When planing your research for a trip to Pacific Islands a detailed map is surely a great asset. When visiting this part of the globe it’s also very important to calculate the date line into your overall travel plans. Like, when flying from New Zealand to Cook Islands you’ll cross the date line. This means, you will arrive a day earlier than you arrive! So, be careful as this can have significant implications on your overall holiday arrangements.
Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands. The local population is about 15,000 souls. Overall there are 15 islands in this central South Pacific nation. The interior of Rarotonga is dominated by volcanic peaks, ridges and rainforest. It’s easy to get around the island with a 32km, round-the-island road link. So, beaches, coastal lagoon and reefs that make scuba diving and snorkelling popular are in easy access. For more serious wakers the Cross-Island Track is a rugged hiking trail that passes 650m Te Rua Manga peak (also called ‘The Needle’).
Aitutaki is one of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific with a population of 1800 souls. It consists of a main island, a turquoise lagoon and a surrounding barrier reef. The marine life with lagoon water are rich in sealife, including rays, bonefish and turtles. The main town is Arutanga. A number of trails lead to the top of Maunga Pu hill. Boats run to small uninhabited islands called motu, including tiny Tapuaetai, known for its white sand beaches.
The South Pacific islands of Fiji have a population of about 900,000 inhabitants. More than 300 islands are part of this archipelago. Famed for rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with clear lagoons. Most of the population are on the main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Viti Levu is home to the capital, Suva, a port city with British colonial architecture. The best way to experience the Fiji magic is to visit of of the off-shore islands. Transfers by boat, seaplane or helicopter.
Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia. The population is about 11,000 strong. Famous for turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef and surrounded by sand-fringed motus (islets). It’s known for its scuba diving. The island has a number of popular luxury resorts with world-reknown overwater bungalows perched over the water on stilts. In the centre of the island’s rises Mt. Otemanu, a 727m dormant volcano.
The island of Moorea is part of French Polynesia’s Society Islands archipelago. It’s known for its jagged volcanic mountains and sandy beaches. The population stands at about 16,000. The size of the island is 134 square kms, so it’s rather large for Pacific Island standards. As Bora Bora the island offer some stunning overwater bungalow accommodation options. In the north, Mt Rotui overlooks picturesque Ōpūnohu Bay with Cook’s Bay village. Inland, hiking trails wind through rainforest on the slopes of Mt Tohivea. The Belvedere Lookout has panoramic views of the island’s peaks and Tahiti beyond.
To get you started with your travel planning for the South Pacific islands check out our sample travel package. Keep in mind any part of those holiday plans can be amended to your individual travel requirement. So, just get in touch with us and we’ll work with your for your ‘trip of a lifetime’.