and yachting, and South Pacific is also a popular honeymoon destination.

The Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into its northern and southern parts, and the South Pacific islands include Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Niue, with Kiribati right on the Equator. When planning travel and booking flights to the South Pacific, bear in mind that the International Date Line runs through the area, and Fiji and Samoa are one day ahead of Tonga, Cook Islands, Tahiti and Hawaii.

The South Pacific is an affordable holiday destination, cheaper than Europe but more expensive than South-East Asia. Many resorts, restaurants and stores accept credit cards and travellers’ cheques, and bigger cities have ATMs.

Accommodation in the South Pacific is mainly in small independent resorts and beach bungalows. International hotel chains can be found mainly in Tahiti and Fiji. Some islands, including the Cook Islands, do not allow camping, or only allow it on designated camping areas. Thatched bungalows, common on the South Pacific islands, are called fale in Tonga, fare in Tahiti, and bure in Fiji.

The South Pacific has a tropical climate with average daytime temperatures from 25 Celsius to 32 Celsius. Temperatures fluctuate very little, but the climate can be very humid. The South Pacific summer from November to April brings high temperatures, heavy rain and tropical cyclones. While heavy downpours and cyclones are common, severely destructive hurricanes and typhoons are quite rare. May to October is the cooler, drier season in the South Pacific.

The South Pacific is generally a safe holiday destination. There is little crime here, and no serious threat of international terrorist attacks.  Fiji can be politically unstable and crime is an increasing problem. A special Tourist Police have been established to protect tourists. Anyone travelling to the area should have an appropriate travel insurance.

Solo female travellers can feel safe in the South Pacific, and Samoa and the Cook Islands are often recommended as some of the safest destinations for lone women travellers in the South Pacific. Paying attention to local dress code when visiting areas outside the tourist beaches can do wonders in reducing the possibility of sexual harassment.

On the 30th of September 2009 an earthquake near Samoa caused a tsunami that hit Samoa and the Niuatoputapu Island in the Kingdom of Tonga. Check up to date travel advice before travel to the area.

Sources:

South Pacific Travel Guides