South Pacific Cruises

The Best Time to Cruise

South Pacific cruises are great all year-round. The Isle of Pines and the Conflict Islands, for example, boast great year-round temperatures of 20-25°C.

There is a rainy season which peaks in November, but don’t let that put you off. The daily rainfall is moderate and doesn’t last long, so you get to enjoy the rest of the day.

Top Cruise Lines

Finding the right South Pacific itinerary for you will be easy, considering how many cruise lines offer sailings to the paradise islands. Here are some of the most popular ones that have dedicated South Pacific cruises and include the destination in their world and repositioning routes:

• Carnival Australia cruises to the South Pacific
• Princess Cruises cruises to the South Pacific
• Silversea cruises to the South Pacific

Top Ports

Fiji

Fiji is a phenomenal destination in the South Pacific with its:

• Fishing
• Organic produce
• Underwater adventures
• Coral forests
• Friendly locals
• Exotic wildlife

The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are among the best havens for:

• White sand beaches
• Turquoise waters
• Beautiful holiday resorts

For a remote hideaway destination, look no further than Kadavu. Discover the local prehistoric-looking jungle coves and the island’s chirping endemic birds.

Cook Islands

Visit the Cook Islands for the perfect mix of New Zealand hospitality and azure Polynesian waters:

• Enjoy a local dance performance
• Indulge in a cultural ‘Island Night’ Polynesian feast

Aquamarine lagoons, that are plentiful here, are perfect for tranquil midnight strolls and harmonious swimming or snorkelling.

Rarotonga – the capital island, is the youngest of the Cook Islands. It is known for spectacular vistas and a fantastic range of water activities.

The Samoan Islands

The Samoan Islands make up two countries:

• Independent State of Samoa
• American Samoa, an American territory

However, both of these island nations proudly remain traditionally Polynesian. Most locals live in basic open beach huts.

Delight in the views of:

• Wonderfully tranquil bays
• Charismatic villages
• Magnificent mountain ridges

The tropical American Samoa is a haven of relaxation appealing to all tastes. The unspoilt pathways and strips of sand in the Manu’a Islands make up the perfect routes to some of the best wildlife areas around. Avid snorkellers will revel in the coral-filled waters of Ofu Beach, a region of striking and colourful landscapes.

Highlights

There are so many islands that comprise the South Pacific as a cruise destination, and they are all different. There are some things, though, that unite them.

Water Activities

The waters of the South Pacific Ocean surrounding the islands are calm, warm and stunning, so there is no wonder, there are so many water activities on offer here:

• Scuba diving here is spectacular, there is everything from coral reefs and sharks to ship wrecks to encounter
• Lagoon cruises will let you discover all the stunning lagoons that surround the islands
• Surfing is among the best in the world in the South Pacific
• Taking a day tour around the tiny islands that dot the ocean is always a great aesthetic pleasure

Culture

A cruise to the South Pacific is culture rich. The local traditions, customs and way of life have changed very little in the past centuries, making it fascinating to us today.

• Visit the especially set up ‘culture villages’ or venture out to the real life villages to see cargo cults, witchcraft, traditional tattooing rituals and much more
• Watch beautiful traditional dancing and listen to rhythmic drum beating
• Try the local bush beer
• Witness the locals weave baskets, make pottery or thatch houses deep in the mountains