3 lesser-known South Pacific Islands that should be on your bucket list

We hear a lot about the great holiday destinations of the South Pacific: Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tahiti for example, and for good reason – they’re all tropical paradises. But, there are thousands of islands in the South Pacific and the lesser-known nations are just as exciting as the popular islands. Here are three lesser-known South Pacific islands that may not have been on the top of your bucket list, but very well should be!

1. Samoa

Samoa is considered the heart of Polynesia, with a 3,000-year-old culture and unique way of life called Fa’a Samoa, which makes for an interesting experience for visitors. Fa’a Samoa describes the traditional, customary way of life for Samoan people. It’s steeped in respect for elders and figures of authority, including within the family unit. The islands are great to take a drive around as you’ll see traditional villages and churches – church being an integral part of life for Samoans.

For visitors, the 10 islands of Samoa offer endless holiday activities. They’re blessed with gorgeous landscapes, beaches and marine environments, from rainforest-covered mountains to waterfalls and rivers. Fly into the capital city of Apia and explore the charming, colonial-style town – a hub of pretty buildings, shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to visit before heading to some of the more quiet, beachy destinations, if that’s what your holiday is calling for.

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Some of Samoa’s highlights include the Piula Cave Pool near Apia – a bright blue, crystal-clear freshwater pool and cave. The To Sua Ocean Trench is another must-see natural wonder. It’s a natural formation that’s comprised of two giant holes that have joined via an ancient lava tube cave. It looks quite spectacular with lush foliage surrounding it’s walls and cascading into the natural wells. 

2. Niue

South of Samoa is the little spec in the Pacific Ocean called Niue, surrounded by marine life bursting with colour. Niue is one of the smallest countries in the world, and is also one of the largest raised coral atolls on earth, so it’s a snorkeler’s heaven. The whole island is covered in caves, rocky coves, rock pools and secret beaches and being only recently being opened to tourism, there’s some that are yet to be explored.

There are no inland rivers or lakes, so the water surrounding the island is crystal clear all year ’round, but there are rainforests covering the island. Niue is the place to go to avoid the crowds, and you’ll often be the only ones around when you venture to the caves and beaches. Here you can swim with dolphins, see whales close up and be surrounded by tropical fish.

It’s a place with no traffic lights where strangers will wave at each other and has an enviable slow pace of life.

3. Tonga

East of Niue and southeast of Fiji is the spectacular Kingdom of Tonga. If you don’t mind a holiday sans the flashy resorts, Tonga is the perfect island destination for an immersive cultural experience, offering visitors the chance to see real, unpolished and authentic island life. The four core values of Tongan culture are mutual respect, sharing, humility and loyalty, which makes for a very welcoming experience for guests.

Feasts are a big part of Tongan life, so you can expect to be very well fed when you dine in Tonga. Traditional meals include things such as ‘ota ‘ika, raw fish marinated in lemon and coconut cream and lu pulu, corned beef and coconut milk wrapped in taro leaves. You’ll fall in love with the traditional handicrafts from markets such as woven bowls, weaving and bone carving, and you’ll wonder how you ever went without tapa mats.

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If you’re interested in Tonga’s royalty, visitors can make an appointment to see the Victorian Royal Palace. When the king is there, the royal standard flags are raised. For history buffs, Tonga has its very own Stonehenge. It’s believed the massive stone arch called Ha’amonga Trilithon was used as a seasonal calendar. Of course, Tonga is also popular for snorkelling, fishing and basically any water activity under the tropical sun, but if you’re after a truly Tongan experience, set sail for the Vava’u Group – a cluster of 50 thickly wooded, unspoiled islands.