Tourist Information for the South Pacific Islands

picture of sunset over an uninhabited coral island

Language

Most of the South Pacific holiday destinations speak English as a second language so communicating and getting around is never a problem - even in French-speaking Tahiti and New Caledonia, most resort personnel speak some English.


Safety

There are no poisonous insects, few diseases and its people live in peace and harmony many relying on subsistence farming and fishing away from the industrial world. Dengue can be present in the wetter months and is most prevelent in the Solomons and Vanuatu although other islands have outbreaks from time to time. Check locval conditions at the time of travel. Crime is relatively low and the South Pacific is deemed one of the safest regions to travel around.


South Pacific Weather

For most visitors, the best time to visit the South Pacific is May to October after the tropical monsoon season has passed. These cooler winter months are less humid with day temperatures on average a very pleasant 24°C and night temperatures perhaps dipping to 16°C, just cool enough to warrant packing a light jumper. These cooler months happen to be when winter snow hits New Zealand and cool weather hits Australia. May to October is the most popular time for holiday-makers to visit the South Pacific and hotels during this "high season", especially in the school holidays of June/July and late September, are often full so it's wise to book early.

Winter is also the windy season when the tradewinds blow in from the east, with ideal conditions for sailing and wind-surfing,but not so good for scuba diving or snorkelling. For perfect flat waters and the very best viability that divers crave, visit from November to April but you'll be taking your chances with a low system or possibly even a cyclone which can hit during these months. The later part of the summer, from April to June, is the best to experience the lush rainforest - waterfalls and rivers will be at their peak and flowers in abundance.


South Pacific Regional Flights

Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Fiji Airways (formerly Air Pacific) are the main carriers connecting the South Pacific with Australia, New Zealand and USA. There are numerous flights between east coast cities in Australia and New Zealand with all Pacific Islands, with the cheapest flights usually offered by Virgin Australia. European travellers have two good options: via Los Angeles with Air New Zealand stopping over in either Tahiti, Rarotonga (Cooks), Nadi (Fiji), Samoa or Tonga; or with Korean Air via Seoul stopping at either Nadi (Fiji) or Noumea. Air Pacific operate flights from Fiji to Hawaii and LA as well as direct to Hong Kong whilst Air Calin fly to Japan and on to France.

Fiji Airways, Air Calin and Air Vanuatu are the main airlines connecting the South Pacific island destinations. Fiji Airways is the largest local carrier with regular flights between Nadi and Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Solomon Airlines provides a service between Honiara and Nadi as well as to Port Vila (Vanuatu) and Brisbane. The Cook Islands is isolated from its neighbours with direct flights only to New Zealand, Australia and USA but nothing to other islands.