If you've just finished watching Disney's Moana, you're probably left fantasizing over the Pacific Islands' pristine beaches, blue waters, warm weather, and its even warmer inhabitants. Dotted around the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, these islands are miles apart and have unique landscapes and cultures of their own. Let's take a look at some of the best islands in the Pacific Ocean you should visit to get your island hopping fix.
1. Tahiti / French Polynesia - French Polynesia features more than 115 islands among five larger archipelagos. The French colonization of these islands gives the culture a uniquely French-Pacific vibe, especially in their language and the food they serve. The most famous of the islands is Bora Bora, with its white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. According to TripAdvisor, you can swim and dive around the Coral Gardens and Tupitipiti Point, or take a hike and take in the tangerine sunsets from the peak of volcanic Mount Otemanu.
2. Fiji - This Pacific Island has a more Indian influence with scents of spices and curries coming from the small capital city Suva's roti shops. Natadola Beach is known to be one of the best beaches on earth, with its crescent shape, dramatic cliff faces and fresh coconuts ripe for the picking lining the shore.
3. Cook Islands / Raratonga - Another foreign-influenced country, these islands are administered by New Zealand, from whom locals have adapted the Haka. Lonely Planet says that Aitutuaki atoll is a brilliant place for diving and snorkeling with its low-lying coral islets, but don't forget to check out their marae or ancient stone temples.
4. Vanuatu - For history buffs, Vanuatu marries beautiful beaches, delicious food and warm locals with wild jungles and interesting WWII shipwrecks. Mt. Yasur on Tanna island is worth the climb for those wanting to go up, and Espiritu Santo's Millenium Cave is filled with waterfalls and bats, for those wanting to go down.
5. Samoa / American Samoa - Being a little closer to home in terms of administration, American Samoa is part of the USA's territory. Despite this territorial claim, Samoa and American Samoa still remain very Polynesian in culture with guests being able to stay in fale or basic open beach huts. Villages are small but filled with flowers, and people take on a slow, relaxed pace of life. It's a bit difficult to find organized tour groups for excursions, but backpackers and self-planners can marvel at the variety of options present here.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
