Reefs & Volcanic Isles: Tahiti to Fiji

The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia

Mo'orea is French Polynesia's second-most popular tourist attraction after Tahiti. Located a mere seven kilometres west of the island of Tahiti, Mo'orea is distinctive for its jagged peaks cloaked with lush greenery, its white and black sand beaches that are among the finest in the world.The island is encircled by a lagoon of translucent green, fringed by the deep blue of the ocean and light blue sky. Then there are the fascinating threads of waterfalls that tumble down fern-softened cliffs, all of which sets one in awe of the majesty of nature. Read more about Moorea, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The mysteries and romance associated with the words Bora Bora bring an almost mystical presence to the island; it is arguably the most famous island in the world. Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Read more about Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Aitutaki - aka Araura, Ararau, Utataki - is one of the Cook Islands, 250 km north of the main island, Rarotonga. Bounded by a triangular barrier reef, Aitutaki boasts one of the most famous lagoons in the world and which is home to a large number of fish, hence making it a favourite spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. The lagoon is four times the area of the main island, and inside the lagoon are fifteen islets each its own paradise. Read more about Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Palmerston Island is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean about 500 km northwest of the most populous Cook Island, Rarotonga. Palmerston Island was charted by James Cook in his second voyage in 1774. A true atoll, it consists of two dozen sandy islets on a continuous ring of coral reef enclosing a lagoon, all seated on the top of an old volcano rising 4000 m from the ocean floor. Read more about Palmerston Island, Cook Islands

Vava'u, and the other 40 odd islands that make up this stunningly beautiful group, is situated in the north of the Kingdom of the Tongan archipelago in the South Pacific. Despite now being easily accessible, it still remains off the beaten track of mass tourism. Neiafu, the tiny capital on Vava'u, is perched above the Port of Refuge Harbour, a delightful natural harbour regarded by many as one of the most beautiful in the world. Read more about Vava'u, Tonga

Taveuni, the fourth largest island in Fiji, is known as the Garden Island. It is an eco-tourist's dream with nature reserves harbouring an abundance of native plants and wildlife. The island is covered in tropical rainforest and surrounded by tropical reefs with some of the world’s best dive sites. Read more about Taveuni, Fiji

Lautoka is situated on the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, and just 20 km north of Nadi. The Fiji archipelago lies just to the western side of the International Date Line. Lautoka is Fiji's second largest city. Read more about Lautoka, Fiji