Ultimate Voyage: Tahiti, Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands

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

Tanna is an island (40km by 19km) in the Vanuatu archipelago and one of the more populous islands in this South Pacific country. It lies 200 km south of the capital Port Vila. The island's residents are Melanesians who follow a very traditional lifestyle and which draws the attention of tourists. Read more about Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Pentecost Island, which takes its name from the day on which it was first sighted by Europeans, is one of the 83 islands that make up the nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. It lies 190 km due N of the capital Port Vila. The island is long and narrow, with a mountainous interior, rain forest vegetation, streams and waterfalls. Read more about Pentecost, Vanuatu

Isla del Espíritu Santo is an uninhabited island in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) off the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Some regard this as the most beautiful island in the Gulf. It lies between Isla Partida to the north, and the city of La Paz on the mainland of Baja California Sur (South Lower California). Read more about Espiritu Santo, Mexico

Santa Ana Island is a raised coral atoll in the Makira-Ulawa Province of the Solomon Islands, east of Papua New Guinea. Port Mary, situated on a small bay of the same name on the SW of the island, is the main town. Each cruise ship Zodiac that arrives at the beach landing is greeted by a fierce “welcoming committee”, composed of local men, masked and mud-smeared, dressed in warrior costumes and brandishing spears, shields, and machetes. Read more about Santa Ana Island, Solomon Islands

Honiara, located on the northern coast of the island of Guadalcanal, is the capital of the Solomon Islands, which lie between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Pijin is the principal language. The climate is tropical, and while the most pleasant time to visit is winter, July to September, the cooling sea breezes temper the humidity and heat along all coasts year-round. Read more about Honiara, Solomon Islands

Read more about Alotau, Papua New Guinea

Doini Island is located in the heart of Milne Bay on the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. This privately owned island is home to a plantation that was originally surveyed by a government surveyor in 1900, and consists of 1100 hectares of coconut trees and beautiful rainforest. Surrounded by white sandy beaches and pristine turquoise waters teeming with myriads of exotic fish, the island is inhabited by warm and friendly local caretakers. Read more about Doini Island, Papua New Guinea

Doini Island is located in the heart of Milne Bay on the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. This privately owned island is home to a plantation that was originally surveyed by a government surveyor in 1900, and consists of 1100 hectares of coconut trees and beautiful rainforest. Surrounded by white sandy beaches and pristine turquoise waters teeming with myriads of exotic fish, the island is inhabited by warm and friendly local caretakers. Read more about Doini Island, Papua New Guinea

Cairns is a Far North Queensland city located on the northeast coast of Australia. This laid-back city is just over a 2 hour flight from Brisbane, Queensland’s state capital. With a backdrop of rainforest mountains, Cairns is known to be the gateway of 2 iconic Australian sites, The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Read more about Cairns, Australia