South Pacific Islands
Discover more of the exotic South Pacific Ocean on the islands of Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Easter Island. For idyllic beaches and adventurous landscapes, the South Pacific is a vacation waiting for you.
There was a time when the 3,300 islands which make up the South Pacific island countries, covering over 11 million square miles of ocean, have remained fairly inaccessible, even to the most intrepid traveler.
Now, with regular air and sea services from North America, reliable telecommunications and tourism facilities, these South Pacific islands and their extremely hospitable people are ready to welcome you to your island vacation.
Discover places where tropical myths, exotic legends and mysterious folklore come together in a distinctive blend of traditional song, dance and celebration. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience to lands untouched by time and destinations unspoiled by visitors.
Samoa
A vacation to Samoa will treat the traveler to superb Samoan culture and some of the South Pacific's most undeveloped and beautiful beaches.
The capital of Samoa, Apia, is a colorful, historic, laid-back, old South Seas town, on the island of Upolu, the most developed and the most populous of Samoa. The largest Samoan island, Savai'i, is the biggest island in all of Polynesia, except for Hawaii and New Zealand.
Tourists can see volcanic craters and lava tubes, rainforest canopy walks, blowholes and some lovely beach settings alongside traditional Polynesian villages which are even more laid back than on Upolu.
Samoa is divided into Western Samoa and American Samoa, with US dollars as the currency in American Samoa. Samoans are extremely hospitable, friendly people. As part of the Samoan culture, the life within the family group is all important. The islands have attracted famous writers over the years, one of the best-known being Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent his later years in Samoa.
The home of Tusitala ("The Teller of Tales"), called Vailima, is located near Apia and is now an interesting museum that is open to visitors. Stevenson and his wife, Fanny, are buried near Vailima, and the gravesite may also be visited.
Vanuatu
For a South Pacific vacation full of tropical fruits and vegetables, fresh shellfish, hand crafted island souvenirs and extremely friendly locals, Vanuatu is a fantastic destination.
Bougainvillea-clad Port Vila, on Efate Island, is the capital of the country. The town is lined with shops and of particular note is the Port Vila Market open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. You will be tempted by an array of tropical fruits, vegetables, coconut crabs, shells, artifacts and souvenirs.
Due to its past governments, the inhabitants in Vanuatu today speak French and English, as well as the national language, Bislama, a form of Pidgin English. The traditional culture is as strong today as it was many years ago, with customs differing from island to island and having a strong impact on Vanuatu life, despite generations of missionary and other out side influences.
Espiritu Santo, the largest island in the chain, is known locally as Santo and was home to over 100,000 American servicemen during World War 2. It was here a young U.S. Army lieutenant, James Michener, wrote the legendary ‘Tales of the South Pacific’. There are still many relics and reminders of the war here in Espiritu Santo.
Other remarkable islands in the Vanuatu archipelago are Tanna, where visitors can see an active volcano, and Pentecost Island, where the islanders have a distinctive ritual of jumping from high poles, bound at the ankles – the forerunner of today's bungee jumping.
Tonga
For the most spectacular South Pacific church services and local craft markets, the island of Tonga is the destination of choice.
Tongans have very close family relations and are devout Christians. Sabbath is a day strictly observed, with no sporting events, work or trade. If visiting on a Sunday, you should take advantage of attending one of the many church services held, as the Tongan choral church music is exceptional.
Tongatapu is the main island in Tonga's 170-island group and the location of the capital Nuku'alofa. Two-thirds of the population lives here. Nearly all Tongans speak English, as it's taught in school, but the official language is Tongan.
A visit to a local crafts market is a must - Tongans are masters at basketry and the making of tapa cloth. In the countryside of Tongatapu, blowholes and flying foxes are popular discoveries.
Near the village of Niutoua is Ha'amonga Trilithon, known as the ‘Stonehenge of the Pacific’. This huge, ancient arch is estimated to have been built in the 12th century A.D. One of the South Pacific's finest beaches is on small 'Atata Island where travelers can enjoy a stay at a small off-shore resort.
