South Pacific Cruises – Discover a Polynesian Paradise

The secluded and tranquil islands visited on South Pacific cruises are renowned for their exotic atmosphere and beautiful natural landscape. Each verdant speck of land offers the ideal place to escape the worries of modern life and relax in a location where very few people ever step foot. Unspoilt forests, golden sandy beaches and crystal blue ocean waters greet visitors wherever they travel on South Pacific cruises. Many people see the islands included within South Pacific cruises as their own personal paradise, a view which we believe completely justified. Read on to learn more about a selection of our favourite South Pacific islands available on South Pacific cruises with the finest luxury cruise lines.

Tahiti

The island nation of Tahiti is the largest of the 118 islands that make up the French Polynesian archipelago. A stay in this stunning destination is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience and is often incorporated within fabulous South Pacific cruises itineraries. Tahiti is comprised of two volcanic mountain ranges, which form the islands of Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Itu, joined together by an isthmus known as Taravao. The nation’s capital city and main port is Papeete, a once quiet town that has become a bustling hub of activity over the years, filled with excellent shops and cafes.

A fantastic range of activities and excursion possibilities are available to tourists on the island of Tahiti. Exhilarating coastal pursuits include surfing, fishing, kayaking and, of course, scuba diving at a number of breath-taking dive sites, where divers can observe a magnificent underwater wonderland. Hiking and Jeep tours of the island are also popular, leading visitors to a collection of the island’s best sites, such as the three majestic waterfalls, known as Les Trois Cascades, as well as Tahiti’s intriguing religious shrines and monuments.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the northernmost of the Polynesian islands and often the main focus of many South Pacific cruises. The archipelago is the most recent of the 50 United States and therefore heavily influence by Western culture and the English language. Hawaii’s diverse scenery and stunning natural beauty has created one of the Pacific’s most popular cruise destinations, drawing throngs of tourists every year to its sandy shores. Hawaii is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna, which generates the lush landscape associated with the islands. The archipelago consists of eight main islands with the capital city of Honolulu situated on the island of O’ahu.

Visitors to the island can get lost in the amazing range of activities and sightseeing opportunities available in Hawaii, from shark cage dives and whale watching to surfing and hiking. Each of Hawaii’s volcanic islands offer its own unique attractions, drawing visitors back again and again.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora is amongst one of the most isolated and peaceful islands available on South Pacific cruises, comprised of a majestic and extinct volcano and surrounded by a glistening lagoon. The island is famous for its laid-back ambience and wonderful natural landscape, which combine to generate the perfect cruise escape and picturesque destination on which to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Vaitape is Bora Bora’s main settlement and home to around half of the islands population as well as a range of local shops and eateries.

The majority of travellers visit Bora Bora for its outdoor pursuits and marvellously warm climate. The Bora Bora Lagoonarium is an ideal place to learn to scuba dive with professional instructors, whilst on land, excellent hiking and jeep tours can take tourists to some of the islands top locations.

Aitutaki

With a population of around 2000 people, the tiny atoll of Aitutaki is located with the exotic Cook Islands. South Pacific cruises to this blissful island offer passengers the chance to experience the wonders of a picture perfect destination, where the immaculate, quiet beaches and glistening ocean waters filled with an astounding natural reef are truly a sight to behold. Aitutaki is divided into eight districts, of which Arutanga is the largest and most significant village.

Activities and excursions can be found in abundance across the island. Lagoon tours can be arranged with local companies, who will guide guests to some of the most spectacular sites on the island aboard their boats. A range of aquatic activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and fishing are also popular with both tourists and local people. After working up an appetite, visitors can dine out in style at a number of quaint eateries, which serve both authentic local dishes, such as mata and coconut milk, alongside familiar international cuisine.

Mo’orea

Located within French Polynesia’s Society Islands, Mo’orea is an idyllic paradise situated just to the north of Tahiti. The island’s astonishing natural landscape includes a range of incredible features, from craggy mountains and dramatic waterfalls to verdant forests and pale sandy beaches. Mo’orea’s ambience is ubiquitously peaceful and the local people are very friendly and welcoming toward tourists. This beautiful land mass encapsulates much of what people expect to find in French Polynesia on their South Pacific cruises and will create memories that will last a lifetime.

South Pacific cruises calling at Mo’orea offer passengers the chance to experience and appreciate the islands rich and fascinating culture. This captivating culture and heritage is on display at the islands spiritual sites, such as the ancient Mares found across Mo’orea and the Papetoai Temple. As with most of the French Polynesian islands, both water sports and land based activities are all the rage with tourists, from scuba diving and snorkelling to horseback riding and jeep excursions, visitors will always find something to keep them occupied.