beyond Fiji : Discover More of the South Pacific

When New Zealanders think about a Pacific Island holiday, Fiji and Rarotonga are often the first destinations that come to mind. Both are deservedly popular, but they are only the beginning of what our remarkable Pacific neighbourhood has to offer.

Target Travel recently attended the Treasures of the South Pacific industry event, where we heard from tourism representatives from Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. It was a timely reminder that every island group offers its own landscapes, culture, history and style of travel.

For many New Zealand travellers, Vanuatu means a relaxing resort holiday in Port Vila—and Efate is certainly a wonderful place to begin. Beyond its waterfront restaurants and bustling markets, the island offers waterfalls, swimming holes, snorkelling, village visits and opportunities to learn more about Ni-Vanuatu culture.

However, Port Vila is only the gateway. Vanuatu comprises more than 80 islands, and travelling beyond Efate reveals just how varied the country can be. On Tanna, visitors can stand near the rim of Mount Yasur and watch one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes erupt against the night sky. The island also offers a powerful introduction to kastom: the traditions, community life and connection to the land that remain central to Vanuatu’s identity.

Further north, Espiritu Santo combines adventure with some of the South Pacific’s most beautiful natural settings. You can swim in extraordinarily clear freshwater blue holes, relax on the white sands of Champagne Beach, explore caves and waterfalls, or kayak along the coast. Santo is also internationally known for its diving, particularly the enormous SS President Coolidge shipwreck and the submerged Second World War relics at Million Dollar Point.

Vanuatu can be a beach holiday, but it can also be an active, culturally rich island-hopping experience. Target Travel can help combine Efate with Tanna or Santo, arranging flights, accommodation and experiences to create a holiday that goes considerably further than the resort gates.

Known as the “Friendly Islands”, Tonga offers a quieter and more traditional South Pacific experience. It is the Pacific’s only remaining island kingdom, and its strong Polynesian culture remains part of everyday life. Visitors can experience local markets, traditional feasts, music and dance, alongside important historical sites such as the Haʻamonga ʻa Maui stone trilithon on Tongatapu.

Nature is one of Tonga’s greatest attractions. Between July and October, humpback whales migrate to its warm waters to breed and raise their calves. Tonga is one of the few destinations where travellers can join a licensed guided excursion to swim with these magnificent animals. An experience that deserves a place on many travel wish lists.

Each island group has its own personality. Tongatapu is the cultural and political heart of the country, with dramatic coastal blowholes, beaches and historical landmarks. Vavaʻu is renowned for sailing, sheltered bays and whale encounters, while Haʻapai offers uncrowded beaches, coral reefs and a wonderfully slow pace of life. For walking, rugged scenery and outdoor adventure, ʻEua is particularly rewarding.

Tonga suits travellers who value authentic experiences over large resorts and busy tourist centres. Life moves at a gentler pace, particularly on Sundays, when much of the country pauses for church, family and rest. With the right planning, Target Travel can combine flights, accommodation and island connections to create a Tongan holiday that reaches well beyond the usual Pacific getaway.

Samoa offers a wonderful balance of dramatic landscapes, welcoming communities and a strong sense of living Pacific culture. Across the two main islands of Upolu and Savai‘i, travellers will discover volcanic coastlines, lush rainforest, waterfalls, natural swimming holes and beautiful beaches, often without the crowds found in better-known island destinations.

Upolu is home to the capital, Apia, as well as colourful markets, cultural attractions and the spectacular To Sua Ocean Trench. Savai‘i rewards those who venture farther with lava fields, blowholes, waterfalls and traditional villages, all at an unhurried pace.

What makes Samoa especially memorable, however, is fa‘a Samoa—the Samoan way of life. Family, community, faith and respect remain central to everyday life, giving visitors the opportunity to experience a culture that is proudly maintained rather than simply presented for tourism.

Samoa suits travellers who want more than a resort holiday. Stay in a beachfront fale, explore by car, swim beneath a waterfall or simply slow down and enjoy the warmth of Samoan hospitality. Target Travel can help create an itinerary combining the highlights of both Upolu and Savai‘i.

New Caledonia offers a fascinating blend of French sophistication, Melanesian culture and spectacular Pacific scenery. In Nouméa, travellers can browse local markets, enjoy waterfront cafés and discover a food scene shaped by French, Kanak and wider Pacific influences. It is a destination where a morning spent snorkelling can easily be followed by an excellent French-inspired lunch.

Beyond Nouméa, New Caledonia becomes increasingly wild and adventurous. The UNESCO-listed lagoon surrounds the main island with clear water, coral reefs and marine life, while the Isle of Pines is known for its white-sand beaches, natural swimming pools and distinctive columnar pines. The Loyalty Islands offer an even more remote experience, with dramatic coastlines, traditional Kanak communities and fewer signs of mass tourism.

New Caledonia particularly suits travellers who want more than a conventional resort holiday. It rewards those interested in culture, food, history, walking, diving and exploring beyond the capital. Allow enough time to combine Nouméa with at least one outer island.

Travel conditions can change, so Target Travel can help with current advice, flights, accommodation and a well-planned itinerary. New Zealand’s SafeTravel currently recommends exercising increased caution, making advance planning and comprehensive insurance especially important. Check the latest SafeTravel advice.

Tahiti is often associated with luxurious overwater bungalows and romantic escapes, but there is much more to discover across French Polynesia. Tahiti itself is the lively gateway to the islands, combining French and Polynesian influences with colourful markets, excellent food, dramatic waterfalls, volcanic mountains and striking black-sand beaches.