Solomon Island
Ideal for eco-tourists, divers and travelers who simply want to enjoy the natural surroundings and unspoiled environment, the Solomon Islands is the second largest archipelago in the Pacific. With 992 islands, the Solomon Islands are scattered between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The six major islands in the nation are Guadalcanal, New Georgia, San Cristobal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, and Choiseul.
This archipelago of mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls is an ideal vacation to experience the undiscovered delights of a primitive culture untainted by overshadowing advances of the outside world.
Traditional attire, age-old customs, cultural rituals and respected taboos still endure in the Solomons. The Solomons are noted for exquisite wood carvings, inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
The capital is Honiara, located on Guadalcanal, the most-visited island. It is the economic and governmental center of the country.
Most of the population is Christian. The basic social structure is the extended family, although structure and tradition vary from island to island. English is the official language, but Pijin (a form of Pidgin English) is used by the villagers to communicate among the 87 indigenous languages of the country.
Easter Island
Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it is better known, has fascinated people for years, with its history, archaeology, legends and traditions. Archaeological remains can be found all over the island, making the whole island like an open-air museum just waiting to be explored.
For adventurous visitors, Easter Island is a great vacation destination for hikers, surfers and experienced scuba divers. The rocky coastline creates idyllic mountainous settings above ground and caves and coral walls below the water.
However the main attraction for visitors to the island is seeing the mystical moai (statues) that are scattered everywhere, including some that were, strangely, never completed. Up to 887 mysterious moai have been counted over the island, with the standing statues having eyes made out of cut coral.
As a province of Chile, Easter Island is not typical of other South Pacific islands as it's not particularly tropical. It is triangular in shape with an extinct volcano at each point, and smaller volcanoes in the central area. The local people - the Rapanui - are of Polynesian descent and Spanish as well as English is spoken by nearly everyone on the island.
Discover more of the exotic South Pacific Ocean on the islands of Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Easter Island. For idyllic beaches and adventurous landscapes, the South Pacific is a vacation waiting for you.
There was a time when the 3,300 islands which make up the South Pacific island countries, covering over 11 million square miles of ocean, have remained fairly inaccessible, even to the most intrepid traveler.
Now, with regular air and sea services from North America, reliable telecommunications and tourism facilities, these South Pacific islands and their extremely hospitable people are ready to welcome you to your island vacation.
Discover places where tropical myths, exotic legends and mysterious folklore come together in a distinctive blend of traditional song, dance and celebration. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience to lands untouched by time and destinations unspoiled by visitors.
Samoa
A vacation to Samoa will treat the traveler to superb Samoan culture and some of the South Pacific's most undeveloped and beautiful beaches.
The capital of Samoa, Apia, is a colorful, historic, laid-back, old South Seas town, on the island of Upolu, the most developed and the most populous of Samoa. The largest Samoan island, Savai'i, is the biggest island in all of Polynesia, except for Hawaii and New Zealand.
Tourists can see volcanic craters and lava tubes, rainforest canopy walks, blowholes and some lovely beach settings alongside traditional Polynesian villages which are even more laid back than on Upolu.
Samoa is divided into Western Samoa and American Samoa, with US dollars as the currency in American Samoa. Samoans are extremely hospitable, friendly people. As part of the Samoan culture, the life within the family group is all important. The islands have attracted famous writers over the years, one of the best-known being Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent his later years in Samoa.
The home of Tusitala ("The Teller of Tales"), called Vailima, is located near Apia and is now an interesting museum that is open to visitors. Stevenson and his wife, Fanny, are buried near Vailima, and the gravesite may also be visited.
Vanuatu
For a South Pacific vacation full of tropical fruits and vegetables, fresh shellfish, hand crafted island souvenirs and extremely friendly locals, Vanuatu is a fantastic destination.
Bougainvillea-clad Port Vila, on Efate Island, is the capital of the country. The town is lined with shops and of particular note is the Port Vila Market open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. You will be tempted by an array of tropical fruits, vegetables, coconut crabs, shells, artifacts and souvenirs.
Due to its past governments, the inhabitants in Vanuatu today speak French and English, as well as the national language, Bislama, a form of Pidgin English. The traditional culture is as strong today as it was many years ago, with customs differing from island to island and having a strong impact on Vanuatu life, despite generations of missionary and other out side influences.
Espiritu Santo, the largest island in the chain, is known locally as Santo and was home to over 100,000 American servicemen during World War 2. It was here a young U.S. Army lieutenant, James Michener, wrote the legendary ‘Tales of the South Pacific’. There are still many relics and reminders of the war here in Espiritu Santo.
Other remarkable islands in the Vanuatu archipelago are Tanna, where visitors can see an active volcano, and Pentecost Island, where the islanders have a distinctive ritual of jumping from high poles, bound at the ankles – the forerunner of today's bungee jumping.
Tonga
For the most spectacular South Pacific church services and local craft markets, the island of Tonga is the destination of choice.
Tongans have very close family relations and are devout Christians. Sabbath is a day strictly observed, with no sporting events, work or trade. If visiting on a Sunday, you should take advantage of attending one of the many church services held, as the Tongan choral church music is exceptional.
Tongatapu is the main island in Tonga's 170-island group and the location of the capital Nuku'alofa. Two-thirds of the population lives here. Nearly all Tongans speak English, as it's taught in school, but the official language is Tongan.
A visit to a local crafts market is a must - Tongans are masters at basketry and the making of tapa cloth. In the countryside of Tongatapu, blowholes and flying foxes are popular discoveries.
Near the village of Niutoua is Ha'amonga Trilithon, known as the ‘Stonehenge of the Pacific’. This huge, ancient arch is estimated to have been built in the 12th century A.D. One of the South Pacific's finest beaches is on small 'Atata Island where travelers can enjoy a stay at a small off-shore resort.
Solomon Island
Ideal for eco-tourists, divers and travelers who simply want to enjoy the natural surroundings and unspoiled environment, the Solomon Islands is the second largest archipelago in the Pacific. With 992 islands, the Solomon Islands are scattered between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The six major islands in the nation are Guadalcanal, New Georgia, San Cristobal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, and Choiseul.
This archipelago of mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls is an ideal vacation to experience the undiscovered delights of a primitive culture untainted by overshadowing advances of the outside world.
Traditional attire, age-old customs, cultural rituals and respected taboos still endure in the Solomons. The Solomons are noted for exquisite wood carvings, inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
The capital is Honiara, located on Guadalcanal, the most-visited island. It is the economic and governmental center of the country.
Most of the population is Christian. The basic social structure is the extended family, although structure and tradition vary from island to island. English is the official language, but Pijin (a form of Pidgin English) is used by the villagers to communicate among the 87 indigenous languages of the country.
Easter Island
Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it is better known, has fascinated people for years, with its history, archaeology, legends and traditions. Archaeological remains can be found all over the island, making the whole island like an open-air museum just waiting to be explored.
For adventurous visitors, Easter Island is a great vacation destination for hikers, surfers and experienced scuba divers. The rocky coastline creates idyllic mountainous settings above ground and caves and coral walls below the water.
However the main attraction for visitors to the island is seeing the mystical moai (statues) that are scattered everywhere, including some that were, strangely, never completed. Up to 887 mysterious moai have been counted over the island, with the standing statues having eyes made out of cut coral.
As a province of Chile, Easter Island is not typical of other South Pacific islands as it's not particularly tropical. It is triangular in shape with an extinct volcano at each point, and smaller volcanoes in the central area. The local people - the Rapanui - are of Polynesian descent and Spanish as well as English is spoken by nearly everyone on the island.