Spend time exploring Papeete’s waterfront and market, sample poisson cru made with fresh fish, lime and coconut milk, or travel around the island to discover gardens, surf beaches and quieter coastal communities. Nearby Moorea offers rugged mountain scenery, beautiful lagoons and a more relaxed pace, while Bora Bora delivers the spectacular turquoise water and resort experience for which the region is famous.

Travellers prepared to venture farther can explore less-visited island groups, including the Tuamotus, known for exceptional diving, or the remote Marquesas, where powerful landscapes and traditional Polynesian culture take centre stage.

French Polynesia works particularly well for honeymoons, milestone celebrations and travellers wanting to combine relaxation with culture and adventure. It can be more expensive than some South Pacific destinations, but careful planning and choosing the right combination of islands and accommodation can make it more accessible than many people expect. Target Travel can help create an itinerary that matches your budget, interests and preferred style of travel.

For travellers who want the South Pacific to feel genuinely adventurous, the Solomon Islands offer something special. This scattered archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands combines beautiful beaches, dense tropical forests, welcoming communities and some of the most significant Second World War sites in the Pacific.

Honiara, on Guadalcanal, is the main gateway and a good base for exploring wartime memorials, museums, local markets and nearby waterfalls. Beyond the capital, the pace slows considerably. Visitors can discover traditional villages, paddle across clear lagoons, snorkel over coral reefs or dive among shipwrecks, aircraft and extraordinary marine life. Western Province, including Munda and Gizo, is particularly rewarding for diving, fishing, island-hopping and time spent well away from busy resort areas.

The Solomon Islands are not a highly polished, mass-market destination—and that is a large part of their appeal. Travel here suits curious visitors who value authentic cultural encounters, natural beauty and the opportunity to explore somewhere that still feels relatively undiscovered. Accommodation and transport options can be limited, so careful planning is important.

Target Travel can help coordinate flights, accommodation, transfers and local experiences, creating an itinerary that makes travelling through the islands easier and more rewarding. Book well ahead, bring an open mind and prepare to experience a very different side of the South Pacific.

Norfolk Island offers a very different South Pacific experience. Rather than large resorts and busy beaches, visitors find dramatic coastlines, subtropical forests, fascinating history and a wonderfully relaxed way of life.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area provides an absorbing introduction to the island’s convict past. Norfolk Island is also home to descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian families, who arrived from Pitcairn Island in 1856. Their language, traditions and close-knit community remain central to the island’s character.

Beyond its history, Norfolk Island is ideal for walking, birdwatching, fishing and simply enjoying the scenery. Explore Norfolk Island National Park, wander beneath the distinctive Norfolk pines, visit local markets and producers, or swim and snorkel in the sheltered waters of Emily Bay. The island also has a strong food culture, with fresh seafood and locally grown produce appearing across its cafés and restaurants.

Norfolk Island particularly suits travellers who enjoy independent exploration, gentle adventure and destinations with a strong sense of place. Hiring a car makes it easy to explore at your own pace—and the island’s friendly tradition of waving to passing drivers quickly becomes part of the experience.

Fiji may be one of the South Pacific’s best-known destinations, but there is much more to experience than a week beside a resort pool. With more than 300 islands, Fiji can offer a surprisingly varied holiday—from family-friendly resorts and romantic retreats to cultural encounters, diving adventures and journeys into less-visited communities.

The main island of Viti Levu is home to Nadi, Denarau and the Coral Coast, but it is also worth exploring further. Visit Suva for markets, museums and a livelier urban experience, or travel into the highlands to discover villages, waterfalls and Fiji’s lush interior. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes, river safaris and local food experiences can all add depth to a resort stay.

Beyond Viti Levu, the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups offer beautiful beaches, snorkelling and island-hopping opportunities. Vanua Levu and Taveuni are excellent choices for travellers seeking fewer crowds, rainforest walks, waterfalls and some of Fiji’s finest diving. Taveuni, often called the “Garden Island”, is particularly appealing to nature lovers.

Fiji is also a destination where the warmth of the people leaves a lasting impression. Taking time to learn about local customs, visit a village respectfully and share a bowl of kava can turn an enjoyable holiday into a genuinely memorable experience.

Whether you want an easy resort escape, an active family holiday, a diving adventure or a multi-island itinerary, Target Travel can help you look beyond the obvious and create a Fiji experience that suits how you really want to travel.

Rarotonga remains a favourite with New Zealand travellers for good reason. It is easy to reach, English is widely spoken, New Zealand currency is used, and the island has a relaxed familiarity from the moment you arrive. Yet it still feels unmistakably Pacific, with lush volcanic mountains, welcoming villages, lively markets and a lagoon made for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Hiring a scooter or small car makes it easy to explore the island at your own pace. Spend time at Muri Lagoon, visit the Punanga Nui Market, walk through the island’s tropical interior or simply stop at a beachside café and watch island life unfold.

However, the Cook Islands offer much more than Rarotonga. Aitutaki’s extraordinary lagoon is an obvious addition, whether for a day trip or a longer stay. Travellers wanting something quieter can also consider islands such as Atiu, Mangaia or Mauke, where the experience is less resort-focused and more closely connected to local communities, nature and traditional island life.

Target Travel can help combine Rarotonga with one or more outer islands, creating a Cook Islands holiday that goes beyond the familiar.

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The South Pacific is wonderfully accessible from New Zealand, but accommodation capacity can be limited, particularly on the smaller islands and during popular travel periods. We recommend beginning your plans at least four months in advance - longer if you have firm dates or a particular property in mind.

Target Travel can create a personalised Pacific package around your preferred dates, budget and interests, including flights, accommodation, transfers and island combinations. Talk to us about going a little further afield and discovering a different side of the South Pacific.